Even the “1,000-yen barrier” has fallen… Summer’s “Cheap, Delicious, and Best-Value Meals” Selected by a Restaurant Chain Expert

Handpicked by Three Experts! Here Are the “Cheap and Delicious” Items from Restaurant Chains for This Scorching Summer

Even as rice prices fall, it seems we can’t expect restaurant chains to lower their prices. With the weak yen, soaring labor costs, and naphtha shortages, the environment surrounding the restaurant industry is growing increasingly harsh, and the long-standing “1,000-yen barrier” has completely collapsed.

So, where can you find affordable and delicious gems at restaurant chains that you can enjoy even in the sweltering heat? The “Three Sages”—B-grade gourmet explorer Kyubei Yagyu, food journalist Junnosuke Nagahama, and food analyst Takao Shigemori—engaged in a heated debate over this summer’s best value-for-money meals.

――“Gusto Fit Menu 2” from “Gusto,” which was certified as the “best” in our previous debate (in the January 2, 9, and 16, ’26 issue of *FRIDAY*), was discontinued in late July.

Yagyu: There were signs of this coming, with some stores ending it early, but I didn’t expect it to end at all locations.

Nagahama: You could choose three items from the mini-sized menu, plus an all-you-can-drink and soup bar, for just over 1,000 yen. It’s a real shame, especially since it offered such outstanding value.

Shigemori: From the store’s perspective, it’s labor-intensive and has a slim profit margin. With prices so high these days, it must have been difficult to keep it going.

Yagyu: We’re in an era where even high-value-for-money menu items quickly disappear due to discontinuation or price hikes.

Shigemori: People are talking about the “1,200-yen barrier” these days, but it doesn’t seem like it will be long before that barrier crumbles. The only silver lining is the drop in rice prices—we’re starting to see restaurants offer free large servings of rice.

Nagahama: There’s also a trend toward a return to domestically produced rice. “Matsuya” is in the process of switching from a blend of U.S. and domestic rice to 100% domestic rice.

――Let’s start with the beef bowl chains.

Nagahama: Matsuya is the one showing real momentum. They’ve kept the price of their “Regular Beef Bowl” at 460 yen while switching to domestic rice, making it even more delicious.

Shigemori: I’d like to recommend the “Large Beef Bowl” (630 yen). It’s a better deal compared to other chains.

Yagyu: Matsuya’s breakfast menu is also a great deal.With the “Double Choice Tamago-kake Gohan” (350 yen), you can choose a small side dish—like a mini beef bowl—and select either a raw or soft-boiled egg. It comes with miso soup, and you can upgrade your rice size for free up to “Extra Large.” It’s great that they’ve kept the price the same even though the taste has improved with 100% domestically grown rice.

――”Noya’s” “Regular-Sized Beef Bowl” (498 yen) has also kept its price the same, so you can order it for just one 500-yen coin.

Shigemori: The “Regular-Sized Beef Bowl” is not only a best-seller but is also seen as a “barometer of prices.” Even when costs rise, it’s difficult to raise its price.

Nagahama: In other words, from the customer’s perspective, it offers great value for the money. I think Noya’s “Regular-Sized Beef Bowl” will be the main competitor to Matsuya.

――Any recommendations for sushi chains?

Nagahama: The “Sugidama Set Meal” for lunch at “ Sugidama.” It includes six pieces of sushi, two types of tempura, and udon for 1,190 yen.

Shigemori: For weekday lunches, I also recommend “Sushi Matsuri’s” “Daily Special Nigiri” (979 yen). It comes with seven pieces of nigiri, a roll, and miso soup with a rich seafood broth.You can order as few as one piece at this restaurant, and “maguro” (tuna) is available for 77 yen per piece.

Yagyu: “Uobei” is also a great choice. They have a wide variety of 110-yen plates, and the side dishes are affordable too. It offers the true charm of a sushi chain: the joy of picking and choosing.

Shigemori: It seems everyone has ruled out the four major chains—*Sushiro*, *Hama Sushi*, *Kura Sushi*, and *Kappa Sushi*.

