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Tokyo is an incredible dining destination. It has everything from Michelin Star restaurants to little hole-in-the-wall spots. The best part is that amazing food can be found just about anywhere and at any price range. You never know what you may stumble upon while wandering the city streets. With so many incredible food choices, it’s hard to decide how to make the most of your trip, especially if you have a limited amount of time. Continue reading for 8 incredible foods you must eat in Tokyo, Japan.
Foods You Must Eat in Tokyo:
1. Traditional Sushi
A trip to Tokyo isn’t complete without a traditional sushi experience. Tokyo is the world capital of sushi and not only is the fish some of the freshest that you’ll ever have, but many of the chefs spend years perfecting their skills. I recommend securing a reservation prior to your arrival. Reservations can be difficult for foreigners to obtain, but a hotel concierge may be able to assist. There are also services such as Voyagin and Pocket Concierge that allow you to make reservations online for a fee.
Upon landing in Tokyo, I called Kyubey (which came highly recommended) and was able to book a lunch reservation at one of their less busy locations. Ginza Kyubey was established in 1935 in Tokyo and has become one of the top sushi restaurants in Japan. You can expect high-quality food and amazing service. The whole experience was really special. Not only was the food delicious, but the amount of care put into preparing every piece of fish was really amazing to watch.
A traditional sushi experience should be at the top of your list of foods you must eat in Tokyo. It isn’t going to be cheap, but it is definitely worth the splurge. If you wish to save a little money, I suggest opting for a lunch reservation. The cost of the smallest lunch portion at Kyubey is 4,700 JPY; it was actually quite filling and I found the servings to be generous.
2. Tasty Tempura
Tempura, or tendon, is a traditional Japanese dish of vegetables, meat, or seafood that has been battered and fried. These items are usually served over rice and dipped in a special sauce, called Tetsuya. The batter is light, unlike the deep-fried items that are common in the United States. Tendon Tenya is a chain with locations throughout Tokyo and is a great spot for a cheap and delicious tempura meal.
I found the location in Harajuku to be convenient and the perfect place for a quick bite. The tempura at Tendon Tenya was some of the best I found during my trip and you really can’t beat the price. Some of my favorite items are the prawns and the pumpkin tempura. Dishes start at around 400 JPY and go up to 1000 JPY for a combo.
3. Visit a Food Hall
Many of Tokyo’s department stores have underground food halls. Visiting a food hall is a great way to sample some of Tokyo’s best cuisines without needing a reservation. My favorite, Tokyu Food Show, is conveniently located next to the famous Shibuya Crossing and can be found on the basement level of the Shibuya Station near the east exit. It was once part of the large Tokyu Department Store. The department store has since closed, but due to its popularity, its gourmet-style food court remains open.
Tokyu Food Show is one of the largest food halls in Tokyo, with over 85 vendors and a variety of cuisines from all over the world. You can find French pastries, Chinese dumplings, Indian curries, and of course, many amazing local Japanese bites. You won’t want to miss the unbelievable fresh sushi and delicious yakitori. Everything at Food Show is of high quality and many of the vendors are associated with restaurants in the area. The food here is intended for takeout, but there are a few small counters scattered about if you don’t mind standing.
4. Tokyo Street Food
You might be surprised to learn that street food in Tokyo can be somewhat of a challenge to find. It is definitely there, you just need to know where to look. Harajuku is a great area to explore. Along the main road, near Tokyu Plaza, you’ll find a handful of vendors mixed in among the shops. This area has more modern street food items. Here you will find multiple vendors serving the popular cheese dog, which is simply fried cheese on a stick, as well as many crepe stands.
Togoshi Ginza Shotengai is another great stop for food. It’s located in Shinagawa Ward and is the longest shopping street in Tokyo. The street becomes a walking street and is closed to traffic Monday through Saturday between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Sunday. The street is known for its korokke vendors. Korokke is a Japanese croquette or a breaded ball of potato or meat.
Nakamise Street is another shopping street that is popular for its food. Nakamise Dori leads up to the gate of Senso-Ji temple and is just a short walk from the Asakusa Station. The street is very touristy and is packed with souvenir shops, but the food makes it worth a visit. The food stalls offer all kinds of traditional Japanese street food. You’ll find everything from fresh dumplings, yakitori, mochi ice cream, and karaage (fried chicken).
5. Sweets on Takeshita Street
Takeshita Street is a shopping street located in the district of Harajuku, an area popular with Japanese youth. It’s one of my favorite areas in Tokyo. Harajuku is known for its artsy vibe, vintage shops, themed cafes, and cosplay stores. Along Takeshita Street, you will also find fun dessert shops.
