Good, very affordable Thai cuisine from the popular Tokyo-based Tinun chain; budget around Y1300 for food at dinnertime, or Y900 for lunch.

Nishi-Ikebukuro 1-11-1, Lumine Ikebukuro 8F. Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily.

Accessible Thai cuisine buffet service from the Bangkok-based Coca chain. The lunch buffet is Y1600 and is served from 11am-3pm (last order at 2pm; 90-minute limit). At dinnertime the price is Y2100, with service from 5-10pm (120-minute limit). Between 3 and 5pm you can order a smaller Y800 lunch set or pancakes.

Nishi-Ikebukuro 1-11-1, Lumine Ikebukuro Ikeresu 9F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

A leftover from the days before Nishi-Ikebukuro went relatively upscale. Delicious curries and ambitiously tacky decor. On weekends there's a good lunch buffet.

Nishi-Ikebukuro 3-26-5. Open 11am-2:30, 5-10:30pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays.

Great, cheap noodles and crowds of Waseda students. Noodles are served in several different thicknesses and styles.

Nishi-Waseda 2-18-25. Open 11am-1am daily.

The main branch of this popular Thai restaurant is simply called Khun Mae and is located a few doors down the road; the confusingly named Khun Mae 1 handles some of the overflow. (Apparently they start their numbering at zero.) Whichever number you choose, the food is reliable, fairly authentic, and reasonably priced. The main branch of this popular Thai restaurant is simply called Khun Mae and is located a few doors down the road; the confusingly named Khun Mae 1 handles some of the overflow. (Apparently they start their numbering at zero.) Whichever number you choose, the food is reliable, fairly authentic, and reasonably priced.

In addition to curries and other Thai standards, the extensive dinner menu includes chef's specials such as deep-fried black sea bream with garlic sauce; soft-shell crabs stir-fried with black pepper; raw shrimps with spicy sauce; and Isaan-style sour sausages. If you're on your own and on a budget, there's also a selection of five set dinners priced at Y1260.

During the daytime you can choose from sixteen main dishes as part of the Y840 lunch special, which also includes a bit of salad, a tiny dessert, and a drinks buffet with hot or iced coffee, iced Thai tea (an interesting vanilla-ish flavor), and mango and grapefruit juices. For an extra Y105 you can add on a mini-bowl of Thai ramen. [Show more] [Show less]

Hyakunincho 1-10-11. Open 11:30am-11pm (LO) daily.

One of Okubo's better Thai restaurants; budget around Y3000-4000 at dinnertime.

Hyakunincho 1-10-7, Omori Bldg 1F. Open 11:30am-3, 3-11pm (LO) daily.

Top-quality "Imperial" Thai cuisine, from a newish branch of this long-established Tokyo Thai restaurant. Budget around Y2500 for food at dinnertime.

Shinjuku 3-21-7, Toshin Bldg 2F. Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily.

Inexpensive Thai street-market fare, including lots of stir-fries and curries in the Y800 range.

Shinjuku 3-15-17, Isetan Kaikan 4F. Open 11:30am-9:30pm (LO). Closed some Wednesdays.

This casual spot offers simple market-style Thai food with good, authentic flavors, plus an inexpensive wine list.

Shinjuku 2-12-4. Open 11:30am-midnight (3am weekends). Closed Mondays.

Thai-style "sukiyaki" (fish balls and other delicacies boiled in a broth at your table) is the specialty of this Bangkok-based chain.

Shinjuku 3-38-1, Lumine EST Shinjuku 8F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

The dining room is pleasantly decorated and the food here is very well prepared - including some excellent grilled chicken - but the dinner menu is too small and limited to get excited about. Lunch is a better bet, with a Y1600 buffet. Dinner averages around Y2500 without drinks.

Nishi-Shinjuku 1-1-5, Lumine 1 7F. Open 11am-2:30, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Good Bangkok street-stall food in this department-store basement, including dishes like Nam Phrik Kapi (shrimp and chili paste with vegetables), stir-fries and spicy salads. Most of the menu is available for take-out, and popular items like curries and pad thai are ready to go immediately.

