The Hedge Funds Club guide to the good stuff in Tokyo.
A man's got to eat, doesn't he? Women too. And if one has to eat, one might as
well do it well. Tokyo, the world’s food capital, has been awarded an
astonishing 227 Michelin stars in the 2009 Guide Michelin. Paris, London and
New York are nowhere near this number. However, there is much more to Tokyo
than fancy Michelin-starred eateries. This is Tokyo Hedge Funds Club's (very)
biased and personal guide to where you should eat. It is based on countless
hours of good fun while eating and drinking around Tokyo.
A man's got to eat, doesn't he? Women too. And if one has to eat, one might as
well do it well. Tokyo, the world’s food capital, has been awarded an
astonishing 227 Michelin stars in the 2009 Guide Michelin. Paris, London and
New York are nowhere near this number. However, there is much more to Tokyo
than fancy Michelin-starred eateries. This is Tokyo Hedge Funds Club's (very)
biased and personal guide to where you should eat. It is based on countless
hours of good fun while eating and drinking around Tokyo.
Shouryuu
Tucked away in a basement in the middle of the Ameyoko market in Tokyo's
Ueno district is this great little restaurant that serves Tokyo's best and possibly
biggest gyoza dumplings. You can also get great omurice, yakisoba and subuta.
This is a small casual place with some 30 seats arranged around a big
communal table, two counters and a couple of booths. Dining here is like eating
in a friend's kitchen. That most diners here are local regulars adds to the
homely feel of the place. Shouryuu is almost impossible to find but well worth it
if you do. The restaurant's décor includes a battered old fridge, an open kitchen
and plenty of bookshelves filled with manga comic books.
Sushi breakfast at Tsukiji fish market
Hedge fund dude and major foodie Shaun Lawson has introduced many people
to many things (rock bands, funds, investors, restaurants, nieces, and so on),
but if he really likes you, he may take you for an early sushi breakfast to Tsukiji,
the world’s biggest wholesale fish and seafood market. Please note that this
is an early morning thing. Arrive later than 6:30am and it will be too late. Sushi
fresh off the boat. - it doesn't get any better. This is the real thing, so no
California Rolls available.
Address: 5-2-1 Tsukiji Chuo-ku, Tokyo
www.tsukiji-market.or.jp/tukiji_e.htm
Gonpachi Nishi Azabu
A lively and relaxed Japanese izakaya that is perfect for informal business
dinners. This is a great place for first-time visitors to experience a good mix of
modern and traditional Japanese food. Gonpachi is known for its yakitori and
soba noodles and it’s a casual, loud and fun place. Goldman Sachs has held
some legendary parties here and in 2002 Japanese prime minister Koizumi
took George W Bush here for dinner. Gonpachi is part of Kozo Hasegawa’s
growing Global Dining restaurant empire.
Address: 1-13-11 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 5771 0170
www.gonpachi.jp/en/nishi_azabu/home/location
Zipangu
Japanese and international fusion food in a fun setting combining modern
designs with traditional Japanese themes. The restaurant has 300 seats over
1,525 square metres in a fantastic-looking setting where you can enjoy food,
wine and cigars.
Address: Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu 14F, 2-14-3 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 3580 3661
www.nadaman.co.jp/english/akasaka/index.htm
TY Harbor Brewery
TY Harbor Brewery, run by New Yorker David Chiddo and his Japanese sidekick
Shimpei Terada, is a bit of a favourite gaijin hangout for long, leisurely weekend
brunches. Has its own microbrewery on the premises. TY is located directly on
the water on Tennozu Isle, near Shinagawa Station.
Address: 2-1-3 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 5479 4555
www.tyharborbrewing.co.jp/restaurants/tyh_e.html
XEX Tokyo
Located on the 13th floor of the Daimaru department store in Tokyo Station, XEX
offers a great teppanyaki experience. Combine some fine beef with draft beer
and great people watching.
Address: Daimaru, 13F, Tokyo Station, Yaesu Entrance, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
www.ystable.co.jp/restaurant/xextokyo/index.html
XEX Atago Green Hills
Located on the 42nd floor (180m up in the air) of Atago Green Hills, XEX is split
into three areas – a great Italian restaurant, a sushi restaurant and a bar in the
middle. Great food, great views over Tokyo and a great vibe. Ask for a counter
seat in the sushi part for the best view.
Address: Atago Green Hills Mori Tower, 42F, 2-5-1 Atago, Minato-ku, Tokyo
www.ystable.co.jp/restaurant/xexatago/index.html
Minatoya
An already legendary standing soba restaurant in an anonymous black building
near Atago Green Hills. Is there a better soba restaurant in Tokyo? Probably not.
