Where to Eat Solo in Tokyo | 3 Options That Are Not Ramen

Japan is a country that welcomes solo activities. So much so that there’s a term for it–ohitorisama (おひとりさま)–meaning ‘lone customer’. Restaurants, cafes, bars, and beyond, cater to parties of one, and we’re here to show you three of the best if you find yourself so inclined.

Shizuka–our hungry host–begins her solitary gourmet experience in Ebisu, a stylish yet laidback neighborhood just south of Shibuya. She wanders into her first solo-stop of the day–Yakiniku Like–a yakiniku chain restaurant specifically designed for unaccompanied diners. She sits down in her private booth, marvels at the mini grill, then peruses the menu. Settling on a three-beef set, Shizuka puts through her order and before she knows it, the order’s up and ready to be picked up from the counter. The private booths at this yakiniku dining spot are equipped with everything you need to enjoy a solitary meal!

Next on the one-person dining train is Shabu Shabu Retasu–a hot pot restaurant that serves one-person portions top hungry diners. Shizuka settles on an all-you-can-eat aged pork set, sesame noodles, and seasonal vegetables before heading over to the condiment area to load up her solo-sauce station.

The final stop on this ohitorisama journey takes our cheerful host to Shimokitazawa, one of our favorite neighborhoods in Tokyo (but don’t tell the others that). Blikje Button is a charming and eclectic cafe with single-person window nooks that double as art stations. Shizuka goes with the recommended meal–omurice–and a creme brulee dessert. As she’s waiting for her meal, she taps into her creative side and doodles on a napkin using art supplies scattered throughout the cafe.

FEATURED FOODS
Wagyu Rib
Beef Tongue
Skirt Steak Set
Aged Pork and Seasonal Vegetable Course
Pork Shabu Shabu
Lettuce and Ponzu Sauce
Sesame Sauce Noodles
Omurice
Creme Brulee

LOCATION
Yakiniku Like
Ebisu
https://goo.gl/maps/5VpCrLnkwT6kJ2ti9

Shabu. Shabu Let us
Naka-meguro
https://goo.gl/maps/jmjhyYJmYRWV3JTh6

Blikje Button
Shimokitazawa
https://goo.gl/maps/Me5wEJ43BEoTEtFFA

TIMELINE
00:00 Intro
00:35 Yakiniku Like, Ebisu
01:47 Wagyu Rib, Beef Tongue, and Skirt Steak Set
02:39 Wagyu Rib
02:58 Beef Tongue
03:42 Shabu Shabu Retasu, Ebisu
04:41 Aged Pork and Seasonal Vegetable Course
05:33 Pork Shabu Shabu
06:15 Lettuce and Ponzu Sauce
06:58 Sesame Sauce Noodles
07:38 Blikje Button, Shimokitazawa
10:49 Omurice
11:12 Creme Brulee
12:08 Outro

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