What truly makes a restaurant authentic? In this article, I review my top 5 most authentic restaurants for Japanese cuisine across Japan!
5. Gyutan Rikyu – Sendai
Despite being a chain restaurant, Gyutan Rikyu is one of the most authentic Japanese restaurants I’ve been to, particularly the branches in Sendai where the famous gyutan (ox-tongue) dish originated from.
I found this establishment in Matsushima Bay really brings home that vibe of Japanese fine dining through its black wooden tables and chairs, expert chefs, and enthusiastic staff that are welcoming to all customers. Gyutan is a delicacy of Sendai, and there’s no better way to appreciate this local dish than at your nearest Gyutan Rikyu branch!
4. Matsuriya Yamahana – Sapporo
Indeed, the authenticity of a restaurant is determined by the quality of the food, the tradition of the cooking practice, and the atmosphere of the establishment, and Matsuriya Yamahana scores in all areas.
This sushi restaurant in Sapporo gives you a taste of the freshest raw fish that the island of Hokkaido is known for. From succulent pieces of thick-cut salmon sashimi to marbled tuna maguro, it’s a restaurant that delivers authentic Japanese cuisine through the quality of ingredients, historic and cultural decor, and enthusiastic sushi chefs!
3. Rokkasen – Tokyo
This one is for the high rollers because Rokkasen is what is known as an “A5 Wagyu beef restaurant,” meaning it serves the highest grade of beef in the country! An all-you-can-eat setup for about 30,000 yen (200 USD), it’s definitely worth trying at least once in your life!
Located in the heart of Shinjuku in Tokyo prefecture, Rokkasen has the atmosphere of a modern but traditional Japanese restaurant, like something you’d see in a Yakuza movie. The selling point of this restaurant definitely comes down to the quality and marbling of the beef and the artistic presentation of the dishes.
2. Kyogoku Kaneyo – Kyoto
If there was an award for the “most aesthetic presentation of food,” I’d have to give it to Kyogoku Kaneyo. Serving up the best unagi (grilled eel) in Kyoto, this restaurant places a huge emphasis on customer experience through authentic Japanese dining rooms, furniture, and atmosphere.
The best way I can describe the experience is that you get the feeling of being invited to your Japanese grandma’s house and relaxing on the carpeted floor of the living room while she prepares you a feast. When the food comes out, you can’t help but take a few moments to appreciate the presentation of the dishes before indulging.
1. Gohanya Homare – Osaka
Saving the best for last, it doesn’t get any more authentic than Gohanya Homare. Located in the slum town of Nishinari, a rather down-and-out area near Osaka’s Shinsekai, this humble little establishment seems to be more than just a restaurant, but rather, a place of warmth for the soul.
In an area where people need it most, Gohanya Homare offers a homey atmosphere with old-school furniture you’d expect to see at your grandmother’s house. The tempura and soba noodles here are absolutely delicious and super affordable, and there are manga comics for you to read and an old television constantly playing the Japanese news and keeping the locals in the loop.
Indeed, there is a real sense of community in this little soba noodle restaurant, but the real authenticity comes from the attitude of the staff, an old Japanese couple who are unconditionally welcoming to all their customers. They were especially kind to me being the rare foreign guest, making sure that I knew how to eat soba noodles the correct way by explaining it to me with Google Translate.
Before I left, they showed me deep gratitude by thanking me with the usual Japanese bow, but also by giving me some snacks to take home! They complimented my Japanese (which really isn’t great) and just left me with an overall feeling of warmth and love, and to me, that is what authenticity is all about!
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