Omotesando Ukai Tei

Sheer class — that’s what this high-end restaurant brings to the Japanese teppanyaki cuisine. You might have tried this griddle pan style of cooking before, but there’s no way you’ve ever had it this good. Omotesando Ukai Tei is located in Omotesando, an area near to Shibuya which is famous for its high-end shopping, stylish boutiques, and fine dining. Walking through the doors feels more like entering a luxury hotel than a grilled beef restaurant, and the same sense of luxury flows through the dishes themselves. A meal here includes prime black wagyu beef, and delicious seasonal ingredients such as matsutake mushrooms. Everything is cooked right in front of you, so you can savor the aromas and sounds of sizzling meat before it reaches your plate. The grilled dishes are accompanied by a good range of wine and champagne. There’s no getting away from it: a meal here is pricey, but then again it is probably one of the best teppanyaki restaurants in the country. There’s real luxury in the quality of the ingredients, and a sense of sophistication in the surroundings. For those with the money to spend, this is a place to spend it well.