Southeast Asian restaurants
Vietnamese
Good food and service and a lively atmosphere. Cheap lunch specials (Y680 including coffee).   Higashi-Ikebukuro 1-7-10. Open noon-2:30, 6-10pm (LO) daily. | |
This simply named shop sells freshly made Vietnamese bahn mi sandwiches in several enticing varieties, including beef yakiniku, roast pork, grilled chicken, ham and liver paste, shrimp avocado, and vegetable-cheese, all served on fresh-baked bread with lots of pickled vegetables. This simply named shop sells freshly made Vietnamese bahn mi sandwiches in several enticing varieties, including beef yakiniku, roast pork, grilled chicken, ham and liver paste, shrimp avocado, and vegetable-cheese, all served on fresh-baked bread with lots of pickled vegetables.
Sandwiches are Y500, or you can spring for extra coriander and hot sauce for an additional Y80. They also sell fresh-baked rolls in various flavors for Y130. There's a tiny seating area out front, but most customers are here for take-out. [Show more] [Show less] Takadanobaba 4-9-18. Open 11am-7pm (Sat -6pm). Closed Sundays, Mondays. | |
These days you can find pho in many a hip Japanese cafe, but you have to venture further out of your way for good, authentic bahn xeo, those wafer-thin, crepe-like pancakes that are the eponymous specialty here. The banh xeo at Banh Xeo Saigon come in several enticing varieties - shrimp and pork (the standard at most places); mixed seafood; four-mushroom; sakura shrimp; cabbage and pork with mayonnaise; and spicy potato, bacon and cheese. Each order comes with a bowl full of foliage - romaine lettuce, mint leaves, various greens - in which to wrap your crepe. These days you can find pho in many a hip Japanese cafe, but you have to venture further out of your way for good, authentic bahn xeo, those wafer-thin, crepe-like pancakes that are the eponymous specialty here. The banh xeo at Banh Xeo Saigon come in several enticing varieties - shrimp and pork (the standard at most places); mixed seafood; four-mushroom; sakura shrimp; cabbage and pork with mayonnaise; and spicy potato, bacon and cheese. Each order comes with a bowl full of foliage - romaine lettuce, mint leaves, various greens - in which to wrap your crepe.
Lunchtime combination sets with pho or spring rolls are quite reasonable, and you can top things off with a very sweet Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk if your afternoon needs an extra boost. If you want to explore the a la carte menu at dinnertime the enthusiastically spiced yellow and green curries are well worth a try. The special Vietnam beefsteak, on the other hand, with its Chinese-inspired seasonings and accompanying thick-cut fries, might be a more of an acquired taste. Budget around Y1000 for lunch (served until fairly late in the afternoon) or Y3000 for dinner with a couple of drinks. [Show more] [Show less] Nishi-Shinjuku 1-1-3, Odakyu Shinjuku My Lord 9F. Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily. | |
Good, modern Vietnamese cooking from the "Iron Chef" who founded the Queen Alice chain. Their basket of assorted spring rolls is especially recommended. Budget around Y3000 at dinnertime. During the afternoon you can stop in for Vietnamese desserts or a late lunch. Nishi-Shinjuku 1-1-5, Shinjuku Lumine 1, 6F. Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily. | |
Nicely prepared, authentic Vietnamese fare. The dining room is fairly ordinary, but the terrace is pleasant in warm weather. Sendagaya 5-24-3, NTT Docomo Annex 1, 2F. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-10pm (LO) daily. | |
This friendly little shop located near the Takeshita-dori exit of Harajuku station serves Vietnamese-style fast food - banh mi sandwiches, spring rolls, noodles in soup, plus wine and beer. There's ample seating upstairs, or you can get anything to take out. Sandwiches start at Y500. Jingumae 1-19-14. Open 9am-9pm daily. | |
