Ueno Best 10 Seafood Izakaya 2024: Ameyoko Fish Izakaya Guide
Ueno is a popular tourist destination due to its excellent accessibility from central Tokyo and Shinkansen connections. The area is packed with attractions that can keep you entertained all day, including the zoo, museums, a spacious green park, and drinking districts under the elevated train tracks.
One of Ueno's charms is its "shitamachi" (downtown) atmosphere, where you can experience a retro ambiance. Particularly in Ameyoko's drinking district, the Showa era's essence remains strong, allowing visitors to feel traditional Japanese culture. The district houses many establishments, from nationally famous restaurants to deep local spots known only to residents.
Ueno's proximity to famous markets like Tsukiji and Toyosu means there are numerous Ueno Fish Izakaya establishments serving excellent seafood. Let's explore some of the best seafood restaurants in Ueno, focusing on izakayas in Ameyoko.
Abundance of Seafood Izakayas Due to Fresh Fish Deliveries from Nearby Tsukiji and Toyosu
Ueno hosts various dining establishments catering to both locals and tourists due to its many attractions. The area is particularly known for its seafood izakayas, benefiting from fresh seafood deliveries from the nearby Tsukiji and Toyosu markets.
These establishments are always bustling with customers who enjoy fresh seafood at reasonable prices alongside a wide selection of drinks. Some places operate 24 hours and open from early morning, making them easily accessible during sightseeing breaks.
Let's explore seven particularly popular seafood izakayas in Ameyoko, along with their recommended dishes.
Introducing 6 Popular Seafood Izakayas in Ueno (Ameyoko) with Their Recommended Dishes
Hamayaki Seafood Izakaya Uotora Suisan
Source: Tabelog
Hamayaki Seafood Izakaya Uotora Suisan, just a 1-minute walk from Ueno Station, prides itself on dishes made with fresh ingredients sourced from the market every morning.
Their popular 3-hour all-you-can-drink party courses start from 2,980 yen, with their signature course being the "Grilled Spiny Lobster & Select Beef Sushi Course." The course includes seasonal appetizers, grilled spiny lobster, and flavorful beef sushi. At just 3,280 yen for such luxurious ingredients, it's an incredible deal!
All course dishes are perfectly seasoned to complement alcoholic beverages, making you want to drink more. The all-you-can-drink menu includes shochu, cocktails, sours, and soft drinks, so try pairing different drinks with your meals.
<Store Information>
- Address: 7-2-1 Ueno, Taito-ku
- Hours: 11:00-28:00
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 050-1720-3789
Uohama Ameyoko Branch
Source: Tabelog
At Uohama Ameyoko Branch, you can easily enjoy rare seafood and direct-sourced ingredients shipped straight from fishing grounds across Japan. The flashy exterior decorated with red lanterns (akachochin) and fish monuments stands out prominently and is easy to spot from afar.
Seafood dishes include sashimi, sushi, and simmered dishes, but my recommendation is their signature "One Pound! Tuna Chunks Sashimi." The tuna is cut impressively thick, and the presentation alone is stunning. Despite its thickness, the tuna melts naturally in your mouth, offering an exquisite taste with the perfect balance of fat and sweetness. You can enjoy high-end restaurant quality tuna at this casual izakaya!
A key feature of Uohama is its 24-hour operation. Whether you want a light drink before sightseeing in the morning, need refreshment during daytime touring, or want to drink until late at night, feel free to drop by.
<Store Information>
- Address: 6-11-5 Ueno, Taito-ku
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 03-3831-1077
- Official Website: https://www.hamakura-style.com/works/uohama/
Jimagyo Yatai Hamachan Ueno Branch
Source: Tabelog
Located right at the entrance of Ameyoko, Jimagyo Yatai Hamachan Ueno Branch is a popular spot offering market-fresh seafood at reasonable prices.
