Articles Things To Do in Japan

Tokyo Japan Food Guide

2018.09.16 / Last modified at 2024.10.04

There are many exciting ways to enjoy your travel to Tokyo, such as visiting the food attractions. So if you are a food lover and you’re looking for a list of food to try in Japan, you’ve got the right place. This Tokyo, Japan food guide will help you discover some Japanese dishes that are famous around the world.

Also, we provide you names of different restaurants and food shops around the bustling Tokyo city.

Sushi

If you want to visit Tokyo, you should not miss the famous traditional Japanese dish. You can find thousands of restaurants around Tokyo, and you will be delighted by its excellent taste. But let’s find out first when did sushi become popular?

According to history, the Japanese businessmen introduced sushi to their American colleagues, since then it became famous around the world. Sushi literally means “sour-tasting.” It is made of vinegared rice and topped with other ingredients, which may or may not include fish.

There are 100 different kinds of sushi that emerged from the five main types. I’ll show you below the five main types of Sushi.

Maki

Maki contains vinegared rice with various fillings include raw seafood and vegetable wrapped in seaweed.

Temaki

It is also known as hand-rolled Sushi, which literally means you used your hand to roll the Sushi. It is made of rice, fillings called neta that are wrapped with cone-shaped seaweed.

Uramaki

Cylindrical shape sushi that the rice is on the outside and seaweed wraps around the filling.

Sashimi

It consists of Fish or shellfish alone without rice and is often eaten with soy sauce.

Nigiri

A kind of sushi popularized in Tokyo made with a small oblong brick of sticky white rice topped with raw fish.

Sushi Restaurant

Yamazaki
Address: 5-2-1 Tsukiji | Tsukiji Market Building 6, Chuo 104-0045, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel. no.: 00 81 3-3541-1105
Website:sushi-yamazaki.com
Sushiryori Inose
Address: 2-20-2 Higashigotanda | 1f, Shinagawa, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel. no.: 00 81 3-3443-1719
Website: sushiryoriinose.food-pi.com
Sushi Yoshitaki
Address: 8-7-19 Ginza | 3F Suzuryu Building, Chuo 104-0061, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel no.: 00 81 3-6253-7331
Website: sushi-yoshitake.com

Tips On How to Eat Sushi

Wasabi is always in between the rice and fish.
It doesn’t matter if you want to use a chopstick or your finger.
Normally, people take wasabi and deep in the soy sauce. But the traditional way is to take a piece of sashimi dip it in the soy sauce, then put wasabi in the middle of the fish and dip a little soy sauce.
To eat Nigiri sushi, make a half-turn, then take it using the chopstick and put soy sauce on the fish side. Careful not to dip soy sauce on the rice, only on the fish.
Don’t forget to eat a piece of ginger to clean your palate before eating another sushi.
Sushiro, dip a little soy sauce on the rice

Yakitori

Yakitori is a grilled chicken on skewers. It is using either salt or tare sauce to season. There are many Japanese, as well as tourists like this delicious and inexpensive food. That is why Yakitori became famous in Tokyo. It can be best served in the restaurants, but can surely enjoy eating this food as well in pubs and food stands.

Types of Yakitori:

Mune (chicken breast)
Kawa (chicken skin)
Seseri (chicken neck)
Kanmuri (chicken comb)
Bonjiri (chicken tail)
Torinegi (chicken and leek)
Tebasaki (chicken wing tip)
Tebamoto (chicken wing shoulder)
Reba (liver)
Tsukune (chicken meatball)

Yakitori Restaurant

Kushiyaki Bistro Fukumimi Shibuya

Address: 2-25-17 Dogenzaka | Kojima Bldg. B1F, Shibuya 150-0043, Tokyo

Tel. no.: +81 3-3461-2911

Website: fukumimi-shibuya.com

Oedo Ayatori

Address: 1-18-9 Kabukicho | 6F WaMall Kabukicho, Shinjuku 160-0021, Tokyo Prefecture

Tel. no.: 00 81 50-5272-1052

Email: oedo-ayatori.tokyo

Oedo Ayatori

Address: 1-18-9 Kabukicho | 6F WaMall Kabukicho, Shinjuku 160-0021, Tokyo Prefecture

Tel. no.: 00 81 50-5272-1052

Email: oedo-ayatori.tokyo

Ramen

Ramen is the Japanese adaptation of Chinese wheat noodles which sometimes serve with meat or fish-based broth, seasoned and flavored with any number of toppings. There are thousands of restaurants in Tokyo alone.

