Recommended Lunch Spots around Shibuya 3-Chome (and Some Weird Ones)
Table of Contents
- Top
- Nakajima [Chinese]
- Shichibei [Ramen]
- Curry House Chirichiri [Curry]
- Hanasaki Kajisan [Hot Pot]
- Ajiyoshi [Ramen]
- Sendaiya [Set Meals]
- Shibusan Yoshinari [Japanese/Seafood]
- Turtles [Hamburger]
- Pizza Slice [Pizza]
- MAD BURGER Shibuya [Hamburger]
- Hakata Dojo Shibuya Shin‑Minami Exit [Hot Pot]
- Kitchin Tachikichi [Chinese]
- Tenka Sushi [Sushi]
- Tokishirazu [Seafood]
- Tsukemen Daijin [Ramen]
- Cona [Pizza]
- Hanoi no Hoisan [Vietnamese]
- Nihonryori Aokaki [Japanese]
- Tenkoku [Chinese]
- Akazukin [Set Meals]
- Conclusion
Shibuya 3-Chome, located on the south side of Shibuya Station, is a convenient area that's not too crowded but still has a lively atmosphere. The area is undergoing rapid redevelopment, and its future looks promising.
I've explored the restaurants around Shibuya 3-Chome (including the surrounding Sakura-koji area) over the past two years and will introduce some recommended lunch spots without categorizing them by genre.
I’ll introduce them without splitting by strict genres, just a miscellaneous tour.
Nakajima [Chinese]
The King of Chinese Restaurants
This restaurant is often recommended as one of the best in Shibuya 3-Chome. Although it looks like a small, ordinary Chinese restaurant, the food is surprisingly delicious. The staff's skills are also top-notch, making for a satisfying dining experience. However, be prepared for a long wait, as the restaurant is small and always crowded.
- Taste: Very good
- Availability: Often crowded
- Price: Average
Official Twitter exists.
Shichibei [Ramen]
A Healthy Soup that Will Kill You
This ramen shop offers a unique spring onion soup with three types of toppings and adjustable spiciness. The soup is so spicy that it's like a challenge to finish it. The shop's atmosphere is also unique, with a strict rule against using smartphones inside.
- Taste: Good
- Availability: Often crowded
- Price: Affordable
The spiciness can be so intense that toppings feel irrelevant; finishing while it’s hot requires practice.
Think of it less as a meal and more like a 720‑yen gym session.
Curry House Chirichiri [Curry]
A Weird Curry Shop
This curry shop has a unique atmosphere, with a strict rule against using smartphones inside. The curry is also surprisingly good, with a mysterious effect that makes you sweat. The shop's owners are a married couple who often argue in front of customers, adding to the shop's weirdness.
- Taste: Good
- Availability: Sometimes crowded
- Price: Average
You’ll be scolded if you look at your smartphone; read the in‑store rules carefully.
The couple running the place often quarrel in front of customers, which adds to the chaotic charm.
Some swear the curry has a strangely “medicinal” effect that makes you sweat and feel refreshed.
Hanasaki Kajisan [Hot Pot]
A Hot Pot Shop with a Unique System
This hot pot shop offers a unique system where you can choose two dishes from 30 options. The shop's atmosphere is also cozy, with free coffee and juice. However, be aware that the shop will close in August 2018 due to the redevelopment of the area.
- Taste: Good
- Availability: Relatively empty
- Price: Average
Win at rock‑paper‑scissors and the amount of beef doubles; calculating the expected value makes the deal look even better.
Ajiyoshi [Ramen]
A Ramen Shop with a Unique Flavor
This ramen shop offers a unique flavor with a focus on pork bones. The shop's atmosphere is also cozy, with a unique layout that makes you feel like you're in a RPG. The ramen is also relatively affordable.
- Taste: Good
- Availability: Relatively empty
- Price: Affordable
The signature dish is paiko (pork rib) ramen; the meat is juicy and satisfying, with spice kept in check.