Saigon (Shibuya - Vietnamese). 3477-4684 A good take-out menu, and a few counter seats where you can grab a quick curry while shopping. Shibuya 2-24-1, Tokyu Toyoko-ten, B1F. Open 10am-8pm. Closed Thursdays. Inexpensive, authentic basic Vietnamese fare in an unadorned back-street basement. The menu is reasonably large, with full-course meals from Y3000 and much cheaper a la carte choices. Udagawacho 14-1. (in the street just behind Parco) Open 11:30am-3, 5-11pm daily. | |
A cafe and noodle shop on the first floor, and a full-fledged restaurant upstairs (dinner only). They also sell Vietnamese coffee and tea. Ebisu-Minami 1-9-3. Open 11am-11pm daily. | |
Cyclo (Roppongi - Vietnamese). 3478-4964 Vietnamese standards competently prepared, plus a very limited wine list. The high points are the charming modern decor and the convenient late-night hours. | |
Aozai (Akasaka - Vietnamese). 3583-0234 Respectable mid-level Vietnamese dining from an old neighborhood standby. Akasaka 5-4-14. Open 11:30am-2:30, 4-9:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays and holidays. | |
"East meets west" modern Vietnamese, a branch of the main shop in Kobe. Take-out is also available, with lunch boxes at Y680. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-5-2, Shiodome City Center B1F. Open 11:30-2:30, 5-10pm (LO) daily. | |
Saigon (Yurakucho - Vietnamese). 3275-3036 A fairly wide selection of Vietnamese standards is available here. Yurakucho 1-10-1, Yurakucho Bldg B1F. Open 11am-3, 5-9:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays and holidays. | |
Refined Vietnamese classics from the chef behind the upscale Queen Alice restaurants. Try the desserts recommended by their "vegetable sommelier"! Budget around Y4000 for dinner. | |
Simple, down-home Vietnamese food prepared extremely well. Their deep-fried ichiba harumaki (market spring rolls) are crunchy and flavorful; other highlights are fried tofu stuffed with beef and an excellent pho noodle soup, listed on the menu as gyuniku udon. They serve 333 and Saigon beers, but don't miss trying a bottle of the eye-opening Chang beer from Thailand. The final bill comes in at a very modest Y2,000-Y2,500 per person. Yotsuya 3-11. (on the north side of Shinjuku-dori, one block west of the Yotsuya 3-chome station, just past the koban) Open 11am-3, 5-11pm. Closed Sundays. Myun (Hongo - Vietnamese). 3815-1195 (Called "My Dung" in English). Popular, reasonably priced Vietnamese standards; budget around Y2500 at dinnertime. Hongo 4-2-8, Flora Bldg 2F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-10pm (LO) daily. Inexpensive Vietnamese dishes. Kichijoji Minamicho 1-8-5, B1F. (downstairs from Tom Yum 2.) Open noon-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily. | |
A popular, cozy little hideaway serving Vietnamese standards; around Y4000 for dinner with a few drinks. Kitazawa 2-19-17, Sawadaya Bldg. B1F. Open 5-11:30pm (from noon on weekends). Open every day. | |
Com Pho (Shimo-Kitazawa - Vietnamese). 5481-0564 Good, modern Vietnamese cuisine served in a stylish setting. Their Australian wines make a nice alternative to 333 Beer. Kitazawa 2-13-4. Open noon-10:30pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays. | |
 Giang's (Futago-tamagawa - Vietnamese). 3700-2475 A gem of a restaurant, with authentic food and good prices. There's also a good stock of Vietnamese beer and French wines. The shop is run by a Vietnamese family, and the chef used to teach Vietnamese cooking in Tokyo. | |
Authentic Vietnamese fare prepared by Ms. Tran Thi Ha, the owner/chef. Green papaya salad is their specialty and namesake. Good Vietnamese cooking in a casual setting. Onaricho 13-32. Open 11:30am-8:30pm. Closed Wednesdays. | |
Malaysian
