Where to Find the Best Foods to Try in Tokyo

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Tokyo is known for its diverse and delicious food culture, with a wide range of dishes and flavors to try. Here are some popular foods that you should consider trying during your visit to Tokyo:

Table of Contents

Sushi

Sushi is a popular dish in Japan and can be found all over Tokyo. Look for sushi restaurants that serve fresh, high-quality fish and ingredients.

There are many types of sushi that are popular in Japan, and the best type can depend on personal preference. Some popular types of sushi in Japan include:

Nigiri: This is a type of sushi made with a small ball of vinegared rice topped with a slice of raw fish or other seafood.
Maki: This is a type of sushi made with vinegared rice and other ingredients wrapped in seaweed. There are many types of maki, including hosomaki (thin roll), futomaki (thick roll), and uramaki (inside-out roll).
Sashimi: This is a type of sushi made with thin slices of raw fish or other seafood. It is often served with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.
Temaki: This is a type of sushi made with vinegared rice and other ingredients wrapped in a cone-shaped piece of seaweed. It is often served with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.
Chirashi: This is a type of sushi made with vinegared rice and a variety of raw fish and other ingredients, such as vegetables and eggs, arranged on top.

Ultimately, the best type of sushi is a matter of personal preference. It’s worth trying a few different types to see which ones you like best.

Ramen

Ramen is a type of Japanese noodle soup that is often served with a variety of toppings, such as pork, egg, and vegetables. There are many different styles of ramen to try, so be sure to explore and find a style that you enjoy.

Tokyo is known for its delicious and diverse range of ramen options, so it can be difficult to narrow down the best places to eat. Here are a few highly recommended ramen shops in Tokyo:

Tsuta – This Michelin-starred ramen shop is known for its unique shoyu (soy sauce) broth made with truffles and other high-quality ingredients. It has multiple locations in Tokyo, but be prepared to wait in line as it is very popular.
Rokurinsha – Located in Tokyo Station’s underground food court, this ramen shop is known for its thick, creamy tonkotsu (pork bone) broth and chewy noodles.
Afuri – This popular chain is known for its light, refreshing yuzu (citrus fruit) shio (salt) broth and handmade noodles.
Bassanova – This ramen shop in Asakusa is known for its rotating selection of unique and creative flavors, including a spicy tomato broth and a coconut curry broth.
Ichiran – This popular chain is known for its unique solo dining experience, where customers sit at individual stalls and order through a vending machine before being served their customized bowl of tonkotsu broth and thin noodles.

Keep in mind that these are just a few of the many amazing ramen shops in Tokyo, and there are plenty of other great options to choose from as well.

Tempura

Tempura is a type of Japanese dish in which ingredients are coated in a light, crispy batter and then deep-fried. Common ingredients for tempura include seafood, vegetables, and tofu.

Tokyo is known for its high-quality tempura, and there are many excellent restaurants that serve this dish. Here are a few recommendations for finding the best tempura in Tokyo:

Tempura Kondo: Located in the Ginza neighborhood, Tempura Kondo is considered one of the best tempura restaurants in Tokyo. It is known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients and skilled cooking techniques.
Tenkawa: This restaurant, located in the Nihonbashi neighborhood, is known for its traditional tempura made with a light batter and served with a variety of dipping sauces.
Tempura Fugetsu: Located in the Asakusa neighborhood, Tempura Fugetsu is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. It is known for its affordable prices and high-quality tempura made with fresh ingredients.
Tempura Endo: Located in the Roppongi neighborhood, Tempura Endo is a Michelin-starred restaurant that is considered one of the best tempura restaurants in Tokyo. It is known for its expertly prepared tempura and elegant atmosphere.

Keep in mind that these restaurants tend to be popular and may have long wait times, so it is a good idea to make a reservation in advance. You may also want to consider trying tempura at a more casual restaurant, as there are many excellent options available throughout the city.

Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu is a dish of breaded, deep-fried pork cutlets that are usually served with rice, shredded cabbage, and a variety of sauces.

There are many places in Tokyo where you can find good tonkatsu, a popular Japanese dish made with breaded and deep-fried pork cutlets. Here are a few recommendations for where to try tonkatsu in Tokyo:

Maisen: This well-known tonkatsu restaurant has several locations in Tokyo, and is known for using high-quality ingredients and carefully preparing each dish. They offer a variety of tonkatsu options, including a classic tonkatsu made with pork loin and a kurobuta (heritage breed) tonkatsu made with pork shoulder.
Saboten: This chain of tonkatsu restaurants is known for its crispy and flavorful tonkatsu, made with carefully selected pork and a special breading recipe. They offer a variety of tonkatsu options, including a classic tonkatsu and a premium kurobuta tonkatsu.
Tonki: This popular tonkatsu restaurant has been serving up delicious fried pork cutlets for over 70 years. They use specially-bred pork and a secret tonkatsu sauce to create their signature dish.
Tonta: This tonkatsu restaurant is known for its flavorful and juicy tonkatsu, made with high-quality pork and a special breading technique. They offer a variety of tonkatsu options, including a classic tonkatsu and a kurobuta tonkatsu made with pork from heritage breeds.

Overall, it’s worth trying a few different tonkatsu restaurants to find the one that you like best. Many tonkatsu restaurants offer set meals that include tonkatsu, rice, and sides, making it a convenient and satisfying meal option.

Yakitori

Yakitori is grilled chicken skewers that are often served at small, casual bars and restaurants. The chicken is marinated in a sweet soy-based sauce and grilled over a charcoal fire.

Yakitori, or grilled chicken skewers, is a popular dish in Tokyo and can be found at many izakaya (Japanese pubs) and yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurants throughout the city. Here are a few recommendations for places to try:

Torishin: Located in the trendy Roppongi neighborhood, Torishin is known for its high-quality chicken skewers, which are grilled over binchotan charcoal.
Yakitori Totto: This popular chain has several locations in Tokyo, and is known for its flavorful chicken skewers and relaxed, casual atmosphere.
Yakitori Imai: Located in the Asakusa neighborhood, Yakitori Imai is a traditional izakaya that serves a wide variety of yakitori dishes.
Sumibi Yakiniku Bincho: This yakiniku restaurant in the Shibuya neighborhood serves excellent grilled meat, including chicken skewers.
Torikizoku: With over 100 locations throughout Japan, Torikizoku is a popular chain that serves affordable yakitori and other grilled dishes.

Keep in mind that many yakitori restaurants in Tokyo are small and may not accept reservations, so it’s a good idea to go early to avoid waiting for a table.

Soba

Soba, or thin Japanese noodles made from buckwheat flour, is a popular dish in Tokyo and can be found at many restaurants and street vendors throughout the city. Here are a few tips for finding good soba in Tokyo:

Look for restaurants that specialize in soba: Many restaurants in Tokyo specialize in soba and have a variety of dishes on their menu. These restaurants often use high-quality ingredients and have a strong focus on traditional techniques, so they can be a good choice for finding good soba.
Check out soba street vendors: Soba street vendors, known as “soba-ya,” can be found in various areas of the city, including Asakusa and the Yanaka neighborhood. These vendors often have a small menu of soba dishes, and the noodles are often made fresh on-site.
Ask for recommendations: If you’re not sure where to find good soba, consider asking locals or hotel staff for recommendations. They may be able to point you towards some of the best soba restaurants or vendors in the area.
Look for restaurants with long lines: In Tokyo, it’s often the case that the best restaurants are the ones with the longest lines. If you see a restaurant with a long line of people waiting to get in, it’s a good indication that the food is worth trying.

Overall, the key to finding good soba in Tokyo is to be adventurous and try out a few different places. With a bit of exploration, you’re sure to find some delicious soba noodles!