For some tourists, eating the best ramen is the highlight of their trip. To know the best Ramen in the city, let’s consider first its four classes. So, what are those? Please check below.

The Four Classes of Ramen

Shoyu Ramen (Soy sauce-based)
Miso Ramen (Soybean-based)
Tonkotsu Ramen (Pork bone-based)
Shio Ramen (Salt-based)

Ramen Restaurant

Ramen
T’s Tantan Tokyo Station
Address: 1-9-1 Marunouchi | Keiyo Street, Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel no.: 00 81 3-3218-8040
Website: ts-restaurant.jp
Ippudo Roppongi
Address: 4-9-11 Roppongi | 1F No.2 Odagiri Bldg., Minato 106-0032, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel.no.: 00 81 3-5775-7561
Website: ippudo.com
Ichiran, Shibuya
Address: 1-22-7 Jinnan | Iwamoto Bldg. B1F, Shibuya 150-0041, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel.no.: 00 81 3-3463-3667
Website: ichiran.co.jp

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is one of the must-try foods when you visit Tokyo. It is also known as Japanese savory pancakes. The meaning of the word “Okonomi” means grilled or cooked and “Yaki” means what you want or what you like.

The typical version of Okonomiyaki consists of shredded cabbage and a batter, which often serves as snacks for children at home. But nowadays, it is best enjoyed at street food stands and in the restaurants in Tokyo. There are two general styles of Okonomiyaki, such as the following.

Osaka/Kansai-style

The preparation of this version is similar to the pancake, mixing the batter and the other ingredients and fry.

Hiroshima-style

The preparation of this version of Okonomiyaki is layering the ingredients rather than mixing.

Okonomiyaki Restaurant

Asakusa Okonomiyaki Sometaro
Address: 2-2-2 Nishiasakusa, Taito 111-0035, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel.no.: 00 81 3-3844-9502
Website: sometaro.com

Teppan Baby Shinjuku
Address: 1-17-4 Kabukicho |Pocket Bldg. 1st basement floor, Shinjuku 160-0021, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel. No.: 00 81 3-3204-1333

Sakuratei
Address: 3-20-1 Jingumae, Shibuya 150-0001, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel.no.:00 81 3-3479-0039
Website: sakuratei.co.jp

Soba Noodles

Soba word is the Japanese name for buckwheat. The noodle is made from buckwheat flour or a combination of both buckwheat and wheat flour. It can be served either chilled or in hot broth noodle soup. In Tokyo, there are restaurants that serve cold soba noodles for summer and hot for winters.

Do you know that this food can be an alternative to wheat pasta? Because each cup of cooked noodles contains only 113 calories, while wheat has 174 calories. This is very nutritious as well, not only fat-free and cholesterol but also a good source of nutrients like carbohydrates and thiamine. Buckwheat noodle is also gluten-free.

So if you are following a gluten-free diet soba noodles are for you. There are several restaurants in Tokyo serving cold Soba. If you haven’t tasted one, then check the available restaurants below.

Hot Soba

Cold Soba

Soba Restaurant

Matsuya Honten
Address:1-13 Kandasudacho, Chiyoda 101-0041, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel.no.: 00 81 3-3251-1556
Email: kanda-matsuya.jp
Tsurutontan Roppongi
Address: 3-14-12 Roppongi | Roppongi 3 Chome Bldg., Minato 106-0032, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel.no.:00 81 3-5786-2626
Email: tsurutontan.co.jp
Glutenfree Cafe Littlebird
Address: 1-1-20 Uehara | JP Bldg. 3F, Shibuya 151-0064, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel.no.:00 81 3-3460-8282

Tonkatsu

The main ingredient of tonkatsu is pork fillet or loin, coated with egg, flour, and Panko ( Japanese breadcrumbs). There are varieties of tonkatsu all over Tokyo.

You can find several restaurants that serve the cuisine with exquisite presentation and it’s perfectly crisp that satisfies your craving. See the list of different restaurants that serve the best tonkatsu in Tokyo below.