Yagyu: With all the price hikes, they’ve started to fall short in terms of value for money. If I had to pick one from that group, it would be “Hama Sushi.” They’ve cast actress Haruna Kawaguchi (31) in their commercials and are gaining popularity, especially among young people, with the tagline “Hamai!”

Nagahama: Even among the major chains, they’re taking a low-price approach, with plates starting at 110 yen. Limited-time 110-yen plates, such as the “Domestic Fresh Mackerel (1 piece)” (110 yen) available since July 28, offer particularly great value.

――Let’s head to a Chinese restaurant chain.

Yagyu: I think “Hidaka-ya’s” “Black Vinegar Soy Sauce Cold Noodles” (670 yen) is a top contender. The four toppings—cucumber, wakame, ham, and shredded omelet—make for a hearty serving. The broth, based on black vinegar and blended with lemon juice and red vinegar, has a tangy flavor that really evokes summer.

Nagahama: I’m also keeping an eye on Hidaka-ya. Their signature “Vegetable-Packed Tanmen” (620 yen) is good, but I’d actually recommend the “Miso Ramen” (610 yen). It has about the same amount of vegetables but is 10 yen cheaper.

Yagyu: Since other chains have raised their prices, Hidaka-ya’s affordability really stands out. To me, it’s like the “Chinese version of Saizeriya.” Their “Soup” is only 20 yen! Whenever I go to Hidaka-ya, I order at least three bowls.

Shigemori: The “Gyoza (3 pieces)” are also a great deal at 160 yen. They’re catering to the demand for small side dishes.

Yagyu: I’d say “Bamiyan” is the main competitor. The “Chinese Feast Set Meal,” available on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., offers great value. The “RGC Set Meal” includes Bamiyan ramen, three pan-fried gyoza, and half a portion of fried rice for 1,099 yen.

Nagahama: Bamiyan also has a strong selection of alcoholic beverages. You can keep bottles of two types of shochu—“Iichiko” and “Kurokirishima”—on tap. If you use the all-you-can-drink bar, you can also enjoy carbonated mixers and sours.

――What about hamburger chains?

Nagahama: At “Mos Burger,” both the “Black Angus Burger” and the “Extra Cheese ~Hokkaido Cheese~” are 730 yen each, but I think they’re a good value considering the quality.

Shigemori: “ Burger King’s” “Avocado Whopper Jr.” (590 yen) is also high quality. It’s 700 yen as a set, but for an extra 100 yen, you can upgrade to a “Big Drink”—which is equivalent to two medium-sized drinks—for a limited time.

Yagyu: If you’re looking to fill up, McDonald’s “Night Mac” menu—available after 5:00 PM—features the “Extra-Large Potato & Nuggets” (980 yen), which is the ultimate choice. It comes with two large orders of fries and 15 chicken nuggets. You can also choose three sauces.Since an L-size order of fries costs 400 yen on its own, you can see just how much of a bargain this is. Sauces can also be purchased individually for 50 yen each. I especially recommend the limited-time “Umashio Garlic Sauce.”

――How about a family restaurant?

Shigem ori: “Saizeriya’s ‘Young Chicken Diavola-Style’ (500 yen). This one’s still a strong contender.”

Yagyu: “ Gusto ” has been offering its “Satisfying! Lunch Menu” since February, and the “Juicy Young Chicken Grill Lunch” (703–868 yen) offers pretty good value. You can choose between rice or bread, and the daily soup is all-you-can-drink.

Nagahama: For breakfast, “Joyful’s” “Bacon Breakfast” (328–405 yen) is a great deal. It even comes with a drink bar at this price.

――Summer staples like eel dishes are also available from various chains. Please tell us your recommendations.

Nagahama: Among the popular beef bowl chains, I recommend No-ya’s “Unagi-ju (Single-Slice)” (1,251 yen).It’s nearly 300 yen more expensive than Matsuya or Sukiya, but while theirs are eel “don” (rice bowls), No-ya’s is an eel “ju” (boxed meal). Since eel is a luxury item, I prioritize the sense of satisfaction that comes with an eel “ju.”