Udon

Tokyo is known for its excellent udon noodles, and you can find many delicious udon dishes throughout the city. Here are a few recommendations for places to try udon in Tokyo:

Sanuki Udon Noodle House: This popular chain serves udon noodles from the Kagawa prefecture, known for its high-quality wheat and delicious udon noodles.
Marugen Udon Noodle Shop: This small, family-run udon shop in the Asakusa neighborhood has been serving up delicious udon noodles for over 80 years.
Tsurutontan Udon Noodle Shop: This trendy udon shop serves a variety of creative udon dishes, including tempura udon and spicy udon.
Ippudo: This popular chain serves Hakata-style udon noodles, made with a thin, chewy noodle and a rich, flavorful broth.
Fuunji: This popular ramen shop also serves some of the best udon noodles in Tokyo. Be prepared to wait in line, as it is always packed with diners.

There are many other great udon shops in Tokyo, so don’t be afraid to explore and try some different places. Enjoy your udon-hunting in Tokyo!

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a popular Japanese dish made with a variety of ingredients, including vegetables, meat, seafood, and noodles, and cooked on a griddle. It is typically topped with a variety of condiments, such as okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and dried bonito flakes.

There are many places to find good okonomiyaki in Tokyo. Some popular restaurants include:

Kiji: Located in the Asakusa neighborhood, Kiji is known for its delicious okonomiyaki, which is made with fresh ingredients and cooked on a traditional griddle.
Mangekyou: Located in the trendy neighborhood of Shibuya, Mangekyou is a popular spot for okonomiyaki, as well as other Japanese dishes like yakiniku and tonkatsu.
Okonomiyaki Kiji: Located in the bustling neighborhood of Shinjuku, Okonomiyaki Kiji is a popular spot for okonomiyaki and other Japanese dishes. The restaurant has a lively atmosphere and a wide selection of ingredients to choose from.
Okonomiyaki Takahashi: Located in the Nippori neighborhood, Okonomiyaki Takahashi is a popular spot for okonomiyaki and other Japanese dishes. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and a wide selection of ingredients to choose from.
Oki-chan: Located in the bustling neighborhood of Ikebukuro, Oki-chan is a popular spot for okonomiyaki and other Japanese dishes. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and a wide selection of ingredients to choose from.

It is also worth noting that many okonomiyaki restaurants in Tokyo offer a “DIY” style of dining, where customers can choose their own ingredients and cook the okonomiyaki themselves on a griddle at their table. This can be a fun and interactive way to experience the dish.

Shabu-shabu

Shabu-shabu is a popular Japanese hot pot dish that consists of thinly sliced meats and vegetables cooked in a pot of broth at the table. If you’re looking for good shabu-shabu in Tokyo, here are a few recommendations:

Ishii Shabu-Shabu: This is a high-end shabu-shabu restaurant located in Ginza that serves premium Japanese beef and seafood.
Shabuzen: This chain of shabu-shabu restaurants is known for its affordable prices and variety of broth options.
Yakiniku Like: This is a yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurant that also serves shabu-shabu. They offer a wide selection of meats and vegetables, as well as a variety of broth flavors.
Kappo Hirano: This is a traditional Japanese restaurant that serves shabu-shabu as well as other dishes. It’s located in the upscale neighborhood of Hiroo and is known for its high-quality ingredients and excellent service.
Kagurazaka Ishikawa: This is a Michelin-starred restaurant that specializes in shabu-shabu and sukiyaki (a similar hot pot dish). It’s located in the upscale neighborhood of Kagurazaka and is known for its elegant atmosphere and delicious food.

These are just a few suggestions, and there are many other great shabu-shabu restaurants to be found in Tokyo. You can also ask locals or check online reviews to find more recommendations.

These are just a few of the many delicious foods that you can try in Tokyo. Be sure to explore and try as many different dishes as you can during your visit!