Japan is home to a vast array of family restaurants, known as ‘famiresu‘ in Japanese. These restaurants are beloved spots for families and friends to enjoy relaxing time together and are an essential part of Japanese food culture. Let’s dive into some of the major family restaurant chains and their popular menus and features.
What Are Family Restaurants?
Features of Family Restaurants in Japan
Japanese family restaurants are casual dining spots where you can enjoy home-style cooking at affordable prices. These establishments cater to all ages, from children to the elderly, offering a wide variety of menu options and comfortable seating arrangements. Notably, many family restaurants feature kid-friendly menus and allergy-conscious options, making them especially popular among families.
Atmosphere
The interiors of family restaurants are usually bright and spacious, designed to accommodate families and large groups comfortably. Seating options range from booth seats and counter seating to private rooms. Many family restaurants have started installing adorable serving robots, creating a consistently peaceful and friendly atmosphere where customers can enjoy their time.
Price Range
The price range is very reasonable, with lunch sets typically costing between 500 to 1,000 yen and dinner around 1,000 to 2,000 yen. Many restaurants also offer low-cost drink bars and affordable desert options, making them popular during afternoon tea time.
Variety of Cuisine
Family restaurants in Japan offer a diverse range of cuisines, including Japanese, Western, Chinese, and more. For example, Japanese restaurants might serve tempura, sashimi, and sushi, while Western-style restaurants offer pasta, pizza, and hamburgers. Seasonal and regional specialty menus add to the dining experience, ensuring there’s always something new to discover. Dessert lovers will also appreciate the extensive selection of cakes, parfaits, and seasonal fruit-based sweets.
Attraction for Foreigners
Japanese family restaurants hold great appeal for foreign visitors. Many establishments provide English menus and menus with photos, making it easy to order even if you don’t speak or read Japanese. Additionally, the consistent quality of food across nationwide chains ensures a reliable dining experience wherever you go.
A key highlight is the variety of menu options catering to different dietary preferences and needs, such as vegetarian and allergy-friendly choices. This inclusivity makes family restaurants a welcoming option for customers with dietary restrictions. Family restaurants are the place to enjoy traditional Japanese food at reasonable prices, providing a delightful culinary experience.
Major Family Restaurant Chains in Japan
Japanese Cuisine
Ootoya
Ootoya is a family restaurant known for offering traditional Japanese home-style cooking with a health-conscious twist. The restaurant focuses on high-quality ingredients, providing additive-free and low-calorie meals. Many dishes are homemade at each location, avoiding the use of prepared foods. The popular set meals, typically priced around 1,000 yen, include rice, miso soup, small side dishes, and a main dish, ensuring a well-balanced meal.
Yayoiken
Yayoiken is famous for its extensive set meal menu at affordable prices. The free rice refill service is particularly popular among young men with big appetites. The ginger pork set meal, with its fragrant ginger and soy sauce flavors, is a favorite. The menu also features health-conscious options with clearly marked calorie and nutritional information. The Japanese breakfast sets, priced around 500 yen, are also highly recommended.
Washoku Sato
Washoku Sato is a favorite among families, especially for its all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu. You can choose two from six different broths to enjoy varied tastes. For 120 minutes, you can enjoy unlimited pork, beef, and fresh vegetables. If you opt for the premium course, you also get access to sushi, tempura, and desserts. The restaurant’s interior features a calming Japanese design, with many private rooms available for a more intimate dining experience.
Western Cuisine
Saizeriya
Saizeriya is a nationwide Italian restaurant chain in Japan, famous for its incredibly low prices. Despite the affordability, dishes like the “Milano Doria” (a rice gratin dish) for 300 yen offer a genuine taste of Italy. Saizeriya is also popular as an Italian bar at night, where people enjoy glasses of wine for 100 yen and reasonably priced Western snacks. All menu items come with photos, making it easy for foreigners to choose their meals.
Denny’s
Originating from America, Denny’s is also popular in Japan. Denny’s in Japan doesn’t only offer American meals but also Japanese cuisine. One of the most popular items is the “Denny’s Original Hamburger stake,” which is juicy and flavorful. They also serve healthier options like the Japanese-style hamburger steak and seafood bowls. The dessert menu is extensive, with seasonal fruit parfaits and cakes being particularly popular.
Gusto
Gusto is a widely available family restaurant chain focusing on Western cuisine. Its signature dish, the cheese-in hamburg steak, features a juicy patty filled with cheese—a unique Japanese twist on a classic. Many Gusto locations are open 24 hours, providing the convenience of late-night dining. The restaurant also offers various discount services through loyalty cards and apps, allowing regular customers to enjoy meals at even better prices.
Coco’s
Coco’s specializes in Western cuisine, and is renowned for the high quality of its meat dishes. The beef hamburg steak, served on a sizzling iron plate, allows diners to adjust the doneness to their liking. The bright and spacious interiors are designed with families in mind. The lunch sets, which include soup, salad, and a drink, offer great value and are especially popular.
Chinese Cuisine
Bamiyan
Bamiyan focuses on Chinese cuisine, offering authentic dishes at reasonable prices. The restaurant is well-known for its variety of dim sum. The “Bamiyan Ramen,” with its simple yet gentle flavor, stands out among the typically rich ramen options. Pairing ramen with dim sum like gyoza, xiaolongbao, and shrimp spring rolls makes for a satisfying and filling meal. Some locations also offer buffet-style service, allowing diners to indulge in a wide array of Chinese dishes.
Gyoza no Ohsho
As the name suggests, Gyoza no Ohsho specialises in gyoza (dumplings). These gyoza, served freshly made and not frozen, boast a crispy exterior and juicy filling. The popular gyoza set includes gyoza along with ramen or fried rice. A wide variety of side dishes can be combined to create set meals, allowing for a balanced dining experience. The reasonable prices make it a favorite among students and office workers.
Hidakaya
Hidakaya offers ramen and set meals at very affordable prices. The set menus, which cost less than 1,000 yen, provide great value with large portions. The vegetable-rich “Tammen” is a popular choice, offering both volume and nutrition. Many Hidakaya locations stay open late, making it a convenient spot for a meal after a night out.
Japanese family restaurants offer a friendly atmosphere and delicious, affordable meals, providing an excellent opportunity for foreigners to experience Japanese cuisine. Be sure to visit these high-value for money family restaurants during your trip to Japan for a delightful culinary adventure!