Shigemori: I’m a fan of Matsuya’s “Unadon” (980 yen). It comes with miso soup, so it feels like a good deal. It’s supervised by the group’s “Sushi Matsuya,” so the quality isn’t bad either. My second choice is No-ya. I get the impression that Sukiya’s “Unadon” (980 yen) falls short of the other two in terms of value for money.

Yagyu: I can’t really choose from the beef bowl chains. I think “Una Totto’s” “Double Unadon” (1,200 yen) is the best. As a specialty chain, they grill the eel thoroughly, so you can enjoy a crispy texture.It’s also nice that you can get a large serving of rice for free. The side menu is well-stocked, featuring items like “Liver Soup” (190 yen) and “Red Miso Soup” (110 yen).

――What about other standout menu items from chains?

Nagahama: “Marugame Seimen”’s “Kamaage Udon” (Regular, 390 yen). Last May, they expanded their selection of free toppings from six to eight varieties, making it even better value.

Yagyu: When it comes to udon, “Hanamaru Udon” is no slouch either. With the “Wakame (Small)” (440 yen), you can double your portion of wakame for free. The free tempura crumbs topping sometimes include vegetable scraps from kakiage or even shrimp—if you’re lucky. This is another one of Hanamaru’s strengths.

Breakfast at tonkatsu restaurants is a great deal!

In Nagahama, if you’re in the mood for rice dishes, the “Asagin Shake Set Meal” (638 yen) on the breakfast menu at “Shinpachi Shokudo”—which specializes in grilled fish—is truly outstanding.The salmon, carefully grilled over charcoal, gives you the perfect impression of a traditional Japanese breakfast. Although the chain currently has only 66 locations nationwide, it joined the Skylark Group in March. It’s a chain to watch, with expectations for future expansion.

Shigemori: For breakfast, I’d recommend “Katsuya’s” “Mini Katsudon Set” (605 yen). If you use the 100-yen discount coupon available at stores or via the app, you can enjoy it for just 505 yen.

Yagyu: Breakfast specials at tonkatsu restaurants are a great bet. “Matsunoya’s” “Special Morning Loin Cutlet Set (without side dishes)” costs 550 yen, and depending on the location, you can get unlimited refills of rice and miso soup. Honestly, this dish is so good that it ends the debate—I’d like to induct it into the Hall of Fame.

Shigemori: I agree. For those who can handle heavy fried food first thing in the morning, this is the ultimate choice, so let’s put it in a separate category from this discussion.

――Let’s move on to the conclusion. What’s the menu item with the best value and highest satisfaction this summer?

Yagyu: I’d nominate “Hidaka-ya’s” “Black Vinegar Soy Sauce Chilled Noodles” as the top contender.

Shigemori: I ’m also casting my vote for “Vegetable-Packed Tanmen” from “Hidaka-ya.” Since Hidaka-ya actually stirs the pot properly, the vegetables stay nice and crisp.

Nagahama: It’s “Kamaage Udon” from “Marugame Seimen.” I appreciate how the expanded selection of toppings has increased the flexibility and appeal.

Shigemori: Since we’ve had a lineup of relatively light noodle dishes, I’d like to add a hearty option too.

Yagyu: In that case, wouldn’t “Una-toto’s” “Double Eel Bowl” be a good choice?

Nagahama: I have no objections. However, it’s hard to choose between these four finalists…

Shigemori: It’s a tough call, but since we’re looking for the “strongest” option for “this summer,” how about prioritizing seasonal appeal?

Yagyu: That’s a great idea. How about we designate “Hidaka-ya’s” “Black Vinegar Soy Sauce Chilled Noodles” as the “Best Light Summer Dish” and “Una Toto’s” “Double Eel Bowl” as the “Best Hearty Summer Dish”?

Nagahama & Shigemori: No objections!

The heated debate among the “Three Sages” lasted two and a half hours. Why not use this discussion as a guide to find the perfect dish to help you beat the sweltering heat?

From the August 21 & 28, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*