Where to Eat at Night in Japan

A no-frills counter shop tucked into the third-floor restaurant row of Toyosu Market's fisheries wholesale building, where market workers and visitors sit side by side over steaming bowls served at market pace. It carries on the lineage of Yoshinoya's famous Tsukiji "No. 1" store, which began feeding fish-market workers in Nihonbashi and followed the market to Tsukiji and then Toyosu. The menu is pared down compared with regular branches: gyudon in six sizes, gyuzara beef plates and simple morning set meals, with prices that differ from standard Yoshinoya stores.

The Iriya branch of Matsuya, the well-known nationwide gyudon (beef bowl) chain, set on the ground floor of the Sprime Kitaueno building one minute from Iriya Station's Hibiya Line exit. The 17-seat space is a single-line counter only — bright, simple and built for solo diners and quick visits. The kitchen runs the full Matsuya menu around the clock: signature gyumeshi beef bowls, curry, set meals with grilled meats and hamburg steak, plus morning teishoku and seasonal limited offers. Takeout is available. Cash is not accepted; pay by e-money or QR.