Best Yakiniku in Shinjuku: 5 Top Restaurants to Enjoy Premium Japanese Wagyu

Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s most competitive districts for yakiniku (Japanese BBQ). From specialty restaurants serving A5-grade Wagyu beef to long-established eateries preserving secret sauces, and from rare cuts to indulgent grilled delicacies, Shinjuku has a wide variety of unique yakiniku experiences.
In this article, we have carefully selected five popular yakiniku restaurants in the Shinjuku, Yoyogi, and Nishi-Shinjuku areas, including details on nearest stations, walking distances, and opening hours.

Yakiniku Oonuki

Address: 2-18-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: Marunouchi Line “Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station” 5-min walk, Toei Shinjuku Line “Shinjuku Sanchome Station” 5-min walk, JR “Shinjuku Station” 15-min walk, 299m from Shinjuku Sanchome Station
Opening Hours: Mon–Sun, Holidays, Pre-holidays 18:00–23:00 (Food L.O. 21:00 / Drinks L.O. 22:30)
Closed: Irregular
Website: https://yakinikuonuki-japan.com
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130402/13191277/

Oonuki is a 50-year-old traditional yakiniku restaurant known for its secret marinating sauce. The skilled grill masters prepare each slice carefully, including thick-cut beef tongue and melt-in-your-mouth liver. The restaurant offers premium Wagyu courses for a truly unforgettable dining experience in Tokyo.

KOKUGYU

Address: 3-1-11 Pacific Square Yoyogi Building B1F, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: JR “Yoyogi Station” West Exit 8-min walk, Odakyu Line “Minami-Shinjuku Station” 6-min walk, 307m from Minami-Shinjuku Station
Opening Hours: Mon–Sun, Holidays, Pre-holidays 17:00–23:30 (L.O. 22:45)
Website: https://www.kokugyu.com/
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130403/13045232/

Kokugyu has been serving Tokyo for 17 years. The restaurant specializes in A5-grade Wagyu beef, including rare cuts like misuji and zabuton. Popular menu items include premium beef tongue, harami, misuji, and assorted offal. Rice is 100% Uonuma Koshihikari.

Shiro ka Kuro

Address: 8-6-2 Nojima Building 1F, Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo
Access: Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line “Nishi-Shinjuku Station” 1-min walk, JR “Shinjuku Station” 10-min walk, 131m from Nishi-Shinjuku Station
Opening Hours: Tue–Sat 17:00–23:00 (L.O. 22:00), Sun & Holidays 17:00–22:00 (L.O. 21:00)
Closed: Monday (if Monday is a holiday, closed the following weekday)
Website: https://shirokakuro.com/
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13214714/

Shiro ka Kuro offers top-grade A5 Wagyu beef with a unique brown sugar sauce. Signature dishes include Wagyu aburi yukke (seared raw beef), premium salted tongue, beef tongue sagari, and large sirloin shabu-shabu. Homemade kimchi perfectly complements the meat.

NO MEAT, NO LIFE. 1st

Address: 1-11-1 Nakano Building 2F, Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Access: JR “Shinjuku Station” East Exit 5-min walk, Seibu Shinjuku Line “Seibu Shinjuku Station” Central Exit 4-min walk, 293m from Seibu Shinjuku Station
Opening Hours: Mon–Sun, Holidays, Pre-holidays 17:00–23:00 (Food L.O. 22:00 / Drinks L.O. 22:30)
Closed: None
Website: http://www.firstring.jp/index.html
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13162573/

A yakiniku bar that buys an entire A5 Wagyu cow, offering a selection of premium cuts. Must-try dishes include exquisite yukke, three types of offal (tongue, heart, cheek), marbled sushi, and freshly cooked “Yumepirika” rice. Every dish maximizes the natural flavor of Wagyu beef.

Yakiniku Ushifuji

Address: 6-16-9 Pine Needle 2F, Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo
Access: Nishi-Shinjuku Station (C8 exit) 5-min walk, Nishi-Shinjuku Go-chome Station (A1 exit) 5-min walk, Tochomae Station (A7 exit) 5-min walk, 323m from Nishi-Shinjuku Go-chome Station
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun, Holidays 17:00–23:30 (Food L.O. 22:30 / Drinks L.O. 23:00), Tue, Fri, Sat 12:00–15:00 (L.O. 14:30), 17:00–23:30 (Food L.O. 22:30 / Drinks L.O. 23:00)
Closed: Irregular (closes when ingredients run out)
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13298617/

Ushifuji provides an elegant space to enjoy top-quality Wagyu. Signature dishes include Ushifuji yukke, Chateaubriand cutlet sandwich, large-cut grilled sukiyaki, premium filet sushi, and original cold noodles. Every dish is beautifully presented for an unforgettable dining experience.

Summary

Shinjuku offers a wide range of top-notch yakiniku experiences—from A5 Wagyu specialists and traditional secret-sauce restaurants to bars serving yukke and rare cuts.
Whether it’s a casual dinner or a special occasion, you can find the perfect restaurant to suit your taste and occasion.