Tasting Polish Cuisine at Tokyo’s Ani Mru Mru
The new restaurant offers Polish fine-dining in Japan’s capital.
Cover photo: Posing outside Polish fine-dining restaurant Ani Mru Mru in Chiyoda City, Tokyo, Japan (2025). Photo by Danny With Love.
A Taste of Poland in Japan
If you’re searching for authentic Polish food in Tokyo, look no further than Ani Mru Mru, Japan’s newest Polish restaurant. On my recent visit to Tokyo, I stopped by this fine-dining spot for lunch and it was the highlight of my trip!
After four years living in Japan, I’ve grown increasingly homesick for my motherland, Poland. While I’ve visited Max1921 in Kyoto and Ponchikiya in Tokyo, Polish cuisine is still rare here, so I was delighted to find Ani Mru Mru.
About Ani Mru Mru
Opened in October 2024, Ani Mru Mru is a contemporary Polish fine dining restaurant led by head chef Tomasz Tatarynowicz. Originally from Poland’s old capital Kraków, Tatarynowicz trained at Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe before bringing his modern approach to Polish cuisine to Japan.
In Polish, Ani Mru Mru translates to “not even a purr,” evoking the comforting scene of a content cat. Staff told me the restaurant has already become a favorite of Polish diplomats and has hosted several international events.
Polish Culture and Soft Power in Japan
Interest in Polish culture has been steadily growing in Japan. The award-winning Poland Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka was widely-praised, earning a mention from The New York Times. Kyoto’s National Museum of Modern Art also recently presented Young Poland: Polish Art 1890-1918, a government-supported exhibition.
During my meal at Ani Mru Mru, a nearby group of Japanese women explained they came because of their love for Frédéric Chopin, reflecting Japan’s longstanding admiration for the late composer. They patiently practiced Polish words like dziękuję (“thank you”) and przepyszne (“delicious”), adding to the warm atmosphere.
From Chopin and Copernicus to Tamara de Lempicka and Maria Skłodowska-Curie, Poland’s cultural influence is rich and I hope to share more of it with my students during my time in Japan.
Ani Mru Mru Review
I made a lunch reservation online, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. Poland is home to many regional cuisines, so I came with an open mind.
When I spotted the Polish flag outside, I knew I had found the right place. I was welcomed in by an exceptionally handsome Polish-Japanese staff member who spoke with me in a mix of English, Japanese, and Polish.
The restaurant’s interior is stark white but smartly decorated with Polish accents, including graphic posters and vintage photos. Soft Polish folk music played in the background. I felt transported.
My first dish was zupa grzybowa, a mushroom soup served with sour cream. It immediately reminded me of my father’s cooking — he adds sour cream to every soup. The flavor was so rich and intense. I found myself craving more.
For the main course, staff recommended the kartacz z jagnięciną, a potato dumpling stuffed with young lamb. It was divine: tender, flavorful, and perfectly complemented by dill, pomegranate, sunchoke, and a horseradish sauce reminiscent of wasabi. I can’t remember the last time I ate lamb — another favorite in my household. While it’s rare in Japan, staff told me ingredients are sourced locally.
To finish, I enjoyed a cup of tea with ciasto marchewkowe. The decadent carrot cake combined roasted walnuts, caramel, and mascarpone. The portion was so generous. By the end, I felt full and content like a cat basking in afternoon sun.
With a bottle of water, the lunch course cost around 5500 yen, approximately 35 USD or 140 PLN. It’s a very reasonable price for fine dining in Tokyo, especially considering the quality and creativity of the dishes. Note: dinner prices start from 13,000 yen, about 85 USD or 305 PLN.
Ani Mru Mru is a place I want to return to again and again. While I encourage visitors to sample local Japanese cuisine, Ani Mru Mru is well worth a visit thanks to its unique offerings and authentic Polish experience.
Ani Mru Mru Reservations & Christmas Wigilia
Lunch reservations are recommended but not necessary. Dinner reservations are required. Reservations can be made via TableCheck or by direct message on Instagram. Staff told me the menu changes seasonally, every few months.
Ani Mru Mru also hosts an annual Wigilia, a traditional Polish Christmas dinner. They are currently accepting reservations for this year’s feast, on Thursday, December 18th. It’s a unique way to celebrate Christmas in Tokyo.
Ani Mru Mru Access
Ani Mru Mru is located in Chiyoda City, near Akasaka. The nearest metro stations are Nagatacho Station (Hanzomon Line, Namboku Line, Yurakucho Line) and Akasaka-Mitsuke Station (Ginza Line and Marunouchi Line).
Ani Mru Mru Frequently Asked Questions
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No, but it’s one of few options in Tokyo and an excellent choice for fine-dining.
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Lunch courses are priced at 4,500 yen and dinner prices start from 13,000 yen per person, excluding tax.
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Lunch reservations are recommended but not necessary. Dinner reservations are required.
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In Chiyoda City, near Nagatacho and Akasaka-Mitsuke Stations.