Totti Candy Factory is one of the favorites among tourists. It’s known for its giant cotton candy and rainbow grilled cheese. Other must-visit shops include Marion Crepes and Eiwelt Gelato for cute animal-shaped ice cream cones.
6. Conveyor Belt Sushi
There are a handful of conveyor belt sushi restaurants around Tokyo, but one of the most visited and highly rated is Genki Sushi. Genki Sushi is located in the Shibuya area and is a quick walk from the train station. It’s a great place to take a break from sightseeing and enjoy some fresh sushi at a great price. Genki Sushi is very popular and can get busy during lunch and dinner hours.
On arrival, you’ll want to check in with the host and join the wait outside. A crowd can form and although it looks like a lot of people, the restaurant is run efficiently and the wait is not as long as one would think. Once your name is called, you’ll be given a seat at a counter with a touch-screen monitor to use for placing your order. The menu is available in a few different languages, including English, and you are allowed to select a few small plates at a time.
When your food is ready it is sent out on a belt that runs across the counter. As it is being sent out, your screen will light up, alerting you to which belt it will arrive on. The experience is a fun one, especially if it’s new to you. The food is delicious and you can enjoy a meal for under 1000 JPY.
7. Japanese Pancakes
There are a lot of cute cafes and brunch spots scattered throughout Tokyo, but I recommend going somewhere for Japanese pancakes. Tokyo is crazy about pancakes and there are numerous spots around the Shibuya and Harajuku areas. Flippers, one of the more popular restaurants, can have a wait of over an hour. What’s so special about pancakes, you ask? Japanese pancakes are made differently than those in the United States.
The egg whites are separated from the yolks, beaten until fluffy, and then folded back into the batter. Japanese pancakes are thick, souffle-like, and loaded with fresh whipped cream and fruit. They are amazing and absolutely worth the wait. If the brunch queue is too long, I suggest pancakes for dinner. Flippers is open until 8 pm. I arrived about an hour before closing and only had a ten-minute wait. You can also try Eggs n’ Things. They have a handful of locations around Tokyo, including one in Harajuku.
8. Omoide Yokocho
Omoide Yokocho is a maze of narrow alleyways located near the Shinjuku Station. Within the alleyways are tiny restaurants and open food stalls serving drinks and the most incredible yakitori. Omoide Yokocho roughly translates to Memory Lane. It is an area of older buildings and began as a black market in the days after World War II.
It was a dangerous area at the time, but people didn’t have a choice in going since that is where food and supplies were located. Today, Omoide Yokocho is a safe place to visit and the food stalls are fully licensed. Not only is the food terrific, but the people-watching is great as well.
Want more foods you must eat in Tokyo? I recommend checking out the Toyosu Fish Market or visiting an Udon restaurant. Looking for a fun place to have a drink? Visit Nonbei Yokocho or Golden Gai and have a Japanese whiskey or sake. Both areas are made up of narrow alleyways that are packed with tiny bars. Golden Gai is the larger of the two with over 200 bars located in six alleyways.
Where to Stay in Tokyo
Trunk Hotel
Trunk Hotel is a contemporary hotel with a great outdoor deck that serves as a co-working space during the day and hosts a cocktail bar at night. It’s located near Harajuku’s well-known shopping street, Cat Street, but is far enough away from the main road that it still provides some peace and quiet. The hotel is conveniently located to many of the top tourist attractions and the Shibuya crossing is just a ten-minute walk.
Hilton Tokyo
Hilton Tokyo is located in Shinjuku and is a favorite of many travelers. It has an underground walkway connecting it to the metro, which makes it easy to get around the city. The hotel has incredible views and its concierge can be helpful in securing reservations at some of the sushi restaurants around town.
Hotel Fukudaya
Hotel Fukudaya is the perfect place for those on a budget. The small hotel is tucked away from the hustle and bustle but still allows guests to easily explore Shibuya. It’s a short distance from the train station and provides guests with a traditional Japanese inn experience.
Have you been to Tokyo? Is something missing from this list of foods you must eat in Tokyo? If you’ve enjoyed this post, please leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. For more fun things to do in Tokyo, continue to my post, “Top Ten 10 Things to Do in Tokyo.”
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This guide is absolutely superb. Such detailed and comprehensive guide, it feels I am almost travelling along. Stunning pictures.
Thank you!