Ebisu Yoroniku

It's not often that the student can be said to surpass the master, especially in the culinary world. But for yakiniku restaurant Yoroniku, its younger sibling Ebisu Yoroniku could be said to have done just that. A wagyu beef specialist just like the original, Ebisu Yoroniku only opened in 2017, but immediately netted itself a Tabelog Silver Award and spot on the Tabelog Top 100 in 2018 — both awards that it has consistently won every year, at the time of writing. It boasts all the same hallmarks of its older sibling, like excellent service and hospitality, an extensive menu of sake and shochu, and of course the shining star of the "secret" menu: the paper-thin and finely marbled "silk loin" cut of wagyu beef that draws repeat customers back over and over again for its intense umami and satisfying texture. Conveniently located on the eighth floor of the GEMS Building, the restaurant is just a 2-minute walk from JR Ebisu Station, and not much further than that from the same on the Hibiya Line. And what view its vantage point gives it: diners seated near the windows can look out over the Ebisu city lights, adding to the romantic feel. Naturally, with its gorgeous view and amazing melt-in-your-mouth wagyu — which isn't even as expensive as its reputation might suggest — reservations are hard to secure at Ebisu Yoroniku. Nonetheless, guests can look to try for one at the original in Minami-Aoyama, or at any the Yoroniku Group's new ventures in the form of Yoroniku Tokyo Azabudai Hills, Namaiki or Akasaka Misuji — all just as excellent as the Yoroniku name would have you believe.