5 Cheap Restaurants Around Shinjuku Station

Tokyo may have a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in, but that certainly doesn't apply to eating out even in the popular area around Shinjuku Station. To help budget-conscious travelers navigate the city's restaurant scene, we've compiled a list of some of the best cheap eats and budget restaurants in Shinjuku to suit every type of craving.

Hara Hachi Bun Me

Hara Hachi Bun Me is named after the Japanese tradition of 'eating until 80 percent full', a concept that many believe is the secret to longevity. The restaurant isn't exactly about healthy eating, however, and their most famous menu item is the 'legendary fried chicken', served at all of the parent company's restaurants (Kaikyo Group). Everything on the menu is only 280 yen, including drinks and alcohol, but at the high-rent Shinjuku locations they do charge both a table charge and 'otoshi' (appetizer) fee that comes with popcorn, totaling about 600 yen per person.

Cona

Cona is a restaurant specializing in Japan-Italian fusion cuisine and carries an extensive selection of wine. Cona's main attraction, however, is the 500-yen thin-crust pizza, which comes in a huge variety of customizable toppings (including vegetarian options), cooked in their traditional brick oven. Their Shinjuku restaurant location comes with a table charge of around 300 yen per person, but with an extensive menu of affordable wines, cocktail and beers to go with the super cheap pizza, it's worth it.

Ichiran

Ichiran started in 1960 in Fukuoka, and today it is one of Japan's most prolific and well-known ramen shops. The shops are especially popular with solo diners because of the single-booth seating, but the barriers can be folded down for couples and groups. Ichiran's Shinjuku restaurants are open 24 hours but seemingly always busy, so be prepared to line up. Ichiran's popular basic tonkatsu ramen, the shop's specialty, starts at 980 yen.

Torikizoku

Torikizoku is a chain shop specializing in yakitori (chicken skewers) with outlets all over Tokyo. Best of all, everything on the menu is just 298 yen, including beer, whisky and the shop's own brand of house wine. The shop has a multi-lingual tablet ordering system, so it's easy to keep track of everything. Torikizoku is great for dinner and drinks, as it's only open in the evenings until late at night.

Sobahouse Konjiki Hototogisu

Konjiki Hototogisu recently rose to fame for being crowned one of Tokyo's best and cheapest Michelin eats. The shop makes its own noodles in-house, and their signature salt broth is a harmony of umami flavors, including hamaguri clam, sea bream, Mongolian rock salt, truffle oil, mushroom paste and finely chopped pancetta bacon. Most of the ramen options are around 1,000 yen, and Hototogisu is equally popular with foreigners and locals, so be prepared to wait in line.

Cheap Restaurants Around Shinjuku Station: Conclusion

Shinjuku's restaurant scene is one of the best in Tokyo, and there's truly something here for every budget. From an Italian pizzeria and wine bar to one of the city's cheapest Michelin-starred meals, the rock-bottom prices at these budget-friendly Shinjuku restaurants will help keep the change in your pocket.