The layout features a large open kitchen in the center surrounded by a narrow counter—practical and efficient.
Sendaiya [Set Meals]
Jiro of the set‑meal world
I don’t often recommend it, yet I sometimes crave it anyway. Like Jiro ramen, you know it’ll be tough, but you still want it. It’s basically a food‑fight style place.
You might think the menu names look plain but the prices are high; that’s because portions are roughly doubled. Many items are high‑calorie (thick sauces, egg toppings, etc.). Note: the starch in the thick sauce sometimes clumps—very homestyle.
Since I can’t finish big rice bowls, I usually order noodles. A small quirk: at lunchtime, used dishes often line up outside, which is a unique sight.
- Taste: Homestyle…?
- Availability: Usually easy to get in
- Price: On the high side
Shibusan Yoshinari [Japanese/Seafood]
Elegant sashimi
At lunch you choose two items (duplicates allowed) from about 30 sashimi and side dishes—a fun system with effectively 30C2 combinations. The sashimi slices are very thick and satisfying. Dinner is pricier, but you’ll get satisfying seafood dishes.
- Taste: Good
- Availability: Usually has seats
- Price: High
Turtles [Hamburger]
A Unique Hamburger Shop
This hamburger shop feels like another country. Walk in and you see the register far away, staffed by a dapper gentleman—almost like an RPG item shop. The gentleman’s signature bow tie and the distinctive artwork complete the uncanny vibe. Burgers are decent; a set with drink plus fries or salad costs in the 600‑yen range—great for a quick refresh.
The gentleman’s bow tie is his trademark.
- Taste: Average
- Availability: Relatively empty
- Price: Affordable
Pizza Slice [Pizza]
Shibuya’s NY
American interior through and through; true to its name, you get two big slices. The drink set options are also very American and the vibe feels authentic. Multiple flavors and solid volume make it easy to recommend to many people.
- Taste: Good
- Availability: Relatively empty
- Price: Average
American‑style interior through and through; true to its name, you get two big NY‑style slices.
MAD BURGER Shibuya [Hamburger]
Bring 2,000 yen in hand
A modern high‑end burger shop (think Shake Shack / Umami Burger). There’s a huge hamburger statue at the entrance with great presence.
The patties are thick and juicy with plenty of drippings. The buns are fluffy and tall, but the “official” eating style recommends flattening first.
Tasty, but the menu assumes add‑ons, so it easily exceeds 1,500 yen. The American vibe extends to the price—also very American.
That huge entrance statue is memorable.
Cost‑performance isn’t great, but it’s worth trying once.
- Taste: Good
- Availability: Sometimes crowded
- Price: High
Hakata Dojo Shibuya Shin‑Minami Exit [Hot Pot]
Hot pot for lunch
An izakaya inside GEMs (an amusingly programmer‑ish building name). Its true strength shows at lunch rather than dinner.
The star is motsunabe (offal hot pot). Although labeled “limited to 10,” they’ll often serve it even when several people order. Eating hot pot at lunch raises your QOL; rice, egg, and mentaiko come along so you can enjoy it thoroughly.
I haven’t evaluated dinner—it might be different.
- Taste: Average
- Availability: Spacious, usually open
- Price: Average
Kitchin Tachikichi [Chinese]
Dumplings are always a good idea
Enjoy lunches centered on dumplings: sets with both boiled and pan‑fried, or combinations with ramen/tsukemen. Humans regularly crave dumplings; when that hits, this is a safe pick.
The shop is small, so it’s hard to get in at peak lunch. It’s also good at night—and there are basement seats, so ask even if it looks full.
- Taste: Average
- Availability: Often full at lunch
- Price: Average
Tenka Sushi [Sushi]
Conveyor belt sushi is best for lunch
Has a lunch discount: 120‑yen plates drop to 100 yen (timed at checkout). There are rainy‑day deals and half‑price miso soup on cold days—quirky and fun.
