Cheap buffets in Tokyo
Buffets in Tokyo are a dime a dozen, but it’s easy to incur hefty bills that may not justify the food quality offered. If that sounds like your gripe, we’ve sussed out 9 value-for-money buffets in Tokyo to save you from more regrets. Whether you’re a staunch fan of yakiniku or swear by sashimi, here’s how to get your money’s worth at buffets in Tokyo, starting from just ~USD7.
Check out our guide to Japanese dining etiquette here and pick up 15 essential Japanese phrases here.
– Buffets Under 1 Hour –
1. Asakusa Buta Yashiki Horumon Sakaba
Image credit: @macallansky
Yakiniku buffets are often a pricey affair, but Asakusa Buta Yashiki Horumon Sakaba stands out with its affordable deals. A 30-minute lunch set costs merely ¥780 (~USD7.28) while a 45-minute lunch set will set you back just ¥950 (~USD8.86).
The restaurant offers a stunning selection of pork cuts – heart, liver, intestines, and brisket. Every slab of meat is doused in salt, miso, or tare sauce as seasoning.
Image credit: @6_yoshimi_6
Choose any 1 of the 3 pork sets:
- Set A – liver and heart
- Set B – udeniku (the fatty midsection of a cow) and daitoro abura (fatty layers surrounding pork intestines)
- Set C – katabara (brisket) and daitoro abura.
You can then order up to two additional servings of udeniku, daitoro abura, liver, momoniku (thigh meat), or katabara – as long as you finish within the time limit. Free rice refills and a bowl of miso soup are included as well.
Address: 2-2-4 Azumabashi, Festy One 1F, Sumida Tokyo 130-0001, Japan
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 11.30AM-2PM, 5PM-12PM | Sat & Sun 2PM-11PM
Directions: 8-minute walk from Asakusa Station or 9-minute walk from Tokyo Skytree Station
2. Taiko Chaya
Image adapted from: @itsqueenvic
Image credit: @cxkevs
Taiko Chaoya has been enticing patrons from across the globe with the freshest sashimi sourced from Toyosu Fish Market. For ¥1300 (~USD11.65), you can dig into a plethora of sashimi for 50 minutes.
Choose from dishes such as maguro tuna (bluefish tuna), fatty salmon, raw octopus, negitoro (minced tuna with green onions), and broiled scallops.
Image credit: @sh_husky
Tip: Pop by before the store opens to get a queue ticket. It’s a surefire way to beat the lunch crowd and boost your chances of getting a seat.
Address: Centpia Building B1F, 2-3-2, Bakurocho, Nihombashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0002, Japan
Opening hours: Mon – Sat 11.30AM-2PM, 5PM-11PM | Sun 10.30AM-3.30PM
Directions: 5-minute walk from Asakusabashi Station
3. Jinbocho Meat Center
Image credit: @subzeronyc
Jinbocho Meat Center indulges patrons with unlimited pork yakiniku for just ¥950 (USD8.86). You will have to adhere to a 45-minute time limit but the staff are quick to serve refills.
Each plate comes with generous cuts of meat, along with free-flow rice, soup, and onion salad to cleanse your palate.
Image credit: @mai7624
Address: 2 Chome-16 Kanda Jinbocho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan
Opening hours: 11.30AM-2.30PM, 5PM-10.30PM, Daily
Directions: 1-minute walk from Jimbocho Station
4. Numazuko Kaisho
Image adapted from: @li_negan
Numazuko Kaisho is another gourmet spot that serves sought-after items like yellowfin tuna sashimi, negitoro, and menchi katsu (deep-fried meat patty).
For just ¥1,200 (~USD10.57), you will have 45 minutes to binge on the freshest finds – each ingredient is sourced from Numazu Port, one of Tokyo’s busiest fishing ports, every morning.
Image credit: Santi Wattanachaisirikul
Address: 6-8-4 Ueno, Gomi Bldg. B1F, Ueno, Taito, Tokyo 110-0005, Japan
Opening hours: Mon – Sat, 11.30AM-10.30PM | Sun, 11.30AM-10PM
Directions: 5-minute walk from Ueno Station
– Buffets Lasting More than 1 Hour –
5. Kuikui
Image credit: Ikebukuro Kuikui
Image credit: Ikebukuro Kuikui
Kuikui serves up the best of both worlds – unlimited yakiniku and shabu-shabu. Unlike most restaurants, they are known to regularly refresh their menu with new flavours such as pork slices seasoned with apples.
