Japan has alot of chains for food, cafe, shopping and even bars, which ones are your favourite that you frequent most often and why?
Heres my list. My argument for all of them, is basically that they in my opinion have good kosupa, cost performance, not necessarily THE cheapest, but best tradeoff between the price and quality. Yeah im cheap.
Restaurants
\* Ichiran ramen
\* Saiseriya
\* Sukiya
\* Onyasai Shabu shabu
Cafe
\* Caffe veloce
Shopping
\* Daiso
\* Muji
\* Bic camera
\* Nikunohanamasa
Bar
\* Bar moon walk
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38 comments
Saiseriya – cheap, and food comes really fast. It’s probably all frozen and they just throw in the oven or microwave, but I like it.
Daiso – cheap, sometimes I can find really good products for just a coin.
Amazon- well, it’s cheaper than most places. I haven’t stepped foot inside an electronic store for years. Everything is more expensive out there.
Yodobashi – fast, free shipping and cheap too!
Id be curious to see others opinions. Id remove Ichiran ramen. Coco Curry, Costco and Yakiniku LIKE. I usually pick up a few pre-made snacks (not the bentos) from LIFE, PEACOCK, or OKAY groceries. My bar is the nearest conbini selling Strong Zero
Torikizoku, literally because of the mega beer and fried camembert cheese
I’ve always been partial to Doutor when it comes to cafes. Their sandwiches are pretty good.
Sukiya strikes me as the least unhealthy fast food chain. I usually only eat a mini or regular gyudon with no toppings plus the salad set.
Also 24hr mega Donki is my lord and savior.
Syabu-yo – best value shabu shabu all you can eat with iberico pork
Nikuya no daidokoro – A4-A5 wagyu all you can eat for an affordable price
Nabezou – tourist spot but actually good. Good quality Kokusangyu for 5k all you can eat.
Premium Karubi – you guessed it, good yakiniku all you can eat. American beef but thick steaks and gelato buffet.
Yes, I like all you can eats!
猿田彦珈琲 and Blue Bottle are probably the cafes I spend the most time at for working (both great for remote work)
Daiso and Jonathan’s
Santen is my favorite chain. Tempura is one of those things I just can’t be bothered to make at home. But Santen closed all their stores in my area and broke my damn heart.
Takakuramachi coffee. Love the ricotta pancakes. The eggs Benedict is pretty good. Terrible name though. Hard to remember even for Japanese people.
Sorry, saizeriya is bad. I don’t mind most Japanese family restaurants, but I will not go there even if there’s nothing else for miles.
Can’t beat toriki for the value.
And as much of a calorie (and toilet) bomb it may be, I love me some coco ichi.
Seria is *way* better than Daiso. Anyone else with me here?
Maguro Ichiba, CC Curry, Gindaco and Sweets Paradise
Rairatei Ramen is one of the most delicious things I’ve eaten in my whole life. I used to eat there every few days until I got fat lmao.
I like Toraji for yakiniku. Not only is the meat high quality but there are a ton of good things, like salad, rice dishes and noodles also on the menu.
I’m also partial to Ichiniisan but they have basically closed all of their outlets outside of Kagoshima, Tokyo and Sapporo (lunch only, dinner is too expensive).
Akiyoshi provides a fairly good atmosphere for yakitori as well, although it does vary based on the location.
Gyu Kaku has gotta be one of the best yakiniku restaurants I’ve been to, I love their seasoned French fries and spicy beef
For shopping: BookOff, hands down! I love exploring the big BookOff Super Bizarre locations outside of the densely populated areas (that’s where you find the cool stuff & great values).
Saizeriya
Kisoji
Katsuya
For ramen I have to say Oosho. Now I’m not saying it’s great ramen. That wasn’t the question, the question was “favourite” and Oosho ramen is my favourite. I know it’s not fancy, but I love it. Always a #1 Nippon Ramen with 12 gyoza unless I’m feeling like something special.
Hamazushi because I can use rakuten points there.
Pretty much anywhere I can use my points
Restaurants:
Sushiro
Kura Sushi
Gusto
Bikkuri Donki
Shopping:
2nd Street
King Family
Book Off/Hard Off/Off House
Kinburu(It takes 2 hours from my house to Nagoya but damn worth it)
Go go curry, johnathan’s, excelsior, hotto motto
Tori. No explanation needed
Of all the dinners I think musashi no Mori is my fav. Nice atmosphere, good pricing, and nice light food that isn’t just hamburg.
Saize is a hard pass for me. I know all my uni friends used to like to go since they went in HS, but those portions are for ants. It’s cheap but not a good value.
Kagetsu arashi!
parikara + habanero topping + butameshi
I feel like I’m the only person on the sub who really likes Ootoya.
Ootoya. It’s just good japanese food. The black vinegar karaage is *chef’s kiss*
-Kushikatsu Tanaka – nomipass is a great value
-Hakata Gekijo – good value, nice atmosphere, good food
-Hidakaya – bargain central and decent
Yayoi ken
Coco curry, royal host, jolly pasta, Gyu Kaku.
In no particular order:
* Costco
* Gyomu Super
* Ave ([エイヴイ](https://www.ave.gr.jp/shop/), Kanagawa chain almost like Costco, but no membership needed)
* Liquor Mountain
* Seijo Ishi
* Starbucks (yeah, I’m a basic bitch sometimes)
* Yoshinoya
* Royal Host
* A big Yodobashi Camera is *amazing* to wander around in but the prices are generally too high unless I need something *right now*.
* Kaldi Coffee Farm and similar “import goods shops” sometimes scratch an itch
I’m sure there are more…
For groceries, I like Gyomu Super, Niku no Hanamasa and Life, even if all 3 can be hit or miss depending on location.
Chain izakaya: Torikizoku, Yama-chan, Tanaka Kushikatsu
Kebab: Saray Kebab
Gyudon: Matsuya
Restaurants
Coco
Yoshinoya
Sukiya
Bar
Shamelessly, HUB lol.
Ichiran ramen. My favourite ramen place due to how they let you customise it.
Gusto. Their pizza is good compared to the price. It’s not great pizza, but considering how much pizza can cost in Japan (and still usually not be great) Gusto’s is a nice low cost option. Plus last week they had 50% off, ¥440 for a decent delivery pizza is fantastic!
Yayoiken if I’m really hungry and/or drunk and Ootoya if I’m in a classier mood.
ootoya
yayoi ken
nakau
supermarket:
hanamasa
ozeki
gyomu
lopia
ave
fashion:
komehyo
bingo
book off
Other:
maruman
takashimaya
love matsunoya and their ninjin sauce
FYI. Antico Caffè al Lavis has the cheapest and best cappuccino in Tokyo. If you drink at the table ask for a mug cup not the paper one.