Popular items include sashimi, sushi, and tempura made with super-fresh seafood. The tempura is crispy when freshly fried and delicious on its own, but try it with grated daikon (daikonoroshi). The refreshing daikon helps balance the richness of the fried food. It's great that you can get free refills of grated daikon with your tempura.
Tempura starts from just 100 yen, making it very reasonable. I got hooked on the tempura and daikon combination and ended up ordering more!
<Store Information>
- Address: 6-9-13 Ueno, Taito-ku
- Closed: New Year's holidays
- Phone: 03-5807-8413
- Hours: Mon-Fri 12:00-23:30, Sat-Sun 10:00-23:30
Zenseki Kobashitsu Sushi to Sake Gyoen
Source: Tabelog
Located just a 1-minute walk from Ueno Station, this restaurant offers fresh seafood directly shipped from Hokkaido and A5-grade domestic wagyu beef.
The recommended dish is the "Hokkaido Kinki Charcoal Grill." They serve a whole kinki fish (thornyhead) grilled to perfection. Despite being a white fish, kinki has a rich fat content and offers a deep flavor. While it's also delicious simmered, I prefer the charcoal-grilled version as it concentrates the umami.
The private room setting provides privacy and a relaxing atmosphere. I lost track of time enjoying the delicious food and drinks.
<Store Information>
- Address: 7-3-2 Ueno, Taito-ku
- Hours: Mon-Fri 16:00-24:00, Sat-Sun-Holidays 12:00-24:00
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 050-5494-4133
- Official Website: https://ghvh801.gorp.jp/
Uokusa
Source: Tabelog
Originally a fresh fish shop, Uokusa started offering standing-bar service focusing on fresh seafood, adopting the motto "A fishmonger where you can drink."
Their signature menu item is fresh oysters, which actually sparked the beginning of their standing-bar service. The oysters are shucked to order, ensuring exceptional freshness and shine. When eaten, they offer a smooth texture and the rich umami characteristic of oysters, making them perfect with drinks. I couldn't help but order more drinks myself.
The open entrance design makes it easily accessible, and it's popular among solo female drinkers. Why not casually drop by, just as you would for their takeout items like fruit skewers and soft serve ice cream?
<Store Information>
- Address: 6-10-7 Ueno, Taito-ku
- Hours: 12:00-24:00
- Closed: 2nd Wednesday
- Phone: 03-4400-3264
Kanishin Ueno Main Store
Source: Official website
At Kanishin Ueno Main Store, you can enjoy red snow crab delivered through the shortest route from Sakai Port (sakaikou), Japan's largest landing port for this species. The crabs are famous for their exceptional freshness due to direct shipping from the source.
My recommendation is the homemade crab meat served in its shell. The dish presents approximately one crab's worth of meat served in its natural shell as a plate. Red snow crab is known for its strong sweetness and flavor among crab varieties, best enjoyed without condiments to savor its natural taste. You can also enjoy it with the salty and rich crab miso (kanimiso) topping for a different flavor experience.
For drink enthusiasts, the kourazake (shell sake) is popular. This unique drinking style involves pouring sake into the crab shell after enjoying the crab miso. The combination of the crab's aromatic qualities and rich crab miso creates a distinctive taste that becomes addictive. Don't miss this quintessentially Japanese drinking experience.
<Store Information>
- Address: 5F, 6-14-6 Ueno, Taito-ku
- Hours: Tue-Fri 15:00-23:00, Sat-Sun 12:00-23:00
- Closed: Monday
- Phone: 03-5826-8401
- Official Website: https://izakayakaniwow.owst.jp/
A Fish Izakaya in Ueno/Ameyoko Offering Brand Meat and Fresh Vegetables
Daisen Chicken and Fresh Fish Izakaya Maika
Source: Official website
In Ameyoko, there are izakayas where you can enjoy brand meat and fresh vegetables alongside seafood.
Daisen Chicken and Fresh Fish Izakaya Maika specializes in Daisen chicken, a branded meat from Tottori Prefecture, along with ingredients sourced from across Japan. Daisen chicken, raised stress-free in vast natural environments, is characterized by its ideal fat content, juiciness, and mild richness.
