1/2 (Nibun no Ichi) — Innovative Japanese Cuisine in Ginza

1/2 (Nibun no Ichi) is a rare actual gem in the heart of Ginza. Hidden away on the B3 basement floor of Ginza Sony Park, this contemporary Japanese restaurant executes its original concept seamlessly.

Following the motto “A little less, so much more”, 1/2 (Nibun no Ichi) invites guests to savor smaller-sized meals with bursts of flavor. The smaller portions are an intentional choice by the restaurant, so that visitors will have room to enjoy the many, many other inviting eateries in the Ginza area.

While the choice of dishes changes depending on the time of day you pop in, there is always something to eat. The kitchen doesn’t close, unlike other restaurants that offer only lunch and dinner services.

Price range

All of the plates are priced at ¥1,650, which offers good value for money, especially when you consider you’d likely pay the same amount for just coffee and cake at a café. Even though you’re technically getting half a portion, the amount is still substantial. We were stuffed after two plates each.

Drinks are fairly priced as well, with soft drinks ranging from ¥600 to ¥900. Alcoholic options start from ¥750 and go up to ¥10,000 for a fancy bottle of wine.

Note: The Grand Menu is available from 11 a.m., while the Dinner Menu kicks in from 5 p.m.

How to make a reservation at 1/2 (Nibun no Ichi)

It’s not necessary to make a reservation, but you can do so online through TableCheck if you prefer.

You can customize your dining experience by choosing whether you’d like a high or low table. There’s also a private room available for reservations of 6 to 8 people. For parties of 9 or more, you’ll need to email at least 3 days before the desired reservation date.

Note: Only cashless payments (cards and payment apps) are accepted.

Food

The 1/2 concept isn’t just about portion sizes. It’s about sampling a variety of dishes and flavors to deepen one’s appreciation for different ingredients. Every plate contains two mini dishes, each a quarter of a standard portion.

Always offering 10 different options, the food menu is intended to change from time to time. Additionally, a special guest chef brings an original creation to the menu (the Guest Chef Plate). As of the time of writing, Sota Atsumi was the guest chef, serving up the Duck Hamburger Steak and Fried Oysters with Tartar Sauce.

Each dish has a creative and fun name. During our visit, we tasted A Garden of Classic and Modern, the delicious Uprising of The Classics, Katsu-Katsu Crossing (Jane’s favorite), À la Pissarro, and The Potato Project 2025 (Carey’s top pick). The menu strives to include at least one vegetarian option. For us it was À la Pissarro, a soy milk and soy meat gratin, with Napolitan and smoked king trumpet mushrooms.

While you wait for your meal, you can pore over the place mat, which comes with stories about the history of each dish and other interesting trivia.

Drinks

The drinks menu is just as captivating as the food menu. On the non-alcoholic side, you’ll find classics such as iced tea, coffee, apple juice, Coca-Cola, and even kombucha. However, the standout feature is the range of melon sodas.

Putting a twist on a Showa-era classic, you can try a melon cream soda topped with herbs or spice. The latter offers a flavor profile similar to a chai latte. Our editor thought it was the best soda float she’d ever had.

For those seeking something alcholic, there’s a well-curated selection of beer, whisky, sake, and shochu. Guests are also spoilt for choice when it comes to wine. It’s not just the usual red, white, and sparkling, but also orange wine — a rare find in Tokyo restaurants.

Ambience

Being part of Ginza Sony Park means that 1/2 (Nibun no Ichi) features a modern and minimalist interior. But the restaurant retains a casual and low-key ambience that visitors can enjoy at any time of day. The food is prepared in the middle of the restaurant, creating a sense of connection between the chefs and diners.

Our review of 1/2 (Nibun no Ichi)

Honestly, we were impressed.

Every dish was not only delicious, with perfectly balanced flavor profiles, but offered insights into the history of Japan’s most iconic meals. Additionally, the 1/2 concept not only helps control portion sizes, but reduces food waste.

Nibun no Ichi brings something new to Ginza’s crowded dining scene.

1/2 (Nibun no Ichi) is good for:

A light meal in central Ginza, in between shopping and sightseeing. It’s also a great spot for pre-dinner drinks. Nibun no Ichi will appeal to anyone wanting to try popular Japanese cuisine in a cool new way.

The restaurant lives up to its promise to bring “delicious delightful discoveries” and “international flavors” to each guest that steps through the door. Though it remains a hidden gem for now, it’s a secret worth sharing.

by Jane Pipkin