Horumon Fune Hooru-chan

Found on the outskirts of Koreatown in Shin-Okubo, this reservations-only eatery serves only four groups of diners per day, and you'll always get exactly what the chef wants to offer – no more, no less. This system allows the restaurant to source only necessary ingredients, and those ingredients are certainly no ordinary slabs of meat: expect rarities like beef from Shodo Island, where the cattle are fed olives as part of their diet. No compromises here, in other words. Although the menu changes every time, you'll be sure to get some truly exceptional appetisers – we were lucky enough to be served seared skirt steak flavoured with sesame oil. All meat is cooked by the staff and then served to customers, ensuring optimal timing. Only one serving is provided for each cut, but as the variety is huge and cuts are thick, you won't be leaving hungry. Around ¥9,000 may feel like a steep price, but the quality more than justifies it. And remember – there's no getting in without a reservation.