Ren

Ren is a restaurant for those who want a slow, contemplative meal, led by a chef who values the philosophical side to Japanese kaiseki cooking. Traditional Japanese art and philosophy are as much about wholehearted sincerity as practical skill, and both are on full show here. Jun Mishina is the owner and chef, who chose the gourmet neighborhood of Kagurazaka for the restaurant’s location. This area is a pocket of culture, but still not on the radar of many visitors to Tokyo. It’s easily accessible from Shinjuku, however, and the journey to Ren is well worth it. The name refers to the Japanese lotus flower, and you’ll see a painting of one, along with a bonsai and fish tank, when you enter. You’ll then be seated at the counter, and served dish after dish of fine seasonal ingredients. The exact dishes change according to the ingredients in season, and the flashes of inspiration which Mishina-san derives from them. To chef Mishina, simplicity is all about deeply understanding the ingredients in front of him, and releasing the essential flavors which are already innately in them. The result is one of the best traditional Japanese meals in Tokyo. Michelin Stars: 2020 - 1 Michelin star 2021 - none