Ueno is one of Tokyo’s most convenient sightseeing areas, home to major attractions such as Ueno Park, museums, zoos, and the lively Ameyoko shopping street.
At the same time, it is also an area where high-quality restaurants of many different genres are densely concentrated.
In this guide, we introduce five well-established restaurants in Ueno, selected from different food categories:
- Tonkatsu (Japanese breaded pork cutlet)
- Ramen
- Soba & Japanese sake bar
- Motsuyaki (grilled offal)
- Sushi
All of these restaurants are relatively easy for travelers to visit and are known for consistently strong food quality.
Contents
- 1. Tonkatsu Tonpachitei – Classic Japanese Pork Cutlet in Ueno
- 2. Shinasoba Yamato – Ramen with House-Made Noodles and Wontons
- 3. Soba Sakaba Kadoya Yushima Tenjin – Soba & Sake Bar Open Late
- 4. Motsuyaki Otonba Ueno – Grilled Offal and Daytime Drinking
- 5. Katsu Oedo Kaiten Sushi – Fresh Sushi Near Okachimachi
- Important Notes for Travelers (All Restaurants)
1. Tonkatsu Tonpachitei – Classic Japanese Pork Cutlet in Ueno
Address: 4-3-4 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Access: 2 minutes on foot from Okachimachi Station
Opening Hours: 11:30–14:30
Closed: Mondays
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1311/A131101/13003593/
Main Dishes
- Hire-katsu set (pork tenderloin cutlet): ¥2,200 JPY
- Rosu-katsu set (pork loin cutlet): ¥1,900 JPY
Reservations are not accepted. The restaurant closes when sold out, so lines are common on weekends.
Tonpachitei is one of Ueno’s most respected tonkatsu restaurants and has previously been listed in the Michelin Bib Gourmand.
The kitchen uses 100% lard for frying, and the aroma when the cutlet is served is immediately noticeable.
The breading is extremely fine and crisp, breaking lightly when cut with chopsticks. Inside, the pork tenderloin remains remarkably moist.
Although the dish is not greasy, the natural flavor of the pork becomes stronger with each bite, offering a level of satisfaction that goes beyond the typical image of “light” hire-katsu.
The set meal is well balanced: fluffy steamed rice, miso soup with a clear dashi flavor, and fresh shredded cabbage.
Rice and cabbage refills are available once each.
If someone asks, “Where should I eat tonkatsu in Ueno?”, this restaurant is often mentioned first.
2. Shinasoba Yamato – Ramen with House-Made Noodles and Wontons
Address: MSK Building 1F, 6-1-7 Higashi-Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Access: About 8 minutes on foot from JR Ueno Station
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday & Sunday: 11:30–15:30
- Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & public holidays:
11:30–15:30 / 17:00–21:00
Closed: Mondays and the day after public holidays
(If Monday is a public holiday, closed on Tuesday)
Budget: Around ¥1,000–2,000 JPY
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1311/A131101/13206756/
The noodles are house-made, low-hydration, thin straight noodles.
They look delicate but have a clean bite and pair well with the soup.
The soup is a double broth, combining animal-based stock and dried seafood with added clam broth.
It has depth and richness without feeling heavy, with bonito flakes providing a sharp finish and clams adding subtle sweetness.
The wontons come in two types: pork and shrimp.
Both have a smooth, slippery wrapper and a charming shape.
The pork wontons are rich and meaty, while the shrimp wontons wrap a whole shrimp, offering a firm, bouncy texture.
This is a strong choice in the Ueno area for travelers who want not only good ramen, but also well-executed wontons in the same bowl.
3. Soba Sakaba Kadoya Yushima Tenjin – Soba & Sake Bar Open Late
Address: 3-36-8 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Access: About 3 minutes on foot from Yushima Station
Also within 10–15 minutes walking distance from Ueno and Okachimachi stations
Opening Hours:
18:00–03:00 (Last order: 02:00)
Until 04:00 on Fridays
Closed: Sundays
Budget: Around ¥3,000–4,000 JPY
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1311/A131101/13219181/
Because the restaurant can get busy, visiting at opening time or making a reservation is recommended.
Kadoya is a soba tavern (soba sakaba) where guests can enjoy Japanese sake with soba noodles and tempura in a relaxed, bar-like atmosphere.
The soba broth reflects the Kanto style, using bonito flakes and soy sauce for a clean, savory flavor.
The interior has a calm, traditional feel inspired by old Japanese houses, with retro furnishings.
In addition to sake, the restaurant offers drinks unique to soba shops, such as sobayu-wari (a warm drink mixed with soba cooking water).
Along with the soba, side dishes are also well prepared, including:
- Corn tempura
- Burdock root tempura
- Tsukimi chicken meatballs with egg yolk
This is an easy place to stop for drinks and finish with soba, especially for adults looking for a relaxed late-night option in the Ueno–Yushima area.
4. Motsuyaki Otonba Ueno – Grilled Offal and Daytime Drinking
Address: 6-7-13 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Access: 3–5 minutes on foot from Ueno Station
Opening Hours: 12:00–22:00
Last order: Food 21:00 / Drinks 21:30
Closed: None
Budget: Around ¥2,000–3,000 JPY
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1311/A131101/13186202/
Otonba is a popular motsuyaki restaurant in Ueno, using fresh offal delivered directly from the Shibaura market.
The grilling technique is particularly precise, bringing out flavor without overpowering the ingredients.
Two signature dishes are especially recommended:
- Reba-kun Tama (smoked liver with soft egg)
- Buta Shirako Agedashi (deep-fried pork “shirako” style)
The smoked liver is prepared using walnut wood chips.
It has no strong odor and is surprisingly moist, with a smooth texture that may remind some diners of French terrine.
Because the restaurant opens from noon, it is possible to enjoy drinks early in the day before exploring Ueno.
In fact, Ueno is known for its daytime drinking culture, which many visitors find appealing.
5. Katsu Oedo Kaiten Sushi – Fresh Sushi Near Okachimachi
Address: Sakaiya Building, 3-28-9 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Access: 2–3 minutes on foot from Okachimachi Station
Opening Hours: 11:00–20:00
Budget: Around ¥2,000–3,000 JPY
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1311/A131101/13103003/
*Katsu Oedo Official Instagram (Ikebukuro Branch)
This restaurant uses a conveyor-belt sushi (kaiten-zushi) format, but sushi chefs prepare each piece by hand right in front of customers.
The fish is fresh, and the quality often exceeds what many people expect from conveyor-belt sushi.
It is well suited for travelers who want to eat good sushi efficiently without a long meal.
An English menu is available, which is reassuring for international visitors.
This is a convenient choice in the Ueno–Okachimachi area for those looking for casual but reliable sushi.
If you are visiting Ueno during cherry blossom season, you may also be interested in this scenic Tokyo cherry blossom boat tour, which covers Ueno, Koishikawa Korakuen, and Chidorigafuchi in a single half-day experience.
Important Notes for Travelers (All Restaurants)
Many independently operated restaurants in the Ueno area may not have English menus.
Before visiting, it is recommended to check menus on platforms such as Tabelog.
At the restaurant, using a translation app on your phone can also be helpful.
Please note that opening hours, closing days, and menu items may change.
If you are unsure, check official sources or Tabelog in advance.
