Tasting The Trendiest Of Tokyo: Shibuya and Shinjuku

Welcome back to our 8 Days in Tokyo series, where I take you along on the incredible journey of showing my parents the wonders of Tokyo—a city that’s as vast as it is vibrant. I’m beyond thankful for the opportunity to share this experience with them, exploring every nook and cranny of this bustling metropolis together. Today, we’re diving into two of Tokyo’s trendiest districts: Shinjuku and Shibuya, and try out some of internationally viral restaurants from Ichiran to Gyukatsu Motomura.

Shinjuku: Tokyo’s Most Dynamic District

Shinjuku, Tokyo, is a vibrant hub of endless energy and trendsetting vibes. Known for its towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and neon-lit alleys, it’s a place where the latest trends in fashion, food, and entertainment come to life. From the underground bars of Golden Gai to the high-end department stores, Shinjuku effortlessly blends the traditional with the ultra-modern. It’s a district that never sleeps, offering everything from cutting-edge robot restaurants to serene green spaces. It’s SUCH an interesting place to explore!

Gyukatsu Motomura: Amazing Fried Steak Cutlet

Gyukatsu Motomura is a restaurant that’s an absolute must-visit for anyone exploring the city. Dom and I had been here before. This time, we were excited to bring my parents. Outside of Japan, you usually see Tonkastu, or fried pork cutlet. Gyukatsu is the same, but made of beef!

We each got our own gyukatsu set, complete with barley rice, soup, and a variety of side dishes. The star of the show here is, of course, the steak, fried to a perfect medium-rare with beautiful marbling. You then get to finish grilling on a hot stone to your personal taste. It’s yummy AND it’s fun trying different lengths of grilling your piece of steak.

Of all the sides, the grated mountain yam stole my heart. It’s incredibly tasty, especially when paired with the steak. My dad LOVED that the steak was crispy on the outside and SO TENDER inside. I’m so surprised that a steak could be cooked like that! We savored every bite, leaving not a single morsel behind.

Pro tip from our experience: timing is everything. On our previous visit, we braced ourselves for a long wait, lining up for an hour and a half. However, this time, we struck gold by arriving at 2:00 p.m. on a Tuesday – walking straight in with no line in sight. So, if you’re planning a visit, aiming for off-peak times might just save you a long wait.

Ichiran Ramen: The Introvert’s Ramen Experience

My dad had specifically marked Ichiran Ramen on his Tokyo wishlist, and his wish is my command! A national chain, Ichiran is available all across Tokyo and other major Japanese cities, but will often have a line in front. They’re famous for their thick tonkatsu broth, their consistency in quality, and the ability to personalize your bowl to your taste.

They have individual booth seatings, with barriers between each seat. You order on a touch screen, find your seat, and give your ticket to the staff behind the privacy screen. They bring out your orders, roll down the privacy screens, and leave you to enjoy your meal. This is SO PERFECT for introverts.

The broth at Ichiran is a rich and creamy tonkatsu broth, perfectly complementing the springy, chewy noodles. It’s a combination that leaves you contemplating a second serving. And let’s not forget the egg—cooked just right to a deliciously gooey consistency, it was a highlight, especially for my dad experiencing it for the first time.

Despite the mixed opinions floating around, Ichiran stands as a unique ramen experience for anyone’s first trip to Tokyo. Some might argue it’s overhyped, but there’s no denying that it satisfies a specific craving. Always be prepared to line up at Ichiran, but sometimes you might get lucky!

Uotake: Traditional Tsukiji Japanese Breakfast

Before heading over to Shibuya, we recharged at Uotake in Tsukiji, near our hotel. This unassuming restaurant serves a simple Japanese breakfast with the FRESHEST fish. The set comes with a main dish, 2 pickle, a side sashimi, and unlimited rice and miso soup.

The salted salmon was grilled to perfection, PERFECT with their light, fluffy bowl of rice. It comes with a dallop of grated daikon with vinegar, which adds a pop to the salty flavor. There’s also a side of chopped tuna sashimi, which tasted SUPER fresh, and delicious with just a quick dip of soy sauce.

Uotake can sometimes have a long line before they even open. We got there 20 MINUTES ahead, and STILL had to wait in line! Get there a bit early to make sure you get a spot!

