Your Guide to the Best Food in Shinjuku
With over 3.6 million people a day packing its halls and a whopping 200 exits, JR Shinjuku Station is the busiest train station in the world.
And with a lot of people comes a lot of food.
Be it udon dishes that will have you drooling in record time or fresh seafood cooked to perfection, Shinjuku is chock full of dining options and is a bona fide haven for foodies to explore.
To keep things easy for you, we've narrowed down our selection of the best restaurants in Shinjuku to options near the station itself.
From fancy Michelin-starred restaurants to hole-in-the-wall eateries with minimal counter-seats in the Golden Gai, here are the best restaurants in the Shinjuku area.
Best Restaurants Near Shinjuku Station
Ichiran Ramen Shinjuku
If you're craving for noodles, you can't go wrong with Ichiran Ramen, a true gem for ramen lovers. Behind the bamboo-covered windows partitioning diners, you'll taste some of the finest ramen in the Shinjuku area.
Go to the outlet near the Shinjuku Central East Exit and order the Fukuoka-style tonkotsu ramen, where the broth is prepared by boiling pork bones for hours - a delicious meal, especially for first-timers to Japanese cuisine.
Address: 160-0023, 7 Chome−10−18, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo, Japan (map)
How to reach: It's a 7-minute walk from Shinjuku Station.
Opening Hours: Open daily, 10am to 10:30pm.
Udon Shin
The Japanese are very passionate about their food. So when you see locals forming snaking queues, you know a place is worth the wait. Udon Shin is one of those places.
A tiny shokudo (a small, casual restaurant serving local cuisine at a reasonable price) less than a minute away from Shinjuku station, Udon Shin has only six counter seats, but it offers delicious udon with side dishes like tempura and deep-fried tofu.
Try the "carbonara udon," an interesting fusion creation crafted with grated cheese, a soft-boiled egg, and a slice of bacon tempura.
Address: Japan, 〒151-0053 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Yoyogi, 2 Chome−20−16 相馬ビル １F (map)
How to reach: It's a 2-minute walk from Shinjuku station.
Opening Hours: Open daily, 11am to 10pm
Kanagari
If unpretentious restaurants are right up your alley, make a beeline for Kanagari, a fuss-free izakaya stocked with over 50 varieties of sake from all over the country.
Chef Yoshimitsu Honda's delightful menu revolves around robatayaki (where pork, fish, and vegetables are cooked at various speeds over a charcoal grill), genshiyaki (a traditional Japanese cooking method that cooks skewered fish at the hearth), and ironware-baked rice.
Signature dishes include the salt-grilled nodoguro, or black throat sea perch, a grilled fish you can order à la carte.
The sashimi here is pretty great as well—you get a whole selection if you pick one of the course meals, complete with grilled fish, vegetables, and rice—perfect for dinner.
Address: Japan, 〒160-0023 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 7 Chome−16−12 新YSビル 3階 (map)
How to reach: It's an 8-minute walk from Shinjuku Station
Opening Hours: Mon to Thurs: 5pm to 11pm, Fri: 5pm to 11:30pm, Sat & Sun: 4pm to 11pm
Pho Thin
As wonderful as it is, sometimes you need a wee break from Japanese cuisine when travelling in the country, and Pho Thin is the perfect escape.
The restaurant offers authentic Vietnamese pho that warms the soul with its fragrant broth, rice noodles, tender beef slices, and fresh herbs and vegetables, making it an ideal dinner spot that doubles up as a delightful respite from the hustle and bustle of the Shinjuku area.
Address: Japan, 〒160-0023 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 7 Chome−9−13 石川ビル (map)
How to reach: It's a 6-minute walk from Shinjuku Station.
Opening Hours: Open daily, 11am to 9pm
Omoide Yokocho
Okay, so Omoide Yokocho isn't a restaurant per se, but it is a must-visit foodie hotspot.
Comprising tiny alleyways where you'll jostle shoulder-to-shoulder with people, this classic and highly Instagrammable street is known as "memory lane" because of its rustic atmosphere—imagine air thick with smoke and leaking pipes.
