5 Best Tempura and Udon Restaurants in Shinjuku – Discover the Heart of Japanese Washoku

When it comes to washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine), few dishes represent Japan’s culinary culture better than crispy tempura and handmade udon noodles.
In Shinjuku, you’ll find everything from long-established tempura restaurants to modern udon shops that obsess over handmade noodles and dashi broth.
Whether you’re sightseeing, shopping, or craving a comforting bowl of Japanese noodles, here are five of the best Japanese restaurants in Shinjuku to experience authentic local flavors.

Tenkichiya Shinjuku

Address: B2F Shinjuku Nomura Building, 1-26-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: About 6 min walk from JR Shinjuku Station (West Exit) / 4 min from Nishi-Shinjuku Station on the Marunouchi Line (269 m)
Hours: Mon–Sat 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM (L.O. 2:00 PM) / 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM (L.O. 8:30 PM)
Closed: Sunday
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13146906/

Winner of the National Donburi Grand Prix (Tempura Bowl Division) Gold Award for ten consecutive years, Tenkichiya is a must-visit for tempura lovers.
The restaurant serves lavish tempura bowls (tendon) made with premium shrimp and seasonal seafood.
Don’t miss the ten-mabushi, a creative dish you can enjoy three ways — plain, with condiments, and finally with a pour of savory dashi broth.
Enjoy authentic tempura in a warm setting that embodies the elegance of Japanese dining.

Udon Shin

Address: 1F Soma Building, 2-20-16 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: 2 min walk from Toei Shinjuku, Keio New Line, or Oedo Line Shinjuku Station (Exit 6) / 6 min from JR Shinjuku Station (New South Exit) / 5 min from Minami-Shinjuku Station (362 m)
Hours: Daily 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM (closed Dec 30 – Jan 2)
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13125862/

A global favorite for handmade udon noodles in Tokyo, Udon Shin is famous for its “made-to-order” philosophy — each bowl is freshly kneaded, cut, and boiled on the spot.
The noodles strike a perfect balance between koshi (chewiness) and smooth texture.
Try the Tempura Udon with Seasonal Vegetables or the Premium Shrimp Tempura Udon — both highlight the harmony between delicate broth and crisp tempura.
This is Japanese comfort food at its best — simple, elegant, and deeply satisfying.

Itteki Hasshanya Shinjuku Main Restaurant

Address: 2F–3F KC Building, 1-15-9 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 5 min walk from JR Shinjuku Station (West or South Exit, 297 m)
Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM (L.O. 2:30 PM) / 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM (L.O. 9:30 PM)
Sat / Sun / Holidays 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM (L.O. 2:30 PM) / 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (L.O. 9:30 PM)
Closed: Dec 30 – Jan 4
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13000760/

A cozy izakaya-style restaurant specializing in creative handmade udon and Japanese comfort food.
The homemade broth combines bonito and kelp for a deep umami flavor, while dishes like Kashiwa Tempura (chicken tenderloin), Shrimp Tempura, and Nama Shoyu Udon showcase classic washoku techniques.
For something unique, try their Shiro-niku Udon — noodles in a rich miso-pork broth that feels like a fusion of ramen and udon.
It’s a local hidden gem near Shinjuku Station that perfectly balances tradition and innovation.

Kunugiya Shinjuku Gyoen Branch

Address: 1-7-2 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: Right next to Exit 3 of Shinjuku-Gyoemmae Station (on the Marunouchi Line, about 29 m)
Hours: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Open daily)
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130402/13268999/

Kunugiya is known for its extra-thick handmade udon noodles, created using a pressure-boil method that gives them a chewy, springy texture.
The broth combines Hidaka kelp with mackerel and urume fish flakes, enhanced with a drop of aromatic green-onion oil for depth.
The Tempura Bukkake Udon and Black Wagyu Beef Rice Set are customer favorites, featuring crisp vegetable tempura and pepper-seasoned kashiwa-ten chicken.
If you want to experience a modern take on traditional Japanese noodles, this is the place.

Tsunahachi Main Restaurant Shinjuku

Address: 3-31-8 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 3 min walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station (Marunouchi or Fukutoshin Line) / 3 min from JR Shinjuku Station (127 m)
Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM (L.O. 9:00 PM) Weekday Lunch until 3:00 PM
Closed: Open year-round (except Dec 31 & Jan 1, plus occasional maintenance)
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13000859/

Founded in 1924, Tsunahachi Shinjuku Main Branch is one of Tokyo’s most famous tempura restaurants and a symbol of classic washoku craftsmanship.
Expert chefs fry each ingredient individually to bring out its natural flavor and aroma.
Enjoy seasonal specialties like prawn, conger eel, squid, and vegetables — and don’t miss their Tempura Ice Cream, a playful dessert that surprises with its warm-and-cold contrast.
With nearly a century of history, Tsunahachi remains a quintessential destination for those seeking authentic tempura in Tokyo.

Summary

From long-established tempura houses to modern udon shops mastering handmade noodles and flavorful dashi, Shinjuku is one of the best areas in Tokyo to explore Japanese washoku.
Every restaurant on this list is within walking distance of Shinjuku Station and offers an inviting taste of Japanese tradition.
Whether you crave crispy tempura, silky udon, or a comforting bowl of noodle soup, these five spots deliver the soul of Japan’s culinary culture — one bite at a time.