The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic is taking its toll on Tokyo’s hospitality venues. Until we’re able to eat, drink and be merry in public again, we can at least eat well with the takeout service offered by a growing number of Tokyo restaurants. In doing so, we can help support the livelihood of our favourite venues, their staff, and the farmers who supply them. From simpler options to the more extravagant, there’s plenty to add excitement to your dining-at-home routine.
Pro tips for takeout: many restaurants require advance notice for takeout orders, so be sure to check if this is the case. When making an order, be clear about what you want, your name, contact details, desired pickup date and time, and any allergies. And take an eco bag with you to reduce unnecessary packaging.
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Get your Middle-Eastern food fix with popular Omotesando restaurant Cicada’s takeout service. You can expect menu favourites like spicy Moroccan crab cakes (¥1,300), roasted calamari stuffed with prosciutto (¥1,300), panko crumbs and herbs (¥1,300), Portuguese-style grilled chicken (¥2,100), and patatas bravas with spicy sauce (¥840). Craft beer is also available to order for ¥570 a bottle and 250ml cans of wine for ¥1,000.
Order online from 11.30am-6.30pm; takeout from 12pm-7pm.
Creative modern Japanese restaurant Tenoshima is keeping your kaiseki food dreams alive at home. Select from a range of dishes (¥400 to ¥5,900), such as anago chawanmushi – steamed egg custard with eel (¥1,000), Japanese oysters pickled in sansho pepper oil (¥1,500), beef from Ehime prefecture roasted with the scent of root vegetables (¥3,000), or sushi of fresh local sea bream wrapped in bamboo (¥2,500).
Order online at least two hours in advance; takeout from 12pm-7pm.
At this counter shop in Azabu-Juban, English-speaking staff prepare gourmet burritos, tacos, salads and burrito bowls. Don’t forget to add a bit of the chile de arbol chili sauce to give your meal a kick.
Takeout from 9am-8pm.
Opened in Azabu-Juban in September 2011, Pizza Strada has become a local fixture with its simple, traditional pizzas – margherita, marinara, olive and pepperoni – served freshly baked from a wood-fired oven. Although the cheaper pizzas are just as tasty, it’s worth splurging on the margherita with Buffalo Mozzarella for ¥2,250.
Takeout from 5pm-9pm on weekdays, 12noon-8pm on weekends
One of Tokyo’s favourite brunch spots is offering the joy of a pancake brunch to take home. The classic stack of fluffy buttermilk pancakes (¥1,300 or ¥1,730 with fresh fruit) is available until 4pm; there’s also a range of savoury options available until 7pm, like the teriyaki beef burger (¥2,000), roasted chicken kabsa with spiced rice pilaf (¥2,000), and crispy fried calamari with sweet chili aioli (¥1,300).
Order online; takeout from 12pm-7pm.
This falafel joint located roughly halfway between Ebisu and Hiroo is popular for its variety of lunchtime pita sandwiches, featuring fillings like falafel and chicken schnitzel. In the evening, the menu broadens to include baba ganoush, kebabs and other Middle Eastern favourites.
Takeout from 11.30am-3pm, 5pm-8pm.
Ramen, udon and soba noodle joints are legion in Tokyo, but this just might be the city's only eatery dedicated to somen, the thin flour noodles that are usually served cold. You’ll find unusual flavours like pollock roe cream and shiso-pesto, along with some rare gluten-free noodle options, too.
Takeout from 11am-8.30pm
This bar specialises in domestic craft beers and food that pairs well with said beverages. The most popular option is the 'omu-curry', a mashup of omurice and curry, served with as much roux as you can handle. Since it’s topped with freshly soft-boiled egg, be sure to eat your meal within two hours of receiving it.
Takeout from 3pm-12midnight
In a quiet back alley just steps from the hustle and bustle of Harajuku lies Kiki, the domain of haute cuisine wizard Yuki Noda who, in regular dining periods, woos diners with his creative six-course dinners. The takeout menu is just as creative, with a range of appetisers, noodles and rice dishes. Specific dishes are subject to change, but you can expect options such as pate de champagne (¥1,000), nicoise salad (¥1,200), citrus somen noodles (¥1,050), straw-roasted beef with rice (¥1,650), egg and pumpkin curry (¥1,150) and tofu hamburger (¥1,200).
