9 Affordable and Delicious Restaurants in Higashi Shinjuku You'll Want to Visit More than Once Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 06 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Shinjuku

9 Affordable and Delicious Restaurants in Higashi Shinjuku You'll Want to Visit More than Once

Directly connected to complexes and Shinjuku East Side Square, Higashi-shinjuku Station is crowded every day not only with businessmen and office ladies, but also hordes of young people. Being so lively, it makes sense that the area is also a lunch mecca. The variety of lunch options ranges from stylish cafes to places that serve up cheap yet delicious and filling foods. So, with that said, check out this selection of the 9 most recommended restaurants for lunch in Higashi-shinjuku!

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Shinjuku.

1. India & Nepal Restaurant Sansar Shinjuku

Only 5 minutes on foot from Shinjuku Ward Office, India & Nepal Restaurant Sansar Shinjuku serves food that makes use of the richness of vegetables and legumes, and they focus on maximizing the flavors of all the ingredients. The low amounts of oils used and home-cooking style flavors make their dishes light and easy to digest. The most recommended option is the [Prawn Masala Curry] that beautifully combines prawns with coconut. The texture of the prawns and the sweetness and richness of coconut match very well with their tasty naan and rice. Great attention is paid to the food arrangement as well, like in the [Butter Chicken Curry], which is served with a different cream drawing every time so you won’t get bored of it.

India & Nepal Restaurant Sansar Shinjuku

Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 2:30 pm / Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Closed: Sundays
Average price: [Dinner] 1,900 JPY / [Lunch] 800 JPY
Access: From Higashi Shinjuku Station exit A3, head toward Shinjuku along Meijidori. Turn left at Shinjuku 6-Chome. Located just before Shinjuku Culture Center.
Address: Kinnishi Bldg. 1F , 6-13-8 Shinjuku , Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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2. Seorae Kalmegi

If you get in the mood for authentic Korean food while you're in Japan, it’s worth visiting Seorae Kalmegi. Recognized by its welcoming wooden signboard, it is famous all over Asia and easy to access. It's opened many stores abroad, but it’s famous in Korea as well. Combining the 3 essentials of good food - a rich "umami" (Japanese savory taste), a fragrant "aroma", and a tender "texture" - their superb [Galmegisal] is highly recommended for being low-fat and super healthy. From everyday meals to special occasions, the restaurant is suitable for all sorts of customers. Starting from [Makgeolli], there's also a rich lineup of alcoholic drinks, so have fun discovering your favorite brand!

Seorae Kalmegi

Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 4:00 pm (L.O. 3:00 pm) *Food L.O. is 1 hour before. Drinks L.O. is 30 minutes before, Dinner 5:30 pm - 12:30 am
Closed: None
Average price: 3,500 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Shin-Okubo Station. From the station gates, turn right, proceed straight and you'll find it on your right.
Address: 206, Shoei Bldg., 1-16-16, Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Map
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3. Karan Koron

Located inside a premium spa that’s popular for its open-air baths, Karan Koron soothes your soul by combining "spa and ethnic cuisine." Made with plenty of vegetables like cilantro, bean sprouts, and red onion, their Vietnamese rice noodle dish [Cilantro-flavored Chicken and Vegetable Pho] will enchant you with the smooth texture of the noodles and the spicy and sour soup. Health-conscious diners will love this for its umami borne from fresh veggies and crisp texture! Inside, you'll find chic Asian-style interiors with soft lighting that will make you feel at ease.

Karan Koron

Open: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,200 JPY / [Lunch] 1,200 JPY
Access: 4-minute walk from Shinjuku Station
Address: B1F, Thermae-yu, 1-1-2, Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

4. Sansui Somoku

Inside the city's largest spa, there's Sansui Somoku, where you can have delicacies like [Crunchy Whitebait and Daikon Salad], in which the umami of whitebait accents the crispy daikon (Japanese white radish), or the [4-Piece Eel Sushi], consisting of pressed sushi dressed with a special sweet and salty sauce based on mirin (Japanese sweetener). It's open from 11:00 am to 5 the next morning, so it's great if you want to enjoy delicious food regardless of the time of day. Why not go with your friends to relax at the spa, and then immediately go to the large, cozy restaurant for a nice and relaxed dining experience?

