For those of you living alone in Japan, it is only natural to want to keep your food expenses as low as possible. Through the article below, I will introduce several restaurants that are known for being affordable and are especially popular among foreigners who want to save money while still enjoying meals outside.
Take a moment to check whether any of these restaurants are located near your home, school, or workplace.
Hamburger and Fried Chicken Restaurants
Hamburger restaurants, which have recently become more widespread in Indonesia, are also extremely popular in Japan. In particular, McDonald's has a large number of branches and is known for its affordable prices. During the morning hours, the Muffin Set is available starting from 330 yen, and there are many other set menus priced under 500 yen. In addition, regular set meals consisting of a hamburger, fries, and a drink are available starting from around 500 yen, including tax.
Next are fried chicken restaurants. In Japan, this category is largely dominated by KFC. However, compared to McDonald's, the number of branches is smaller, so you may not encounter KFC as often near your home, along your commute, or around your school or workplace. On top of that, KFC menu prices tend to be higher. Even the most affordable set meals priced under 500 yen are typically only available during lunchtime.
Interestingly, hamburger restaurants in Indonesia often offer fried chicken and rice as part of their menu sets. In Japan, however, hamburger chains do not serve rice. Even at KFC, while there are alternative menu items such as fries, hamburgers, and a type of bread called “biscuit,” rice is not available. This difference often leaves many Indonesians feeling slightly disappointed.
For those of you who prefer rice, it is necessary to look for other dining options. If you enjoy fried chicken with rice, one practical solution is to purchase fried chicken, nuggets, and onigiri from a convenience store.
Gyudon Restaurants (Rice Bowl)
When talking about affordable restaurants in Japan, gyudon restaurants are something you simply cannot overlook. One of the most well known is Yoshinoya, which has even expanded and opened branches in Indonesia. In addition, there are also Sukiya and Matsuya, both of which are widely available across Japan.
For example, at Yoshinoya, the regular menu item “gyudon namimori” or medium sized beef bowl can be enjoyed for around 300 yen. Even if you add toppings, the price will usually remain under 500 yen. Besides gyudon, you can also choose options such as tori no karaage don, which is rice topped with fried chicken, or other menu items like curry, all of which are typically available for under 500 yen.
Breakfast menus are even more affordable, making them highly recommended for those who head out early in the morning.
Although these places are introduced as gyudon restaurants, Yoshinoya, Sukiya, and Matsuya usually offer a wide variety of other dishes, including limited seasonal menus. If you have a budget of around 600 yen, you can explore these options as well. This is a popular way to keep your meals interesting and avoid getting bored.
Family Restaurants
Family restaurants can be considered a standard option for dining out in Japan. They come in many types, ranging from budget friendly to slightly more expensive establishments. In terms of atmosphere, they can be compared to Solaria in Indonesia. The menus are highly varied. Some restaurants focus on Japanese cuisine, while others specialize in Western or Chinese dishes.
One family restaurant that is quite popular among foreigners, known for being affordable and tasty, is Gusto, which is recognizable by its red signboard. Their weekday lunch menu changes daily and is called “higawari lunch,” with prices starting from 499 yen before tax. After adding the 10 percent tax, the total may exceed 500 yen, but it is still considered inexpensive for the quality offered. Most importantly, you can get a large serving of rice at no additional cost. In addition, their breakfast menu offers a variety of options priced at around 400 yen.
Another affordable family restaurant is the Italian chain Saizeriya. Its signature dish is Milan style doria, which is priced at around 300 yen. Other menu items such as pizza, pasta, and more can be selected starting from about 400 yen. It is highly recommended to visit with friends, order several dishes, and enjoy them together.
Menus at family restaurants are generally easy to navigate because they include photos, which is a major advantage for foreigners. In addition, both Gusto and Saizeriya usually provide menus in English, making the ordering process even more convenient.
Ramen Restaurants
Ramen is one of the most iconic foods in Japan. There are countless ramen restaurants, ranging from large chains to small independent shops. Because of this, it is often said that there is hardly a street without a ramen restaurant. You may even find rows of well known ramen shops near your school or workplace, so it is a good idea to ask people around you for recommendations.
Among the restaurants known for being both affordable and delicious are Sugakiya and Kourakuen. Although the options are limited, they do offer some menu items priced under 500 yen. In addition, there is IPPUDO, which has expanded internationally with branches in Jakarta, and Tenkaippin, well known for its rich and flavorful chicken based broth.
One of the most famous ramen restaurants among foreigners is Ichiran, which specializes in pork based broth ramen. However, since the base soup is made from pork, it is not suitable for Muslims. That said, Ichiran has introduced special branches offering ramen without pork, which has recently become a popular topic of discussion.
In response to growing demand, more ramen restaurants in Japan are beginning to offer pork free and halal labeled options. For those of you who enjoy ramen, it is worth exploring and finding restaurants that match your dietary preferences.
Conclusion
Many of the restaurants introduced above offer discount coupons for selected menu items. These coupons are often distributed through smartphone applications, as well as official restaurant accounts on LINE and Twitter. If you frequently visit certain restaurants, it is worth checking these platforms regularly to take advantage of available deals.
In addition, you can often find affordable restaurants in areas around university campuses and long established shopping districts. Be sure not to overlook signs that say “special menu for students of University ○○” or “500 yen lunch.” These offers are easy to miss if you are not paying attention, yet they can provide excellent value.
You can also gather useful information like this by asking seniors at your school or workplace. Their experience and recommendations can help you discover budget friendly options that may not be widely advertised.