Tabelog ratingSince 1957, Sungari has offered a portal to another time and place from its subterranean dining room in Shinjuku's Kabukicho district. The restaurant is celebrated for creating an immersive experience, with a dim, stylish interior, Russian-speaking staff, and a menu of carefully prepared Eastern European classics that are a rarity in Tokyo.
Guests consistently praise the house specialties. The marinated salmon wrapped in a blini (マリノーブナヤ・ケタ, marinovnaya keta) is a standout, as is the ritual of Russian tea served with a selection of house-made jams. Other frequently recommended dishes include the rich borscht, mushroom 'pot' stew (つぼ焼き, tsuboyaki), beef stroganoff, and handmade dumplings like pelmeni and pirozhki. The drinks list is also a highlight, featuring Georgian wines and a wide array of flavored vodkas.
While the vast majority of reviews are positive, some guests note that popular items, particularly the pelmeni and certain pirozhki, can sell out. A small number of diners also found some portions modest for the price. Overall, however, most consider it good value for a full dinner experience rather than a casual meal.
Reviewers typically report a dinner spend of ¥6,000 to ¥7,999 per person. Recent guest bills included the 'Sungari Course' for around ¥4,820, a glass of Georgian wine for about ¥980, and specialty dumplings priced near ¥2,000 for a small portion.
- Location: In the basement (B1F) of the Chiyoda Building in Kabukicho, Shinjuku. It's a 6-8 minute walk from Shinjuku Station (Exit B13) or a 1-2 minute walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station.
- Reservations: Booking is highly recommended, as the restaurant is popular and fills up. You can also request popular dishes that may sell out, like pelmeni, when you book.
- Staff & Language: Staff are often Russian-speaking but are fluent in Japanese. Foreign visitors report good service in English.
- Payments: Credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners, UnionPay), electronic money (transportation IC cards like Suica, iD, QUICPay), and QR code payments (PayPay, Alipay, etc.) are all accepted. A 5% service charge applies at dinner.
- Children: Children of all ages, including babies in strollers, are welcome.
- Dress Code: There is no strict dress code, but overly casual attire such as tank tops or flip-flops is discouraged.
- Seating: The restaurant has 54 seats, including counter and sofa seating. Private rooms for 10-20 people are available, with fees depending on group size.
- Accessibility: The venue is wheelchair accessible. It is entirely non-smoking.
