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Recommended lunch spots in the Sakuragaokacho area! Introducing 5 restaurants carefully selected by Kago-san, who works in Shibuya
2024-09-13
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Kago, who works for a major company in Shibuya, has been eating his way through Shibuya's restaurants every day for over 10 years, and is known as "Shibuya's No. 1 lunch and cafe explorer," having visited more than 2,000 restaurants. Each episode features Kago's recommended restaurants, which are based on a theme. He will secretly tell you about restaurants that are a little different from those found on gourmet review sites.
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Shibuya's best lunch and cafe seeker
He usually works for a major company in Shibuya. In 2012, he started going around eating lunch and posting about it on his blog and social media. Now, he visits restaurants not only in Shibuya, but all over Tokyo and the country.
This time's theme: "Sakuragaokacho Area"
The Sakuragaokacho area is located south of Shibuya Station. It refers to the area inside the intersection of National Route 246, which runs east-west, and YAMANOTE LINE, which runs northwest to southeast. While redevelopment has progressed and apartment buildings and high-rise buildings have been built, old streets remain, and a retro atmosphere can be felt everywhere in this area. The area is also characterized by many slopes, such as Sakurazaka, which has a row of cherry blossom trees stretching for about 200 meters, and Chuo-dori (Ward Road 432), which stretches straight towards Daikanyama. Surrounding it are high-rise buildings such as Shibuya Info Tower and Cerulean Tower, and it is a hub where Shibuya's representative creative content and digital content-related companies, such as Amuse, GMO, and Coconala, are concentrated. In November 2023, Shibuya Sakura Stage will be born as a new landmark. Furthermore, in July 2024, the JR Shibuya Station New South ticket gates will be relocated to this building, and 37 new restaurants will open. The Sakuragaoka area is now the most popular area in Shibuya.
This time, Kago will introduce us to five recommended restaurants for lunch in the Sakuragaokacho area, where new and old cultures mingle.
Bon Appetito, an Italian restaurant popular for its chewy fresh pasta
It's about a six-minute walk from the station, nestled quietly in the residential area of Sakuragaoka-cho. The white exterior and the handwritten menu on a blackboard are the landmarks.
Store name: Buonappetito
Address: Nomura Building 1F, 7-12 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku
Introduction: Since opening in 2007, this restaurant has been loved by many as a "hidden Italian restaurant" facing a back alley. The owner, who gained experience in Northern Italy, serves the food. At lunchtime, "lasagna" and "fresh pasta" are popular.
Image from Kagosan's Instagram
The popular fresh pasta is chewy and pleasant to eat. The ingredients on top of the pasta change depending on the season, such as "chicken thighs and broccoli" or "seafood and yuzu." The "Spaghetti with shrimp and green seaweed in cream sauce" that I ordered was made with plenty of shrimp and green seaweed, and had a rich, seashore aroma. The cream sauce was rich and rich. It is also great to dip the homemade focaccia into this sauce♪
Peruvian cuisine adapted for Japanese tastes / Miraflores
It is located in a back alley, a minute's walk from Cerulean Tower. Look for the white sign that says "Peruvian Cuisine."
Name of restaurant: Peruvian Cuisine Miraflores Shibuya Sakuragaoka Branch
Address: 1F Kowa Building, 28-3 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku
About the restaurant: Opened in 2003, this restaurant serves authentic Peruvian cuisine. In addition to a lineup of Peruvian bean and meat dishes, you can also enjoy local beer. The restaurant is patronized by the embassy and was awarded the Peruvian Order of Culture in recognition of its many years of contributions to cultural exchange.
Image from Kagosan's Instagram
The food is served with seasonings that suit Japanese tastes. Although Peruvian cuisine is known for bean dishes, meat dishes are also well known and there is a wide variety to choose from. One of the lunch dishes, "Stir-fried beef tenderloin and vegetables with balsamic soy sauce," is filled with tender beef tenderloin and has no unpleasant odor. There are also plenty of onions and other vegetables, which bring out the sweetness of the tomatoes nicely. In addition, the balsamic soy sauce and spices typical of Peruvian cuisine are also excellent. It is characterized by an easy-to-eat flavor that aims for umami rather than harshness.