Nishi-Shinjuku 1-1-5, Lumine 1, B1F. Open 10am-9:30pm (LO) daily.

This branch of the ubiquitous budget Thai chain has a larger-than-average menu, good food and take-out service. The decor is also a cut above the norm.

Minami-Aoyama 5-1-25, Kitamura Bldg B1F. (on Aoyama-dori a few doors down from Andersen) Open 11am-9pm (lunch to 2) daily.

Standard Thai fare in pleasant surroundings; there are a few California wines as well as the usual Thai beer. Desserts are above average.

Ebisu 4-20-4, Yebisu Garden Place Glass Square B1F. Open 11:30am-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Accessible Thai cuisine at reasonable prices from the Bangkok-based Coca chain. The shop is open all afternoon, so you can drop by for a Thai snack even during teatime (between lunch and dinner).

Ebisu-Minami 1-5-5, Atre Ebisu 6F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Thai-style "sukiyaki" (fish balls and other delicacies boiled in a broth at your table) is the specialty of this Bangkok-based chain, along with a decent assortment of street-stall fare.

Yurakucho 2-1-11. Open 11am-2:30, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Thai-style "sukiyaki" (fish balls and other delicacies boiled in a broth at your table) is one of the specialties of this Bangkok-based chain. They also serve a selection of standard street-stall dishes with fairly authentic flavors. Open all afternoon.

Yurakucho 1-11-1, Bic Camera 6F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Upscale, sophisticated Thai cuisine in a fun, brightly colored setting. Budget around Y4500 for dinner, or Y1800 for the 20-item buffet lunch.

Ginza 2-2-14, Marronnier Gate 10F. Open 11am-2, 5:30-10pm (LO) daily.

All their set menus are Y600, and the atmosphere is just like dropping into some night stall in Bangkok - loud pop music, fantastic cooking aromas, and minimal decor.

Marunouchi 3-7-11. (under the Yamanote-sen tracks next to Tokyo International Forum) Open 11am-11pm daily.

This flagship of a Bangkok-based chain is one of the more upscale Thai restaurants in town, with an impressive lunchtime buffet (Y2500) and a serious evening menu (budget around Y8000). The view is also spectacular.

Marunouchi 2-4-1, Marunouchi Bldg. 35F. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

A reasonably priced menu of Thai standards served in a pleasant dining space. Lunch sets (until 3pm) from Y650 and prix-fixe dinners from Y2880.

Marunouchi 1-11-1, PCP Marunouchi B1F. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO; 1hr earlier Sat/Sun) daily.

A branch of a popular Thai chain. Lunch is served until 4pm.

Nihonbashi 1-4-1, Coredo Nihonbashi 4F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Decent Thai cooking from the Dipmahal Indian-restaurant chain.

Kojimachi 1-6-6. Open 11am-5, 5pm-midnight daily.

A small neighborhood joint (it would be hard to find if you didn't stumble across it) with about a dozen seats and authentic Thai food. They serve good curries and some unusual regional Thai dishes; they also offer Thai cooking classes.

Asagaya-Kita 2-9-5. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays.

There are several Thai restaurants in the neighborhood, but this sprawling shop stands out for its comfortably laid-back, ethnic-cafe atmosphere. There's a menu of Thai standards along with plenty of desserts and exotic drinks, all at very reasonable prices.

Kichijoji Honcho 2-17-12. Open noon-2:30, 5-10:20pm (LO) daily.

Excellent, spicy Thai and Laotian food. Dinners Y2,500-5,000. [See FULL REVIEW.]

Kichijoji Honcho 1-32-9, Motohashi Bldg. #202. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Inexpensive Thai noodles and curries from this popular budget Thai franchise.

Horikawacho 72-1, Lazona Kawasaki Plaza 4F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Good, fast Thai food in a food court setting.

Minato-mirai 2-3-2, Queen's East B1F. Open 11am-8pm daily.