Tonkatsu Restaurant

Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama Honten
Address: 4-8-5 Jingumae, Shibuya 150-0001, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel no. 00 81 120-428-485
Website: mai-sen.com
Katsukura Shinjuku Takashimaya
Address: 5-24-2 Sendagaya | Takashimaya Times Square 14F, Shibuya 151-0051, Tokyo Prefecture
Website: katsukura.jp
Tonkatsu Marugo
Address: 1-8-14 Sotokanda, Chiyoda 101-0021, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel. no.: 00 81 3-3255-6595
Website: tonkatsumarugo.food89.com

Crepe

When the first crepe store in Japan opened in 1997, a lot of Japanese embraced this mouth-watering food, and it became one of the famous food in Japan. Costumers can enjoy eating crepe everywhere in the city because it’s usually available along the streets.

Most of the Japanese eat crepe outdoor while walking or sitting on the bench. Crepe in Japan has known for its unique variations, like sweet flavored crepes and those savory ones.

There are also classy crepe stores in Tokyo that are getting more popular among adults. If you’re excited about how it looks like and where you can find some stores to enjoy delicious crepe, we recommend the following.

Crepe Store

Comcrepe Harajuku
Address: 1-8-25 Jingumae | One Takeshita Place1-A, Shibuya 150-0001, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel. no.: 00 81 3-6455-4464
Website: toyamagu.jp
Marion Crepe Solamachi
Address: 1-1-2 Oshiage | Tokyo Sky Tree Town Solamachi 1 10bangai, Sumida
Tel no.:00 81 3-5809-7239
Website: marion.co.jp
Soul Food House
Address: Azabujuban 2-8-10 | 6F Patio AZABUJUBAN, Azabujuban, Minato 106-0045, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel. no.: 00 81 3-5765-2148

Food Tours in Tokyo

Usually, travelers want to visit Tokyo to experience fascinating culinary tours. Visiting the different food scenes is the best way to engage and to witness how Japanese Chefs showcase the art of food.

To know some of the food tours available in Tokyo, please check the following.

Tokyo Bar Hopping Tour in Shinjuku – Explore the hidden bars in food alleys

In this tour, you will visit the three hidden Japanese bars at the back alleyways in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district. This is only a small group tour consist of 8 people. During the tour, a guide will show you the places that are usually not easy for tourists to find.

- First, the group will be able to taste the food and drink in the backstreet Izakaya bars, with many traditional dishes to choose from, like Sake, local beer, and Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).
- Then, you will visit another 2 more bars in Shibuya Ebisu Yokocho alley.
- You will taste the local cuisine, enjoying live music, play games, and take part in quizzes.

Tokyo by Night: Japanese Food Tour

This is a 3-hour food tour that is limited only to 12 people. During the tour, a guide will help you deepen your knowledge of Japanese culinary and cultural traditions by showing 3 eateries that few people know about.

- First, you meet up with your guide at Yurakucho Station then you will proceed to Yakitori Alley. Immerse yourself in the informal restaurants serving different types of yakitori.
- Next, you will taste the monjayaki, a pan-fried pancake in Moja Street. Listen and learn with your chef as he will share with you the origin of the delicacy.
- After the exciting pancake venture, the last visit will be in Ginza, a place with several confectionery shops. You will learn and enjoy a variety of Japanese sweets.

Walking Food Tour of Shibuya at Night

This food tour is best for first-time Tokyo visitors to learn about food and culture in Japan. The tour consumes half-day walking in the Shibuya district, where you can taste Japanese food.

- After meeting up with your guide at a prearranged spot near Shibuya station.
- You will hop eateries and sampling favorites like takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savory egg pancakes), and Kobe beef skewers, as well as beer, shochu, and soft drinks. Take note drinks are included.

Sushi Class, Sake Tasting, and Market Tour at Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo

This tour is very exciting because you will visit the world’s largest seafood market. You will learn about Japanese cuisine by this guided walk-through tour.

- First is an interesting shopping trip, where you will buy the ingredients of sushi.
- Next is a sushi workshop where you will get hands-on instruction from a sushi master. You’ll be able to learn how to prepare sushi from start to finish.
- The final part is to sample your sushi together with the group. You will also have five to seven bottles of sake that are available to taste.