Tokyo is a food lover’s paradise, with everything from sushi conveyor belts to cozy ramen spots and irresistible street food. Whether you’re exploring the city’s bustling streets or craving a quick bite on the go, Tokyo has something delicious waiting for you. So, grab your chopsticks and let’s explore where to eat in Tokyo. From the best restaurants to street food stalls, we’ve got you covered.
Where to eat in Tokyo: restaurant recommendations
KINKA Sushi Bar Izakaya
Our trip to Japan included many sushi adventures, but none topped our unforgettable experience at KINKA Sushi Bar Izakaya in Roppongi. Their weekend lunch offers this incredible mosaic sushi set that blew our minds. It’s like nothing we’ve ever tasted before! You get 16 pieces of blow-torched sushi with shrimp, mackerel, salmon, and conger eel, all incredibly delicious. The set, along with miso soup and 2 small dishes, costs 1,790 yen, which is about € 10.
We chose to sit at the counter to watch the chef work his magic. It was really fun to see everything that’s happening behind the scenes! And since we were sitting at the bar, we also tried sake for the first time of course. We ordered two sakes, both fruity and sweet versions. Though still strong, we surprisingly enjoyed it. Lastly, make sure to book ahead if you plan to visit on a weekend since it can get quite busy. Trust us, you definitely don’t want to miss out on this place! Reservations can be made through their website.
Tokichiro
If you’re wondering where to eat in Tokyo, look no further than Tokichiro! We both agree that we had the best ramen of our Japan trip at this spot. Although it’s a small place, we got lucky and found seats right away when we visited at 2 PM. Sitting at the counter, we watched the chef preparing our meal. The menu is simple with just four options, and you can choose your spice level for some of the dishes. We tried the premium and rich noodles, both bursting with flavor and warmth. The broth is so complex with all the flavors fitting so well together, we still dream about this place. Just a heads up, there aren’t any vegetarian options, but you can ask for your ramen without meat (though the broth is still made of meat).
Imari Okonomiyaki Ebisu
We stumbled upon a hidden gem in Tokyo called Imari Okonomiyaki Ebisu, and it’s a must-visit for okonomiyaki lovers! We visited on a busy Saturday night and were surrounded by locals, such an authentic experience. With no English menu and limited English spoken, we embraced the challenge and sat at the bar to watch the chef preparing our dishes. Kelvin enjoyed a wagyu and asparagus appetizer, but the real star of the evening was the kimchi okonomiyaki. It was a heavenly combination! If you want a cozy dinner spot with amazing food, this is the place to go. Also, the staff here are super friendly! They greet you when you come in and leave, and they don’t shy away from a little small talk (although be prepared to use Google Translate… a lot). We absolutely love this cozy restaurant!
Kura Sushi
If you’re looking for a fun and affordable dining experience, conveyor belt sushi is the way to go. And Kura Sushi stands out as the absolute best in town! Let’s break down the concept: sushi plates move along a conveyor belt, and you pick what you want from the belt, or order via a tablet. No waiters, just you and your choices, with the bill calculated by plate count. Cool, right?
Now, our experience at Kura Sushi was fantastic. The interior is modern and stylish, with a choice of counter seats or cozy booths. We opted for a booth and started ordering straight away. We tried about 15 plates, from fatty tuna to shrimp tempura and unagi, all incredibly fresh and tasty. Plus, most plates are around 150 yen (about € 0,90), a real bargain! We visited the flagship store in Asakusa, and although we reserved ahead, walk-ins seemed just as welcome.
Fun fact
When we were there, you could opt-in for the Kura Sushi mini game. For every five plates you eat (and insert in the slot), you get a chance at winning a capsule toy. When we visited, we didn’t win anything but we hope we do so in the near future!
Ichiran
This spot isn’t exactly a hidden gem, but we wanted to share it because we loved it! Ichiran was the first ramen spot we ever visited, and what an experience it was. Their menu is straightforward: they offer one type of ramen that you can customize to your liking. You can choose your spice level, garlic amount, noodle texture, and more. You have the option to sit at a table or the counter, although at the counter you get seated at individual tables! Eating without interruptions was a nice change. 😂
The downside is that wait times can be long. We suggest going between lunch and dinner to avoid long waits. Waiting for 2 hours isn’t worth it, but arriving around 3 PM means you’ll likely wait just a few minutes for your ramen! At 980 yen per bowl (about € 6), it’s also budget-friendly.
