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Enjoy delicious gyudon (beef Rice bowl) in the Shinjuku area! 5 recommended places

Photograph:okawari56

Enjoy delicious gyudon (beef Rice bowl) in the Shinjuku area! 5 recommended places

Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s leading entertainment districts, has countless places to eat where you can enjoy all kinds of gourmet food. This time, we’ve put together a list of spots in Shinjuku where you can enjoy delicious gyudon (beef Rice bowl). Gyudon is a dish of thinly sliced beef and onions simmered in a soy-based sauce and served over rice, and because it is affordable, tasty, and quick to serve, it is also perfect for busy travelers. In Japan, a popular way to enjoy it is with toppings like beni shoga (pickled red ginger) or a raw egg.

Created: July 21, 2026

This article is based on1,489Tabelog reviews.

Table of Contents

Tatsuya

Photograph:TAKEGOJP

Founded in 1969, Tatsuya is a popular casual eatery known for Rice bowl dishes such as gyudon (beef bowl) and katsudon (pork cutlet bowl).

The interior is a small space with only 15 counter seats. You can forget the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy your meal at a relaxed pace. It is a 3-minute walk from Shinjuku Station.

Photograph:TAKEGOJP

The carefully made sauce for the popular menu item "gyudon (beef bowl)" uses soy sauce, white zarame (coarse white sugar), and akazake (sweet cooking sake).

On top of the rice, plenty of beef, yaki-dofu (grilled tofu), and onions are beautifully arranged, and it is said to be so good that you will not be able to stop eating. They also recommend changing up the flavor with the beni shoga (pickled red ginger) and shichimi (seven-spice blend) on the table!

Photograph:TAKEGOJP

The "Katsu Beef Rice bowl" is a luxurious menu item that lets you enjoy katsudon (pork cutlet rice bowl) and gyudon (beef rice bowl) at the same time.

You can enjoy the crispy texture of the cutlet and the savory flavor of the beef one after the other, and the key to its great taste is how well the two work together. It also has just the right amount of volume, making it very satisfying to eat.

その場しのぎ

・Beef Rice bowl・Large size
When you order the Large size, it comes in a bowl one size bigger. The amount of tofu stays the same, so it feels like you simply get more beef. I asked for extra broth, but the broth here is light, so it was easy to eat. The nicely seasoned tofu and crisp onions were also a nice touch. Tatsuya’s gyudon (beef bowl) really is great.

Source:その場しのぎ's review

peanuts787

I had a katsudon (pork cutlet Rice bowl) to bring in a win. It had that reliably good taste. I went with the set meal and ordered extra Chinese cabbage pickles and miso soup. The Chinese cabbage pickles were tasty, with a nice homemade feel.

Source:peanuts787's review

Tatsuya
Shinjuku Sanchome Sta. / Gyu-don (Beef bowl), Katsu-don (Pork cutlet bowl)

3.49

1,068

  • - JPY 999
  • - JPY 999
  • -
東京都新宿区新宿3丁目35-2

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Yakiniku Rice bowl Tare Sakura

Photograph:ちこたろう4646

About a 1-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station. Yakiniku Rice bowl Tare Sakura is a popular spot known for its Yakiniku Rice bowl and beef Rice bowl starring kyo-miso dare (Kyoto-style miso sauce).

The interior is a small space with 5 counter seats and 2 tables. Its casual atmosphere is part of the appeal, making it easy to stop in and enjoy a quick meal even on your own.

Photograph:オッピーバルボア

The "Premium Wagyu Kalbi Rice bowl" is a dish where the sweet Kyoto miso sauce brings out the rich flavor of the beef.

Bean sprouts top the rice, and chopped green onions top the beef, and you can enjoy it all the way to the last bite by changing up the flavor with house-made ponzu sauce or gochujang.

Photograph:波乗りトニ〜

This "Gyuton Aimori Rice bowl" is also one of the menu items with many repeat customers.

The meat coated in Kyoto miso tare (Kyoto-style miso sauce) is said to have a refined flavor with a light touch of umami and sweetness. Adding an onsen tamago (soft-cooked egg) topping for an extra charge makes the miso tare and meat milder and gives it a more luxurious feel.

me_me_yagi

I had a Rice bowl dish. It was filling and tasty on its own, and I could also change up the flavor with the sauce served on the side, so I enjoyed it in different ways. The menu also had a good variety, so I’d like to try different options.

Source:me_me_yagi's review

yu-ka0427

・Special Wagyu Kalbi Rice bowl
The fragrant grilled Wagyu kalbi is coated in a special miso sauce made with shiro miso (white miso) from a long-established miso maker in Kyoto! It was rich yet mild, with an amazing balance of sweetness and umami... so tasty that the rice just disappeared.

Source:yu-ka0427's review

Yakiniku Don Tare Zakura
Shinjuku Sanchome Sta. / Buta-don (Pork bowl), Gyu-don (Beef bowl), Izakaya (Japanese style tavern)

3.32

64

  • -
  • - JPY 999
  • -
東京都新宿区新宿3-4-8京王フレンテ新宿三丁目 B2F

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Yoshinoya Shinjuku Keio Mall Ten

Photograph:弥生ぃ(つ∀｀*)

Just a 2-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, this convenient gyudon (beef Rice bowl) shop is located inside Keio Mall, the underground shopping arcade in Shinjuku.

The bright interior has a clean white color scheme and a layout centered on counter seating. It is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., making it a good pick when you want to grab a quick meal.

Photograph:はだのあにい

The classic gyudon (beef Rice bowl) is a popular menu item with a high repeat order rate. The beef and onions are well soaked in a sweet and salty sauce, and it goes perfectly with the rice.

Adding beni shoga (pickled red ginger) for its tang and fresh heat changes up the flavor, so you can enjoy it to the very end without getting tired of it.

