Whenever traveling in Japan, after shopping or sightseeing, you might suddenly realize all the restaurants have closed. For those who often get hungry at midnight or want to save on food costs to spend more on shopping, keep this list handy.
Thairath Online introduces you to 24-hour franchise restaurants across Japan that are not only delicious and very affordable but also extremely easy to order from through automatic vending machines. Many of these have menus in Thai to support travelers like us.
Matsuya
The king of value with free miso soup. When hunger strikes late at night, Matsuya is a reliable safe haven. This restaurant is known for its beef bowls and hot iron-grilled beef sets served in generous portions. The highlight is the food vending machine at the entrance, featuring a fully supported Thai language screen, allowing you to comfortably choose your menu, add or reduce rice portions. Every meal ordered in-store is served with hot miso soup to refresh your palate, all starting at just a few hundred yen.
Sukiya
A paradise for those who love lots of toppings. If you enjoy variety, Sukiya is the place for you. This beef bowl restaurant excels in mixing and matching toppings, from melty cheese, kimchi, to piles of green onions topped with raw egg. Ordering is easy through tablets at the table with English menus and clear pictures. Just tap and wait a few minutes for your meal to arrive—a quick, delicious, and time-saving meal.
Yoshinoya
The original beef bowl legend. When it comes to authentic Japanese-style beef bowls, Yoshinoya is the first name many think of. Its broth simmers beef and onions to a sweet, mellow flavor that soaks into thinly sliced meat poured over hot rice. Served with pink pickled ginger, it’s pure bliss. This restaurant focuses on classic simplicity, perfect for a quick meal craving the original authentic taste. No matter how late, you can always stop by to satisfy your hunger.
Nakau
Switch it up with udon and oyakodon for nights when you don’t want beef. Nakau is the ideal choice here. The restaurant is famous for its "oyakodon"—chicken simmered in soy sauce with runny eggs, offering a balanced sweet and savory flavor. It also features Kansai-style clear udon with chewy noodles, fragrant dried fish broth, and a light hint of yuzu citrus. Ordering is simple via a vending machine with clear pictures at the entrance. It’s a light meal that warms your stomach nicely before bedtime.
Ichiran Ramen
Savor legendary hot soup. Ending with "exam ramen," a favorite among Thais, some branches may have long queues in the evening, but late at night it’s truly a heaven. You can order ramen from the vending machine outside, then sit in private booths to customize the soup’s richness, noodle firmness, and spice level to your liking. Hot tonkotsu pork bone broth with tender noodles is the perfect way to close a day of sightseeing.
Dining at these franchise restaurants not only helps save money but also offers a chance to experience the fast-paced lifestyle of real Japanese people.