Are you planning a trip to Tokyo during your trip to Japan? Maybe you will arrive there by bullet train from Nagoya or maybe by train from one of the airports. It doesn’t really matter, your point of entry (or exit) will most likely be Tokyo Station.
If you arrive in Tokyo with a rumbling belly and you can’t wait to eat something delicious you don’t even have to leave the station. If you asked me what to eat at Tokyo Station, my answer would always be the same:
Eat some delicious Tonkatsu Teishoku at Suzuki close to the Nihonbashi Exit of Tokyo Station.
Tonkatsu Teishoku
You don’t know what Tonkatsu Teishoku is? No problem, let me explain. Tonkatsu is a Japanese style deep-fried pork cutlet. The pork cutlets are juicy inside, and crispy outside served with a side of sliced cabbage, rice, miso soup, and Japanese pickles. You season your Tonkatsu with a special thick brown sauce called Tonkatsu sauce, and for your cabbage at Suzuki, you can choose between two kinds of dressings, or try both.
In Nagoya, the Tonkatsu is topped with a different kind of sauce made from red Miso. The dish is called Miso Katsu and you can try it at Misokatsu Yabaton all over Nagoya.
By the way, Teishoku simply means that it is a set meal with one main dish (in this case Tonkatsu) with a side of rice, miso soup, and other small side dishes, for example, salad, pickles or other small delicacies. So whenever you stumble upon the word Teishoku it just means that you will get a whole set meal.
The Atmosphere at Suzuki
The restaurant has an open kitchen (which I love because I always want to see how people prepare my food while I am waiting), a long counter with high chairs and four tables in the back for groups. The colors are bright, and the wooden furniture is made from light-colored wood.
The atmosphere is that of a place where people stop on their way to or from somewhere, which shouldn’t be a surprise at one of the biggest train stations in Japan. No one lingers. You order, receive your food, eat (maybe get some free refill of rice or cabbage) and leave when you are done. Don’t forget to pay first, though.
The Menu at Suzuki Restaurant
Suzuki has quite a large menu and for foreigners even an English one with lots of pictures. But in my opinion, the only food you want to try is a Hirekatsu Teishoku, pork filet Tonkatsu Teishoku, which is a set meal, opposed to a Donburi (a rice bowl topped with something) such as Katsudon. I am mentioning the filet in particular because they also have a roast, which isn’t as juicy and can’t hold a candle to the filet.
If you order a Katsudon or a similar Donburi, you won’t get the cabbage, and in my opinion, the freshly sliced side of salad with the delicious dressings is one of the best things about your food experience at Suzuki.
Speaking of food experiences, why don’t you check out these experiences below for your trip to Tokyo:
Klook.com
The Price
What do you have to pay for your favorite Tokyo Station food? My favorite food at Tokyo Station is a little bit more expensive than your average Teishoku, which normally costs between 700 and 1000 yen. Mainly because of the quality of the filet it costs around 1400 yen, but it is so worth it!
Tonkatsu Suzuki at a Glance
If you want to check out Suzuki at Tokyo Station for yourself and try the delicious Tonkatsu Teishoku you will find all the information you need at a glance here:
TONKATSU SUZUKI
Opening Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Address: 1F Kitchen Street, 1-9-1 Marunouchi , Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
Google Maps
In Conclusion
If you asked me what to eat at Tokyo Station, my answer would always be a Tonkatsu from Tonkatsu Suzuki. You get a well-balanced meal made up of meat, salad, rice, soup, and pickles, get to choose your favorite dressing and even have the option to ask for seconds of cabbage and rice. And all that while enjoying the real authentic atmosphere of a Japanese restaurant. What could you want more?
Another restaurant not to miss in Tokyo is the Udon Restaurant Taniya. And if you are traveling in Japan (how about following my 2 weeks Japan itinerary) you could also try some Hitsumabushi in Nagoya.
For more restaurant reviews and posts about Japanese food click here.
In love with Japan and its amazing food, Lena wants to share her passion with the world. That’s why she started Nagoya Foodie. To teach about Nagoya, her adoptive home online through blog posts and offline through unique food tours.