Standing only. Opens for lunch at 11:30am. The restaurant sign is tiny so the
way to find the place is to look for a long line of hungry Japanese salarymen. It
might take you 30 minutes to get in, but it is well worth the wait.
Address: 3-1-10 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 5777 6921
Manmaru Sushi
This is a small sushi counter kind of place. Good quality fish and seafood,
including kujira (whale sushi) and whale bacon if you feel like that sort of thing,
at very reasonable prices. Frequented by locals (almost always a good sign)
and located in the middle of Ginza’s fancy hostess bars. Part of the same
restaurant group as nearby (and much more expensive) Sushiya no Kanpachi.
Address: 7-6-12 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 3573 1032
www.kanpachi.jp/tenpo_manmaru_s.html (Japanese only)
Oak Door
The Oak Door specialises in premium quality meats cooked in oak wood-
burning ovens. This is where you can meet American bankers in Tokyo (from
Goldman Sachs and, until last year, Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns). You
won’t see any Japanese bankers here as they no longer have large enough
expense accounts. So with some of the bankers gone, now you should more
easily be able to spot the secret CIA people who dine here (but no one’s going
to admit that, are they?).
Address: Grand Hyatt Tokyo, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 4333 8784
www.grandhyatttokyo.com/cuisine/oakdoor.htm
The French Kitchen Brasserie & Bar
This casual French brasserie and bar is where Johannes Kaps of Goldman
Sachs’ prime brokerage has breakfast meetings most mornings. He’s
probably busy speaking to some fancy hedgie or major investor, so if you see
him, just waive and smile. The French Kitchen offers a decent breakfast buffet,
so can be useful for client meetings as long as you don’t mind Goldman
Sachs hearing everything you discuss.
Address: Grand Hyatt Tokyo, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 4333 8781
www.roppongihills.com/jp/shops_restaurants/eng/details/restaurant.php?
id=e204440001
Restaurant Stockholm
Restaurant Stockholm has been a little piece of Sweden in Tokyo since it first
opened in 1971. You can enjoy a smorgasbord of great Swedish food at this
Japanese-run Swedish themed restaurant. According to some sources, this is
where Tokyo Hedge Funds Club founder Stefan Nilsson comes to indulge when
he feels homesick. Who wouldn’t be happy with the choice of seven different
kinds of herring on the menu?
Address: 2-14-3 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 3509 1677
www.stockholm.co.jp/english.html
Benitora
A great casual, after work kind of Chinese place for gyoza and tantanmen, but it's
for a rather different and great version of subuta you should eat here. As a bonus
there's a great view of modern Tokyo, think shinkansen and neon lights.
Address: 3-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (on the Ginza side of Yurakucho
Station)
Tel: 03 5219 1611
www.kiwa-group.co.jp (Japanese only)
Tucked away in a basement in the middle of the Ameyoko market in Tokyo's
Ueno district is this great little restaurant that serves Tokyo's best and possibly
biggest gyoza dumplings. You can also get great omurice, yakisoba and subuta.
This is a small casual place with some 30 seats arranged around a big
communal table, two counters and a couple of booths. Dining here is like eating
in a friend's kitchen. That most diners here are local regulars adds to the
homely feel of the place. Shouryuu is almost impossible to find but well worth it
if you do. The restaurant's décor includes a battered old fridge, an open kitchen
and plenty of bookshelves filled with manga comic books.
Sushi breakfast at Tsukiji fish market
Hedge fund dude and major foodie Shaun Lawson has introduced many people
to many things (rock bands, funds, investors, restaurants, nieces, and so on),
but if he really likes you, he may take you for an early sushi breakfast to Tsukiji,
the world’s biggest wholesale fish and seafood market. Please note that this
is an early morning thing. Arrive later than 6:30am and it will be too late. Sushi
fresh off the boat. - it doesn't get any better. This is the real thing, so no
California Rolls available.
Address: 5-2-1 Tsukiji Chuo-ku, Tokyo
www.tsukiji-market.or.jp/tukiji_e.htm
Gonpachi Nishi Azabu
A lively and relaxed Japanese izakaya that is perfect for informal business
dinners. This is a great place for first-time visitors to experience a good mix of
modern and traditional Japanese food. Gonpachi is known for its yakitori and
soba noodles and it’s a casual, loud and fun place. Goldman Sachs has held
some legendary parties here and in 2002 Japanese prime minister Koizumi
took George W Bush here for dinner. Gonpachi is part of Kozo Hasegawa’s
growing Global Dining restaurant empire.
