Tokyo’s cheap eats

B-class gourmet was the dining phrase on everyone’s lips in 2009; meals that were simple and affordable while not looking or tasting ‘budget’. On the heels of this more frugal approach to dining, the new watchwords are ‘mega cheap’, ‘one price’ and the always popular ‘one coin’. People are reigning in their spending during this dragged-out recession, and one of the first things to get cut from the budget is eating out. Restaurant chains and corporations have been forced to come up with new ways to entice customers, spawning ‘mega cheap’ izakayas (Japanese-style pubs) and yakiniku (meat grill) restaurants sporting prices lower than ever before.

Pick up a menu at one of these places and you might be surprised to find that many offer food and drinks at the same price. Try as hard as you might, it will be difficult to spend more than ¥2000. This has definitely lent to their popularity with those trying to squirrel away a bit of extra cash when they can without killing their social life.

Here is a selection of Tokyo’s ‘mega cheap’ restaurants to hit up for a night out on a limited budget. From ‘B-class gourmet’ to extra cheap restaurants, eat your fill and get the new year off to a good start by saving some of your yen.

All items ¥270

Izakaya “Kin no Kura Jr.” Humax Ikebukuro branch
When it was opened in May 2009 by Sanko Marketing Foods (who have also brought us the likes of Toho Kenbun Roku and Tsuki no Shizuku izakayas), Kin no Kura Jr. was one of the first pubs to offer a set price for all food and drinks: in this case, ¥270 (¥284 with tax). With over 165 items on the menu including snacks, fried foods, meat and fish dishes and sushi, just choosing what to eat is part of the fun. Not to be missed is the omu kyabe sarada (omelette cabbage salad), which will catch your attention looking like a jumbo-sized omelette. A nicely lit Japanese style interior helps create a good vibe, making for a pleasant dining experience.

Address: 5F Humax Pavillion, Minami Ikebukuro 1-21-1, Toshima, Tokyo
Telephone: (03)5911 1460
Open: Mon-Sun 5pm-11:30pm
Website: www.sankofoods.com/shop/kinjr/kinjr_shop03.html

Drinks for ¥294

Bucchigri Sakaba (Shibuya Miyamasuzaka branch）
Food and Beverage company, Reins International Inc., whose popular izakaya chains include “Gyukaku”, “Kamadoka” and “Izakaya Domadoma”, opened this new low-priced Japanese pub in December 2009. While everything on the menu is either ¥105, ¥189, ¥294 or ¥399, the majority of drinks and most dishes are priced at ¥294. Popular items all at ¥294 are Premium Malts (medium size), gyuu kushiyaki jyo karubi (skewered beef ribs) and a treat at this price: gyuu kushiyaki misuji (skewered shoulder of beef). Come here to feast on great kushiyaki in the surrounds of a lively izakaya. (Full details & map)

All you can drink: 100 choices for 100 minutes at ¥1000

Teppanyaki and Shochu restaurant Ushikai
Ushikai, which opened in November 2009, is across-the-board ‘mega cheap’, particularly when it comes to its self-service all-you-can-drink package. For just ¥1000, diners can select from 100 kinds of drinks including 60 kinds of shochu, umeshu, sours, draught beer, whisky, sake and soft drinks, and drink for 100 minutes. The food menu covers a variety of teppanyaki dishes including goya chanpuru (Okinawan stir-fried bitter gourd), ebi ippon shioyaki (salt-grilled prawn), and shimonita negi (green onions from Shimonita) as well as other drinking snacks and fried food, all priced very reasonably at either ¥300, ¥500 or ¥800. In addition, for an extra ¥300, there is the option of extending the all-you-can drink session by 30 minutes. With an extensive range of drinks on offer, this is a great place to swap notes on drinks while noshing.

Address: 4F Aishin Bldg, 2-2 Yotsuya, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Telephone: (03)6457 4899
Open: Mon-Sat 11:30am-2pm, 6pm-2am, closed Sun and nat. holidays

Get in early or miss out: ¥100 beef ribs

Yakiniku Haykuenya (Dogenzaka, Shibuya)
Aichi prefecture’s popular yakuniku chain, Hyakuenya which has built a reputation for cheap yet tasty food, opened their much anticipated store in the Dogenzaka area of Shibuya in December last year. While not everything on the menu is ¥100, at ¥500 the most expensive yakiniku item negi shio tan (salted tongue with green onions) is still a bargain. Hyakuenya is a good choice for ribs with their specials including beef ribs for ¥100 and choice domestic ribs for ¥504. Other recommended items are the generously portioned tezukuri annin dofu (homemade almond pudding) which is sure to satisfy, and aisu monaka (wafered ice cream). The interior has the feel of a trendy lounge and this place gets another tick on our list because you won’t go home with your clothes reeking of yakiniku.

Address: 2-38-5 Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo
Telephone: (03)5456 2929
Open: Mon-Sun 5pm-5am
Website: www.100enya.com/