Sansui Somoku

Open: 11:30 am - 5:00 am (L.O. 4:00 am)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,400 JPY / [Lunch] 1,600 JPY
Access: 4-minute walk from Shinjuku Station. It's right next to Hanazono Shrine.
Address: B1F, Thermae-yu, 1-1-2, Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

5. Gyoshoya Nishi Waseda Branch

Only 4 minutes on foot from Higashi-shinjuku Station, Gyoshoya Nishi Waseda Branch serves fresh seafood directly delivered from the fishing port of Tosa in Kochi Prefecture. They deal directly with the fishing port to stock the most delicious seafood available. For lunch, they have a menu filled with dishes costing around a reasonable 600 JPY, but they're all pretty classy. At night, it turns into an izakaya (Japanese pub) with carefully selected sake from various regions, including popular brands like [Dassai], [Shinsei], and [Kokuryu]. There's also counter seating, ideal for solo diners. If you're looking for a venue for your business dinner, you can make a reservation for up to 10 people.

Gyoshoya Nishi Waseda Branch

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 2,500 JPY / [Lunch] 600 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Exit 3 of the Fukutoshin Line
Address: 2-3-17, Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

6. Gochisoya Kanae Shinjuku Kabuki-cho Branch

This quiet hideaway in Shinjuku serves sake (Japanese alcohol) and menu items made from produce directly delivered from Noto in Ishikawa Prefecture, so don't miss it if you want to try the delicious mountain ingredients of Noto while sipping on popular sake brands from all over Japan. Order the premium [Sashimi Assortment], and you'll be served fish from Wajima on the Sea of Japan, as well as fish directly stocked from the fishermen of Noto Island. The former is characterized by its meaty, sinewy texture and large size, while the latter is sweet and tender. The Japanese-style interiors are spacious and evocative, and laid out in a way where you're never bothered by the neighboring tables, so it's a great place for dates and business dinners.

Gochisoya Kanae Shinjuku Kabuki-cho Branch

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:30 am)
Closed: Sunday (open if it's a national holiday)
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 8-minute walk from the East Exit of Shinjuku Station, On the 2nd floor of the Lawson beside TOHO Cinemas. Also a 5-minute walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station.
Address: 2F, Kabuki-cho Bldg., 1-12-6, Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Map
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7. Gabutto Shinjuku Branch

Evoking a bar in a Western city with its stylish interiors, Gabutto offers voluminous meat dishes with party-friendly all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink plans. The [Domestic Beef Churrasco All-You-Can-Eat] is available even for lunch, making it a great option for a lunch event. Other than filling your stomach with delicious meat, you can add an all-you-can-drink option at a bargain price, making its price-to-quality ratio truly exceptional. There are only private rooms, and they can accommodate small groups of guests, so this place is good for dates and other occasions as well.

Gabutto Shinjuku Branch

Open: 11:00 am - 5:00 am
Closed: None
Average price: 3,000 JPY
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8. The Meat Station Shinjuku East Exit Branch

Gobble up meat until you can’t take anymore at this restaurant by ordering from their extensive course menu, which includes options like the [4-Kind All-You-Can-Eat Course with Roast Beef & Cheese Dakgalbi] and the [Premium Authentic Raw Ham All-You-Can-Eat Course]. You can expect well-balanced yet filling dishes, and they're especially popular for their fresh cheese and seasonal vegetables. Even the lunch menu is incredibly diverse! Plus, you can pair each dish with a wine that will help enhance its flavor, so why not taste and compare them while enjoying their voluminous meat delicacies?

The Meat Station Shinjuku East Exit Branch

Open: Lunch 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Dinner 4:00 pm - 5:00 am
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,180 JPY
Access: 4-minute walk from the East Exit of Shinjuku Station
Address: 2F, Sankei 43 Bldg., 1-13-5, Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

9. Beijing Fu-tong Yakiniku

Faithfully reproducing the atmosphere of an old Beijing hutong (narrow alley), this yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant uses New Zealand lamb to make umami-rich dishes like the [Lamb Shoulder Roast], wherein moderately fatty shoulder roast is marinated in a secret sauce made with 30 different herbs and spices. The private rooms will make you feel like you ended up in Beijing, and they're perfect for business dinners or other types of group meals. Their lamb yakiniku, completely different from jingisukan (Japanese grilled mutton dish), will definitely surprise you. Plus, you'll never forget their great hospitality.

Beijing Fu-tong Yakiniku

Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station. It's northwest of the Shinjuku 5-chome crossing, along Yasukuni Street.
Address: 3F, Hakuho Bldg., 5-17-11, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Map
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.