Well-prepared Malay and Malay-Chinese dishes. Nishi-Ikebukuro 3-22-6. Open 11am-2, 5-10:30pm (LO) daily. Rasa (Ginza - Malaysian). 3289-1668 You can sample a wide selection of authentic Malaysian, Chinese-Malay and Singaporean dishes, including Chinese steamboat (a Hainanese version of shabu-shabu with lots of different seafood and meats). Seating is at small noodle-shop tables, but the decor is pleasant and modern. Budget around Y3500 at dinnertime. Ginza 5-8-13, Ginza Five Star Bldg 8F. Open 11am-2:30, 5-10pm (LO) daily. | |
This cozy cafe down the street from Inamuragasaki Station showcases the Chinese-influenced crossover cuisine of Malaysia. Classic rice dishes like nasi goreng share the stage with rich stews and stir-fries, and sides like satay, spring rolls and roti (whole-wheat flatbread). Don't miss the vegetable (okra, eggplant) and egg side dishes drenched in belacan - a wonderfully funky fermented shrimp paste. Kamakura, Inamuragasaki 3-1-17. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-8:30pm (LO). Closed Mondays. | |
Singaporean
Inexpensive Chinese-Singaporean cuisine in a brightly lit noodle-shop setting. Dumplings seem to be the specialty here, with especially good sui-gyoza. Interesting original dishes include a flavorful and crunchy Singapore lemon chicken and fantastic ebi-yuba harumaki (shrimp and tofu-skin spring rolls). And the Coca-cola-stewed chicken has its own special charm. Takadanobaba 2-14-16. Open 11:30am-2, 5-11pm. Closed Sundays. | |
Ebisu 1-21-14, Costa de Verano 1F. (behind Zest) Open 11:30-1:30, 6-10pm (LO). Closed 3rd Monday. | |
A "hawker-style SE Asian canteen" in a pretty cafe setting; they specialize in very authentic Singapore-style Hainanese Chicken Rice (steamed chicken served with jasmine rice and various sauces). They also have a good selection of curries and seafood stir-fries. [See FULL REVIEW.] Roppongi 6-11-16. Open 11:30am-1:30, 6-10pm (LO). Closed 3rd Monday. | |
A cozy little shop specializing in the famous Singaporean chicken-rice dish and a surprisingly big menu of other street-stall dishes; some take-out is available. Akasaka 5-3-1, Akasaka Biz Tower B1F. Open 11am-11pm daily. | |
Fancy Chinese-style Singaporean cuisine in a huge, elaborately decorated "supper club" style space that also showcases live music. This is the first Japan venture of Singapore celeb chef Sam Leong. Prix-fixe menus are Y4000-6000, plus Y3000 for an open bar; there are also plenty of a la carte choices. Anthemble (Marunouchi - Singaporean). 5220-1923 A Singapore-style dining bar with a nice view out over Marunouchi Brick Square. Budget around Y4000 for dinner. Open until 2am Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. | |
Mu-hung (Nishi-Ogikubo - Singaporean). 3394-9191 A comfortable smoke-free cafe that serves good Singapore-style chicken rice, although unfortunately they only serve it with fragrant jasmine rice on the 10th, 20th and 30th of each month; you get regular rice the rest of the time. Other dishes include very good Malaysian curries with excellent fried roti (bread), and other Malaysian/Singaporean specialties. There's a tiny art gallery located right next door. | |
This laid-back restaurant, located in what feels like a cinderblock bunker, serves up tasty, reasonable Singaporean and Malaysian fare. Lunch (11:30-3) is a steal, with classics such as Hainan chicken rice and Malaysian black curry, flavored with shrimp paste and coconut milk, available for Y880. More unusual items, like paper-wrapped chicken appetizers, soft-shell crab in chili sauce, and claypot-steamed rice with chicken and Chinese sausages, can be found on the dinner menu. After 1pm dogs are also welcome. Kami-Meguro 3-12-4. Open 11:30am-3, 5:30-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Indonesian
