Tucked away on second floors and modest corners in cities across Japan, Ootoya may not be the flashiest name in the Japanese dining scene—but it’s one of the most comforting. With its slogan, “A Taste of Home,” Ootoya delivers exactly that: wholesome, home-style Japanese meals that evoke the feeling of a lovingly prepared dinner at the family table.
The story of Ootoya begins in 1958, the same year Tokyo Tower first graced the skyline. Founder Eiichi Mimori opened the very first Ootoya Shokudo near Ikebukuro Station with a revolutionary concept: every item on the menu cost just 50 yen. This bold idea, during a time when malnutrition was still a concern in post-war Japan, wasn’t just about affordability—it was about nourishment. The “50 Yen Shokudo,” as it became fondly known, quickly drew in crowds, serving over 1,000 diners a day from a compact two-storey space.
Today, Ootoya remains committed to its original mission of providing healthy, well-balanced meals at accessible prices. Their menus focus heavily on teishoku (set meals), with most options starting around 960 yen. A typical set includes a main dish like chicken katsu, mapo tofu, Atka mackerel, or ginger pork, accompanied by a steaming bowl of rice, miso soup, and pickled vegetables—a comforting trio that turns any meal into a complete dining experience.
One thing that sets Ootoya apart from other casual dining chains is their transparency. Many of their menus include detailed nutritional breakdowns and ingredient lists, reinforcing their commitment to wholesome eating. Whether you’re tucking into moromi chicken, beef teppanyaki, or their popular chicken nanban, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting.
Though Ootoya is now a nationwide chain with branches across Japan and overseas locations in Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and even New York City, it’s not as ubiquitous as larger players like Saizeriya, Gusto, or Royal Host. Nor does it go head-to-head with the ultra-casual crowd like Sukiya, Pepper Lunch, or Matsuya. Instead, Ootoya occupies a quiet middle ground: a place where you can sit down, enjoy a well-rounded meal, and take a breather from the fast pace of urban life.
Finding Ootoya
Many Ootoya locations don’t announce themselves loudly. You’ll often find them above or below street level, on the second floor of office buildings or shopping complexes, subtly blending into the city’s vertical landscape. It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking—but well worth seeking out these hidden gems if you’re craving something that feels a little more like a home-cooked dinner than a quick bite on the go.
