✦ On the radar

Aroceria La Panza

アロセリア ラ パンサ

Tokyo Core · restaurant

Aroceria La Panza is the Spanish restaurant Spain itself recognizes — eight consecutive Michelin years, official endorsement from the Spanish government as authentic regional Spanish cuisine in Tokyo. The signature is paella as a concept-shifter: rice with a charred bottom that recasts what a paella can be. ¥11,000 special course, reservations a few weeks out.

As seen on Instagram

How to visit

Address
1-15-8 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Ginza Yo Building 1F) (東京都中央区銀座1-15-8 銀座耀ビル 1F)
Hours
Tue-Sat 18:00-23:00
Price
$$$$
English (?)
Limited
Reservations
Required

What makes it special

Tokyo has a lot of Spanish bars but very few legitimate Spanish restaurants. La Panza is the legitimacy benchmark — Michelin-tracked for eight years and explicitly endorsed by the Spanish government’s culinary recognition program. The owner-chef trained in Bilbao and the kitchen is built around regional Spanish techniques rather than Tokyo-style fusion.

The ¥11,000 seasonal course is the standard route for a first visit — it includes the Iberico ham platter, Basque-style fish soup, an oyster a la plancha course, and the signature seafood paella with a properly developed socarrat crust.

How to visit

Two minutes from Ginza-Itchome station’s exit (Yurakucho line). The Ginza Yo Building is on the main avenue; the restaurant is on the ground floor. Reservations several weeks ahead for weekends.

FAQ

FAQ

Why eight Michelin years?

La Panza has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand or 1-star recommendation continuously since 2018. The kitchen is one of two in Tokyo officially recognized by the Spanish government as authentic regional Spanish cuisine.

What's the order?

The ¥11,000 seasonal course (10-12 dishes including Iberico ham, Basque-style fish soup, oyster a la plancha, and the signature paella) is the standard order. À la carte is also available.

Is the paella really 'concept-shifting'?

The chef's paellas are built around the socarrat — the caramelized rice crust at the bottom of the pan. It's the part most paella restaurants treat as a side note; here it's the whole point. The seafood paella delivers visibly more depth than typical Tokyo Spanish.