Even when nothing is rotating, tell the chef at the center counter what you want and they’ll make it on the spot.
Since you can control how much to eat, it can be great value for smaller appetites. Note: the discount is based on checkout time.
- Taste: Average
- Availability: Often empty
- Price: Affordable
Tokishirazu [Seafood]
Mind the amount of rice
Choose from several seafood bowls. There’s even a bowl piled high with salmon roe, though it’s often sold out. A key feature: you can turn it into ochazuke halfway through (some bowls come with that option). The change of taste and added “flow” let you enjoy it to the end. Also recommended at night for its tasty fried chicken.
- Taste: Good
- Availability: Usually easy to get in
- Price: Average
Tsukemen Daijin [Ramen]
Holds the tsukemen crown of Shibuya 3‑Chome
A typical narrow tsukemen shop with ticket machine, etc.
It welcomes everyone—those chasing flavor, those who want to be full, and budget‑minded students—and sends them home smiling.
Its stability makes it a representative tsukemen in the area. It’s cramped, so lines are common, but it’s worth the wait.
- Taste: Good
- Availability: Often full; hard to get in
- Price: Affordable
Cona [Pizza]
Healthy pizza
Pizzas are 500 yen each. With the crisp crust, a single pie is a comfortable volume. There are a dozen-plus toppings so you can try something new each time. Add the drink bar and salad for balance if you’re worried about health.
You’re usually seated on the 2nd floor, but the drink bar is on the 1st—built‑in stair exercise. Dieting? Order salad too.
- Taste: Average
- Availability: Usually has seats
- Price: Cheap
Hanoi no Hoisan [Vietnamese]
Strongly authentic; menu is hard to decipher
Despite the playful name, it’s quite serious. Stepping inside, you’re greeted by a strong fish‑sauce aroma.
Lunch is a pho set with an option structure like a mobile plan—the first page is a flowchart. You’ll want to finalize your order while looking at the chart, but for some reason you can’t; find out on site.
The owner apparently trains in Vietnam for a few days a year, during which the shop closes. The taste splits opinions, but it’s basically light and tasty.
- Taste: Average
- Availability: Sometimes crowded
- Price: Average
Nihonryori Aokaki [Japanese]
Feels like a high‑end ryotei (and probably is)
At first glance it looks very expensive, but lunch is standardly priced.
The dishes are classic “The Washoku,” which may (or may not) remind modern diners of something forgotten. Rather than “staff,” the presence of a true okami‑san (hostess) can make you feel you walked into the wrong place. Wrapped in the scent of tatami, calm returns.
Try discussing politics lightly to complete the mood.
- Taste: Good
- Availability: Usually has seats
- Price: Average
Tenkoku [Chinese]
Luxurious interior; great tea
The vibe is that of a high‑end Chinese restaurant (perhaps that’s true at night). Lunch brings satisfying dishes with good volume at reasonable prices. The tea served in ceramic pots is delicious, making you want to linger.
It’s easy to linger after finishing. In a corner seat you could imagine people in sharp black suits having serious conversations—fits the mood.
- Taste: Good
- Availability: Sometimes crowded
- Price: Average
Akazukin [Set Meals]
How well can you endure the auntie’s interference?
If gyudon chains are “fast, cheap, good,” this place is “fast, average, average.” Dishes arrive with impossible speed—like Amazon Now pre‑routing packages via machine learning.
The challenge is the owner (auntie). Her machine‑gun talk gives you no window to eat—like a spider never letting prey escape. Recently hot topics include the shop’s supposed 50th anniversary and the benefits of vegetable juice. See if the theme has changed when you visit.
- Taste: Average
- Availability: Sometimes crowded
- Price: Average
Conclusion
Shibuya has many restaurants, and there are still many hidden gems (and odd spots). When you come to Shibuya 3‑Chome, I hope you find a favorite of your own.