The lunch buffet lasts for 60 minutes and costs ¥1,400 (~USD13.05), while the 90-minute buffet is priced at ¥1,600 (~USD14.92).
Image credit: Ikebukuro Kuikui
Kuikui also features a whopping 80 food items, including desserts like crepe, ice-cream, cotton candy, and chocolate fondue.
Address: 2-Chome-26-10, Minamiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 171-0022, Japan
Opening hours: 11AM-4PM, 5PM-11.30PM, Daily
Directions: 3-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station
6. Enjoy! EAST
Image credit: Tabelog
Enjoy! EAST sports a clean Muji vibe, with minimalist wooden furniture to keep the space simple. Their menu follows a similar no-frills theme – a range of healthy Japanese food lining up the tabletops.
Their lunch specials cost only ¥1,100 (~USD8.51) and patrons can refill as many times as they want with no time limit. Otherwise, you can also opt for takeout at ¥900 (~USD8.37).
Image credit: @enjoyeast
Health-conscious travellers will be impressed by the extensive array of buffet dishes – simmered pumpkins, thick-fried tofu with curry, and radish and lotus roots. Lunch hours are from 11.30AM to 3PM, so come early before seats are filled.
Image credit: Enjoy! EAST
Address: 1 Chome-6-12 Sendagaya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0051, Japan
Opening hours: 11AM-3PM, 6PM-10 PM, Daily
Directions: 6-minute walk from Kita-sando Station
7. Gut’s Soul Yoyogi
Image credit: @irishhhh
If you’re up for a buffet with a diverse selection of dishes, head to Gut’s Soul Yoyogi. The 90-minute buffet costs ¥1380 (~USD12.88) and includes 25 seafood and meat options.
Expect dishes like Korean squid tentacles, German frankfurter, and Japanese raw egg on rice or yaki onigiri (grilled rice balls), an izakaya must-have.
Address: 3F Oshiro Building, 1-32-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Opening hours: Mon – Fri, 11.30AM-11PM | Sat & Sun, 12PM-11PM
Directions: 1-minute walk from Yoyogi Station
8. Hitoshi Yotsuya
Image credit: @westgate_studio
If fried chicken is right up your alley, be sure to include Hitoshi Yotsuya in your itinerary. The all-you-can-eat karaage (Japanese fried chicken) restaurant is famed for its buffet with an affordable price point – just ¥850 (~USD7.72) with no time limit.
All that fried chicken can get heavy after a while, so cut through the grease with free-flow rice, miso soup, and raw eggs.
Address: 2-9-15 Yotsuya Sansara Yotsuya 103, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0004, Japan
Opening hours: 11.30AM-2PM, 5PM-11.30PM, Daily
Directions: 5-minute walk from Yotsuya Station or Yotsuya-Sanchome Station
9. Kaigarasou Iidabashi Sakura Terrace
Image credit: @tsuruoka.daisuke
Oyster buffets are notoriously pricey. At Kaigarasou Iidabashi Sakura Terrace, however, it will only set you back ¥1,200 (~USD11.01).
Their fried oysters are a hit among locals. Each piece is coated in a thick batter and best paired with tartar or their in-house sauces. Take note that this is only available from 11AM to 3.30AM, but it is still more than enough time to get your fill of oysters.
Image credit: Tabelog
Address: 2 Chome-10-2 Iidabashi Grand Bloom Sakura Terrace 2F, Fujimi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 102-0071, Japan
Opening hours: Mon – Fri, 11AM-3.30PM, 5PM-11PM | Sat & Sun, 11.30AM-3.30PM, 5PM-11PM
Directions: 6-minute walk from Iidabashi Station
Budget buffets in Tokyo
You don’t have to spend a ton on buffets in Tokyo – if you know where to go. With our recommendations, you can stretch your dollar further at these top buffet spots that don’t compromise on taste and variety.
Check out these articles on your next trip to Japan:
- Underrated Japanese snacks as souvenirs
- Cheap restaurants in Tokyo under USD8
- Cafes in Tokyo with unique menus
- Authentic Japanese ramen places
- Romantic things to do in Tokyo
Cover image adapted from (clockwise from left): @itsqueenvic, Ikebukuro Kuikuiand @macallansky