Sega's Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a remake of the original Yakuza 2 which was released on the PS2 way back in 2006. The story follows the series protagonist Kiryu Kazuma, a former Yakuza enforcer, who has settled down to a peaceful life raising his adopted daughter Haruka when the Tojo Clan chairman requests his help to prevent a gang war between the Tojo and the Omi Alliance. Kiryu reluctantly accepts and is drawn into a bloody struggle for power between gangs in Tokyo and Osaka. While it is a remake of the second game in the Yakuza series, Yakuza Kiwami 2 is officially the third game in the current timeline, taking place following the events of Yakuza 0 and Yakuza Kiwami.
Throughout the game, players will have a constant flow of EXP they can use to level up Kiryu's skills. Combat, completing missions and substories, and playing minigames can all add up to lots of EXP gains. However, when it comes to grinding for EXP, there is no better way than taking Kiryu to a restaurant and buying him a feast. Players should make sure to have plenty of money available and a stock of AppStim RX (an item that lowers Kiryu's hunger gauge) and should upgrade Kiryu's hunger gauge in the Life Skills menu. Once that's done, here are the best restaurants for quick EXP grinding meals.
9 Ikinari Steak (Kamurocho)
Located on Shichifuku Street in Kamurocho, Ikinari Steak is one of the best locations in the game to grind for Strength EXP, thanks to the low impact their food has on Kiryu's hunger gauge.
The "Solid Lineup" food combo - which consists of the Tenderloin Steak 200g, plus a Soup and Salad - will only fill half of Kiryu's hunger gauge even if it hasn't been upgraded. This combo will net players 75 Strength EXP, along with 7 Ability EXP, 10 Spirit EXP, and 5 Charm EXP, although it is advisable to double up on this order for maximum grinding efficiency. An upgraded hunger gauge that maxes out at 180 can also handle a pair of Ribeye Steak 300g orders, adding another 180 Strength EXP and 20 Spirit EXP.
8 Ringer Hut (Kamurocho)
Ringer Hut is a chain of restaurants located throughout Kamurocho. They boast a wide array of vegetable- and meat-based rice bowls and are a great place to grind for Ability and Technique EXP.
The "Voracious Vegetable Lover" Combo, which features a Vegetable Champion, a Vegetable Saraudon, and a Veggie-filled Soup, coupled with an order of Extra Beef Mazamen, will grant players 47 Strength EXP, 86 Ability EXP, and 79 Technique EXP while eating up a hunger gauge total of 95 points. Players with a hunger gauge maximum of 190 or higher can fit in a double order for twice the EXP totals, and those with a lower maximum can pop an AppStim RX in between meals for the same benefits.
7 Kanrai (Kamurocho)
Located on Shichifuku Street East, Kanrai is a yakiniku (or BBQ) restaurant serving a variety of grilled meats and vegetables. It's a great location for players trying to level up their Spirit.
Players may be tempted by the "Fundamental Kanrai" combo due to the tantalizing "grade-A" descriptions on each of the items it includes, but when it comes to EXP there is virtually no difference between the "grade-A" meats and the cheaper stuff. The "Yakiniku Staples" combo that includes Salted Beef Tongue, Kalbi, and Sirloin can net a total of 60 Strength EXP, 65 Ability EXP, 50 Spirit EXP, and 52 Technique EXP while taking an 80-point bite out of Kiryu's hunger gauge.
6 Sushi Zanmai (Kamurocho)
The best sushi in Kamurocho, Sushi Zanmai is a famous restaurant that is based on a real-life sushi restaurant of the same name. Its menu may be small, but it offers some great items for players grinding their Technique EXP.
While everything on the menu offers some amount of Technique EXP gain, the best option for players is to pick up the "Maguro Maniac" combo, which includes the Special Tuna Bowl and the Tuna Zanmai. Requiring just 50 points of hunger gauge, this combo will net players 30 Strength EXP, 60 Ability EXP, 30 Spirit EXP, and 66 Technique EXP, and won't cost too much to order twice.
5 Bantam (Kamurocho)
While restaurants are a great way to grind for most types of EXP, there is only one surefire way to gain a bunch of Charm EXP in Kamurocho, and that's by going to a bar. Originally called Baccus in Yakuza Kiwami, after a gang fight that resulted in several deaths took place here, it was renamed Bantam and opened under new management. The bar is located on East Millennium Tower Street.
There is only one combo available here, called the "30 Years to Perfection" combo, and it's the one that players should get. The Hibiki 30 Years old, Macallan 30 Years Old, and Ballantine's 30 Years Old will net a total of 20 Strength EXP, 25 Ability EXP, 25 Spirit EXP, 60 Technique EXP, and 70 Charm EXP while consuming just 15 hunger gauge points. Just be sure to bring a hangover cure.
4 Kani Douraku (Sotenbori)
Over in Sotenbori, restaurants often provide EXP for several types at once. It is, overall, the best place to level up more quickly, but it also costs more money. When it comes to Strength and Spirit EXP, the best spot is Kani Douraku, named after a real Japanese crab restaurant.
The "Craving Some Crab" combo is the way to go here. The Crab Amiyaki, Deep-fried Crab, and Crab Nigiri will reward players with 90 Strength EXP, 5 Ability EXP, 125 Spirit EXP, and 80 Charm EXP while only requiring 60 points out of Kiryu's hunger gauge. It's a great outcome, but it's worth going here just to check out the giant crab on their sign.
3 Smile Burger (Sotenbori)
Smile Burgers are located throughout Kamurocho and Sotenbori. They're the biggest burger chain in the game. However, they're also the best option for some quick and easy Ability EXP when players are wandering East Shofukucho Street.
The "Calorie Combo," which comes with a King Smile Burger, Smile Fries, and a Smile Salad, generates 30 Strength EXP, 26 Ability EXP, 30 Spirit EXP, 20 Technique EXP, and 16 Charm EXP in exchange for 60 points of hunger gauge. That may not seem like much, but what makes Smile Burger the best location for this type of grind is that their prices are dirt cheap. Bring some AppStim RX to quickly lower Kiryu's hunger gauge, and players can rack up EXP for very little cost with a visit to Smile Burger.
2 Zuboraya (Sotenbori)
Another location in Yakuza Kiwami 2 that's based on a real restaurant, Zuboraya is a restaurant in Osaka that specializes in pufferfish. While in the game it's called "globefish," the inspiration is nonetheless undeniable. As far as Spirit and Technique go, it's the best grinding restaurant in the game.
This is the first location where a combo isn't the best option. Instead, players should purchase two individual items: The Kotobuki Fugu Course and the Hotei's Natural Tecchiri Set. This will require 130 points of hunger gauge, so be sure to upgrade first, but it's worth it. In total, these two items will reward players with 20 Ability EXP, 150 Spirit EXP, 140 Technique EXP, and 120 Charm EXP. That's a great haul.
1 Ganko Sushi (Sotenbori)
One of the few weaknesses of the food at Zuboraya is the lack of Ability EXP it grants. For that, players will need to head to Ganko Sushi. Once again, ignoring the pre-made combos is the best route.
Instead, these two selections will provide a huge boost to Ability and Technique EXP. Players should purchase the Top-Grade Nigirizen and the Kaiseki Nishiki Course. Requiring just 90 points of hunger gauge, these two items grant 5 Strength EXP, 120 Ability EXP, 80 Spirit EXP, and 90 Technique EXP. It's not cheap, but combine it with a couple of AppStim RXs and players could walk away with a ton of EXP in just a few minutes.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 was released on December 7th, 2017, and is available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.