Address: 1-13-11 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 5771 0170
www.gonpachi.jp/en/nishi_azabu/home/location
Zipangu
Japanese and international fusion food in a fun setting combining modern
designs with traditional Japanese themes. The restaurant has 300 seats over
1,525 square metres in a fantastic-looking setting where you can enjoy food,
wine and cigars.
Address: Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu 14F, 2-14-3 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 3580 3661
www.nadaman.co.jp/english/akasaka/index.htm
TY Harbor Brewery
TY Harbor Brewery, run by New Yorker David Chiddo and his Japanese sidekick
Shimpei Terada, is a bit of a favourite gaijin hangout for long, leisurely weekend
brunches. Has its own microbrewery on the premises. TY is located directly on
the water on Tennozu Isle, near Shinagawa Station.
Address: 2-1-3 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 5479 4555
www.tyharborbrewing.co.jp/restaurants/tyh_e.html
XEX Tokyo
Located on the 13th floor of the Daimaru department store in Tokyo Station, XEX
offers a great teppanyaki experience. Combine some fine beef with draft beer
and great people watching.
Address: Daimaru, 13F, Tokyo Station, Yaesu Entrance, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
www.ystable.co.jp/restaurant/xextokyo/index.html
XEX Atago Green Hills
Located on the 42nd floor (180m up in the air) of Atago Green Hills, XEX is split
into three areas – a great Italian restaurant, a sushi restaurant and a bar in the
middle. Great food, great views over Tokyo and a great vibe. Ask for a counter
seat in the sushi part for the best view.
Address: Atago Green Hills Mori Tower, 42F, 2-5-1 Atago, Minato-ku, Tokyo
www.ystable.co.jp/restaurant/xexatago/index.html
Minatoya
An already legendary standing soba restaurant in an anonymous black building
near Atago Green Hills. Is there a better soba restaurant in Tokyo? Probably not.
Standing only. Opens for lunch at 11:30am. The restaurant sign is tiny so the
way to find the place is to look for a long line of hungry Japanese salarymen. It
might take you 30 minutes to get in, but it is well worth the wait.
Address: 3-1-10 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 5777 6921
Manmaru Sushi
This is a small sushi counter kind of place. Good quality fish and seafood,
including kujira (whale sushi) and whale bacon if you feel like that sort of thing,
at very reasonable prices. Frequented by locals (almost always a good sign)
and located in the middle of Ginza’s fancy hostess bars. Part of the same
restaurant group as nearby (and much more expensive) Sushiya no Kanpachi.
Address: 7-6-12 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 3573 1032
www.kanpachi.jp/tenpo_manmaru_s.html (Japanese only)
Oak Door
The Oak Door specialises in premium quality meats cooked in oak wood-
burning ovens. This is where you can meet American bankers in Tokyo (from
Goldman Sachs and, until last year, Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns). You
won’t see any Japanese bankers here as they no longer have large enough
expense accounts. So with some of the bankers gone, now you should more
easily be able to spot the secret CIA people who dine here (but no one’s going
to admit that, are they?).
Address: Grand Hyatt Tokyo, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 4333 8784
www.grandhyatttokyo.com/cuisine/oakdoor.htm
The French Kitchen Brasserie & Bar
This casual French brasserie and bar is where Johannes Kaps of Goldman
Sachs’ prime brokerage has breakfast meetings most mornings. He’s
probably busy speaking to some fancy hedgie or major investor, so if you see
him, just waive and smile. The French Kitchen offers a decent breakfast buffet,
so can be useful for client meetings as long as you don’t mind Goldman
Sachs hearing everything you discuss.
Address: Grand Hyatt Tokyo, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 4333 8781
www.roppongihills.com/jp/shops_restaurants/eng/details/restaurant.php?
id=e204440001
Restaurant Stockholm
Restaurant Stockholm has been a little piece of Sweden in Tokyo since it first
opened in 1971. You can enjoy a smorgasbord of great Swedish food at this
Japanese-run Swedish themed restaurant. According to some sources, this is
where Tokyo Hedge Funds Club founder Stefan Nilsson comes to indulge when
he feels homesick. Who wouldn’t be happy with the choice of seven different
kinds of herring on the menu?
Address: 2-14-3 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 3509 1677
www.stockholm.co.jp/english.html
Benitora
A great casual, after work kind of Chinese place for gyoza and tantanmen, but it's
for a rather different and great version of subuta you should eat here. As a bonus
there's a great view of modern Tokyo, think shinkansen and neon lights.
Address: 3-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (on the Ginza side of Yurakucho
Station)
Tel: 03 5219 1611
www.kiwa-group.co.jp (Japanese only)
Hedge Funds Club
Where to eat in Tokyo
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