Maguroya Asakusa

Already a vibrant hub in Tokyo’s shitamachi (old town) district, Asakusa, home to the iconic Sensoji Temple and bustling Nakamise shopping street, is about to get even livelier with the arrival of Monja Maguroya’s next branch. A household name on Tsukushima’s famed Monjayaki Street, Maguroya is a neighborhood-friendly spot with communal energy and a cheerful atmosphere that makes dining a shared experience. It’s also a celebrity favorite, drawing A-listers and sports stars like baseball star Shohei Ohtani and boxer Naoya Inoue to its other locations. Maguroya Asakusa is inherently a monjayaki specialist, a Tokyo-born street food similar to Osaka and Hiroshima’s okonomiyaki. Unlike its Kansai counterparts, monjayaki has a looser batter that crisps up on the grill, and diners scoop it directly from the sizzling pan for the best texture. Surprisingly, the restaurant’s headlining dish isn’t just monjayaki — it’s tuna, as the name "Maguroya" suggests. Known for its bluefin kamatoro sashimi, the restaurant serves the highly prized, richly marbled collar cut, available only in limited quantities. Dining at Maguroya is a lively feast best enjoyed with friends. The course menu includes its signature monjayaki, made irresistibly chewy and crisp with toppings like cheese, mochi, or mentaiko, alongside okonomiyaki. The premium course steps it up with seafood teppanyaki and even A5-rank sirloin steak. At Maguroya Asakusa, a meal is one that blends the energy of Tokyo’s shitamachi with top-tier ingredients and a dash of star power.