Where locals eat in Tokyo

The neighborhood places residents go back to, with what to order at each.

12 places in Tokyo · by Chef Amazing · updated October 20, 2026
Photo: Wiiii, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

1. 1

   Iseya

   Yakitori · Kichijoji

   Get: yakitori and a beer by Inokashira Park

   Smoky, cheap, packed with Tokyoites.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
2. 2

   Tonki

   Tonkatsu · Meguro

   Get: the rosu katsu set at the counter

   Opens at 4pm, frying since 1939.

   Also on the list: The best tonkatsu in Tokyo.

   1-1-2 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-0064 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
3. 3

   Kanda Matsuya

   Soba · Kanda

   Get: goma soba or kamo nanban with a beer

   Handmade noodles since 1884.

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4. 4

   Harukiya

   Ramen · Ogikubo

   Get: the chuka soba, soy broth with dried sardine

   Ogikubo's ramen since 1949.

   東京都杉並区上荻1-4-6 (1-4-6 Kamiogi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 167-0043) · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
5. 5

   Kamachiku

   Udon · Nezu

   Get: the cold handmade udon in a hundred-year-old storehouse

   Expect a ticket wait.

   2-14-18 Nezu, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0031 (東京都文京区根津2-14-18) · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
6. 6

   Teuchi Soba Yakko

   Soba · Gakugei Daigaku

   Get: sake, a few small plates, then seiro soba

   Fourteen seats.

   3-4-13 Takaban, Meguro, Tokyo (東京都目黒区鷹番3-4-13) · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
7. 7

   Kamiya Bar

   Historic bar · Asakusa

   Get: a Denki Bran with a beer chaser at the formica tables

   Regulars since 1880.

   1-1-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
8. 8

   Kanda Yabu Soba

   Soba · Kanda

   Get: the seiro soba and tempura soba

   Rebuilt after a fire, over 100 years old.

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9. 9

   Rengatei

   Tonkatsu, Japanese · Ginza

   Get: the original omurice or the pork cutlet

   Western-style cooking since 1895.

   3-5-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
10. 10

    Isegen

    Kanda

    Get: the anko nabe, monkfish hot pot, in season September to April

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11. 11

    Taimeiken

    Yoshoku · Nihonbashi

    Get: the tampopo omurice, split open over the rice at the table

    Old school Nihonbashi yoshoku diner famous for its fluffy omurice and nostalgic Showa era atmosphere.

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12. 12

    Monja Kondo

    Tsukishima

    Get: the mochi cheese mentaiko monja, cooked on the griddle at your table

    3-12-10 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0052 (Japanese address: 東京都中央区月島3-12-10) · Map · Add to Chef Amazing