How Does byFood Work? Info & FAQs

What is byFood? It’s a fair question, and we’re glad you asked. 

ByFood is your ticket to all of Japan’s most must-visit restaurants and unforgettable food tours, opening doors to experiences and dishes that you may have been too nervous to open for yourself in Japanese.

Allow us to tell you a little about ourselves and answer a few of your burning questions.

ByFood is a part of Tablecross Inc., a company that aims to solve the UN’s “No Hunger” SDG while showing Japanese food culture to the world.

How are we doing it? By becoming a one-stop platform for foodie travelers, giving travelers to Japan — and soon, the world! — a place to book restaurants, food tours and cooking classes with ease. 

You might also know us from our blog and YouTube channel, shining the spotlight on Japanese foods, attractions, travel destinations and so much more.

Learn more about us on our About Us page.

Let’s say you’re looking for a restaurant in Tokyo and you notice that we have two restaurants available: Seat reservation and course menu. What’s the difference?

Well, a seat reservation restaurant means that we don’t have a pre-agreed agreement with the restaurant to create or promote their multi-course menus. In this case, we’re simply helping you reserve the table. 

Once you’ve made your reservation, we’ll let the restaurant know you’re coming — or, if they’re fully booked on your desired dining date, let you know so you can choose another slot or restaurant.

Though you may not have visited, you likely know this restaurant from the iconic fight scene in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill. Known as “The Kill Bill Restaurant,” this izakaya gastropub in Tokyo's Nishiazabu district serves a wide range of traditional and fusion dishes, including avocado and camembert tempura.

With a spacious layout and vegan and halal options (with advance notice), this is an understandably popular venue for tourists.

See the “Request Reservation” button? That’s your sign that this is a “seat reservation” restaurant.

On the other hand, a course menu restaurant is a restaurant that we have a partnership with. This means that we can tell you all about their latest seasonal menus, featuring multiple courses and often added extras — such as a complimentary drink or all-you-can-drink options.

Inspired by his family's yakitori restaurant in Shizuoka, Chef Sei Takuma opened Yakitori Sei in Shinjuku in 2008. This intimate 16-seat restaurant allows guests to watch their mouthwateringly meaty skewers be grilled before their very eyes — including their signature Hinaiji chicken thigh skewer, tori chicken ramen and kama-meshi.

See the “Find Menu Options” button? Tapping that means you’ll be scrolled further down the page to the different course menus on offer. 

In this case, we have the “byFood Special: Omakase Course (With Kanpai Drink)” — and if you click “Show more,” you’ll see that it includes:

• Appetizer

• 6 yakitori skewers

• 2 kinds of grilled vegetables

• Small plate selection (3 items)

• Fried chicken wings

• Choice of ramen OR kamameshi (an iron-pot rice dish)

• 1 drink

If you like what you see, you’d tap “Select,” fill in your desired dining date, time and the number of guests. This will then be sent to the restaurant and, as long as there’s room for you on your chosen day and time, you’re in!

Imagine the world of unique and irresistible combinations of dishes, drinks and Japanese food waiting for you…

No! That’s part of the reason we exist. We wanted to give you access to Japan’s best restaurants, whether or not you can speak Japanese.

In all of our Japanese food tours and restaurants — especially Course Menu restaurants with whom we have an ongoing relationship — you will likely find:

• A native English speaker

• A bilingual Japanese host

• English menus

• Chefs with enough English ability to explain dishes

• Or, in some rare cases, an interpreter

However, if you’d like to feel more comfortable while dining in Japan, you can check out:

• Must-Know Japanese Restaurant Phrases

• Japanese Table Manners and Dining Etiquette 101

• Japanese Izakaya Etiquette You Need To Know

• How To Make Restaurant Reservations in Japan

Note: It’s worth noting that since we have less of a partnership with our Seat Reservation restaurants, we cannot guarantee that they have English-speaking staff or English menus.

If you book one of our seat reservation restaurants, you may notice that there’s a ¥2,000 fee. This does not go towards your meal at the restaurant, but in fact covers our concierge service.

It’s this concierge service that means you don’t need to know any Japanese, including:

• Communication with the restaurant to secure your reservation

• Any further communication required, such as menu choices or dietary queries

We’ll repeat, just to be safe: This ¥2,000 fee does not include the cost of food, drinks or any additional charges incurred at the restaurant, and cannot be deducted from your restaurant bill.

However, if your reservation is canceled by the restaurant, 100% of this fee will be refunded.

No one likes having their booking rejected, especially if they’re not sure why it’s being rejected. 

Here are the most common reasons your booking might get rejected on byFood:

• The preferred date or time-slot is fully booked

• The restaurant didn't answer when we tried to call them

• More information was required to reserve your restaurant

• The restaurant is walk-in only

• The restaurant isn’t accepting reservations at this time

Not willing to risk it? To avoid this problem entirely, you could book one of our Instant Confirmation food tours or restaurants.

This means that if you reserve it, it’s happening! You won’t need to wait around to hear if the food tour or restaurant has space for you — you’re already on the guest list.

Find out more: Why are you getting turned away at restaurants in Japan?

Niku-Azabu Shinbashi offers a cool gastropub atmosphere, a great selection of drinks, high-quality wagyu at reasonable prices and… Instant Confirmation!

So, for yakiniku in Tokyo without the worry of rejection, this is the place to be.

Had your booking rejected and now you're not sure where to go? Simply try our VIP Gourmet Concierge!

Not only can our expert local team find your another restaurant within the same cuisine, area, price range and beyond, but they can also put together an entire travel itinerary — if you're interested in that sort of thing.

If there’s any kind of problem, contact us!

Don’t worry about getting in touch with your host or restaurant — that’s what we’re here for. Let us know if you think you’re going to be late, can’t make it, or whatever the issue might be, and we’ll relay that information. 

Most common reasons people need to get in touch:

• They’re running late and want to let the host or restaurant know

• Their travel plans changed and they can no longer make the booking

• They’re struggling to find the restaurant or experience location

• They have some additional questions about the reservation

Although our Contact Us form allows for general queries, you’ll get a more direct number you can call for support once a restaurant or food tour has been booked.

Note: In certain cases, such as fancy omakase sushi restaurants, you may not be able to get a refund or move your slot to another day. This is because fresh ingredients are purchased for the day’s diners and that needs to be compensated.

Start browsing our food experiences — including street food tours, cooking classes and more — or eat your way through the best restaurants in Japan, from classic ramen and izakaya joints to Michelin-starred restaurants luxurious omakase sushi evenings.

Welcome to byFood.

Need a little more convincing? Read our “Is byFood Legit?” article, telling you what we do, how we do it and the trustworthy partners we work with.