Santosham

We booked this restaurant weeks in advance through our hotel concierge for 7:30 PM. On the day, we were delayed by a traffic jam and arrived at 7:46 PM — just one minute past their supposed cut-off. Yet the host told us our reservation was gone, with no apology, no empathy, and a dismissive attitude, even after seeing we were international guests with young kids. What was most frustrating was how quickly they claimed our table was given away — within that single extra minute. It felt as though they were being unnecessarily selective about who they admit, which is surprising for a place that carries a Michelin recommendation. After traveling all the way to try this hyped restaurant, being treated so coldly was extremely disappointing. Rules are one thing, but the lack of grace, courtesy, or understanding made the experience worse than the delay itself. A Michelin-recognized restaurant should show more hospitality and flexibility, especially for guests who come from abroad.

Santosham in Ochanamizu is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic South Indian cuisine. This popular spot offers a delightful culinary experience that transports you straight to the heart of India. I had the pleasure of trying their Masala Dosa and Egg Dosa, both of which were absolutely delicious. The dosas were perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The fillings were flavorful and complemented the dosa beautifully. We also indulged in a special prone dish wrapped in banana leaves, which was a delightful surprise. The unique combination of flavors and textures was a true highlight of our meal. The taste of the food at Santosham is incredibly authentic, reminiscent of what you would find in South India or neighboring Sri Lanka. It's clear that the chefs have a deep understanding of the regional cuisine and take great care in preparing each dish. A word of caution: Santosham is extremely popular, especially during lunch hours. If you're planning to visit for lunch, be sure to arrive before 14:15 as they may not be able to take orders after that time. For dinner, reservations are recommended. Overall, Santosham is a fantastic restaurant that offers a truly memorable dining experience. The food is exceptional, the atmosphere is welcoming, and the service is friendly. If you're looking for a taste of South India in Tokyo, Santosham is definitely worth a visit.

Extremely average and disappointing place, in my opinion does not deserve that Bib Gourmand from Michelin. We waited for almost an hour in line for “weekend lunch” tiffin meals. The price was ¥2100 which is a 75% up charge of the weekday ¥1200 lunch, but since the photos of the meals look drastically different in the menu I had no issue with it at first being promised a more substantial meal. After a long wait on the narrow stairs, our orders were taken in advance I wanted to order the banana leaf curry but it was sold out. We sat down, and it was clean inside. The hall staff were Japanese, they were fine. The cooks were Indian so I trust that will get authentic Indian flavors. Upon receiving the tiffin thali, I was extremely let down. Now some of you might question me at this point but let me tell as a chef who has worked at a fine Indian restaurant for a year I think I earned my right to speak about this place. The reality vs the menu picture is like night and day. They swapped out the photo of the weekday lunch so they can up charge by 75%? That is so un-Japanese! And for them to get a Michelin recognition, they should be honest. I can accept a 30 to 50% mark up but please use the same weekday lunch photo and don’t scam your customers. The food - taste ranged from bland to spicy. The batura fried bread was good, the sambar and rassam were textbook, the rice too free flow which is nice but clumpy not fluffy like good basmati should be, the chicken curry was yummy but tad watery, the fish and vegetable curry were very diluted and bland. I’ve read some negative reviews they all said the curry here is watery and they were right. There were hardly any veggies and one tiny pitiful piece of fish in those curries (soup). I felt really duped and disappointed. I wanted to like this place but i cannot recommend this place. Lesson for me: trust the reviews left by real Indians (I thought they were fake reviews from rival restaurants 😂)

Mediocre portions for the price, unremarkable taste, all make the extremely long wait for the food hard to justify imo. I’m glad I went because it had been occupying my mind after seeing it on a TV show, but I would not recommend it to anyone. It’s also further proof that Michelin is out of touch with reality.

Descent masala dosa. Good Indian and south Asian beer. Prices are reasonable.

🍛I had the C set curry with Dosa and chai- 1400 yen 🍛lunch last order 15:00! it's a small restaurant that seats about 18 max so you may need to arrive early or call ahead. ⚠️Cash only 🚸I didn't see an elevator so you might only have the option to use stairs. It's on 2F. The dosa was delicious and nostalgic. The 2 soups were just okay but I really loved the 3 curries. The tomato one had the familiar flavor of paneer tikka masala. It was mild and well-balanced. I enjoyed the hints of mixed masala spices and ginger. The yellow curry had a delicious and refreshing corriander and coconut milk flavor that I could eat forever. The chicken piece that I got was tasty and not too fatty! The last curry was quite spicy! I was impressed and satisfied as this restaurant doesn't advertise itself as particularly spicy or ask about your preferred spice level. It tasted like American chili to me. Even though the size of the curries are small, this one was so hearty, I was able to leave satisfied. The chai was delicious, it's worth ordering just to watch them pour and foam the tea by hand. I wanted just a little more cinnamon and spice flavor though. If you want more rice, you can get a free refill! 🥹 One thing that I wished for was a dosa filled with peas and potatoes. 👀 Although it could be on their dinner menu, I have only checked lunch.

Santosham restaurant in Tokyo, a distinguished Michelin-grade establishment, artfully combines the richness of South Indian cuisine with a refined dining experience. Its exquisite flavors, a cozy atmosphere, and attentive service that together makes it a memorable and satisfying visit for anyone seeking authentic Indian cuisine.

I ordered “Santosham meals”. I’m not familiar with South Indian cuisine, so I’m not sure if the taste of meal is close to the original, but anyway its so healthy and delicious! “Meals” can taste several different kinds of curries, and each taste and ingredients are so different, so I would recommend you to try it if you first visit. You can order additional curries and rice for free.