I write about various topics on this blog. Now, I'll try another Satisfactory 500 Yen Level Meals in Japan in this blog.
500 JPY =
4.59 USD
3.51 GBP
4.16 EUR
6.76 AUD
6.98 NZD
6.05 CAD
141 THB
6.22 SGD
35.7 HKD
(as of January 27, 2020)
I often meet young foreign tourists in Tokyo (e.g. students) who tell me that meals here are often expensive. Now, even though younger tourists usually travel on a budget, this simply isn't true. Nevertheless, this has become a commonly held view, since most foreigners will just go to any restaurants on the high-street and end up paying around 1000 yen - 1500 yen for one meal in the day time. Generally, it is more pricey at Japanese style bars (Izakaya) at night.
There are a lot of good, cheap restaurants in Japan for less than 599 yen including tax, but many foreigners won't know where to look. That's why I'm going to make a blog post detailing some good restaurants that can get you a meal for around 500 yen.
The restaurants are mainly selected in downtown Tokyo. Some of the large restaurant chains have their branches all over Japan.
- Cantonese-style Starchy Stir fry on Rice - Gyoza OHSHO 餃子の王将
- Tempura Bowl - TENDON TENYA 天丼てんや
- Spaghetti Vongole with Tomato - SAIZERIYA サイゼリヤ
- Unagi (Eel) Bowl - UNATOTO 宇奈とと
- 100 Yen Sushi, 500 yen Sushi Bowl - KURA SUSHI くら寿司
- Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl - NAKAU なか卯
- Deep Fried Chicken Set Meal - AGERUYA アゲルヤ
- Pork Cutlet Bowl - KATSUYA かつや
- YAKINIKU Barbecue - YAKINIKU LIKE 焼肉ライク
- YAKINIKU Barbecue - ANRAKUTEI 安楽亭
- Beef Bowl - MATSUYA 松屋
- Beef Bowl Set Meal at Lunch Time - SUKIYA すき家
- Beef Bowl and Udon - NAKAU なか卯
- Salmon Roe Bowl - UOKUSA 魚草
- Champon - RingerHut リンガーハット
- Vegetables Ramen - FUKUSHIN 福しん
- Chilled Noodles - HIDAKAYA 日高屋
- Cantonese Noodles (Ramen) - ICHIBANKAN 一番館
- Miso Ramen - HIDAKAYA 日高屋
- Soupless Noodles with Spicy Sauce - RingerHut リンガーハット
- Beef Plate Meal- YOSHINOYA 吉野家
- Curry Udon - MARUGAME SEIMEN 丸亀製麺
- Special Soy Sauce Udon - Hanamaruudon はなまるうどん
- Simmered Meat and Tofu on Rice - OKAMURAYA 岡むら屋
- Curry Rice Topped with Pork Cutlet - CLOWN ACE クラウンエース
- Oyster Rice Bowl - TOBIUME 飛梅
- Mackerel Simmered in Miso - WARAJIYA わらじ家
- Soba Noodles - YUDETARO ゆで太郎
- Okonomiyaki - DOHTONBORI 道とん堀
- Pork Bone Broth (Tonkotsu) Ramen - HAKATA-TENJIN 博多天神
- Half Ramen and Chicken Bowl - HIDAKAYA 日高屋
- Lunch Set Meal - GUSTO ガスト
- Beef Curry 牛カレー - YOSHINOYA 吉野家
- Dipping Ramen - KOURAKUEN 幸楽苑
- HAYASHI Rice - Saizeriya サイゼリヤ
- Pork Bowl - ICHIBANKAN 一番館
- Pork Cutlet - MATSUNOYA 松乃屋
- Deluxe Rice Bowl - HottoMotto ほっともっと
- Shrimp & Avocado Sandwich - Subway サブウェイ
- Gyoza Dumplings - RingerHut リンガーハット
- Octopus Dumplings TAKOYAKI - GINDAKO 銀だこ
- Lunch S - KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN ケンタッキーフライドチキン
Cantonese-style Starchy Stir fry on Rice - Gyoza OHSHO 餃子の王将
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
中華飯 Chuukahan 500 yen (550 yen including 10% tax)
It includes egg soup.
* Some restaurants located western Japan such as Hiroshima 広島 and Yamaguch 山口 Prefectures and in Kyushu 九州, it costs 460 yen. (excluding tax)
When I had this, the ingredients were pork, squid, scallop, shrimp, quail egg, wood ear mushrooms, Chinese cabbage, bamboo shoot, carrot, garlic chive...
Restaurant name
Gyoza OHSHO 餃子の王将
Information is below.
The price is as of November 2019.
Tempura Bowl - TENDON TENYA 天丼てんや
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
天丼 Tendon 540 → 500 yen
Tempura Bowl (Regular size)
天丼小盛 Tendon Komori 490 → 450 yen
Tempura Bowl (Small rice)
They include Miso soup, Prawn, Squid, White-meat fish, Pumpkin, Green beans → Okra (1 piece).
Detail is below.