Thai staff provide authentic local flavors / Thai Food Research Institute
It's a 4-minute walk from the JR Shibuya Station Shinminami ticket gate. Look for the red store tent on your right hand side after you reach the top of Sakurazaka.
Name of restaurant: Thai Cuisine Laboratory Shibuya Branch
Address: Shibuya-ku, Sakuragaoka-cho 24-8, Shin-Nanpeidai Mansion, Room 102
About the restaurant: Opened in Sakurazaka in 2015. Thai staff prepare the food and deliver authentic Thai flavors. The spiciness is just like in the real thing.
Image from Kagosan's Instagram
One of the recommended lunch dishes is "Pad Thai Fried Rice Vermicelli with Shrimp," which has a slightly sweet and sour flavor from the tamarind sauce, expressing the uniqueness of Thai cuisine. The dried shrimp adds a nice flavor, and eating it with crushed nuts makes it feel Thai. It's nice to have an authentic taste that has not been adapted to Japanese tastes, and the squeeze of lemon adds a refreshing accent. This is a recommended restaurant for easily experiencing the Thai atmosphere!
A greengrocer with 70 years of history opens a new salad shop / to your Farm
It will open at Sakura Stage in March 2024. Salad bowls are available from 750 yen. There is also a take-out only store near Mark City.
Store name: to your Farm Shibuya Sakura Stage store
Address: Shibuya Sakura Stage SHIBUYA Side B1F, 1-4 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku
Introduction: This is a directly managed store by Fresh Owada, a greengrocer that has been in business in front of Shibuya Station for 70 years. The store near SHIBUYA MARKCITY sells vegetable juices and salads in a stand-style format.
Image from Kagosan's Instagram
One of the recommended lunches is the "Protein Salad" (1,000 yen), which is a hearty salad topped with herb chicken, roast beef, bacon, and more, making it a sure-fire menu to leave you satisfied. The meat is quite thick and very filling. It's nice that it's a salad lunch, yet still meaty. If you choose "French onion" as the dressing, it goes perfectly with the meat. It's a hearty and very satisfying dish. You can also add a green smoothie (sold separately) to increase your vegetable intake.
Inheriting the popular tantanmen restaurant that has been in business for 50 years / Renge no Gotoku
Go up Sakurazaka, turn left at the corner one block away, and it is located about a 3-minute walk from the Shin-Minami ticket gates of JR Shibuya Station.
Store name: Renge no Gotoku
Address: Suzuki Building 1F, 16-7 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku
Introduction: Due to redevelopment work, the popular tantanmen restaurant "Asuka" closed its doors after 51 years in business in 2018. This restaurant, which continues the same flavor, opened in 2019. Many people once thought of Asuka as the place to go in Shibuya, and there is no end to the number of people who visit the restaurant in search of nostalgia.
Image from Kagosan's Instagram
One of the popular dishes is the "Cold Pork Bones" which uses crispy fried pork bones with a curry flavour. It is delicious as is, or dipped in soup to give it a soft texture. It is made in the style of chilled Chinese noodles, so it has a soy sauce soup base with a hint of vinegar, but also has the richness of sesame that is unique to dandan noodles. It is also lightly spicy, making it the perfect dish for a hot day. Anyone familiar with "Asuka" will find the dish somehow comforting and delicious.
The Sakuragaokacho area is lined with a variety of Japanese and Western restaurants. From long-established establishments to new, popular establishments, this compact area has a wide range of options. Restaurants offering authentic Peruvian, Thai, and Italian cuisine are dotted around the area, all within walking distance of the station, making it the perfect place to stop by while out for a stroll. Use your lunch break or time after work to savor the delicious food that can only be found here.
Oyamada Takioto
Started writing and editing in 2014. Mainly covers and writes about "food" and "city things", and works on local news and free papers in Akasaka, Minato-ku, Roppongi, Toranomon, etc. Recently, he has also expanded his reach to Shibuya and Tamachi. Every day, he searches for stories and news that can only be found by visiting the area in person. His favorite food is katsudon.
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