One of the more interesting corners of the Spice Road multi-ethnic complex, Jembatan offers appetizing food and friendly service. Nishi-Shinjuku 6-5-1, I-Land Tower B1F. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily. Authentic Indonesian street food prepared by a native chef from Java. Kamiyamacho 7-8, K Bldg 1F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 6-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays. These days Tokyo has plenty of Southeast Asian restaurants, but few are as charming and satisfying as Ayung Teras in Shibuya. The decor is decidedly Indonesian, quite dense with handicrafts and art, but done in a tasteful and restrained manner. It doesn't feel at all touristy, or overly "ethnic." Rather, Ayung Teras seems more like a casual restaurant you might run across in one of the finer international hotels of Jakarta. [See FULL REVIEW.] Sakuragaokacho 20-12. Open 11:30am-2:30, 6-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
A cozy little place serving Arak cocktails and food that's a little different from the other Balinese restaurants in town, with specialties like their asparagus egg-drop soup and spicy stir-fry dishes. Osaki 1-11-1, Gate City Osaki B1F. Open 11am-2, 5-10pm (LO) daily. | |
Curries and other Balinese standards in a pleasant setting, with a good deal of outdoor seating. It's also a nice place to stop for an out-of-the-ordinary dessert and coffee. | |
Reliable, filling Indonesian fare. Akasaka 3-20-6. Open 11am-2:30, 5pm-midnight daily. | |
With soothing gamelan music in the background, this beautifully decorated dining room is a relaxing place to sample the large Indonesian menu, which includes a pleasantly spicy gado gado. | |
Surabaya (Daiba - Indonesian). 3599-5341 Surabaya serves up a big menu of authentic-tasting Indonesian dishes, along with a huge selection of cocktails. Portions are small but prices are low, so you can try many different dishes if you wish. Most tables have a view of Fuji TV and Aomi beyond. Dinner for two starts at Y4900. Daiba 1-7-1, Aqua City 5F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily. | |
Burmese
Malihka (Takadanobaba - Burmese). 3207-8114 The only restaurant in Japan serving Kachin-style cooking from northern Myanmar, Malihka has home-style dishes like fish steamed in banana leaves, tripe stew, and chicken and bean curry. Open to 5am Saturday and Sunday. Takedanobaba 1-25-29, Sankoru Bldg 3F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5pm-midnight. Closed Mondays. | |
A hole-in-the-wall bar serving Shan-style cuisine, which draws on influences from neighboring Yunnan and Sichuan in China. The adventurous may want to try the Shan-Iei (Y400) - a reddish-brown-colored Shan-style liquor that's about 25% alcohol, with a sweet flavor reminiscent of some kind of herbal remedy. Nong Inlay is truly a hole-in-the-wall patronized mostly by young Burmese men who all seem to know each other. Decor is very minimal, with folding chairs and wall-bench seating. Named after a lake in Burma's northeastern Shan state, Nong Inlay specializes in Shan cooking, which draws on influences from neighboring Yunnan and Sichuan in China.
Only a part of the menu is in Japanese, and descriptions are short and limited, so it is best to ask what's what. The Shan Chicken (Y800) was small chunks of chicken and vegetables stir-fried with hot peppers in a tangy miso-based sauce, and was a lot like Kung Pao chicken. The adventurous may want to try the Shan-Iei (Y400) - a reddish-brown-colored Shan-style liquor that's about 25% alcohol, with a sweet flavor reminiscent of some kind of herbal remedy. [Show more] [Show less] Takadanobaba 2-19-7. Open noon-midnight daily. | |
Ruby (Takadanobaba - Burmese). 3204-5121 Good Burmese food and ambitiously multi-lingual karaoke in Burmese, Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean. Highly recommended is the Tofu-joh (Y550), a Burmese style tofu made from yellow lentils and spice, and deep fried in small squares. The menu also includes Malaysian-style dishes like satay. Ruby is a friendly place that attracts a lively crowd of drinkers and eaters. It's in a long and narrow basement space, clean and brightly lit, with video monitors for karaoke at each end. (The shop card boasts they have karaoke in Burmese, Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean!)