Spaghetti Vongole with Tomato - SAIZERIYA サイゼリヤ
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
499 yen including 10% tax
* It is a seasonal dish.
Unagi (Eel) Bowl - UNATOTO 宇奈とと
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
うな丼 Unadon 500 550 yen including 10% tax
Unagi (Eel) Bowl
* Red miso soup is optional.
Information is below.
100 Yen Sushi, 500 yen Sushi Bowl - KURA SUSHI くら寿司
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐* |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐* |
* It depends on your choice.
A conveyor-belt sushi restaurant KURASUSHI (KURAZUSHI)くら寿司 offers many kinds of sushi for 100 yen. Although, some sushi itmes cost 200 yen.
When you have 5 dishes it costs 500 yen. (550 yen including tax)
This seafood bowl set is 500 yen. (550 yen including tax)
It is available until 5:00 pm on weekdays.
Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl - NAKAU なか卯
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
490 yen including tax
Deep Fried Chicken Set Meal - AGERUYA アゲルヤ
This restaurant chain is permanently closed.
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Chicken Namban and Karaage Set Meal
590 yen including 10% tax
チキン南蛮&から揚げ定食
This restaurant chain is permanently closed.
Pork Cutlet Bowl - KATSUYA かつや
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
490 yen (539 yen including 10% tax)
YAKINIKU Barbecue - YAKINIKU LIKE 焼肉ライク
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Short Plate Combo
バラカルビセット
580 yen including 10% tax.
This is a beef set meal.
YAKINIKU Barbecue - ANRAKUTEI 安楽亭
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Boneless Beef Short Rib Lunch Set Meal 2.82oz
80g 540 yen (594 yen including 10% tax)
ファミリーカルビランチ 80g
* This is available during lunch time until 5:00 pm every day.
Spicy Beef Curry Rice 500 yen including tax
ランチ スパイシービーフカレー
* This is available during lunch time until 5:00 pm every day.
Beef Bowl - MATSUYA 松屋
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Beef Bowl and Side Dishes 520 yen (or 580 yen in downtown Tokyo) including 10% tax
Beef Bowl Set Meal at Lunch Time - SUKIYA すき家
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Gyudon (Beef Bowl) M size Lunch Set
牛丼並盛ランチセット
with raw egg 500 yen
with half boiled egg 520 yen
(including 10% tax)
Beef Bowl and Udon - NAKAU なか卯
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
500 yen including tax at lunch time
Salmon Roe Bowl - UOKUSA 魚草
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐ |
Champon - RingerHut リンガーハット
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐ |
Small Champon 495 or 480 yen (including 10% tax)
小さいちゃんぽん Chiisai-champon
* Noodles only 100g (0.22lb)
Cold Champon
冷やしちゃんぽん Hiyashi Champon
Small 500 yen (550 yen including 10% tax)
Regular 600 yen
This is seasonal item in spring and summer.
Vegetables Ramen - FUKUSHIN 福しん
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Vegetable Ramen 490 500 yen including 10% tax
国産野菜タンメン Kokusan Yasai Tanmen
Chilled Noodles - HIDAKAYA 日高屋
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Chilled Noodles
黒酢しょうゆ冷し麺 Kurozu-shoyu-hiyashi-men
Regular 550 yen
Large 630 yen (as pictured)
It is including tax, and a seasonal dish in spring and summer.
Cantonese Noodles (Ramen) - ICHIBANKAN 一番館
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Cantonese Noodles 500 yen including 10% tax
広東麺 Canton-men
Miso Ramen - HIDAKAYA 日高屋
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Miso Ramen 540 yen including 10% tax
味噌ラーメン Miso Ramen
Soupless Noodles with Spicy Sauce - RingerHut リンガーハット
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐ |
500 yen (550 yen including tax)
Beef Plate Meal- YOSHINOYA 吉野家
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐* |
牛皿定食Gyuzara Teishoku 463 498 yen (500 547 yen including tax)
Beef Plate Meal
Curry Udon - MARUGAME SEIMEN 丸亀製麺
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
カレーうどん Curry Udon 490 yen including 10% tax
Noodles 250g = 0.55lb
A little bit of pork and sliced deep fried tofu are in it.
Special Soy Sauce Udon - Hanamaruudon はなまるうどん
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐* |
Special Soy Sauce Udon (Cold or Hot)
ぶっかけ Bukkake
S 290, M 390, L 490 yen excluding 10% tax
S 319, M 429, L 539 yen including 10% tax
S 210g, M 420g, L 630g
210g = 0.46lb
Simmered Meat and Tofu on Rice - OKAMURAYA 岡むら屋
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
肉めし Nikumeshi 490 590 yen including 10% tax
The meat are cut into bite-size cubes, not thinly sliced like Japanese beef bowl.
You can put mustard and red pickled ginger yourself.
Simmered meat, tofu, onion, konnyaku on rice
Very soft and sweet Japanese style broth
Shop name
肉めし 岡むら屋 Nikumeshi OKAMURAYA
- No service fee / No cover charge
- Picture menu is available
- 10% tax is included in the prices.