Order via phone (070-3882-3150) or by Instagram direct message – if using the latter, it must be at least one day ahead; takeout from 11.30am-2pm, 5.30pm-7.30pm.
Usually, it can be hard to score a reservation at this 10-seater restaurant in Jingumae, with head chef Nao’s inspired blend of Japanese and French cuisine drawing a loyal crowd of diners. With regular service suspended for the time being, now’s your chance to try dishes from Julia on a takeout basis. The typical takeout menu includes the signature Julia slider at a size 50 percent larger than when dining in (¥1,000), ginger-scented steamed chicken and rice (¥1,500), teriyaki chicken cutlet sandwich with gorgonzola butter (¥1,000), specialty pasta sauces, and a snack box designed for pairing with drinks (¥3,000 per person).
Order via phone (03-5843-1982), Instagram or Facebook direct message; takeout from 12pm-8pm.
Don’t forget to eat your greens. At SaladStop, you can choose from ten different ‘signature salads’, all made with vegetables straight from the company farm and customisable with 50 different toppings and 20 condiments.
Takeout from 11am-5pm (last orders 4.30pm).
This popular yakitori joint just off Gaien Nishi-dori north of Aoyama serves high-quality chicken skewers. Opt for the staples, including a selection of five yakitori, oyakodon (chicken and egg over rice) or yakitoridon (chicken skewers over rice). Yakitori Imai makes sure to use chicken meat from producers and vendors that are in need of support during the current coronavirus situation.
Takeout from 11am-7.30pm (last orders 7pm).
If you’re craving some good ol’ American food, then head over to Brooklyn-born Buttermilk Channel in Harajuku. Try the ‘Fried Chicken Burger (¥1,000), ‘Buttermilk Pancakes’ (¥900) or order the all-time favourite ‘Buttermilk Fried Chicken’ (¥1,000) featuring a cheddar cheese waffle topped with pieces of tender fried chicken.
Takeout from 11am-7pm
Originally from Oahu, Hawaii, this chain is well known in its native locale for its pancakes, omelettes, egg dishes and locos. The Harajuku shop usually has diners queuing out the door, but now you can get all the popular menu items to go. Pancakes and waffles with a side of syrup and fruit start at ¥680, and extra toppings cost you an additional ¥100-¥150 each. Besides pancakes, the omelettes (from ¥980) and the garlic shrimp meal (¥1,680) are also popular choices.
Takeout from 8am-8pm
This local restaurant on Hiroo’s shopping street offers a variety of kaisendon (seafood over rice) during lunch hours. Uni enthusiasts will be delighted with the sea urchin bowl – vinegared rice covered in rich, almost buttery uni (¥2,200). For a bit of contrast, the sea urchin and crab bowl (¥1,700) is a great introduction to the wonderful world of uni without being too overpowering. Everything about the food is fresh. In the evening, try the daily sashimi special. All takeout orders get a ¥50 discount.
Takeout from 11.45am-2.30pm, 6pm-8pm.
Hidden behind a handsome old tree – complete with treehouse – the Fleur Universelle flower shop makes quite an impression before you've even stepped inside. Head upstairs and you'll find Les Grands Arbres (The Big Trees), a wood-decked café space serving focaccia sandwiches, deli salads and some very good muffins.
Takeout from 11am-4.30pm (last orders 3.30pm).
This Italian restaurant sources organic vegetables directly from the producers. Freshly baked goods from Racine Bakery are offered at 10am every morning, and a variety of takeaway bento boxes are available from 11am including hamburg steaks, ginger pork, and menchikatsu – a deep fried mince patty. For something on the healthier side, opt for the organic salad topped with grilled chicken and the restaurant’s specialty dressing.
Takeout from 10am-6pm daily
Feeling like some beer and a bite? Drop by this gyoza place in a little alley near Ikebukuro station, where the jumbo-sized, succulent and chewy gyoza dumplings (¥750 for five dumplings) are sure to satisfy. Order fried rice (¥780) or seafood fried noodles (¥850) to pair with your dumplings. All dishes can be changed to a larger portion for an extra ¥100.
