RResidents in Japan

Authentic American food in Tokyo?

Hi, I’m a new resident from Chicago, and while I love love love Japanese food, I woke up this morning missing home, and the only American restaurants I could find were the Japanese-American restaurants. Are those pretty good and pretty authentic? If not, does anyone have suggestions for where I could get food that reminds me of home?

32 comments

  1. “American food” is very vague.

    Clam chowder? Crab cakes? Cajun cuisine? Tex-mex? Pulled pork? Corn bread? Dirty rice? Cheesesteak? Grits? Biscuits and gravy?

    Anyway, you’re better off learning how to cook and making food yourself.

  4. There’s a Shake Shack in Shinjuku. It’s good, but expensive.

    There’s also a place in Akasaka called “Authentic“ which is one of the better burger joints I’ve been to.

    Don’t know much else about any other dishes, though, unfortunately

  9. get military friends and have then take you on base. the bowling alleys and community centers have the classic american fare you’ve been missing

  10. There’s a small BBQ place called Freeman that I think is decent for BBQ stuff (actual BBQ, not just grill). Hooters for wings is actually good. Kua Aina is the only Hawaiian thing I approve of here in Japan, and it’s just burgers. Teddys bigger burgers in Japan is actually terrible. Tasted like reheated cardboard, the bread was tough and different, even the interior design theme is different – literally only the name is the same as the original stores.
    Went to a Hawaii event and saw a Hawaiian food truck run by a Hawaii guy and I had high hopes of getting a taste of home, but it was understandably designer tourist flavor – guava-infused chicken, pineapple something something, coconut something or other, etc. It was pricey and it was good, but it wasn’t the local hit I needed. Also the Japanese cashier throwing me a shaka threw me off 🤣.
    Sorry somehow this turned into a Hawaiian food rant.

  12. No Burger King or HardRock in Tokyo?

    Chiles Mexican Grill or The Great Burger in Harajuku.

    Just don’t go to Denny’s. The menu, while good, is totally different than the US menu. No GrandSlam, basically no burgers.

  13. If you find any decent properly dipped Italian Beef sandwiches, let me know.

    The closest thing I’ve found to proper Chicago food was a Turkish place that had a special on their menu served in a kind of hotdog/baguette bun instead of a traditional flatbread. It had shaved beef which they had sitting in its own juices in a rice cooker on the keep warm setting, plus Turkish pickles (which are *very* similar to giardiniera). When I told them it reminded me of Chicago they looked very confused.

  14. I’m going to echo a few recs, but for cheap, authentic American food, you can’t get more authentic in Japan than Costco pizza and hot dogs. The combo pizza is just like Pizza Hut in my hometown.

    Shake Shack: authentic indulgence.

    Hard Rock Cafe: yes. Just like home, it’s too expensive but you pay for the atmosphere.

    Eggs ‘n’ things is nothing like anything I encountered in 80s America, but pancakes and eggs are good.

    The only Tully’s in my town makes a chili cheese dog that’s BETTER than anything I’ve had in the States

  15. You’re in Tokyo?

    Try Harry’s Sandwich in Jingumae.

    Kua Aina is a Hawaiian burger chain.

  16. Pizza – I’ve found the best to be New York-style pizza joints, most are by-the-slice in addition to whole pies. The one I went to in Tachikawa had some good craft beers as well. Definitely satisfied my craving.

  20. If you’re craving for Chipotle, Frijoles is the way to go for Tokyo. It’s almost as good

  21. For some reason I’ll get hate for this, but Bubby’s is quite decent. There are a few locations.

  23. There is a chain called Bubbys in Tokyo and Yokohama that I thought was good. They have things like BBQ pulled pork, burgers, coleslaw, fried chicken, apple pies, etc. It’s actually been a while, so I’m sorry if it isn’t up to par. My memory is that it was good and tasted “similar enough” to southern food back in the U.S. where I’m from.

  27. Just got back from Tokyo last week to another prefecture. I hit up Big Iowa in Roppongi while I was in town. They do adequate BBQ ( brisket/pulled pork, etc) as well as other bar type food. Hobgoblin next door isn’t bad either( they share a kitchen) . Fairly good English Fare although I tend to like their Shibuya location better.

  29. If you wanna go breakfast, I recommend “BREAKFAST CLUB Tokyo” in Ikejiri and “Son of the cheese” in Shibuya. It’s really cute diner-styled and tastes good😎I’m Japanese though.

  30. Big Iowa BBQ in Roppongi is amazing! Favorite American style ribs in Tokyo. Their Mac and cheese is good too

  32. Fellow Chicagoan here.

    17 years for me living in Tokyo.

    You can find “Chicago pizza” places like Devil Craft for example that is close but won’t really hit the spot.

    There used to be a restaurant called “Drunk Bears” that really nailed it but unfortunately it closed.

    Cheeseburger shops in Tokyo typically are spot on.

    If you wan’t breakfast, Eggs ‘n Things in Harajuku do it well, complete with Bloody Mary’s that aren’t Chicago quality, but close enough.

    If you want good Bloody Mary’s, try Smokehouse in Harajuku.

    Whoever opens an Italian Beef restaurant in Tokyo will be an instant millionaire.

    Hope that helps fellow Chicagoan!

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