Here, yakitori rules the roost, although you can also enjoy sushi and ramen. Some recommendations include Kabuto, a restaurant serving grilled unagi on skewers, and Sushitatsu, one of the oldest establishments in the area and the sole sushi eatery at Omoide Yokocho. There are no menus at Sushitatsu; just wooden boards displaying the day's selection of fish, inscribed in kanji.
Address: 1 Chome-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan (map)
How to reach: It's a 3-minute walk from Shinjuku station.
Opening Hours: Varies according to restaurant
Kaiten Sushi Numazuko
Kaiten Sushi Numazuko prides itself as one of the best conveyor belt restaurants in Shinjuku, where sushi of various styles is directed to diners' table seats, which you can pick up àla carte.
Nothing beats the interactive fun of picking your favourites from the conveyor belt and savouring the freshness of each dish—you can expect to pay between 100 and 600 yen for each item when you pull plates off the belt.
Give the uni (sea urchin) a try here; it's one of the more popular dishes served.
Address: Japan, 〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 3 Chome−34−16 池田プラザビル 1F (map)
How to reach: It's a 3-minute walk away from Shinjuku station.
Opening Hours: Open daily, 11:30am to 10:30pm
Kani Douraku Shinjuku Main Branch
Japan is full of those blink-and-you-miss-it, hole-in-the-wall shops, but Kani Douraku doesn't fit into that category.
A popular franchise in the country with over 30 outlets, the Shinjuku branch is less than 3 minutes away from the station, and you can easily spot the massive crab signage on the restaurant's facade.
Come here for an incredible variety of crab dishes, from sashimi-style to grilled. Pro tip: go for the course meals for the best experience and to try different types of crab varieties. There are also private rooms for folks looking for a bit of exclusivity.
Address: Japan, 〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 3 Chome−14−20 7・8F 新宿テアトルビル (map)
How to reach: It's a 6-minute walk from Shinjuku station.
Opening Hours: Open daily, 11:30am to 10pm
New York Grill
One of Tokyo's top steakhouses, New York Grill is a must-visit for either lunch or dinner if you're in the mood to splash the cash.
52 floors high, the restaurant offers an incredible view of Tokyo's cityscape, making it the perfect spot for a date to pamper your partner.
Japanese wagyu is a highlight at this swanky establishment, although you can sample other meat dishes like pork or chicken as well.
Do take note that the restaurant is temporarily closed until October 2025 as it is under renovation, so keep it on your bucket list until then!
Address: Park Hyatt Tokyo, 52階, 3 Chome-7-1-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 163-1055, Japan (map)
How to reach: It's a 14-minute walk from Shinjuku station.
Opening Hours: Temporarily closed
NewYork Perfect Cheese Shinjuku
If you're a cheese lover, New York Perfect Cheese is a godsend.
Developed by a former White House pastry chef in collaboration with Japanese and French cheese masters, the shop is regularly flocked by customers, with products typically selling out by noon.
The Shinjuku branch is no different—you can get the same delectable biscuit filled with the goodness of soft and delicate cream cheese that'll keep you coming back for more.
Address: 1 Chome-1-4 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan (map)
How to reach: It's a 1-minute walk away from Shinjuku station.
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat: 10am to 8:30pm, Sun: 10am to 8pm.
Oyster Bar Wharf Shinjuku
Hailing all the way from Singapore, Oyster Bar Wharf is one of the best restaurants in Shinjuku if you're looking to spice things up with a great dinner spot for you and your partner.
And it's all about the seafood here.
Slurp down fresh oysters and tuna from Wakayama's Nachi-Katsuura, and wash it all down with Tiger Beer, a boozy staple from the Lion City.
Address: Japan, 〒151-0051 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Sendagaya, 5 Chome−24−55 NEWoMan SHINJUKU エキソト２F (map)
How to reach: It's a 1-minute walk away from Shinjuku station.
Opening Hours: Open daily, 11am to 11pm
Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima
For outstanding kaiseki courses in the Shinjuku area, head straight to Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima, a restaurant that boasts a Michelin star and, ironically, is one of the cheapest lunch and dinner spots in town.
Sardines take centre stage during lunch, and you can enjoy them prepared in four ways: deep-fried, marinated as sashimi in ginger, cooked in shoyu stock, or a casserole-like dish of deep-fried sardines in shoyu broth.
Also, don't worry about feeling peckish here. The set meals are substantial, coming with pickles, rice, miso soup, and tea.