Takeout from 11am-8pm (delivery until 3pm) daily
Located just outside Ikebukuro Station’s west exit, this Malaysian restaurant serves up meals like nasi goreng (¥1,380) and coconut chicken curry (¥980), but also dishes from Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Qatar and Indonesia. The restaurant caters to Muslims, so you’ll find many halal and vegetarian options on the menu.
Takeout from 12noon-10pm
Since opening in 2011, this little bistro has been winning patrons with delicious spring rolls, pad thai and gapao. All the dishes feature lots of vegetables sourced directly from local farms. For lunch takeout, you can order a main dish which comes with a side of spring rolls, pickles and fried chicken for ¥800.
Takeout from 11am-8pm
Known for the use of farm-fresh seasonal ingredients, the creative integration of Japanese ingredients into Vietnamese dishes and an excellent selection of natural wine, AnDi is offering a Vietnamese food takeout service from Friday to Sunday while the restaurant’s doors are temporarily closed . Dishes change daily, but there will always be a banh mi (¥1,000), with two other options, such as steamed chicken and rice with fresh herbs (¥1,000). You can also get a bottle of natural wine starting from ¥5,500, selected to pair with your order. Check the Instagram and Facebook pages for updates and opening times.
Well worth seeking out, this intimate vegan café in Koenji serves a varied menu of meat-free grub at a decidedly leisurely pace. There’s a daily-changing boxed lunch option (¥1,000), vegetarian taco rice (¥1,000), coconut curry (¥800), a variety of pasta dishes and more.
Takeout from 12noon-8pm.
Tokyo can't get enough pancakes, and Moke's Bread & Breakfast, a popular Hawaiian pancake joint, opened its first Japanese branch back in 2013. Try the lilikoi (passion fruit) pancakes (¥1,280), smothered in an original creamy sauce made of passion fruit purée, butter and cream cheese – it has a refreshing sourness offset by a subtle sweet flavour. Savoury options like loco moco (¥1,280) and a fried chicken plate (¥1,180) are also available.
Takeout from 11am-7pm
The Junkadelic kitchen turns out a strange Japanese hybrid of Tex-Mex cantina food that’s never less than delicious. Combo menus are offered exclusively for delivery and takeaway – options include a little bit of everything, ranging from ¥900 to ¥1,600. Pick your choice of tacos, quesadilla, enchilada or burritos with a side of beans and rice. Most of the regular menu items are also available to take home.
Takeout from 11.30am-2.30pm, 5pm-7.30pm
The Nakameguro eatery is famous for its margherita pizza, made with only a slight smear of tomato sauce under the cheese, which is topped with vividly ripe tomatoes, basil and a hearty lashing of olive oil. The crust is as light and chewy as freshly baked ciabatta, with a dusting of salt that makes each bite worth savouring. Seirinkan’s marinara is just as good, packing the kind of vibrant flavour that more extravagantly topped pizzas seldom achieve. Three types of pizza – margherita, marinara and bianca cheese and butter (¥1,500 each) – are available for takeout.
Takeout from 11.30am-2pm (last orders 1.30pm) and 6pm-8pm (7.30pm) daily.
Nishiazabu-based creative Italian cuisine and natural wine specialty restaurant S’accapau is making sure Tokyoites can eat and drink well at home. The appetiser platter, which includes around 15 different small bites for ¥2,200 is the perfect option for aperitivo hour. There’s also a spicy pork curry (¥1,200), and different kinds of pasta, such as gorgonzola penne, wagyu ragu penne, and cheese tortellini. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for menu updates.
Order via phone (03-6721-0935) or in-store; takeout from 12pm-9pm.
Besides Azabu Shokudo’s crunchy minced-meat menchikatsu patties, make sure to order one of the three different omurice (fried rice wrapped in an omelette) dishes, either topped with ketchup, demi-glace- or white sauce.
Takeout from 11.30am-8pm; we recommend calling to order in advance: 03 3409 4767.
Finding perfectly crispy roast chicken in Tokyo can be a challenge, but Alze won’t let you down. You can try the lunchbox set, which includes a quarter of a rotisserie chicken with a side of roasted potatoes, salad, your choice of herb rice or bread and a drink for ¥1,000. The chicken here is like no other – roasted but still tender, with a layer of slightly crispy skin.
