Pubs & Bars · Practical guide
Shichirin Yakiniku An-an Japan Guide for Tourists: ¥319 Kalbi & 5 AM Charcoal BBQ
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Dining / Ultra-Budget Charcoal Shichirin BBQ & Late-Night Pub (Shichirin Yakiniku An-an Official Website) |
| Store Count | Approximately 140 locations across Japan (concentrated in Tokyo/Kanto, Hokkaido, Tokai, Kansai, and Okinawa), operated by Fuji Tatsu Co., Ltd. (Store Locator) |
| Ordering Style | Booth or table seating; tabletop diatomite charcoal brazier (Shichirin) placed at your table; order all meats, beers, and sides via tabletop multilingual digital touchscreen tablets; cook meat yourself; pay at cashier with bill |
| Membership Required? | No reservation or membership required (walk-in dining; open until 3:00 to 5:00 AM in many stores) |
| Approximate Price Range | Evening spend ~¥1,800–¥3,000; signature An-an Kalbi just ~¥319 (tax-included); standard meat plates ~¥200–¥400s; draft beers ~¥300; all-you-can-eat courses ~¥2,000–¥3,500; all tax-included (as of September 29, 2026; subject to revision) |
| Payment Methods | Cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, etc.), electronic money (iD, 楽天Edy, QUICPay), smartphone QR code apps (PayPay, d-barai, 楽天ペイ, au PAY, LINE Pay), and Jeff Gourmet Cards |
| Multilingual Support | Tabletop touchscreen ordering tablets feature multilingual language toggles (English, Chinese, etc.) with full-color photos |
What it is
Shichirin Yakiniku An-an, operated by Fuji Tatsu Co., Ltd., is Japan's undisputed champion of ultra-budget charcoal barbecue. Operating under the motto of "Delicious and Cheap at All Times" (Itsudemo Yasukute Umai), An-an achieved cult status across Japan through its radical direct-from-central-kitchen pricing: its signature "An-an Kalbi" (beef short ribs) costs an unbelievable ¥319 tax-included, with chicken, pork, and beef tongue plates starting from just ¥200 to ¥400! Despite rock-bottom prices, An-an never compromises on heat—every table receives a genuine charcoal Shichirin brazier. With draft beers for around ¥300, zero table charge, zero late-night fee, and operating hours extending until 3:00 to 5:00 AM, it is the ultimate late-night feast for backpackers and hungry travelers.
How to order
Dining at Shichirin Yakiniku An-an is high-speed, fun, and extraordinarily affordable:
- Enter day or late night: Walk inside. Staff will welcome you and guide your party to a wooden booth with an overhead exhaust hood.
- ZERO cover charge & ZERO late-night fee: An-an operates under a 100% transparent pricing policy: No Otoshi fee, no seating fee, and no late-night surcharge (¥0)!
- Staff brings the glowing charcoal Shichirin: Staff will place a hot ceramic clay brazier filled with glowing charcoal coals in the center of your table.
- Switch tablet to English: Pick up the tabletop touchscreen ordering tablet and select English or Chinese.
- Order your meat feast:
- An-an Kalbi (安安カルビ): The legendary ¥319 dish! Juicy, marinated beef short ribs that sizzle over the coals.
- *Beef Tongue (Gyūtan)*: Thinly sliced beef tongue served with fresh lemon.
- *Pork Belly (Butabara) & Chicken Thigh (Torimomo)*: Crispy pork and tender chicken starting in the ¥200s!
- *Draft Beer (Nama Beer)*: Fresh, ice-cold Asahi draft beer for just around ¥300!
- Grill over the charcoal flame: Place your meats on the wire mesh. Watch the charcoal smoke impart that authentic rustic flavor!
- Use separate meat tongs: Always use the metal tongs to place raw meat on the grill, and use your chopsticks to eat cooked meat.
- Pay at the cashier: Settle payment at the front cashier desk using credit card, transit IC card, or smartphone QR codes.
What to order first
Dishes below reflect core brand staples officially featured on the Shichirin Yakiniku An-an Official Website and verified row records:
- *Signature An-an Kalbi Beef Short Ribs (An-an Kalbi - 安安カルビ): Japan's most famous budget barbecue plate; juicy beef short ribs marinated in secret sweet garlic soy tare for just ¥319 tax-included* (as of September 2026).
- Asahi Super Dry Draft Beer: A cold, frosty mug of draft beer poured straight from the tap for only around ~¥300 tax-included!
- *Beef Tongue with Lemon (Gyūtan)*: Sliced beef tongue seared in seconds on the charcoal mesh (~¥450–¥550 tax-included).
- *Pork Belly Kalbi (Buta Kalbi)*: Succulent strips of pork belly that crisp up with crunchy edges over the coals (~¥290–¥350 tax-included).
- Spicy Kimchi & Rice: House-made crunchy cabbage kimchi and a large bowl of steaming white rice.
Payment & practical info
Practical dining and payment guidance based on official Fuji Tatsu policies (consult the Official Store Directory for branch locations):
- Accepted Payment Methods: Accepts cash, international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, etc.), electronic money (iD, 楽天Edy, QUICPay), and smartphone QR code apps (PayPay, d-barai, 楽天ペイ, au PAY, LINE Pay).
- 100% Transparent Zero Surcharges: Unlike many nightlife establishments that tack on 10% late-night fees or compulsory appetizer charges, An-an has zero table fees and zero late-night surcharges.
- Open Until 3:00 to 5:00 AM: An essential late-night dining resource located right in major entertainment zones across Tokyo (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Roppongi).
- Wi-Fi & Power Outlets: Traditional barbecue pub layout; no public Wi-Fi or customer power sockets.
- Tax-Free Status: Not eligible for tax-free shopping. Restaurant dining is domestic consumption.
Good to know / Common mistakes
- Not ordering multiple plates of An-an Kalbi: At just ¥319 per plate, order three or four plates right away! It is tender, flavorful, and pairs miraculously with rice and beer.
- Overpaying at tourist barbecue joints: You don't need to spend ¥10,000 for a delicious Japanese charcoal barbecue night! An-an delivers an unforgettable feast with beers for under ¥2,500.
- Adjusting the exhaust pipe: Pull the overhead silver suction hood down close to the grill to vacuum away smoke as your meats sizzle.
- Tipping staff: Tipping is never accepted in Japan. Settle your exact bill total at the front cashier desk.
FAQ
Q1: How cheap is An-an really? An-an is one of the cheapest barbecue chains in Japan: signature An-an Kalbi beef is just ¥319 tax-included, pork and chicken start around ¥290, and draft beers are around ¥300!
Q2: Does An-an charge a late-night or table cover fee? No! An-an has a strict zero-charge policy—there is no cover fee, no Otoshi fee, and no late-night surcharge even if you dine at 4:00 AM.
Q3: Can foreign tourists easily order in English? Yes. Every table features a digital touchscreen tablet with full English and Chinese language interfaces and clear photos for all meats, beers, and sides.
Sources
- Shichirin Yakiniku An-an Official Website: https://anan.fuji-tatsu.co.jp/ (Verified: 2026-09-29)
- An-an Store Directory: https://anan.fuji-tatsu.co.jp/shop/ (Verified: 2026-09-29)