Nine Standard and Hidden Gem Izakayas in Shin-Okubo! Thorough Introduction of Recommended Spots by a Korean Food Enthusiast

Shin-Okubo, home to Japan’s largest Koreatown, is filled with numerous Korean restaurants and a variety of Asian cuisine that offer a unique international atmosphere.

There are more than 600 establishments in total!

Here at TOKYO LOCAL, we present to you some of the best izakayas in Shin-Okubo.

From popular standard spots to hidden gems, our picks come from the perspective of a genuine Korean food lover. If you want to avoid making a mistake when selecting a place in Shin-Okubo, be sure to read all the way through.日本最大の

Standard 6 Shops

Sinchang Shin-Okubo Main Store

When it comes to chicken, Sinchang is the must-go place.A must-try for fans of extremely spicy food!

Sinchang is a popular Korean restaurant that operates under the concept of “tasting better than the authentic Korean home-cooked flavors.”

The chicken here is legendary, and the restaurant is known for being “the place to go for chicken.”

It is also a favorite among spicy food lovers, and dishes such as “Garlic Soy Sauce Chicken” with robust flavors are equally famous.

Garlic Soy Sauce Chicken ‘s signature dish is the “Charcoal-Grilled Chicken.”

Starting with the charcoal-grilled chicken base, it is enhanced with salt, mildly spicy yangnyeom, or extremely spicy seasoning.

The super-spicy version is particularly intense, simmering away with a sharp burning sensation that creeps down your throat, making you sweat profusely.

For those who prefer moderate spiciness, “Piri-kara (moderately spicy) Yangnyeom” is a safe choice.

Mildly Spicy Yangnyeom If you dislike spice, the salted chicken is also a great choice.

Other recommended dishes include Fried Chicken.

The portions are generous, and the prices are affordable, making it one of the most cost-effective Korean eateries.

Tonmakoru

For cheese lovers, this is the place. The recommended dish is UFO Chicken Fondue

A Korean restaurant where you can enjoy classic Samgyeopsal and Instagram-worthy cheese dishes.

The retro vibe of the interior also makes for great photos.

The top recommendation is the “UFO Chicken Fondue” with cheese balls.

It involves dipping fried chicken, yangnyeom chicken, and cheese balls into a central cheese fondue pot.

UFO Chicken Fondue Cheese Gimbap is also popular.

This spot is ideal for a fun drinking session or a girls’ night out.

It’s a place where you can enjoy delicious food in a stylish, fun atmosphere.

Another exciting feature is that you can try the “Cheese Tonkatsu (cutlet),” popular in Jeju Island, Korea.

This dish consists of thin pork cutlets filled with plenty of cheese, offering a delightful texture where the crispy outside contrasts with the gooey cheese inside.

With its amusement-style menu, this is a great spot for a large group outing.

Ton-chan Shin-Okubo Annex

Enjoy the authentic atmosphere of Korea at the original Samgyeopsal specialty restaurant

The original Samgyeopsal specialist shop.

Due to its popularity, there is often a wait for seating.

The interior has a lively and somewhat chaotic vibe, reminiscent of Korea, making it a fun spot.

The recommended dish is, of course, the “Samgyeopsal.”

This restaurant uses 100% domestically sourced pork for its Samgyeopsal, which is a key highlight.

Moreover, everything, from the meat to the spring onions and miso, is excellent, and once you take a bite, you can feel the harmonious combination of all the ingredients filling your mouth with happiness.

If you’re craving Samgyeopsal in Shin-Okubo, this is the place to go, without a doubt.

This restaurant is perfect for those who want to have fun and enjoy a lively, upbeat atmosphere rather than a quiet drinking experience.

Memory of Canton Shin-Okubo Store

A classic popular spot for enjoying Korean street food

A cute restaurant with a pink frog sculpture, specializing in Korean street food.

The menu is known for its generous portions, and you can sample a wide range of Korean dishes.

A popular dish is the thick-cut Samgyeopsal grilled by the staff.

For those unsure of what to order, the “Canton Beginner Set” is a good choice!

At about ¥5,000, it might seem expensive, but it serves two people, making it quite reasonable.

There is also an all-you-can-drink option for those looking to enjoy more beverages, making it an excellent recommendation for drinkers.

This is the perfect place for those who want to experience an authentic Korean atmosphere.

