Four Must-Try Lunch Sets in Tokyo
- Makayla M.
- Oct 14
- 6 min read
If you’re exploring Japan, there’s no better midday break than a good lunch set, called teishoku in Japanese. It’s the kind of meal that gives you a little taste of everything: rice, soup, a main, and seasonal sides.
All beautifully arranged and ready to enjoy. Each spot has its own local flavor, and tracking down the best teishoku in Tokyo has become one of my favorite ways to experience authentic Japanese food. For a deep dive into the specifics of Japan’s traditional set meals, check out our full guide.
Quick Tip: Most Tokyo lunch sets are served between 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM. Arrive 15-20 minutes early to avoid queues and ask staff for the "osusume" (daily recommendation) to discover hidden menu gems.
d47 Shokudo in Shibuya: Regional Lunch Sets From All 47 Prefectures in Tokyo
Location: 8th Floor, Shibuya Hikarie. Location Link.
Price Range: ¥1,700
Best For: Regional Japanese cuisine enthusiasts.
What Makes d47 Shokudo Special
d47 Shokudo sits on the 8th floor of Shibuya Hikarie and is operated by D&DEPARTMENT, a collective dedicated to showcasing local design and food culture from all 47 Japanese prefectures.
This unique restaurant is part of a larger cultural project featuring a design shop and museum, all celebrating regional cuisines through carefully selected recipes, ingredients, and traditional tableware.
How to Find It: The restaurant is a bit difficult to find. Take the escalator to the 7th floor, walk past several restaurants to the final escalator, then ride up to the 8th floor.
The Lunch Menu
d47 offers rotating lunch sets representing different prefectures throughout Japan.
The menu changes regularly, featuring regional specialties like fried horse mackerel from Nagasaki or meat broth udon from Saitama. Each set includes a main dish, rice, miso soup, pickles, and seasonal vegetable sides with presentation that honors each region's culinary traditions.
Many ingredients and items used in the meals are available in the adjacent shop—perfect for bringing authentic Japanese seasonings home as souvenirs. Plus, if you miss the lunch period, don’t worry, they also offer dinner with sake options from all over Japan.
My Experience
I ordered the Kyoto-style stewed chicken with Japanese pepper set, which included rice, light mushroom soup, three side dishes, and a classic Kyoto vegetable preparation.
The flavors were delicate yet distinctive, with each component complementing the others perfectly.
The highlight was the agehitashi (fried and marinated eggplant with peppers)—tangy, refreshing, and unlike anything I'd tasted before.
Miyazaki Food Quwanne: Shinjuku’s Chicken Nanban Paradise
Location: 2nd Floor, Miyazaki Antenna Shop (across from Shinjuku Station) Location Link.
Price Range: ¥1,200–¥1,600
Best For: Fried chicken lovers and regional comfort food.
What Makes Miyazaki Food Quwanne Special
Miyazaki Food Quwanne is on the second floor of the Miyazaki prefecture’s antenna shop in Shinjuku. Right across from Sawamura Restaurant and Bakery, and Shinjuku Station. The name “Quwanne” comes from a Miyazaki dialect word meaning “please eat,” which sums up the vibe perfectly.
This restaurant was created to spotlight Miyazaki’s famous food culture, from their chicken and fish to local vegetables, in a warm, relaxed space. They also have a shop on the first floor to grab specialty Miyazaki products from mango desserts, Japanese liquor, and soy sauce to take home.
The Lunch Menu
The lunch menu is all about Miyazaki comfort food. The chicken nanban set is a favorite, with crispy chicken topped with a rich sesame tartar sauce.
There’s also a skipjack tuna sashimi bowl or katsuo-meshi and a hearty combination set called the quwanne set, which comes with chicken nanban, sashimi, and cold miso soup. Each meal comes with rice, miso soup, and small side dishes, all made with ingredients from Miyazaki.
My Lunch Set
Following my server's recommendation, I tried their signature chicken nanban set. The chicken was perfectly cooked—tender enough to pull apart with just chopsticks. The sesame tartar sauce elevated every element of the meal.
Thoughtful touches included complimentary cold green tea before the meal and hot tea after. As a solo diner, I sat at the counter and was able to watch closely as the chefs carefully prepared each dish. Overall, I greatly enjoyed the experience and found the food to be delicious!
