Eleven local recommendations for eating on the cheap at this famous restaurant chain.
Welcome to Episode 25 of Japan Super Budget Dining, our in-depth series where we explore what 1,000 yen (US$7.02) can get you at some of the country’s best-known chains.
This time, we’re off to Matsuya, one of Japan’s leading beef bowl chains, where our Japanese-language reporters are using their local expertise to share with us their top recommendations. The only rule is that none of the meal ideas exceeds the 1,000-yen limit, a requirement that’s becoming increasingly difficult with rising costs, so let’s get to it and see what they recommend below!
▼ Masaunki Sunakoma’s “Beyond 1,000-yen Set”
- Set Meal of Hamburg Steak in Brown Sauce Topped with Cheese (1,030 yen → 960 yen with app coupon)
- Free large rice upgrade
Total: 960 yen
▼ “I cheated death with a coupon! The melty cheese and savoury sauce makes this wild combo worth the gamble.”
▼ Go Hatori’s “Meat Mountain Mega-Serving”
- Beef Bowl with Large Serving Simmered Beef ＆ Onion on Regular Serving Rice (580 yen)
- Beef Plate Side Dish (370 yen)
Total: 950 yen
▼ “I kept piling on meat until my bowl looked like a beef volcano. Pure happiness!”
▼ Takashi Harada’s “Secret Lunch Set That Takes the Classic Breakfast to the Next Level”
- Sausage & Egg Breakfast Set (490 yen)
- Large Beef Plate Side Dish (480 yen)
Total: 970 yen
▼ “I turned breakfast into lunch by adding a mountain of beef. Pro tip: Eat it at 11 a.m. for maximum brunch-style satisfaction!”
▼ Yuuichiro Wasai’s “Ultimate Takeout Drinking Combo”
- Stewed Chicken Curry and Rice Single Item (660 yen)
- Mini Beef Plate (200 yen)
- Cold Tofu (100 yen)
Total: 960 yen
▼ “This isn’t just food, it’s beer’s best friend. Takeout lets me savour Matsuya like it’s a drinking snack!”
▼ Seiji Nakazawa’s “All-You-Can-Eat Rice, Hamburg and Tonjiru Set”
- Set Meal of Hamburg Steak in Brown Sauce with Tonjiru pork miso soup (1,000 yen)
- Free extra rice (select locations)
Total: 1,000 yen
▼ “I exploited a location-specific promo for unlimited rice. Two bowls in, I was in carb heaven!”
▼ P.K. Sanjun’s “Beef Mountain Bibimbap Bowl Set”
- Beef Bibimbap Bowl (630 yen)
- Beef Plate Side Dish (370 yen)
Total: 1,000 yen
▼“Matsuya’s bibimbap is criminally underrated. Adding beef? Now it’s a feast!”
▼ Furusawa Takamichi’s “Classic Beef Bowl Set”
- Large Beef Bowl (630 yen)
- Raw Egg (90 yen)
- Potato Salad (240 yen)
Total: 960 yen
▼ “Simple, timeless, and perfect. Adding the potato salad was a stroke of genius.”
▼ Yoshio Ueda’s “Food Coma Set”
- Set Meal of Hamburg Steak in Brown Sauce with Tonjiru pork miso soup (1,000 yen)
- Free extra-large rice
Total: 1,000 yen
▼ “I ate so much I couldn’t move for three hours. Worth it.”
▼ Ahiruneko’s “All Hail the Chicken King”
- Stewed Chicken Curry and Rice (780 yen)
- Side Salad (150 yen)
Total: 930 yen
▼ “The chicken curry is a god-tier dish. Adding salad could be viewed as heresy but I did it anyway.”
▼ Mr Sato’s “The Rebel’s 500-Yen Lunch”
- Small Beef Bowl Set (500 yen)
Total: 500 yen
▼ “Why waste 1,000 yen? Spend half, then buy Starbucks with the rest. Freedom!”
▼Mariko Ohanabatake’s “Early Bird Breakfast Hack”
- Cheese Omelette Over Rice & Pork Soup Set (550 yen)
- Extra Grated Yam (120 yen)
- Mini Beef Plate (150 yen)
- Side Salad (100 yen)
Total: 920 yen
▼ “This feels like a hotel buffet, and the omelette bowl with cheese and black pepper is absolutely divine.”
So there you have it — 11 meal ideas for Matsuya that won’t break the bank at 1,000 yen or less. While there were some clear overlaps, particularly in the way of hamburg steak sets, this just proves how popular these dishes are with locals. So next time you want to eat like a local, at breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, pull up a stool at Matsuya and order yourself a meal to remember. And if you’re looking for more cheap meal recommendations, head on over here to find out what 1,000 yen will get you at the Lawson convenience store chain!
Photos ©SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]
Japan Super Budget Dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at beef bowl chain Sukiya?
Japan Super Budget Dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Yoshinoya?
Japan Super Budget Dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Saizeriya?
Japan Super Budget Dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Doutor?
Japan Super Budget Dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Fuji Soba?
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Lipton releases… Pudding Milk Tea in Japan?!?
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Japan’s Mos Burger?【Japan Super Budget Dining】
Japan Super Budget Dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Baskin-Robbins Japan?
What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Kura Sushi?【Japan Super Budget Dining】
Super Budget Dining in Japan – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen (US$6.70) at Saizeriya?
Ultimate Japan Super Budget Dining! Our very best 1,000-yen chain restaurant meals this year
Japan super budget dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Starbucks?
Japan super budget dining – The best way to spend 1,000 yen at Ohsho, Japan’s favorite gyoza chain
Japan super budget dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at 7-Eleven?
What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Muji Japan?
Cheeseburger rice bowls arrive at Japanese beef bowl chain Matsuya, and in our stomach【Taste test】
For just US$2.50, this beef bowl chain might have the best-value breakfast in Japan
Japan super budget dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at sushi restaurant Sushiro?
Mix-and-matching Yoshinoya, Matsuya, and Sukiya to create the ultimate beef bowl【Taste test】
Japan Super Budget Dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Mister Donut?
Japanese beef bowl chain Matsuya now lets you exchange your rice for a salad, for free