It’s been a while since I stopped by Japan’s iconic ultra-budget Yoshoku chain, so I’m headed back to Saizeriya to see what’s on offer. So how affordable are the meals here? And is it worth the visit? Let’s get to it. How Good is Saizeriya Actually?
–Menu–
–Ordering System–
–Today’s Order–
–Spaghetti with Pollack Roe Sauce–
–Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia–
–Sausage Pizza–
–Other Items at Saizeriya–
–Consommé Soup Bar–
–Condiment & Sauce Corner–
–Drinks Bar–
–Verdict–
–Getting There–
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📋 Menu 📋
You’ll find a wide variety of Italian-Japanese comfort dishes at Saizeriya, including several pasta, pizza, doria gratin, and hamburg steaks.
It’s classic western-inspired Yoshoku food, but what truly defines Saizeriya are their ultra-budget prices, rivalling or even outcompeting convenience store ready-to-eat meals.
With most items only costing ¥300 to ¥600, you can easily feast on a multi-course meal (with a glass of their ¥100 wine) and still end up paying less than a typical meal in Japan.
⭐ HGA’s under-¥1,000 multi-course meal recommendation: ⭐
Focaccia (¥150)
Creamy Corn Soup (¥150)
Meat Sauce Doria (¥300)
Milk Gelato (¥250)
120ml Glass of Red/White Wine (¥100)
Total: ¥950
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📋 Ordering System 📋
Saizeriya uses an online ordering system for placing orders.
Simply scan the QR code at the table, type in your chosen menu’s 4-digit code, and hit submit to send it to the kitchen.
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📋 Today’s Order 📋
I’m dining with my brother today, and we got ourselves three dishes in total: two pasta dishes and a pizza to share.
Quick note: As with most things at Saizeriya, the kitchen acts more like a food assembly line where pre-portioned ingredients from a central kitchen get heated, plated and served (hence their ultra-budget price tag.) So while you won’t be getting the highest quality foods, I was still quite impressed with how everything turned out.
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🍝 Spaghetti with Pollack Roe Sauce (¥400) 🍝
A simple dish of spaghetti in a cream and tarako sauce, topped with shredded nori seaweed.
The pasta itself was soft and average, but the tarako cream sauce was quite rich, with an added layer of salty umami from the pollack roe.
Upon serving, I was a bit worried that there wasn’t enough sauce for the pasta. But after a quick stir, you’ll find way more sauce pooling at the bottom – so decent sauce coverage overall.
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🍝 Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia (¥500) 🍝
A more ‘traditional’ Italian classic, spaghetti with rings of squid tossed in a sepia squid ink-based sauce.
Compared to the lighter tarako pasta, this dish features a strong seafood profile. And with the included squid for some protein, the cost-performance is pretty good for just ¥500.
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🍕 Sausage Pizza (¥400) 🍕
For just ¥400, you get a surprisingly generous amount of mini sausages! Measuring at around 7 inches, it works well for a light meal or as a ¥200 shared appetizer for two.
Flavor-wise, the sausages were a bit soft (and on the processed, cheaper end), but provided a good meaty profile to the pizza.
And while the crust didn’t have any wood-fired leopard spots on the bottom, it was pleasantly crispy, a bit flaky, and held its shape well despite the heavier toppings.
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🍱 Other Items at Saizeriya 🍱
While I didn’t grab some this time, Saizeriya’s Doria and Hamburg steaks feature some of the highest flavor and value-for-money out of the entire menu. For a more detailed look, check out my previous Saizeriya review!
Full Review: Saizeriya (2022)
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☕️ Consommé Soup Bar ☕️
On weekdays from opening until 3pm, all orders come with free unlimited servings of their consomme soup, located at their self-service station.
It’s your standard light, comforting chicken & vegetable-based soup, so you’re not missing out much if you’re stopping by outside lunch hours. But for extended dining sessions or just something to sip between bites, it’s a welcome addition to the meal.
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🧂 Condiment & Sauce Corner 🧂
Right around the soup bar, you’ll find their sauce corner containing salt & pepper mills, Saizeriya’s hot sauce, and extra virgin olive oil.
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🍹 Drinks Bar (¥200) 🍹
For an additional ¥200 alongside any meal, you’ll get access to their drinks bar with over 10 different teas, soft drinks, and juices.
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⭐VERDICT⭐
So how good is Saizeriya actually? You know, objectively speaking, the food here is just alright. It’s comforting, and the flavors are nice, but really nothing to write home about.
Factoring in the ultra-budget prices, however, this place is an incredible deal! Compared to convenience store ready-to-eat meals, Saizeriya is often cheaper, ‘fresher’, and you get a full table service with metal utensils, plates, water, and air conditioning. And unless you’re short on time, I don’t see a reason not to stop by if you’re eyeing a conbini meal.
So if you’re in the mood for an ultra-budget meal or just want to stop by for a quick bite, then head on over to Saizeriya!
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🚗 GETTING THERE 🚗
You can find Saizeriya and their over 1,000 stores across most of Japan’s prefectures, with my visit today being at their Ueno Hirokoji branch.
Ueno-Hirokoji Station (Ginza Line) – Exit A3 and a 2-minute walk.
Keisei Ueno Station (Keisei Main Line) – Ikenohata Station and a 4-minute walk.
Okachimachi Station (JR Lines) – North Exit and a 5-minute walk.
Ueno Station (JR, Ginza, Hibiya Lines) – Shinobazu Exit and a 6-minute walk.
Saizeriya Ueno Hirokoji Branch
🌏 Location 🌏
2F Suzumoto Bldg., 2-7-12 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0005, Japan
🗺 Map 🗺
https://maps.app.goo.gl/U1cg5y4pAqfr6kTSA
⏰ Opening Hours ⏰
7 A.M. to 4:30 A.M.
💻 Website 💻
https://www.saizeriya.co.jp/
🏠 List of Stores 🏠
https://shop.saizeriya.co.jp/sz_restaurant/
📖 Online Menu (English) 📖
https://book.saizeriya.co.jp/library/site/menu1907/book-lists/