The recommended dish is their signature "Daisen Chicken Kalbi and Burdock Kamameshi" (kamameshi: rice cooked in a small individual pot with ingredients). It's a hearty dish packed with generously cut chicken, burdock root, carrots, and other vegetables. The rice absorbs the umami from both the chicken and vegetables - I finished it quickly because it was so delicious.
Their original Japanese fusion dishes using carefully selected ingredients are renowned for their refined, approachable flavoring. Why not enjoy these unique dishes alongside their selection of about 30 different regional sakes from across Japan?
<Store Information>
- Address: 7-1-1 Ueno, Taito-ku
- Hours: 11:00-22:30
- Closed: New Year's holidays
- Phone: 050-5266-0310
- Official Website: https://maika-ueno.com/
Ueno Direct-from-Producer Dining Street
Source: Google Maps
Ueno Direct-from-Producer Dining Street features four establishments united under the motto "a place to casually enjoy ingredients direct from producers nationwide." The complex includes "Fish-Maru Main Store" and "Robata Kai-Maru" (both Ueno Fish Izakaya establishments serving fresh seafood from ports nationwide), "Gyu-Maru Main Store" supplied directly by Hakodate Ozawa Farm, and "Tohoku Mutsumi" serving premium pork directly from Iwate Kuji Farm.
The highlight is the tuna sashimi platter at "Fish-Maru Main Store." It features three different cuts of tuna - lean, medium-fatty, and fatty tuna - allowing you to compare their unique textures and richness. Being directly sourced genuine bluefin tuna, its rich flavor pairs perfectly with alcoholic beverages.
Beyond seafood, the dining street offers extensive menus featuring shellfish, beef, and pork, making it ideal for groups with diverse tastes.
<Store Information>
• Address: 7-2-4 Ueno, Taito-ku
• Hours: 24 hours
• Closed: Never
• Phone: 03-5828-7066
• Official Website: https://www.hamakura-style.com/works/ueno_sanchoku_insyokugai/
For Casual Seafood Enjoyment, Try the Seafood Bowl Specialist "Minatoya Foods" in Ameyoko
Source: Tabelog
For those seeking casual seafood dining, the seafood bowl specialist "Minatoya Foods" is highly recommended. This popular establishment offers seafood bowls starting from 500 yen, using fish directly sourced from Tsukiji.
The storefront displays an extensive array of seafood bowl options, adding to the fun of choosing. My personal favorite is the sea urchin seafood bowl. It features sea urchin in the center, surrounded by generous portions of tuna, salmon, scallops, sweet shrimp, and salmon roe. I recommend this bowl if you're having trouble deciding, as it offers various flavors in one dish.
They also sell affordable takoyaki next door. If the bowl alone isn't enough, try taking some takoyaki for a walking snack.
<Store Information>
• Address: 4-1-9 Ueno, Taito-ku
• Hours: 11:00-19:00
• Closed: January 1st and 2nd
• Phone: 03-3831-4350
• Official Website: https://www.ameyoko.net/shop/142
To Fully Experience Ameyoko, Try the "All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno" with Locals
For the ultimate Ameyoko experience, join the "All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno" guided by locals. The tour features knowledgeable guides who introduce you to hidden gems known only to Ueno insiders.
The tour begins at Ueno's street food area, where you'll explore back alleys and sample local favorites like yakitori, oden, and okonomiyaki. Enjoy 45 minutes of all-you-can-drink beverages, including various sake and shochu options to experiment with!
The tour concludes with your choice of either a standing bar or ramen shop, depending on your mood. I recommend the ramen option - the rich noodles provide both physical and emotional satisfaction, offering an unprecedented level of contentment.
Why not experience Tokyo's nightlife like a local with a guide who knows Ueno's izakaya scene inside and out?
<Meeting Point>
• Tour Area: Ueno
• Start Times: 17:00 or 18:00
