Tokyo offers an incredible culinary experience. Imagine bustling streets lined with tiny eateries selling delicious-smelling ramen, Michelin-starred restaurants tucked down quiet lanes, and department store food halls filled to the brim with creatively prepared dishes and colorful bento boxes. From casual yakitori grills where people gather over skewers and beer to classy sushi restaurants where skilled chefs prepare delectable delicacies, Tokyo has something to offer everyone’s taste and budget. For every kind of diner, from seasoned foodies to adventurous eaters, Tokyo provides a distinctive culinary experience.
Alex spent months researching Tokyo’s cuisine before organizing this trip. He perused many websites featuring a combination of flattering testimonials and mouthwatering images. All of our fantastic discoveries, as well as those we were unable to visit, are listed in our travel guide. We’ll have to return! We go in depth on how to get into these spots, what to order and their locations.
Tokyo, however, doesn’t stop there. With its outrageously themed cafes, it completely reverses the norm. Imagine having coffee in an owl-filled setting or eating at a robot restaurant that looks straight out of a science fiction film.
And the themed restaurants are quite something. They also have maid cafe’s in Akihabara, which is exactly how it sounds, and a Pokemon Cafe! Not to forget their bar scene with bars themed like spaceships or the movie Kill Bill!
Here is a list of food you cannot pass up while in Tokyo.
Tokyo’s undeniable champion is Ramen. Discover the regional differences, such as the light and delicious shoyu ramen of Kanto and the thick and creamy tonkotsu broth of Kyushu. Ikebukuro and Shinagawa are popular neighborhoods.
Sushi and Sashimi: Nothing beats freshness! Enjoy delicious nigiri or a gorgeously arranged sashimi dish. Even though it’s not the original location, Tsukiji Outer Market is a wonderful place to start.
Tempura: Lightly battered and deep-fried fish and vegetables with an ideal texture balance. Ginza is renowned for its upscale tempura eateries.
Yakitori: The epitome of grilled and skewered chicken. Enjoy the assortment of meats and inventive skewers! Visit yakitori havens like Omoide Yokocho (Shinjuku) or Yatai-bashi (Shinjuku), which have colorful lanes.
Monjayaki and Okonomiyaki: savory pancakes! Tailor your okonomiyaki at a Dogenzaka (Shibuya) teppanyaki restaurant with your preferred toppings. Try monjayaki, a more runny variant that’s popular in Tsukishima, for the daring.
Here are some tips for getting the best food experience.
Try Variation: Don’t limit yourself to “tourist food.” Go exploring and find the best local spots, which are frequently hidden down small lanes.
Adhere to the mob: Is there a queue forming outside the door? It’s most likely going to be good! Hidden treasures are sometimes indicated by long lines at tiny restaurants with standing room only or ramen shops.
Sample the Vending Machines: A lot of eateries, particularly ramen establishments, accept orders through vending machines. Don’t be afraid; your choice is typically guided by the photos.
Cash is King: Although credit cards are increasingly accepted, many smaller eateries still only accept cash, so be ready.
Experiment with “Omakase” and allow the cook to surprise you! In upscale sushi restaurants, this option lets the chef showcase their best creations of the season.
Never Be Afraid to Try New Things: Tokyo has everything to satisfy every taste. Try new foods and have some adventure!
Tokyo offers a diverse range of gastronomic experiences in every district, making its food scene a huge metropolis unto itself. Here are some places you really should go to entice your taste buds:
1. Shinjuku: At Yatai-bashi, immerse yourself in the yakitori scene. There are small kiosks all along this short alleyway, grilling a diverse range of skewered chicken parts, vegetables, even offal (for the adventurous!). To balance the smokey aromas, don’t pass up sampling a glass of crisp hoppy (Japanese craft beer).
2. Shibuya: Visit Genki Sushi in Dogenzaka for the best comfort food around. This spot offers colorful platters of expertly cooked nigiri and sashimi on a fascinating conveyor belt system. Remember to sample the delicious, decadent toro (fatty tuna)—a real treat!
3. Ginza: Visit Ginza to sample the best of exquisite dining in Japan. A Michelin-starred hideaway, Sushi Saito provides an unmatched omakase (chef’s choice) sushi experience. Watch the chefs create bite-sized masterpieces with seasonal foods, demonstrating their precise artistic skill.
4. The Tsukiji Outer Market is still a bustling place to get fresh seafood, even if the primary Tsukiji market has moved. Savor a hot bowl of seafood donburi (rice bowl) at Sushizanmai, a well-liked market stand noted for its hearty fare and vibrant ambiance.
5. Harajuku: Taste both the savory and the sweet dishes there. Stop by Marion Crepes on Takeshita Street for a picture-perfect crepe while you’re out shopping. Pick from an incredible selection of savory and sweet fillings, or make your own unique creation! Grab a taiyaki (fish-shaped pastry) filled with sweet red bean paste or custard from a street seller if you’re feeling more daring.
6. Dogenzaka (Shibuya): Okonomiyaki Doron is the place to unleash your inner chef. You may create your own delectable okonomiyaki pancake at this teppanyaki. Select from a range of options, including meat, fish, and veggies, and then watch as the chefs expertly prepare them in front of you on a scorching hot plate.
7. Omoide Yokocho (Shinjuku): Take a trip down memory lane in this quaint passageway, dubbed “Nightime Alley.” Omoide Yokocho is a nostalgic experience with small, family-run izakayas that serve mouthwatering gyoza (dumplings) and classic Japanese comfort food like yakitori and oden (a hotpot dish). Anticipate a lively, crowded environment ideal for experiencing the local way of life.
This is only a hint of the amazing food experiences Tokyo has to offer. If you want to see more specific restaurants and shops we visited, check out our travel guide. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch and set up an appointment if you have any questions or need assistance with travel arrangements. We would be delighted to make your upcoming journey as remarkable as ours was!
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