Places to eat (shinjuku, mostly)?

[soursour]

Hello Japan forum

I am going to be traveling to Japan in November for half vacation and half business.

This trip was kind of sprung on my by my job last minute. I have barely a minute to prepare outside of the days already planned by my job. I basically have 8 days to myself and I will be staying in the Shinjuku Prince hotel.

I have been researching like mad on what to do with my time, and I think I have a good amount of stuff planned to keep me entertained. My only problem is, where and what to eat.

I don't speak a word of Japanese (let along read any). I can probably learn some very basic food words before I go, but I am still really nervous about going to places and ordering food and such.

Does anyone know any good places that are "gaijin friendly" in Shinjuku that I can get some good meals at any time of the day?

I am basically trying to avoid convenience store, fast food or restaurants in the hotel at most times.

Thanks!

edit* it just occurred to me that a yelp-like service in English for Tokyo would be great. Does anyone know if one exists?

[JustaJ]

You should be able to find a ton of restaurants around Shinjuku station, and in Tokyo in general, with either English menus or menus with pictures that you can point to. There's an area outside the West exit of Shinjuku station, just in front of Keio Plaza Hotel, that has a ton of bars and restaurants. Most of the places that I ate at in that section had English or picture menus.

I'm not familiar with yelp, but it looks like these sites are similar from what I can see. They identify English friendly places as well.

GURUNAVI - Japan Restaurant Guide
Tokyo Travel Guide & Reviews - Sunnypages.jp

[MMM]

Originally Posted by soursour

Hello Japan forum

I am going to be traveling to Japan in November for half vacation and half business.

This trip was kind of sprung on my by my job last minute. I have barely a minute to prepare outside of the days already planned by my job. I basically have 8 days to myself and I will be staying in the Shinjuku Prince hotel.

I have been researching like mad on what to do with my time, and I think I have a good amount of stuff planned to keep me entertained. My only problem is, where and what to eat.

I don't speak a word of Japanese (let along read any). I can probably learn some very basic food words before I go, but I am still really nervous about going to places and ordering food and such.

Does anyone know any good places that are "gaijin friendly" in Shinjuku that I can get some good meals at any time of the day?

I am basically trying to avoid convenience store, fast food or restaurants in the hotel at most times.

Thanks!

edit* it just occurred to me that a yelp-like service in English for Tokyo would be great. Does anyone know if one exists?

There are thousands upon thousands of places to eat in Shinjuku and the surrounding areas. Going to a restaurant and ordering food is probably easier in Japan for non native speakers than many other countries, as there are often pictures in menus or fake plastic food in the front window. You can literally point to the item to the waiter and that's what they'll bring you. There are no "gaijin friendly" restaurants, but all restaurants are "potential customer friendly" so I wouldn't worry about it. Gaijin are all over Tokyo, so you surely won't be the first to darken any door.

[soursour]

Originally Posted by JustaJ

You should be able to find a ton of restaurants around Shinjuku station, and in Tokyo in general, with either English menus or menus with pictures that you can point to. There's an area outside the West exit of Shinjuku station, just in front of Keio Plaza Hotel, that has a ton of bars and restaurants. Most of the places that I ate at in that section had English or picture menus.

I'm not familiar with yelp, but it looks like these sites are similar from what I can see. They identify English friendly places as well.

GURUNAVI - Japan Restaurant Guide
Tokyo Travel Guide & Reviews - Sunnypages.jp

Thanks for your help!

I will take note of those areas, but the websites are EXACTLY what I was looking for.

[soursour]

Originally Posted by MMM

There are thousands upon thousands of places to eat in Shinjuku and the surrounding areas. Going to a restaurant and ordering food is probably easier in Japan for non native speakers than many other countries, as there are often pictures in menus or fake plastic food in the front window. You can literally point to the item to the waiter and that's what they'll bring you. There are no "gaijin friendly" restaurants, but all restaurants are "potential customer friendly" so I wouldn't worry about it. Gaijin are all over Tokyo, so you surely won't be the first to darken any door.

Thanks for you input. I wasn't trying to imply that it hasn't or isn't possible, but I have heard some horror type stories about people mistreating certain gaijin for whatever reason. As I have never been before, I just wanted to get an idea of what was in store.