Takeout from 11am-8pm daily
Jasmine Thai doesn't tone the spices down too much for the benefit of sensitive palates, meaning that dishes like phu nim tod phad prik (deep-fried soft shell crab with fresh pepper) pack a hearty kick. You will find the popular dishes including green curry (¥850) and pad thai (¥850), as well as exclusive takeout dishes like soft shell crab egg curry (¥950) and chicken coconut curry (¥850).
Takeout from 11.30am-2.30pm, 5pm-7.30pm
Hide, an upscale Kansai-style oden restaurant, is housed in a traditional two-storey house on Hyakkendan street. You can take your pick from around 50 oden items, all of them well stewed in a kombu and bonito dashi that's simple but surprisingly potent. The kitchen also serves sashimi and a range of small dishes which are all available for takeout.
Takeout from 3pm-12midnight
This innovative Shinbashi joint has garnered more than its fair share of attention over the past year or so for its artistic array of small dishes channeling a mix of Noma-style New Nordic, modern French and Japanese cooking. For takeout, the staple dish is the Sublime Curry (¥1,200), a Sri Lankan-style chicken curry with an all-star lineup of sides: kale and cabbage for coleslaw, hummus, fermented beets and grilled vegetables. Other offerings – subject to change – are BBQ Spare Ribs (¥1,200); lamb shish kebab (¥1,000); duck thigh confit (¥2,000), and fermented mushroom soup with soft-boiled eggs (¥2,000 yen for two serves).
Order via phone (03-5570-9888); 11.30am-9pm. Cash only.
As the name Muji (no mark) suggests, the chefs here bring out the best of the ingredients without adding anything unnecessary. Deli choices like roast chicken and different salads are available, along with delicious desserts.
Takeout from 12noon-8pm (last orders 7.30pm).
Swallow's nest is just one of the delicacies at this Beijing cuisine restaurant, founded in 1963. For appetisers, try the Pidan Tofu and the saucy Special Boiled Gyoza.
Takeout from 11am-3pm.
While Gifuya may not be one of those trendy places that people are willing to queue for hours to eat at, the portions here are generous and quite carb heavy. Beyond ramen, you can also chow down on pan-fried gyoza or a vegetable stir-fry for some budget-friendly nourishment. All the menu items besides soup are available for takeout.
Takeout from 9am-8pm.
This falafel shop is perched on a highway intersection a good 15 minutes' walk from Shibuya Station. Kuumba du Falafel's sandwiches are superb, crammed with so much lettuce, red cabbage, fried aubergine, tomato, hummus and tahini sauce that they're almost impossible to eat without making a mess. Falafel sandwiches are available in full and half sizes, or try the more expensive falafel plate that ups the amount of fillings and even lets you make your own sandwich.
Takeout from 11.30am-7pm, closed Mon. (Call in advance as the shop sometimes closes without warning: 03 6416 8396).
Path is popular for its breakfast and brunch options, including super-fluffy dutch pancakes, topped with uncured ham, burrata and copious amounts of maple syrup. Besides dutch pancakes, you can also get madeleines, croissants and croque-madame.
Takeout from Tue-Fri between 9am-2pm.
Sio is fueled by Chef Shusaku Toba’s passion for developing the city’s dining scene, serving a tantalising fusion of washoku and French cuisine. For takeout service, the restaurant is offering a simplified menu for comfortable home consumption. There’s a banh mi (¥1,000), using bread from artisan bakery Le Ressort and fillings like ginger pork with herbs, as well as a daily lunch (¥1,500) – which differs day-to-day, so keep an eye on the Instagram for details.
Orders via email (sio.lunchbox@gmail.com) by 11pm the day before; takeout from 11.45pm-2.30pm. Cash only.
You can find an array of tapas here including the popular Spanish omelette and ‘basque black bean and blood sausage stew’. Menu items change daily, so you’ll find different dishes every visit. Reservations for takeout must be made by 3pm on the day of, and if you bring your own tupperware to take the food home, you’ll receive a discount.
Takeout from 11am-8.30pm
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