I’m Donut: The Sweetest Spot in Shibuya

I’m donut is a SUPER popular donut shop in the middle of Shibuya. Their specialty is their “raw” doughnut dough, which tastes fluffy, but lighter than the traditional doughnut dough. They’ve got an impressive range of 80 flavors, with prices for each ranging from ￥200-450. 

We got the white Chocolate Matcha, orange rare cheese cream, pistachio cream, and the classic “I’m Donut”. I love that these flavors are SO UNIQUE. I especially love how Japanese desserts incorporate fresh seasonal fruit. There was practically a WHOLE orange inside the orange donut! The cream inside of each donut was THICK and rich, but still somehow light.

My mom and Dom are the sweet-tooths (teeth?) of the family, and they’ve been LOVING these Japanese donuts. I’m Donut was PERFECT when it comes to satisfying their sweet cravings. Keep in mind, I’m Donut will have a LONG line, so prepare to be waiting!

Oreryu Shio-Ramen: A Slurp-Worthy Shibuya Ramen Adventure

When lunchtime rolled around and our ramen cravings hit, we decided to check out a local restaurant we’d heard about: Oreryu Shio-Ramen. The best part? Each of us ordered a different type of ramen, allowing us to share and sample a bit of everything—broths, noodles, you name it. This, in my opinion, is the ultimate perk of traveling with others: the joy of ordering a variety of dishes and tasting a little bit of everything.

You order your ramen from a old fashioned ticket vending machine, and pass the tickets to the staff. Each bowl ranges from ￥780-1280. We ordered the tsukemen. “Otokomori-Gabachi” or “Manly Garlic Butter Chese Ramen”, Yuzu Shio-Ramen, and the Shio Ramen. There was so many flavors to try! I think we got a really good range of the different choices they have to offer.

My dad LOVED how refreshing the yusu shio ramen’s broth was! Yuzu in broth is quickly becoming our family’s favorite flavor in Japan. I really enjoyed my tsukemen, which separates the broth and noodles for a fun dipping experience.

This restaurant usually has a wait time of about an hour. Lucky for us, we managed to get seated in just 5 minutes. It seems like hitting these spots at off-peak times, like our 2:00 p.m. lunch, is the way to go.

Shibuya Crossing: Navigating World’s Busiest Intersection

Shibuya, the icon of youth culture and fashion, is home to the famous Shibuya Crossing and a myriad of the TRENDIEST spots. The district buzzes with an eclectic mix of fun theme cafes, vibrant nightclubs, and innovative restaurants, making it a focal point for foodies, fashionistas, and nightlife enthusiasts alike.

A highlight for my parents was honestly experiencing the famous Shibuya Crossing. The energy and excitement of navigating through the sea of people was an experience in itself, turning a simple walk into an unforgettable part of our trip. My parents were so captivated by the bustling intersection that we found ourselves crossing back and forth FOUR TIMES!

Toritake Yakitori: Grilled Delights in Shibuya

During a cozy evening wander through Shibuya, our quest for comfort food led us right to the doorstep of charming Yakitori restaurant Toritake. The sight of the chef masterfully grilling skewers outside was all the invitation we needed. For those who relish the combo of delicious bites, refreshing drinks, and great vibes, Yakitori spots in Japan are a must-visit.

It smells so good in there – we wanted to try EVERYTHING. These skewers are roasted over a charcoal grill, and we can TASTE the wonderful char flavor. We basically made our way down the skewer menu, and got almost every part of the chicken. The chicken skin skewers were ESPECIALLY GOOD; crispy, flavorful, and utterly addictive.

We found ourselves sitting here for almost three hours, lost in conversation, laughter, and the simple pleasures of skewer after skewer. There’s something special about ending a day like this, surrounded by good food and loved ones.

Toritake is located on the corner near the Shibuya station exit, and almost always has a bit of a line. Don’t worry, it moves pretty fast! If you happen to be near the Shibuya station area and have some time, I’d suggest hanging out at Toritake for a while!

Don’t Miss Out On the Rest Of My Tokyo Adventures!

I’m so thankful to be taking my parents around Tokyo, from the bustling markets of Tsukiji to the luxury shopping of Ginza, and more! For a deep dive into our Tokyo journey, make sure to catch the COMPLETE TOKYO VLOG! Don’t miss my 8 day through Tokyo series, where I go into details for each place we visit. It has truly been a unforgettable experience taking my parents on an adventure around Tokyo!

Looking for more TRAVEL EATS? Check out some of my FOOD ADVENTURES!