So I’ve been to a few Mexican restaurants and so far my favorite is Chiles in Harajuku, their burritos and rice bowls w/beef in salsa de Arbol is amazing! But it’s more of a really casual fast food type of place. Any recommendations for restaurant style real Mexican food?
As for American food, my go to’s are TGI Fridays and Hard Rock Cafe (I know so basic lol) but for NY style pizza I go to the one in Shimokita. Any recommendations?
by PeachInPeach
32 comments
I’m Mexican and I only ever go to two places: Kitade Tacos (Tokyo or Kanda) or Mil Tacos (Sasazuka). Mil Tacos is its own category. I’ve yet to have better tacos in Japan tbh.
Tepito in Shimokitazawa is okay too and sometimes you can eat things you wouldn’t think you’d find in Japan.
Shango is my fav Mexican food place. Reminds me of the food I’d get in south cali
I love going to 藤花食堂, firstly because is near our house lol but mainly because it doesn’t pretend to be authentic food but a homage of Mexican cuisine. It’s also smaller and not as touristy as the more known names, so the service tends to be better. Definitely recommend it if passing through Sangenjaya
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EGTVjbf5VEbRttDb8
Toyoda Cheesesteak & BBQ HATAGAYA
440 Broadway is hands down the best Mexican I’ve been to in Japan!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UeBs6zLooivqTFoe7?g_st=ic
restaurant style? Fonda De La Madrugada hits the spot but kinda pricy for portions
for NY pizza, try ROCCO’S NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA
Rojo Amigo Kitchen in Koenji
Great Lakes in Takadanobaba/Waseda for burgers. Rojo Amigo in Koenji and Junkadelic in Meguro for Mexican. 800 Degrees reminds me of home as I first had it in Santa Monica. I really like the pizza and kale salad isn’t so common. Bagel Standard in Meguro for something closer to NYC.
Los Tacos Azules in Sangenjaya (he does tamales too!), and Fonda de la Madrugada in Kitasando.
Everybody says chiles is good but Las Dos Caras in Harajuku is the best quality wise imo. The food is good, great cocktails and the staff are all super friends.
Bakurocho is the Mexican food capital of Tokyo. Ol La Cabina is a bit pricey (500-600 per taco) but maybe the best carne asada and el pastor tacos I’ve had here. A mexican dude owns it. They hand make their own tortillas and import their ingredients. Beers are like 1600-2000+. Kitade is up there too, and can be eaten cheaply at a place called the Commissary which is a paradise that also houses reasonably priced craft beer, pizza, and donuts. Under 1000 yen for 3 tacos and a few tortilla chips. If you want to order online, meatexpress.jp is run by a Mexican dude in Osaka, and they will freeze and ship out excellent burritos and chimichangas. They’re easy to reheat and better than any I’ve had in a restaurant here.
Soul Food House is my favorite American place, and the proprietors are super nice. As for Mexican, second vote for Los Tacos Azules
I’m sure things have changed (and I have done quite the research already), but when I lived in Tokyo 5 years ago, Junkadelic in Meguro was the ONLY restaurant that satisfied my strict Mexican palate. Not really for tacos, but every other antojitos is where it’s at.
In some years (whenever the economy improves), I will put my own Mexican taquería, with the goal of having the most authentic Mexican taquería in all of Asia.
At the end of the year I will move to Hanoi to help my cousin with his mexican restaurants, since he’s being very successful in Vietnam. I want to learn what he is doing and if the economy allows it, start a business in Japan.
Agave in Roppongi
Its actually in Yokohama, but Bubble Over in Ichigao has excellent American food.
Theres a Mexican place I always wanted to try here called 3 Hermanos. Anyone ever had it before?
Pizza Slice in Shibuya was a good facsimile of NY pizza.
The biggest drawback being its a PITA to get to from JR Shibuya station. Ebisu might be easier to get there.
Junkadelic in naka-meguro. They have amazing salsa verde sauce and great margaritas, and none of that small stuff
440 Broadway taco shop in Ebisu
No one mentioned it so far, but “La Jolla” near Hiroo station has really good Mexican food
Happy Go Lucky in Hamadayama is pretty great.
They make their own hot sauces too.
Leaving this here for future references
I haven’t been to many Mexican restaurants but Taquito in Shinkoiwa is good. https://maps.app.goo.gl/ouFij5SRTCAcs8KE7
Oh, I feel like this question was made for me, as I love slightly-fancy Mexican. But I’m not seeing many of my answers in the comments yet, so either I have bad taste, or I’ve found some hidden gems! You be the judge.
* OXOMOCO in Hiroo: small, intimate, single-chef + single-waiter. Really delicious and large burritos, of the type you have to eat with a fork and knife. Also really good tacos. My personal top pick.
* RUBIA in Shibuya: fancy coursed-out omakase Mexican. Also the cocktail bar upstairs has a great atmosphere and bartender, but is always pretty empty.
* Casa de Sarasa in Shibuya: not so fancy, but a step above fast-casual. Quite solid and feels authentic to me.
* Los Tacos Azules in either Ebisu or Sangenjaya: other people have mentioned this but I’ll +1 it. You’ll get a series of tiny tacos, delivered one by one. They’re high-quality, Instagrammable, and unique. The brunch menu is also fun.
My Japanese teacher’s best friend is Mexican and she’s given me the following recommendations, but I haven’t tried them yet. (I see some others have recommended them though.) 440 Broadway, Kitade Tacos, La Jolla, 3 Hermanos food truck, LA OTACO.
As for American food, as a former New Yorker I can give a bit of info on New York-style pizza. I’ve tried three places: PIZZA SLICE (Shibuya), The Pizza Tokyo (Hiroo), and Nim’s Pizza (Azabujuban). Nim’s was excellent but the other two were *too sweet*. I don’t understand why pizza would be sweet, but apparently that’s a failure mode that Japanese “New York-style pizza” can easily fall into. Very strange!
Some good suggestions by others. Some that haven’t been mentioned are Casa De Sarasa and Tacos Trap. I like those!
If you are ever in East Tokyo, Taquitos in Shin Koiwa is absolutely awesome
My kitchen.
Am Latina. Am from California. Nothing I’ve had here even comes close to what I am used to. It’s just better to make everything myself. I always bring chiles back from the US.
Frijoles, Taco Rico, and Sol Tokyo. If I am only after guac and chips, El Torito is mighty fine for it.
Soul Food House all the way.
If I had to choose a chain, California Pizza Kitchen down in Kawasaki. Not Tokyo but close enough.
440 Broadway is what I would call “OK” (I’m from California and really miss good Mexican) – I go there now and then since I live a few minutes away… but Mil and 3 Hermanos look like what I’ve been craving…
Pico de gallo, run by an enthusiastic chef. Their burritos are great.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1cuACzv7dr82zM8d9?g_st=ic
El sol in Nishiarai. It’s run by a Japanese dude but he lived in California and Mexico for a while