Photograph:楽笑

The simple "Kara-age Rice bowl" is a hearty type topped with 3 fairly large pieces of Kara-age.

The outside is crisp and fragrant while the inside stays juicy, and it is said to taste great even on its own. They also offer plenty of variations, including oni-oroshi ponzu (coarsely grated daikon radish with ponzu sauce) and tartar sauce.

LifeIsFooding

・Beef Rice bowl
I added plenty of shichimi togarashi (seven-spice chili pepper) and beni shoga (pickled red ginger) to the beef rice bowl, and the tonjiru (pork miso soup) was packed with ingredients and very filling. It was tasty with Yoshinoya quality. Total Manzoku.

Source:LifeIsFooding's review

ちーちゃん推し

• Gyuzara (beef plate) • Beef bulgogi set meal
With one bite, the rich, slightly sweet sauce fills your mouth. The deep sweet and savory seasoning goes perfectly with rice. The crisp texture of the vegetables adds a nice accent, so you can enjoy it to the last bite without getting tired of it.

Source:ちーちゃん推し's review

Yoshinoya Shinjuku keiou mo-ru ten
Shinjuku Sta. / Gyu-don (Beef bowl)

3.11

123

  • - JPY 999
  • - JPY 999
  • -
東京都新宿区西新宿1-1南口地下街

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Matsuya Shinjuku Nishiguchi Ten

Photograph:弥生ぃ(つ∀｀*)

Matsuya Shinjuku Nishiguchi Ten is a gyudon (beef Rice bowl) restaurant located a 4-minute walk from Shinjuku Station.

The clean interior has a compact layout with 21 counter seats. The space feels neat and comfortable, and it is said to be easy to drop in alone while taking a break from shopping.

Photograph:ともぼうず

The popular menu item gyumeshi (beef bowl) features thinly sliced beef and onions simmered in a sweet and savory sauce, served over piping hot rice.

It is said to have deep umami and a light finish, making it so good you could eat it every day. There are five sizes in total, from small to extra large, so you can choose based on how hungry you are.

Photograph:suicagenki

The "Sogyo Beef Curry" is a dish with a standout spice aroma and deep richness. It is perfect To finish after drinks.

It has a moderate level of heat with a clean finish, and they say it offers a different kind of Manzoku from gyumeshi (beef rice bowl). There are also plenty of variations, including cheese and Hamburger Steak.

グルメスター1993

・Gyumeshi (beef rice bowl)
The gyumeshi had that classic comforting taste, and the sweet-savory sauce went perfectly with the rice. The miso soup also had plenty of ingredients, and the salad was crisp, which was a nice touch. It was a lunch that felt worth more than the price, with top-level value for money.

Source:グルメスター1993's review

160e55

I ordered the uma-toma Hamburger Steak, which was recently added to the regular menu. It was my first time trying it, and the garlic-forward sauce was really delicious. It was so good I could have had it with just rice. I think I'll order it again. It was a great meal!

Source:160e55's review

Matsuya Shinjuku nishiguchi ten
Shinjuku Sta. / Gyu-don (Beef bowl), Curry, Cafeteria

3.08

125

  • JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999
  • - JPY 999
  • -
東京都新宿区西新宿1-13-3西新ビル 1F

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Sukiya Shinjuku Tonan-guchi Ten

Photograph:ざる蕎麦

Sukiya Shinjuku Minami Ten is a gyudon (beef Rice bowl) restaurant in a great location, just a 1-minute walk from Shinjuku Station.

The interior is split across two floors, with counter seating on the 1st floor and relaxed table seating on the 2nd floor. You can order smoothly using the touch panel, making for a stress-free visit.

Photograph:和虎男爵

The classic "gyudon (beef Rice bowl)" is said to be so good that you can finish it in no time, with rice that mixes well with the beef and onions simmered in a slightly sweet sauce.

It is light enough to eat easily, but still very satisfying, and you can also enjoy changing up the flavor with beni shoga (pickled red ginger) and shichimi (seven-spice chili pepper). The side menu is also extensive, with salad and seasonal kobachi (small side dishes).

Photograph:そうた(秋葉系インスタグラマー)

The “Negi Tama Beef Rice bowl” is a bowl where crisp green onions and a rich egg yolk bring out the good flavor of the beef.

It is said to have an excellent balance of savory aroma and umami. A sprinkle of shichimi (Japanese seven-spice blend) sharpens the flavor, so you can enjoy it to the last bite without getting tired of it.

ピーナッツバター76933

Gyudon (beef Rice bowl) topped with sweet and savory simmered beef and onions fills the bowl amid rising steam. The meat lifted with chopsticks looks tender, coated in a glossy sauce. It goes perfectly with the rice, making this piping hot bowl really whet your appetite. It has a homestyle, comforting taste.

Source:ピーナッツバター76933's review

Resosorm

It was one of those days when I felt sad thinking I probably will never eat anything other than Takana Mentai Mayo Gyudon for the rest of my life. I think this is probably the only thing I will ever eat at Sukiya. It somehow feels even better when I eat it at the counter at Sukiya.

Source:Resosorm's review

Sukiya Shinjuku tounanguchi ten
Shinjuku Sanchome Sta. / Gyu-don (Beef bowl)

3.07

109

  • - JPY 999
  • -
  • -
東京都新宿区新宿3-32-2

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How We Chose the Restaurants Introduced

The Tabelog Matome Editorial Team has created a roundup article on restaurants selected based on reviews and rankings related to "Shinjuku gyudon (beef Rice bowl)." The selection of restaurants does not take into account any factors other than reviews and rankings, such as whether they use Tabelog's advertising services.

Please note that contents, prices, menus, and other details may have changed since this article was published. Be sure to confirm store details before visiting.