Umezu
Minato, Tokyo
Restaurant in Tokyo, Japan
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
JPY 8,000 - JPY 9,999
Dress
Casual
Why go
A 13-seat counter in Shinbashi specializing in grilled offal and Shibaura beef, recognized on Tabelog's 100 Best Izakaya (East) list for three consecutive cycles. At JPY 8,000–9,999 per head with a three-drink minimum, the venue delivers consistent sourcing quality but requires advance booking and weekday-only availability. Best for offal enthusiasts comfortable with counter dining and rigid format constraints.
About Umezu
Umezu is a Tokyo venue with a dinner price range of JPY 8,000–9,999. Its schedule is Monday through Friday, 6–11 PM, with Saturday and Sunday closed. Dress code is casual. It is also listed in Tabelog 100 - Izakaya - EAST - 2025.
Key Details
Plan for a weekday dinner in Tokyo, budget JPY 8,000–9,999, and dress casually. The hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6–11 PM. Saturday and Sunday are closed.
Beyond those essentials, specific claims about seating layout, menu items, drinks, service format, party-size limits, phone numbers, service charges, sourcing, or reservation mechanics are not available. Umezu is a dinner-only Tokyo listing with limited public details.
How It Fits Against Tokyo's Dining Landscape
Umezu sits in Tokyo's dining scene at a JPY 8,000–9,999 price range. It can be considered alongside other named options such as Ganesha, Jo Kigen, Mitsumasa, Sugita, and Restaurant La FinS, depending on timing and budget.
Reservations: Confirm directly before going. Dress: Casual. Budget: JPY 8,000–9,999. Best timing: Monday through Friday evenings, 6–11 PM. Closed: Saturday and Sunday.
Umezu is best approached as a Tokyo dinner option with a weekday-evening schedule, casual dress code, and a JPY 8,000–9,999 price band. If exact menu details, seating, dietary accommodations, or reservation rules matter to your plans, verify them directly before booking. For a deeper look at Tokyo's dining landscape, see our full Tokyo restaurants guide.
Planning details
- Location
- Japan, 〒105-0004 Tokyo, Minato City, Shinbashi, 4 Chome−21−7 つるや加藤ビル 1階
- Website
- media-needs.co.jp/osirase
- Phone
- +81 90-2315-8057
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Umezu presents itself as a straightforward izakaya in Shiodome, centered on bold, meat-forward flavors. The menu callouts—grilled tripe, Shibaura beef stew, black truffle beef heart steak, liver steak and grilled cartilage—signal a no-frills tavern approach where the focus is on robust, intensely flavored preparations of offal and beef. The listing on Tabelog and the explicit "Izakaya (Japanese style tavern)" label frame the place as casual and approachable, appealing to diners who enjoy hearty, niche Japanese bar fare rather than refined, formal dining.
Best For
Umezu is best for diners seeking hearty, savory grilled meats and offal specialties in an informal setting. The highlighted signature dishes—Shibaura beef stew and several grilled steak preparations—make it a natural pick for an evening meal when richer, more substantial plates are expected. The izakaya designation suggests a casual outing rather than a formal occasion; guests who appreciate bold flavors, textural contrasts and traditional Japanese tavern fare will find the menu especially satisfying. The venue’s Tabelog presence makes it easy to preview dishes and user impressions before visiting.
Ordering Tips
When ordering at Umezu, prioritize the signature meat dishes listed in the description: Shibaura Beef Stew, Black Truffle Beef Heart Steak, Liver Steak, and Grilled Meat Cartilage, along with the grilled tripe. These items are specifically called out as highlights and indicate the kitchen’s strengths. The listing also notes the restaurant is non-smoking, which may matter for comfort. Consult the Tabelog entry for photos, menus and user reviews to confirm current offerings and portioning before you go.
Venue details
Ambiance
Typical salaryman-friendly Tokyo izakaya with a compact, cozy room, counter seating, and a lively, buzzy atmosphere focused on drinks and robust grilled dishes rather than fine dining decor.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Shibaura beef stew
- Black truffle beef heart steak
- Liver steak
- Grilled meat cartilage
- Potato salad with curry powder
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- Japan, 〒105-0004 Tokyo, Minato City, Shinbashi, 4 Chome−21−7 つるや加藤ビル 1階
Planning details
Location
Japan, 〒105-0004 Tokyo, Minato City, Shinbashi, 4 Chome−21−7 つるや加藤ビル 1階 · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Jo Kigen, JPY 2,000 - JPY 2,999, JPY 2,000 - JPY 2,999
- Ganesha, JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999, JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999
- Restaurant La FinS, Notable alternative
- Mitsumasa, JPY 5,000 - JPY 5,999, JPY 5,000 - JPY 5,999
- Sugita, Sushi, Tonkatsu, ¥
Restaurant context
At JPY 8,000–9,999, Umezu operates in a higher price tier than most Tokyo izakaya, trading menu breadth for offal-focused depth. Mitsumasa delivers broader izakaya variety at JPY 5,000–5,999, making it a better choice for groups who want options beyond grilled organ meats. For yakitori specialists at a lower spend, Jo Kigen runs JPY 2,000–2,999 with easier booking and weekend hours. Ganesha shifts the format entirely, Indian-Japanese fusion at JPY 1,000–1,999, and suits diners who want spice-forward dishes rather than charcoal-grilled beef.
The trade-off at Umezu is clear: pay more for Shibaura beef sourcing and Tabelog-recognized consistency, but accept a three-drink minimum, weekday-only hours, and a rigid counter format. Sugita offers sushi and tonkatsu at a lower price point with more flexible seating. For those prioritizing offal quality and willing to navigate the constraints, Umezu justifies the premium. For broader menus, weekend availability, or lower spend, the peers above offer better flexibility without sacrificing recognition, Mitsumasa and Jo Kigen both hold Tabelog acknowledgment at more accessible price tiers.
Book Umezu when offal is the priority and the weekday evening window fits your schedule. For everything else, variety, weekend dining, or budget-conscious izakaya, choose Mitsumasa for balance, Jo Kigen for yakitori focus, or Ganesha for cross-cultural experimentation. The venue's Tabelog ranking confirms quality but does not overcome the format limitations; your decision hinges on whether grilled tripe and beef heart are worth the structural concessions.
Explore Tokyo
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Umezu guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What are alternatives to Umezu in Tokyo?
Other named venues to compare include Ganesha, Jo Kigen, Mitsumasa, Sugita, and Restaurant La FinS. Compare them based on your preferred timing and budget, and verify current details directly before booking.
What should a first-timer know about Umezu?
Umezu is in Tokyo. The price range is JPY 8,000–9,999, the dress code is casual, and the hours are Monday through Friday from 6–11 PM. It is closed Saturday and Sunday.
Is the tasting menu worth it at Umezu?
Is Umezu good for a special occasion?
It may work for a special occasion if the basics fit your plans: Tokyo location, casual dress code, weekday dinner hours, and a JPY 8,000–9,999 price range. Details such as seating, private rooms, menu format, and dietary accommodations are not available.
What should I order at Umezu?
Specific dishes are not available. Check the current menu directly with Umezu before visiting, especially if you have dietary preferences or must-try items in mind.
Is Umezu worth the price?
Umezu's price range is JPY 8,000–9,999. Whether it is worth it depends on whether its basics, Tokyo location, weekday dinner hours, casual dress code, and that budget, match what you want from the meal.