They have a complete Japanese-language menu, listing some Malaysian-style dishes like satay in addition to a full range of Burmese food. Highly recommended is the Tofu-joh (Y550), a Burmese style tofu made from yellow lentils and spice, and deep fried in small squares. Served with a thick, sweet-hot-savory dipping sauce, it has a crunchy exterior and an interior texture like the corn masa in a Mexican tamale, but with a flavor closer to Indian papad.
The A-Soh-Na-Hin (Y780) consists of long-simmered chunks of stringy beef in a richly flavored sauce similar to a Northern Indian curry, garnished with a large sprig of spearmint leaves. Both rice and paratha (a thin bread) are also on the menu. Ruby can get very crowded on weekends, so call in advance. [Show more] [Show less] Takada 3-11-18, TTA Bldg. B1F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5pm-mid. (5am weekends) daily. | |
Mingalaba (Takadanobaba - Burmese). 3200-6961 A very casual, home-style restaurant with many Burmese customers. You can assemble a hearty meal or a light snack from the extensive menu of small dishes - some 50 appetizers, salads, meat dishes, noodle items and desserts, most priced in the Y500-900 range. The food is nicely seasoned without being too fiery, with very distinctive flavors - coconut cream sauces, lots of garlic, northern Burmese pickles, and plenty of spices. Lunch is Y750, dinner in the Y1,700-3,000 range. Mingalaba is fairly spacious, with a standard decor of plain tables, bright lighting and video monitor mounted high in a corner. It seems to attract families and those looking for a simple evening meal. The Japanese menu is fairly complete, and the staff is eager to offer advice on what to order. Like Nagani nearby, Mingalaba gets a lot of non-Burmese customers.
Recommended are the many curry-like stewed dishes, particularly the Sei-Tah-Hin (Y900) made with chunks of lamb. The Che-Aie-Kun-Joh (Y600) is strips of chicken skin, lightly breaded and deep fried, very crispy and less greasy than one might imagine. [Show more] [Show less] Takadanobaba 2-14-8, NT Bldg. 3F. Open 11:30am-3, 5-11pm (LO) daily. | |
Enticing Burmese cuisine at budget prices; they also have a catering service for Burmese-themed parties. Ebisu 2-8-13. Open 11:30am-2, 6-11pm. Closed Sundays. | |
Mongolian
A charming, unassuming converted coffee shop where every surface is covered by bric-a-brac - spice jars, tea-making equipment, musical instruments, wooden carvings of horses, and the like. The food menu here is dominated by lamb dishes, such as nicely seasoned, spicy kebabs (Y1000 for 3); a richly flavored lamb and vegetable stew; garlicky lamb dumplings; and a shabu-shabu hotpot dish. There's a live performance of traditional Mongolian music every night at 8pm. [See FULL REVIEW.] Sengoku 4-11-9. Open 6-9:45pm (LO) daily. | |
The lamb-heavy menu at Ulaan Baatar attracts a good portion of the local Mongolian community, including the occasional sumo wrestler. (One of the chefs here is in fact the mother of a Mongolian sumo wrestler.) Recommended dishes include banshtai tsai (Mongolian milk soup with meat dumplings) and buuz dumplings (ground lamb, onions and garlic in a flour shell). Ryogoku 3-22-11. Open 4pm-midnight. Closed Tuesdays.
