Protein-Packed Perfection At The Oak Door. Credit: Grand Hyatt Tokyo
No one loves their beef quite like the Japanese. Tokyo is a meat lover’s paradise where small portions, high quality and meticulous presentation are the order of the day.
Dining out, Japanese-style, is an experience for all five senses, with beautifully arranged plates often featuring prime cuts and symmetrically carved vegetables.
When you’re looking for an carnivorous night out in the capital, these four spots hit the mark.
The Oak Door
The signature bar and restaurant of Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Grand Hyatt Tokyo is a popular watering hole in the Roppongi nightlife district where locals and visitors linger long after dinner for cocktails and fine wines.
Cuts at this Tokyo steakhouse are cooked in an oak charcoal grill, on view behind the glass in the partially open kitchen. Though, if you’d rather enjoy your beefy bites alfresco, a large, bamboo-lined terrace offers a wonderful spot to relax.
The menu here is simplified perfection, designed for meat and fish lovers alike. Signature dishes include the Oak Door Burger topped with barbecue aioli and bacon, and the dry-aged pork chop, locally sourced in Chiba prefecture. For steak lovers, the tomahawk is an outstanding cut of F1 wagyu beef that at least four people can devour.
Wander over to The Oak Door Bar after you’ve had your fill of flamed fare for exotic fruit martinis, low-sugar vegetable cocktails and an extensive wine selection — an impressive collection of French and California vintages are on display in the sophisticated cases that surround the bar.
Suiren. Credit: Terry Elward
Suiren
A modern teppanyaki counter awaits at this beautiful signature restaurant within Four-Star The Capitol Hotel Tokyu. You can dine on sushi, tempura and traditional kaiseki course meals here, but for exquisitely seared bites of beef, the sleek grill top is where you want to be.
The exclusive teppanyaki room is great for small parties, especially if you’re looking to impress. Coursed flame-grilled meals include colorful charred vegetables, fine cuts of meat and a seasonal dessert. Some menus include fish and seafood as well.
Watch as the chef prepares your elegant feast right in front of you, demonstrating precise knife skills and showcasing beautifully selected raw ingredients. Presentation is everything in Japan and to watch your mouthwatering meal being made before your eyes here is quite a show.
Steak with a Miso Foie Gras Topping. Credit: Terry Elward
Kanade Terrace
Furnished with plush booths and delicate Japanese kumiko wooden screens, this classic American grill with an Asian twist is a hidden gem within the serene Hotel Gajoen Tokyo.
Great pride is put into procuring the best local ingredients at this sleek eatery. When asked where the beef is sourced for the restaurant’s superb steaks, the kitchen answers, “Wherever the meat is best on the day.”
The prime cuts are a highlight here. For a special treat, order your steak with a miso foie gras topping.
In addition to its flavorful fare, Kanade Terrace is also one of the best values in town. It’s almost impossible to find a dining experience of this quality for under US$100 in Tokyo, but this place fits the bill.
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Barbacoa
With locations all around the capital, this Brazilian churrasco eatery has long been a go-to for brunches and those in need of a quality meat frenzy.
The concept of an all-you-can-eat churrasco is simple: you are given a token to leave in front of your plate. One side says, “bring me the meat,” inviting staff to deliver skewers of flame-grilled beef, chicken and pork, slicing off as much as you can chew. The opposite side reads, “I’m having a break” and gives you a chance to focus on the salad bar or the fantastic Brazilian cocktails.
As delicious as the proteins are (including rump, sirloin and porterhouse beef steak; chicken with Brazilian seasoning; fish; and roast pork), you won’t want to skip the sides. A buffet of salads, potatoes, rice, Brazilian pork feijoada (bean) stew, fresh bread and sweets are included in the feast.