Benizuru
You can’t miss out on fluffy pancakes when in Japan! We tried Benizuru and were blown away by their pancakes. They offer about 6 varieties, both sweet and savory. Kelvin tried the chocolate and roasted nut banana, while Thysia opted for fresh berries and cream cheese with 3 types of gelato. Both were delicious, but the berries and cream cheese stood out with its unique flavors! Also, you can add toppings (custard, fresh fruit, hollandaise sauce,…) to whatever pancake dish you order. We’ll definitely do this next time we visit Benizuru!
Good to know
Since it’s a popular spot, you’ll need a reservation. They only take reservations for the same day, starting at 8 AM for their 10 AM opening. We arrived at 7:45 AM on a Monday and were able to reserve a table easily. If you’re staying nearby, it’s very convenient. Otherwise, plan to visit Benizuru on a day you’re exploring Asakusa. Reserve your table, explore, and finish with delicious pancakes!
Where to eat in Tokyo: street food recommendations
Asakusa Unana
Asakusa Unana is a small food stall where they make amazing unagi yaki onigiri, grilled rice balls topped with eel. You can even spice it up if you like. The eel was super tasty with its soy-based sweet sauce, although we found the rice a bit too dry for our taste. It’s still a great grab-and-go snack for just 600 yen (around € 3,50). You simply order at the counter and receive a ticket with a designated time for your meal. Our wait was just 10 minutes, which we found quite reasonable!
Asakusa Seisakusho
Asakusa Seisakusho is all about their tempura chips, made by flattening tempura with a high-pressure press machine. It’s a delightful snack! You can choose your type of tempura, and they prepare it right in front of you. They even let you press the button to flatten it yourself, which adds a nice touch to the experience. We tried the pumpkin flavor and loved it, but we’re eyeing the classic shrimp for next time! Adding some salt, like the wasabi salt we tried, enhances the flavor even more. Our pumpkin tempura chips cost 300 yen (around € 2), but we realized afterward that we should’ve ordered one each instead of sharing. We finished it in no time!
Tokyo Curry Pan
Kelvin tried tons of curry breads across Japan, but none matched the one at Tokyo Curry Pan! The secret? Its amazing truffle and cheese flavor that shines in every bite. It’s also a great introduction into the Japanese curry flavor, as it’s completely different from all the other curries (Thai, Indian, …) we tried. Trust us, you’ve got to taste it to believe it! We paid 500 yen, roughly € 3, for this delicious snack.
Imo Pippi
Let’s dive into some desserts! Our top pick is the baked sweet potato brulee from Imo Pippi. Imagine biting into a sweet potato filled with creamy brulee – sounds amazing, right? And trust us, it tastes even better! If brulee isn’t your jam, they also offer options like sweet potato with honey butter or topped with ice cream. Each treat is priced at 750 yen, around € 4,50. For the price you’re paying and for how filling it is, we think it’s a pretty sweet (😉) deal. Keep in mind, though, this spot specializes in sweet potato snacks, so if that’s not your thing, you might want to explore other options.
Asakusa Strawberry Daifuku
Strawberry daifuku is a sweet treat you simply must try in Japan! It’s a delicious snack made of mochi (a type of rice cake), usually filled with red bean paste and a juicy fresh strawberry inside. At Asakusa Strawberry Daifuku, you can enjoy various flavors for only 550 yen (around € 3) per piece!
Can
And don’t forget about strawberry tanghulu! These sugar-coated strawberries are a delightful mix of crunchy and juicy. The ones at Can even come with edible gold leaf, making them extra special. We enjoyed a skewer with four strawberries for 650 yen (almost € 4). Not too bad, considering you’re literally eating gold. 😉
Looking for more Japan inspiration?
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12 amazing things to do in Kyoto
