When visiting Japan, indulging in yakiniku is a must! Shinjuku is not only a major transportation and business hub in Tokyo, but also a gourmet paradise filled with countless restaurants. In this article, we introduce some of the best yakiniku spots in Shinjuku—offering everything from premium Japanese wagyu, short ribs, and beef tongue to pork belly. Some restaurants even provide Chinese menus, so you can enjoy your meal without worrying about language barriers!
Nikutei Futago iki Shinjuku
Located in the heart of Kabukicho, Shinjuku, “Nikutei Futago iki” offers a refined and tranquil atmosphere. The word “iki” in Japanese has four homonyms with different meanings:
1. 「活」 (life) – representing the restaurant’s commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients.
2. 「息」 (breath) – symbolizing a space where guests can feel relaxed and comfortable.
3. 「粋」 (style) – the use of traditional Japanese tableware to create a true Japanese aesthetic.
4. 「意気」 (spirit) – ensuring that your mood and experience are the top priority when dining here.
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Of course, the highlight is the menu! “Nikutei Futago iki” serves carefully selected Japanese wagyu, including Ota beef from Hyogo and Sendai beef from Miyagi. The beautiful marbling demonstrates top-grade quality. With over 80 menu items, diners can enjoy a diverse yakiniku experience.
What makes it even more special is that the restaurant also serves premium rice from “Funakubo Shoten,” a favorite among Michelin three-star restaurants. The firm, flavorful grains will leave a lasting impression!
Store Information
■ Name: Nikutei Futago iki Shinjuku
■ Address: WaMall Kabukicho 10F, 1-18-9 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
■ Phone: 03-6205-6525
■ Hours: 17:00 – 23:00 (Last order 22:00)
■ OFFICIAL SITE
Horumon Yaki Kōei Main Store
Many people think Japanese diners rarely eat offal, but in fact, there are many yakiniku restaurants specializing in it. If you see “ホルモン焼き” (horumon-yaki) on the sign or menu, it means they serve grilled offal. Common items include beef intestines, beef tongue, and even chicken hearts.
“Horumon Yaki Kōei Main Store” offers a wide range of yakiniku and offal dishes, including beef tongue sets, wagyu sets, a 5-item horumon platter, and various pork and chicken options. They even serve raw beef sashimi for adventurous eaters!
If you want to try a bit of everything, the restaurant also offers 6,000 and 10,000 yen set meals, which include assorted meats, offal, and side dishes. There’s even a 3,000 yen solo set, perfect for single diners who want to enjoy yakiniku freely.
Store Information
■ Name: Horumon Yaki Kōei Main Store
■ Address: 2-4-11 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Noah Shinjuku Mansion 1F)
■ Phone: 03-3205-4364
■ Hours: 11:00 – 07:00 (Last order 06:00)
■ OFFICIAL SITE
Kurotan Yakiniku Aoki
If you want the highest-grade yakiniku, this is the place. “Kurotan Yakiniku Aoki” not only features a luxurious interior but also serves top-quality A5 black wagyu. You can enjoy rare and premium cuts including beef tongue, fillet, harami (skirt steak), and tenderloin.
To secure your spot, you can make a reservation here. During booking, you can also select a course menu in advance, including the “Kurotan Course” (beef tongue), the “Wagyu Fillet & Premium Harami Course,” or the ultimate “Chateaubriand & Harami with Kurotan Course.”
■ Name: Kurotan Yakiniku Aoki
■ Address: Kurihashi Bldg. B2, 3-13-5 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
■ Phone: 03-6380-0301
■ Hours: 17:00 – 22:30 (Last order 20:30)
■ OFFICIAL SITE
Yakiniku Shuka Rien Main Store
“Yakiniku Shuka Rien Main Store” is an old establishment founded in 1986 (Showa 61). Despite its small storefront, it offers a wide variety of yakiniku dishes. Its biggest highlight is the selection of Japanese sake and whiskey that pair perfectly with grilled meats, allowing you to fully enjoy both food and drinks.
Given the large number of international visitors, the restaurant provides detailed menus and pricing for each branch on its website, available in both English and Chinese. This ensures that even non-Japanese speakers can order confidently without stress, making the dining experience very convenient.
In addition to yakiniku, “Yakiniku Shuka Rien” also serves a variety of Korean dishes, such as cold noodles, stone-pot bibimbap, and kimchi, giving diners plenty of options.
Store Information
■ Name: Yakiniku Shuka Rien Main Store
■ Address: 5-18-16 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
■ Phone: 03-5292-9211
■ Hours: Mon–Fri 11:30 – 23:00 / Weekends & Holidays 17:00 – 23:00 (Last order 22:30)
■ OFFICIAL SITE
Rokkasen Annex
“Rokkasen Annex” is another long-standing establishment with 37 years of history. Located in Shinjuku, it operates both Nishi-guchi Branch 1 and 2, specializing in premium black wagyu beef. Their most popular options include 120-minute all-you-can-eat plans for yakiniku and shabu-shabu.
If you prefer not to do all-you-can-eat, they also offer various set courses for yakiniku, hot pot, and sukiyaki. Prices range from around 7,000 to 24,800 yen, depending on the grade and variety of meat. The official website provides detailed menus and photos for easy selection.
“Rokkasen Annex” also offers a wide range of drinks and an all-you-can-drink bar for 1,500 yen, making it extremely popular among international visitors.
Store Information
■ Name: Rokkasen Annex
■ Address: B1 K1 Building, 7-2-6 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
■ Phone: 03-5937-6568
■ Hours: 11:00 – 22:30 (Last order 22:30)
■ OFFICIAL SITE
Top 5 Yakiniku Restaurants in Shinjuku
After exploring these five recommended yakiniku spots in Shinjuku, which one do you want to try first? With the recent surge of international visitors to Japan, Shinjuku now offers not only an abundance of restaurant choices but also very friendly multilingual support. Of course, Shinjuku isn’t the only place with amazing yakiniku—Shibuya also has many popular options. Stay tuned for more updates as we introduce more must-visit yakiniku restaurants!