Shin-Okubo Fresh Samgyeopsal Specialty Store Tomato

An all-you-can-eat Samgyeopsal with unbeatable cost performance and amazing taste!

A famous restaurant specializing in fresh Samgyeopsal.

The clientele here has a high proportion of Koreans, so the taste is close to authentic, making it a popular spot among locals.

By the way, fresh Samgyeopsal refers to pork belly that has never been frozen.

The most popular option is the “All-you-can-eat Samgyeopsal.”

It’s great for those looking to eat a lot at a reasonable price.

At this restaurant, the level of spiciness is generally kept low, so it’s perfect for people who aren’t fond of spicy food.

They also offer affordable lunch menus, so visiting during the day is recommended as well.
You can come solo for lunch or enjoy a hearty dinner with friends while drinking at night.

Jinsei Sakaba (Life Tavern)

Popular on Instagram! A place with excellent atmosphere and naming sense, serving delicious chijimi

A 24-hour Korean restaurant specializing in chijimi and makgeolli.

This popular spot is well-known on Instagram, and the exterior of the building is flashy and gleaming.

The recommendation here is the variety of chijimi (Korean savory pancakes).

In addition to the common types of chijimi you often see in Japan, they also serve small, authentic Korean-style chijimi.

The Korean chijimi has a tempura-like appearance, and you can enjoy the natural taste of the ingredients.

The food tastes great, but the focus is more on the atmosphere.

Though the prices are a bit higher in terms of cost performance, this is a memorable spot, making it a must-visit when you’re in Shin-Okubo.

Hidden 3 Gems

Myeongdong Norimaki (gimbap) Shin-Okubo Store

A place that will make gimbap lovers cheer! A variety of gimbap can be enjoyed here

A 24-hour restaurant famous for its Korean gimbap (seaweed rolls).

You can enjoy a variety of Korean-style gimbap at reasonable prices.

The recommendation is the basic “Myeongdong Gimbap.” It includes ingredients like pickled radish, carrot, and scrambled eggs, a standard gimbap menu.

They also offer variations such as “Egg Gimbap,” where egg is used instead of seaweed, and “Naked Gimbap,” which doesn’t use seaweed at all.

For those wanting to try a variety, the “Gimbap Assortment” is perfect.

It’s great for a large group to enjoy together.

Besides gimbap, Myeongdong Ramen is also a popular dish.

Its spicy flavor is addictive.

If you’re looking to fill up on carbs, this is a great choice.

Kurumu

Wrap your ingredients in vegetables! Enjoy a vegetable smoothie after your meal

A Korean BBQ restaurant where you can enjoy a lot of vegetables.

Typically, Korean BBQ uses lettuce to wrap the meat, but here, you can wrap your meat in 15 different types of vegetables.

The recommendation is the “Choice Healthy BBQ Course.”

It allows you to enjoy a lot of vegetables and BBQ at a reasonable price.

Hearty, but with lots of healthy veggies.

It’s not just popular among men; it’s also extremely popular with women.

At the end of the meal, any leftover vegetables will be turned into a smoothie, which is a nice touch.

This is a rare Korean restaurant where you can enjoy vegetables from start to finish.

Shin-Okubo Asia Yataimura (Street Village)

Feels like traveling in Asia! Enjoy street foods from 8 countries, including Korea

A place offering dishes from 8 Asian countries.

The 8 countries featured are:

India
Nepal
Thailand
Vietnam
Singapore
Malaysia
China
Korea

The atmosphere inside feels like a food court.

However, the staff will come around to take your orders at your table.

While you can enjoy Korean food, you can also try various dishes from other countries, which is a nice perk.

The popular option is the “Street Village Course,” where you can enjoy foods from all 8 countries.

It’s the best choice for parties and gatherings.

If you’re visiting solo or want a light meal, there are also cost-effective set meals available.

The curry set with Indian and Nepalese dishes is a basic and popular choice.

The Singaporean and Malaysian dishes are also unique and recommended.

This is a great place when you want to try foreign cuisine other than Korean while in Shin-Okubo.

Summary

We’ve introduced 9 truly delicious izakayas in Shin-Okubo.

Did you find the restaurant you’re looking for?

Each of these restaurants is highly recommended, so when you visit Shin-Okubo, be sure to check them out!