Address: Japan, 〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 3 Chome−32−5 日原ビル B1 (map)
How to reach: It's a 4-minute walk away from Shinjuku station.
Opening Hours: Tues to Sat: 11:30am to 1:30pm, 5:30pm to 9pm. Closed on Sun & Mon.
Sugoi Niboshi Ramen Nagi Shinjuku Golden Gai
You know a restaurant is good when it hits you right in the face with the whiff of its food.
One of the best restaurants in Shinjuku is Sugoi Niboshi Ramen, a tiny spot housed in an old wooden house that serves up more than just regular ramen.
Here, you've got to try the niboshi ramen, noodles generously loaded with slices of chashu pork, menma (seasoned bamboo shoots), nori seaweed, scallions, and a soft-boiled egg.
Oh, and these guys are open 24 hours as well, perfect after a night of revelry if you're craving some delicious noodles and soup dishes.
Address: Japan, 〒160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 1 Chome−1−10 ２階 (map)
How to reach: It's a 6-minute walk from Shinjuku station.
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Tempura Shinjuku Tsunahachi
One special thing about Tempura Shinjuku Tsunahachi, one of the best restaurants in Shinjuku, is that the restaurant sources seasonal ingredients and fresh seafood daily from the Toyosu Market.
What's more, premium sesame oil is used for frying, so your deep-fried tempura doesn't feel greasy or clog up your throat.
If you're on a budget, try the cheapest kakiage (fritter) set meal, fried to order, which comes with miso soup, rice, and pickles.
Address: 3 Chome-31-8 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022, Japan (map)
How to reach: It's a 3-minute walk from Shinjuku station.
Opening Hours: Open daily, 11am to 10pm
More Foodie Experiences to Enjoy Japanese Cuisine
A Wagyu and Sake Extravaganza in Shinjuku
Brace yourself for an epic culinary experience in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Join a certified sake sommelier and wagyu expert guide from Gifu - home to Japan's finest wagyu beef.
Go on a mouthwatering journey as you indulge in eight delectable courses of high-quality wagyu, each paired perfectly with premium Japanese craft sake.
Join a Japanese Home Cooking Workshop
Ready to immerse yourself in the heart of Japanese culture? Join Sato, a passionate food photographer and cooking enthusiast, in his cosy Shinjuku apartment for an authentic culinary adventure.
Discover Japanese home-style dishes, from traditional favourites to Western-inspired creations and exotic delicacies.
Sake Tasting with a Tokyo Sommelier
Explore Japanese sake culture, try six high-quality brands and learn about brewing techniques and flavour variations. Sip sake along the 'drunkard's heaven' neighbourhood, paired with local snacks.
At this tasting session, you can find out your go-to sake, and create a personalised tasting chart that suits your taste buds.
Izakaya Food Tour in Shinjuku
Delight in classic Japanese experiences at fantastic izakaya locations, from popular spots to hidden gems on a unique izakaya food tour in Shinjuku.
Sample mouth-watering Japanese food and beverages, visiting three restaurants for seven delectable tastings - your tummy will thank you after!
Tokyo Travel Essentials for Effortless Adventures
Explore Tokyo with Ease on the Subway
For those looking to utilise Japan's world-class public transport, you can purchase Tokyo subway tickets that offer unlimited rides on the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines for 24, 48 or 72 hours.
Hop on and off to visit iconic spots like Sensoji Temple, Shibuya's scramble crossing, Tsukiji Market, and more.
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Always stay connected in Japan with the unlimited 4G/LTE SIM card, powered by Docomo, the country's most reliable network.
Pick up your SIM card conveniently at Narita, Haneda, or Kansai airports, and dive into efficient internet service right away.
Taste the Finest Food in Shinjuku
And there you have it—a delectable tour of Shinjuku's finest dining experiences.
Whether you're indulging in luxurious crab dishes in a private room, savouring the rich broth of a bowl of ramen, or exploring the hidden gems of Golden Gai, Shinjuku offers a culinary adventure like no other.
With each restaurant near the bustling Shinjuku Station, you can easily navigate your way to unforgettable meals that will satisfy every craving.
So, next time you're in Tokyo, make sure to tick these gastronomic delights off your list and experience the best that Shinjuku has to offer. Happy feasting!