Intro
Hello, I’m GOK, the editor of Shinjuku local media “Daily Shinjuku.”
Shin-Okubo, the station next to Shinjuku on the JR Yamanote Line, is well known as Tokyo’s Koreatown, packed with Korean restaurants and cosmetic shops and crowded every day. Some people are curious but hesitate because it feels too busy or too youth-oriented.
In this feature, I’m introducing ways to enjoy Korean food and a “Korea trip vibe” in Shinjuku—without having to go all the way to Shin-Okubo.
What “Chan-Style Ramen” Means (Background from the Original)
This article originally uses the term “chan-style ramen” elsewhere on Daily Shinjuku, but this Shinjuku Korean food feature focuses on Korean restaurants, cafes, and takeaway.
(Translation note: no additional explanation is added here beyond what appears in the source text.)
8 Korean Food Picks in Shinjuku (Excerpt)
Korean Restaurants (4 picks)
1) Chukmi Dosa Shinjuku Honten (Higashi-Shinjuku)
A popular restaurant that opened in May 2022, located about a one-minute walk from Higashi-Shinjuku Station. It is described as the first location in Japan for this brand. The shop faces Meiji-dori, and the customer base is noted as slightly older, with office workers and Koreans living in Japan visiting after work.
“Chukmi” means webfoot octopus in Korean, and the restaurant focuses on octopus dishes. You can add toppings such as pork or seafood (shrimp), and you can also choose the spice level.
The article mentions ordering Samgyeop Chukmi (2,080 yen)—a combination of octopus and samgyeopsal—and finishing it quickly because it was so good. The closing fried rice with a popping texture is also described as excellent, and it pairs well with makgeolli. The atmosphere is described as feeling like “the real Korea.”
2) Saikabo Yotsuya Honten (Yotsuya-Sanchome)
Next is Saikabo Yotsuya Honten, described as serving “lucky” Korean food. It is about a one-minute walk from Yotsuya-Sanchome Station on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, and also reachable on foot from the Shinjuku-Sanchome area in about 15 minutes.
Because Yotsuya has the Korean Cultural Center in Japan and many Koreans living in the area, the article notes that many customers come seeking authentic flavors.
Along with the food, the shop is praised for warm, motherly hospitality and a homey atmosphere. On the first floor, Korean items such as kimchi and side dishes are sold in a wide variety.
(Shown example item: Mul-naengmyeon 1,080 yen / Dakgangjeong 600 yen)
3) Korean Cuisine Koya (Shinjuku-Gyoenmae)
The third pick is Korean Cuisine Koya, about a three-minute walk from Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station. The article notes that there are fewer Korean restaurants around Shinjuku-Gyoenmae compared with Shin-Okubo or Yotsuya, and Koya is a quieter presence in the neighborhood.
Inside, K-pop plays as background music, and music videos are shown on a TV screen. A recommended dish is samgyeopsal that can be ordered for “one coin” per serving. The article also mentions other menu options such as chicken gomtang soup and buldak galbi.
4) Tonchan Yotsuya (Yotsuya-Sanchome)
This shop is introduced as Japan’s first samgyeopsal specialty restaurant: Tonchan Yotsuya. It is located between Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station and Yotsuya-Sanchome Station, in the basement level on the left side as you head toward Yotsuya along Shinjuku-dori.
Samgyeopsal is described as one of the most popular Korean dishes in Japan, and this restaurant is positioned as a place to enjoy authentic samgyeopsal as a dedicated specialty shop. On weekends, the restaurant is said to be very busy with customers including Koreans living nearby, and it is described as highly recommended.
Korean-Style Cafes (2 picks)
5) nuibox (Shinjuku-Gyoenmae)
nuibox is introduced as a Korean-style cafe that became very popular on Instagram. The article says it is produced by Instagram influencers @__o3yuka. and @__haru3, and is especially popular with women in their 20s and 30s.
It is located on the first floor of BOOK TEA BED SHINJUKU-GYOEN, about a one-minute walk from Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line). The customer base is described as 100% female, with many dessert-focused menu items that are cute and photogenic.
6) Kum Coffee (LUMINE EST Shinjuku)
Kum Coffee, described as the No.1 Korean delivery cafe, opened in November 2021 on the 8th floor of LUMINE EST Shinjuku. Menu items mentioned include dalgona latte, shaved ice, blueberry cream cheese toast, and spicy fish cake kimbap.
Because it is directly connected to Shinjuku Station, the article notes it is easy to stop by—such as when you have spare time before meeting someone.
Takeaway Picks (2 picks)
7) Yesmart (Higashi-Shinjuku)
Yesmart is introduced as a Korean-style supermarket where you can find Korean instant noodles, snacks, and drinks often seen in Korean dramas on Netflix. Weekends are crowded with women who love Korean culture, while on weekdays the article notes that visitors include Koreans as well.
The store has many foods and instant items not commonly found in Japanese supermarkets, and even simple Korean-language signs, making it fun to browse. The article also mentions handmade kimbap being sold at lower prices than takeaway from Korean restaurants.
Example item mentioned: Homemade spicy-sweet fish cake kimbap 550 yen (tax included)
The popular Buldak cup noodles (carbonara flavor) are also described as having chewy noodles and an addictive, “junk food” style taste. For those who don’t handle spice well, the article suggests using less of the included spicy sauce. The article adds that this feels distinctly Korean compared with Japanese instant ramen.
Various types of makgeolli and items like yukejang that can be eaten by simply heating are also mentioned, and the store is recommended as a place to stop by when visiting Shinjuku.
8) NENE CHICKEN (Higashi-Shinjuku)
Yangnyeom chicken is introduced as a classic Korean dish, and NENE CHICKEN is described as Korea’s No.1 chicken brand. The article notes that the brand has collaborated with Crayon Shin-chan, and the takeaway packaging is also cute.
The sweet-and-spicy sauce is described as addictive and a great match with makgeolli or beer. The article says it makes sense that it became a big boom in Japan.
NENE CHICKEN has multiple locations around Shinjuku and is popular for both dine-in and takeaway. For takeaway, the article recommends ordering in advance by phone to make the process smoother.
Closing
That’s it for this edition of “Shinjuku UpDate: Korean Food in Shinjuku.”
If you love Korean food but don’t often make it to Shin-Okubo, want an easy way to enjoy Korean flavors at home, or want to visit stylish and cute Korean-style cafes, I hope these picks help.
See you next time.
Looking for the original article in Japanese?
Click here to view the Japanese version on Daily Shinjuku.
https://daily-shinjuku.tokyo/2022/11/21/shinjuku-update-1121/
