Sometimes the best meals are the ones you don’t plan. We had just finished visiting Sensō-ji Shrine, weaving through the crowd and slowly making our way back toward the station, when we stumbled upon a little restaurant tucked away in Asakusa.
There was a line outside-not huge, but definitely a wait-and we had no idea what it was for. But in Japan, a line is usually a good sign. So we decided to wait and check it out.
Turns out, we were about to have one of the best beef meals of our entire trip.
First Impressions
The restaurant was called Kuroge Wagyu Ichinoya, and once we got inside, it was exactly what I’ve come to expect from restaurants in Japan-small, cozy, and incredibly efficient. The space maybe had a handful of seats, but it was warm, calm, and welcoming.
No reservation. No plan. Just a spontaneous decision that paid off in a big way.
What We Ordered
I went with their “limited quantity” Wagyu beef fillet steak, and let me just say-it was unreal. That steak melted in my mouth. Like butter. It was beautifully rare and served with an entire setup:
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Beef broth
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Pickles
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Miso soup
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Condiments
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A raw egg yolk
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And a full bowl of rice, served hitsumabushi-style
Jor-El went with their Top Rare Steak, made with Japanese Wagyu beef rib. It was just as stunning. Thinly sliced, perfectly rare, and served with the same thoughtful accompaniments-condiments, pickles, beef broth, raw egg yolk, and miso soup. The richness of the rib meat paired so well with the broth, and the texture was melt-in-your-mouth soft with just a little bit more bite than the fillet.
He followed the same hitsumabushi-style method of eating, savoring each step from the plain rice and beef combo to the egg yolk version and finally mixing it all with the broth to finish.
The dishes came with an instruction sheet (in English!) showing how to enjoy each element of the meal properly, which was super helpful.
The Warmest Welcome
One thing that stood out as much as the food was the host-or maybe she was the owner?-who greeted us so warmly once we were seated. She walked us through the menu, cheered me on for making a “great choice” when I ordered the limited fillet, and even offered to take our picture so we could remember the moment.
She was friendly without hovering, made casual conversation, and then gave us the space to enjoy the experience. It added a personal touch that made the meal feel even more special.
What is Hitsumabushi-Style Eating?
Hitsumabushi is a traditional Japanese way of eating rice bowls in three distinct stages, usually associated with grilled eel (unagi), but this restaurant applied the same concept to Japanese wagyu beef:
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First Portion: Eat one-third of your rice bowl just as it is, to enjoy the original flavor of the meat and rice.
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Second Portion: Crack the raw egg yolk over the meat and rice, stir gently, and enjoy the silky richness it adds.
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Final Portion: Place the remaining rice and beef into a separate bowl, then pour the warm beef broth over it. Add condiments (like wasabi, seaweed, or green onion), and mix it all together to finish the meal as a comforting rice soup.
Following this process made the whole experience feel intentional and elevated. You don’t just eat-you appreciate. You engage. You slow down.
And yes, I followed every step. And yes, every step made the beef better.
Price & Worth Every Yen
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My Wagyu beef fillet meal cost 5,000 yen, which was about $36.96 USD with the exchange rate at the time.
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Joe-El had the top rare steak made with Japanese Wagyu rib, and his meal came out to 3,300 yen, or $22.17 USD.
Both dishes came with the full setup of condiments, soup, and instructions. Honestly, for Japanese wagyu of that quality-this was an absolute steal.
If You Love Beef, Don’t Miss This
If you've ever had Kobe beef in Kobe (like we did on our last visit to Japan), you already know how special Japanese beef is. But this meal took it to another level. I was obsessed all over again.
The steak, the presentation, the slow, guided way of enjoying each bite-it was the kind of meal that makes you sit back, take a breath, and let the flavors do the talking.
How to Find It
We didn’t even plan to go here, so the directions were part of the adventure. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from Sensō-ji, tucked off a side street that’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it.
Look for a small line outside and a discreet sign. It’s in Asakusa, so if you’re exploring the area after visiting the temple, keep your eyes open. This is a hidden gem that’s not trying to be flashy-but absolutely delivers.
This was one of those perfect travel moments-unplanned, unassuming, and unforgettable. If you’re a beef lover or just looking for a special Tokyo food experience without the tourist trap feel, Kuroge Wagyu Ichinoya Asakusa is it.
Come hungry. Be patient. Follow the instructions. And prepare to be blown away.
📍Wagyu Ichinoya Asakusa
Japan, 〒111-0032 Tokyo, Taito City, Asakusa, 1 Chome−34−6 大阪屋ビル 1F