Isshin Daikanyama: Tokyo's Elevated Take on the Lunch Set
Location: Basement level near Daikanyama Station and Daikanyama T-Site. Location Link.
Price Range: ¥980–¥1,600 (cash only)
Best For: Traditional Japanese atmosphere and perfectly cooked rice.
What Makes Isshin Daikanyama Special
Isshin is a cozy basement restaurant specializing in homestyle Japanese meals with an emphasis on impeccably cooked rice. The space blends modern izakaya aesthetics with classic Japanese kitchen warmth. Locals frequent Isshin for its calm atmosphere and thoughtful cuisine, especially during lunch hours.
Pro Tip: Arrive before opening to avoid lines that often snake up the stairs.
The Lunch Menu:
Lunch sets come with a main dish, miso soup, seasonal sides, and rice served in a traditional wooden container called an ohitsu. The rice stays warm and fluffy throughout your meal, and you can ask for refills at no additional cost if you’re extra hungry.
Daily specials are the top pick, but regular options like grilled fish, sashimi, and Japanese fried chicken are always on point. The flavors are clean and comforting, and the care in every dish makes it feel like a quiet escape from the city.
My Experience
While I did visit on a Sunday, I arrived 30 minutes after opening, and over 20 people were already waiting. Luckily, the restaurant is large enough that the line moves quickly, and I was seated within 30 minutes.
No shoes are allowed in the restaurant, so make sure to take yours off at the entrance!
I ordered the slow-cooked pork belly (kakuni teishoku) that came in a rich stew like sauce and had a perfectly boiled egg on top. The flavor was rich and comforting—the kind of meal that makes you crave an afternoon nap.
The famous rice was fluffy with a delicate crisp on the bottom, while the miso soup offered classic simplicity. The atmosphere truly felt like dining in a traditional Japanese home.If you are looking for an authentic Japanese lunch and experience, Isshin Daikanyama is a must-visit!
Abe Yoshiko no Ouchi Gohan: Home Cooking at its Finest in Ebisu
Location: Ebisu. Location Link.
Price Range: ¥600–¥1,200
Best For: Customizable home-style meals and budget-friendly options
What Makes Abe Yoshiko no Ouchi Gohan Special
あべよしこのおうちごはん or Abe Yoshiko no Ouchi Gohan is a hidden gem in Ebisu serving simple, homemade-style meals. The name means “Yoshiko Abe’s home cooking,” and that’s exactly what it feels like, stepping into someone’s kitchen for a lovingly prepared meal.
It’s a small, personal spot known to locals who come for tasty, simple lunch sets. Every part of your meal is to your preference with multiple options to choose from, similar to grabbing sides at a convenience store but much tastier! They also offer take-out bentos or boxed lunches if you’re short on time.
The Lunch Menu
The lunch sets here are all about warm, healthy dishes made with seasonal ingredients. You’ll find things like grilled fish, simmered vegetables, light miso soup, and freshly steamed rice. Meals come in bento-style trays or plates with a little bit of everything, just like you’d expect from a Japanese home.
The food is satisfying, nutritious, and made with obvious care, a perfect midday break that feels like comfort on a plate.
My Experience
Immediately when I arrived, I was warmly welcomed by the staff and received a quick explanation of each dish offered that day. The shop was small but cozy, with obvious care put into the restaurant.
For my main dish, I ordered the curry of the day, rice, and three sides that I picked out from a line of options. While I was only mildly hungry, I enjoyed everything so much I couldn’t resist finishing my food.
The curry was a spicy, coconut milk based vegetable soup curry that felt like I was eating a meal cooked by a close relative, not a restaurant. Each side dish was delicious creating an authentic home-dining experience.
As I was eating, several locals stopped by to grab food and chat, adding to the comfortable atmosphere. I highly recommend Abe Yoshiko no Ouchi Gohan to get an authentic Japanese home-cooking style meal on your trip to Tokyo!
Final Thoughts
Tokyo offers a huge variety of lunch sets, and these four restaurants each bring something special to the table. From regional flavors to comforting home cooking, each spot shows how satisfying and diverse a simple Japanese lunch can be.
Ready to Explore More Tokyo Food Culture?
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