There are 3 shops in popular sightseeing areas of Tokyo such as Akihabara 秋葉原, Shinjuku 新宿, Shinbashi 新橋.
The price is as of November 2019 May 2020.
Curry Rice Topped with Pork Cutlet - CLOWN ACE クラウンエース
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
カツカレー Katsu Curry 500 → 570 yen including 10% tax
Curry Rice Topped with Pork Cutlet
Restaurant name
カレー専門店 クラウンエース Curry Shop CLOWN ACE
Clown Ace is permanently closed on January 21, 2021.
They reopened in March of 2021and the menu and prices are changed.
上野クラウンエース復活してるよー pic.twitter.com/nCqRYF5Pbv
— レモングラブ㊗️🎉 (@oredayoorelemon) March 8, 2021
- No service fee / No cover charge
- Replica food samples are displayed in front of the shop.
- 10% tax is included in the prices.
When you go into the shop you need to buy a meal ticket at the vending machine.
Curry Rice Topped with Pork Cutlet
Around Ueno 上野, there are a zoo, shopping streets, restaurants and many museums.
Photos of the curry shop were taken in 2016. It was 500 yen as of November 2019, but now it is 570 yen in March of 2021.
Oyster Rice Bowl - TOBIUME 飛梅
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Oyster Rice Bowl Lunch Set 500 yen including 10% tax
かき飯セット Kakimeshi Set
It is available at lunch time.
Mackerel Simmered in Miso - WARAJIYA わらじ家
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Simmered Mackerel in Miso - Set Meal
550 yen including 10% tax
さばみそ定食 Saba-miso-teishoku
Soba Noodles - YUDETARO ゆで太郎
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
ミニ明太高菜ごはんセット Mini Menta Takana Gohan Set
500 yen including 10% tax
It includes soba noodles (hot or chilled), cod roe and Takana pickles on rice, and croquette.
Okonomiyaki - DOHTONBORI 道とん堀
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐ |
Okonomiyaki お好み焼き
480 yen (528 yen including 10% tax)
Monja もんじゃ
480 yen (528 yen including 10% tax)
Pork Bone Broth (Tonkotsu) Ramen - HAKATA-TENJIN 博多天神
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
500 yen including 10% tax
Half Ramen and Chicken Bowl - HIDAKAYA 日高屋
Taste | ⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
やきとり丼 Yakitori-don 250 yen
Half Chicken Bowl
半ラーメン Han-ramen 200 yen
Half Syoyu Ramen
200 + 250 = 450 yen including 10% tax
Please check out another blog page below.
Lunch Set Meal - GUSTO ガスト
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
A restaurant chain GUSTO offers a 499 yen (548 yen including 10% tax) set meal at lunch time on weekdays. (except Saturday, Sunday and national holiday)
* Tax is not included in the prices.
There are 4 kinds of 499 yen (548 yen including 10% tax) set meals on the lunch menu, but only one kind is available each day.
Beef Curry 牛カレー - YOSHINOYA 吉野家
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
牛カレー Gyu-Curry 498 yen (547 yen including 10% tax)
Beef Curry
Dipping Ramen - KOURAKUEN 幸楽苑
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
濃厚魚介つけめん1.5 Noukou-tsukemen 540 yen including 10% tax
It is large size of chilled noodles, and warmed dipping sauce has rich seafood flavor.
Quantity of the noodles is good!
Ramen shop name
KOURAKUEN 幸楽苑
Information is below.
HAYASHI Rice - Saizeriya サイゼリヤ
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
ハヤシ&ターメリックライス 499 yen including 10% tax
HAYASHI Stew with Turmeric Rice
Pork Bowl - ICHIBANKAN 一番館
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Pork Bowl AKADON 480 yen including 10% tax
赤丼 Aka-don
Pork Cutlet - MATSUNOYA 松乃屋
Taste | ⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
This set meal is only 400 yen including 10% tax, but it is available between 5:00 am and 11:00 am.
Deluxe Rice Bowl - HottoMotto ほっともっと
This item is discontinued.
Taste | ⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
500 yen including tax (Takeout Only)
Shrimp & Avocado Sandwich - Subway サブウェイ
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐ |
Shrimp & Avocado 6 inch regular
えびアボカド レギュラー
470 yen (Dine-in: 517 yen including 10% tax)
Gyoza Dumplings - RingerHut リンガーハット
Taste | ⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Gyoza Dumplings Set Meal
ぎょうざ定食 Gyoza Teishoku
It includes dumplings, rice, soup and pickles.
7 pieces 370 yen (407 yen including 10% tax)
10 pieces 550 yen (605 yen including 10% tax)
Octopus Dumplings TAKOYAKI - GINDAKO 銀だこ
Taste | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐ |
8 Pieces 538 yen + tax
Lunch S - KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN ケンタッキーフライドチキン
Taste | ⭐ |
Quantity | ⭐⭐ |
500 yen (including tax) at lunch time 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
I chose melon soda.
YAKINIKU LIKE 焼肉ライク is good for one person.
If you are a group, I recommend ANRAKUTEI 安楽亭 below.