Little Lima

Down a flight of stairs along Kotto-dori in Minami-Aoyama, Little Lima has long maintained a steady teppanyaki presence dedicated to the unadorned flavours of beef. For diners seeking a relaxed midday meal, the main draw is the hand-shaped Kobe beef hamburg steak lunch.

Portions can be tailored to your appetite, with patty sizes available in 150g, 200g, and 300g. Seared in the pan before finishing slowly in the oven, the hamburg steak avoids excessive grease, allowing the pure, savory depth of coarsely ground beef to come through. It is paired with a rich demiglace that underscores the meat's character. Rounded out with glazed carrots, potato salad, crisp pickled cucumber, freshly steamed rice, and dashi-forward miso soup, the meal delivers the comforting familiarity of classic Japanese yoshoku.

Alongside the hamburg steak, the restaurant features ginger-glazed prime wagyu beef made with generous cuts of meat. Tender wagyu loin is coated in a fragrant ginger sauce and served over crisp shredded cabbage, offering a robust, hearty alternative to the ground patties.

Come evening, the kitchen shifts into a dinner service featuring teppanyaki dishes accompanied by beer and wine, for which advance reservations are recommended. Tucked away from street-level bustle, this basement spot is an understated destination when you are in the mood for quality beef without fuss.