Very Wallet Friendly - Asakusa's Top 5 Restaurants Under 1000 Yen

The Expense of Eating Out in Asakusa

Asakusa's streets are filled with row upon row of long-established eateries offering tempting Japanese dishes. However, with the long history behind such well-known establishments comes a high price tag. If you're in Asakusa, you may feel obliged to indulge at least once, but if you were to eat high-class food every time you went out, you'd soon blow your budget.

But fear not! Here is a collection of places to eat in Asakusa that are very affordable, for those who want to sample some real Japanese food whilst saving for their travels.

Retro Restaurants in Asakusa Underground

The Asakusa Underground Shopping Center, found to the left of the northern exits (numbers five through eight) of the Tokyo Metro Asakusa Station, is filled with nostalgic stores rarely found in Japan today.

Two of these stores are the first of our budget-friendly restaurants, chosen for their appealing, retro atmosphere.

1. Slurp Soba at Soba Monju

Stand-to-eat soba is a traditional Japanese-style fast food whereby, as the name suggests, you eat soba noodles while standing. Here at Stand-to-Eat Soba Monju, to order your meal, you buy a food ticket from the machine as shown above.

This place isn't just cheap. With a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, it's easy enough to enter, and its quick service means you can eat without losing any of your precious sightseeing time.

Information

Stand-to-eat Soba Monju
Address: Tokyo, Taito, Asakusa 1-1-12 Asakusa Underground
Hours: 6:30-23:50 (Mon-Fri) 7:00-21:00 (Sat, Sun, public holidays)
Open all year
Credit cards not accepted
Nearest Station: Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station (just a few seconds' walk from exit 6)
Price range: up to 999 yen
Telephone: 03-3843-6210

2. Fuku-chan (Yakisoba)

This yakisoba shop's salty-sweet sauce will have you coming back time and time again. Here, time passes at a relaxed pace, completely contrasting with the hustle and bustle of Asakusa above - it's not unusual to spot customers drinking bottled beer at lunchtime.

It's not just their yakisoba that is reasonably priced. We also recommend their à la carte Japanese classics, such as stewed meat or tofu dishes.

Information

Fuku-chan
Address: Asakusa Underground
Hours: 11:30-21:00 (Tues-Fri) 11:00-20:00 (Sat, Sun)
Closed: Monday
Credit cards not accepted
Japanese menu only
Nearest station: Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa (just a few seconds' walk from exit 6)
Price range: up to 999 yen
Telephone: 03-3844-5224

West of Sensoji: Eat Like the Locals

The area west of Sensōji Temple may be home to popular tourist destinations such as Hanayashiki Amusement Park, and Asakusa Engei Hall, but it also hosts a variety of reasonably-priced restaurants that cater to the local residents.

Here are our top three places to check out for delicious, reasonably priced meals.

3. Asakusa Bistro Mizuguchi (Set Meals)

Mizuguchi is a bistro that has been catering to the Japanese public for sixty years.

Their stir-fried pork is highly recommended, as their signature special-recipe curry sauce mingles with the sweetness of the onion to create a truly exquisite dish.

The handwritten menus that cover the walls really give off that classic Japanese restaurant feeling.

The traditional tatami room on the second floor is also a hit with patrons from overseas too.

Information

Asakusa Bistro Mizuguchi
Address: Tokyo, Taito, Asakusa 2-4-9
Hours: 10:00-23:00 (weekdays) 09:30-21:30 (Sat, Sun, public holidays)
Last order: 21:00
Closed: Mondays
Credit cards accepted
English menu available
Nearest station: 1minute walk from Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station, 7 minute walk from Ginza Line Asakusa Station
Price range: 330 yen - 2350 yen
Telephone: 03-3844-2725
Website: Asakusa Bistro Mizuguchi

4. Delica Paku Paku (Bento Boxes)

Delica Paku Paku offers the cheapest bento lunch boxes in Asakusa, with prices starting at a startling 250 yen before tax. Other deals include a good-sized hamburger steak for 120 yen, and for the same price, three o-inari-san, a type of sushi made from rice wrapped in deep-fried bean curd - meaning you can fill up without straining your purse strings. Located just around the corner from Asakusa Engei Hall, why not stop in for a lunch box before heading to a show?

Information

Delica Paku Paku
Address: Tokyo, Taito, Asakusa 1-43-8
Open 24 hours a day, all year round
Credit cards not accepted
Japanese menu only
Nearest station: 1 minute walk from Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station
Price range: from 250 yen (tax not included)
Telephone: 03-3844-8304

Check out the next page for ramen and breakfast options!