The menu/picture thing can work in most cases. But near my house there is a Japanese and Korean mall that practices this. There are either pics of the food, or plastic covered preserved dishes. The problem still remains, without being able to read, that you don't know exactly what you're getting. For instance, they have more than a few breaded/deep fried/tempura type looking dishes and I could not tell you without tasting them if they are fish, chicken, beef or otherwise.

And by "gaijin friendly" I meant English menus or English speaking staff. As JustaJ stated, there seems to be many places like this. Sure they all fall under the "customer friendly" veil, but I was looking for specifics.

At any rate, thanks again for your help guys. You have alleviated pretty much my only concern. I really appreciate it.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by soursour

Thanks for you input. I wasn't trying to imply that it hasn't or isn't possible, but I have heard some horror type stories about people mistreating certain gaijin for whatever reason. As I have never been before, I just wanted to get an idea of what was in store.

The menu/picture thing can work in most cases. But near my house there is a Japanese and Korean mall that practices this. There are either pics of the food, or plastic covered preserved dishes. The problem still remains, without being able to read, that you don't know exactly what you're getting. For instance, they have more than a few breaded/deep fried/tempura type looking dishes and I could not tell you without tasting them if they are fish, chicken, beef or otherwise.

And by "gaijin friendly" I meant English menus or English speaking staff. As JustaJ stated, there seems to be many places like this. Sure they all fall under the "customer friendly" veil, but I was looking for specifics.

At any rate, thanks again for your help guys. You have alleviated pretty much my only concern. I really appreciate it.

Really? What horror stories have you heard? I lived in Japan for three years and have eaten in probably hundreds of different eateries. I can't think of any bad experience really worth mentioning.

Words like "fish" "chicken" "beef" etc. are all very familiar to Japanese ears. Even if someone doesn't speak English, these words are used regularly in Japanese conversation.

English menus or English speaking staff is not something I would count on. I don't know what JustaJ is talking about.

Remember, in Japan if you are counting on SOMEONE ELSE'S English to get you want you need, then you are taking a great gamble.

[soursour]

Originally Posted by MMM

Really? What horror stories have you heard? I lived in Japan for three years and have eaten in probably hundreds of different eateries. I can't think of any bad experience really worth mentioning.

I guess "horror" is a bit much, but I have had some co-workers for instance, say that they have had trouble in certain settings. Even to the point of ridicule. But I guess that is all in the perception, eh?

Words like "fish" "chicken" "beef" etc. are all very familiar to Japanese ears. Even if someone doesn't speak English, these words are used regularly in Japanese conversation.

Good to know. As I have said, I will probably just try to learn as many food phrases and such as possible, just to be on the safe side. I can pretty much wing everything else, but getting proper meals and such is very important (obviously).

English menus or English speaking staff is not something I would count on. I don't know what JustaJ is talking about.

Remember, in Japan if you are counting on SOMEONE ELSE'S English to get you want you need, then you are taking a great gamble.

Some more good advice, but don't worry, I am not that naive about it. Was just looking for some pointers and such. You guys have helped a lot. Thanks again.

[alanX]

Shakey's pizza in Shinjuku is absolutely amazing. It's pretty much the only time I ate "western" food while I was in Japan.
Unlimited pizza and it's friggin delicious. I forgot the price, mainly cause I was gorging my face. Luckily snapped a pic of my place setting.
Definitely recommendation.
EDIT: unlimited pizza as well as these daaaank potato wedges. Dunno if they have them 24/7 but they were to die for.

[Sangetsu]

My favorite restaurant in Shinjuku is El Torrito, next would be Burger King. As I have been in Japan for awhile, I often eat non-Japanese food. For Japanese food, just follow your nose to whatever smells interesting. Many restaurants have picture menus, or display dishes. Just point your finger at what you want and say "kore, onegaishimasu" (koh ray oh nay guy she moss = "this please").

[Polar]

Never had a problem with any of the places i went and yeah there are 1000's, literally rows and rows of them.

First place had guy who grabbed me off the street, english consisted of "Wasabi ok ?"

You shouldn't have any problems at all