Assorted Southeast Asian
Mae Yao (Waseda - Misc. Southeast Asian). 5273-3770 This popular Waseda student hangout serves various Thai and Indian-style curries. The two-curry set includes a yogurt drink and runs about Y1000. Babashitacho 18-9, Akiyama Bldg 2F. Open 11-3:30, 4:30-9 (Sat. to 8). Closed Sundays. | |
Somuo (Okubo - Misc. Southeast Asian). 3366-8686 This festively decorated restaurant has a Southeast Asian resort theme and a menu offering Vietnamese, Thai and other nearby cuisines. Budget around Y2500 for food and drink. Hyakunincho 1-11-24, Shirakawa Bldg 1F. Open 11am-11pm daily. | |
Tiki Tiki (Shinjuku - Misc. Southeast Asian). 3226-0996 At Tokyo's original Tiki lounge, wooden masks glower, faux torches blaze, and hula dancers shake it, shake it, baby. The kitsch is ubiquitous, self-aware, and executed with formidable slickness. If you're in the right mood, the bar at Tiki Tiki is a fun and convenient spot to meet for a drink with friends. [See FULL REVIEW.] | |
Bali Lax (Nishi-Shinjuku - Misc. Southeast Asian). 5321-6690 Balinese and other Asian foods plus extravagant tropical decor in this fun party space. Lunch from Y900, dinner from Y1600. It's a good idea to call ahead for reservations. | |
A mix of Chinese, Portuguese and Asian cuisines, just like the island of Macau after which it's been named. Udagawacho 39-5, 1F. Open 11:30am-3, 6-10pm daily. | |
Aqua (Shiodome - Misc. Southeast Asian). 5537-3540 "Oriental cuisine" - Thai and other Asian-influenced dishes in a luxurious high-rise restaurant. While they're a bit pricey at dinnertime (mains are around Y3000), their Y1200 lunches are a good value. Enjoy a view looking out over Tsukiji Market and Hamarikyu Gardens. | |
Saigon (Setagaya-ku - Misc. Southeast Asian). 3420-5581 A very relaxed, funky bohemian hangout, Saigon offers a tasty Japanese-ethnic menu with various Asian influences - Vietnamese, Thai, and Indian in particular. Drinks include a big shochu menu and various Asian liquors, beers and exotic cocktails. Setagaya-ku, Setagaya 3-3-5. (near Kamimachi station on the Setagaya streetcar) Open 11:30am-2:45, 5-11:30pm daily. | |
Monsoon Cafe (Minami-Funabashi - Misc. Southeast Asian). 047-421-7311 This ethnic-style izakaya chain serves Asian-inspired dishes from Thailand, China, Vietnam and Indonesia. Chiba-ken, Funabashi, Hamacho 2-1-1, Minami-kan 3F 4920. Open 11:30am-2:30, 2:30-11:30pm daily. | |
"World cuisine"
From the owners of the Zest Mexican chain, a lively, fun place serving Southeast Asian dishes. The food is tasty (although not extremely authentic), there's a big bar, and service is friendly and competent. | |
A branch of the Nishi-Azabu and Shibuya Monsoon Cafes, with eclectic Asian cuisine. Various Asian dishes and a casual atmosphere. Ichioku (Roppongi - World cuisine). 3405-9891 A self-consciously bohemian bar/restaurant/hangout with an interesting menu. Roppongi 4-4-5. Open 5:30-11pm (LO). Open every day. Eclectic Asian cuisine and a lively atmosphere. Assorted southeast Asian dishes and a large bar. | |
A trendy bar/restaurant run by Mugendo, a cute ethnic trinket shop. The food is Vietnamese, Indian, Thai and Okinawan; the music and decor are similarly eclectic. Small dishes start at around Y500. Koenji-Minami 4-22-5-B1F. Open 6pm-midnight (Sat, Sun 5pm-). Closed Wednesdays. | |
An interesting miso and miso soup restaurant, with seasonal dishes like kimchee nabe and several varieties of cabbage rolls. Many dishes are vegetarian. Kichijoji Honcho 2-15-2. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-9:30pm (LO) daily. | |
Eclectic Asian cuisine, a lively atmosphere and late-night hours, from the Global Dining Group (Zest, La Boheme).
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: Open late
: Notable decor
