One of the attractions that endears Japan to millions of tourists is its food.
The variety of exotic and delicious dishes this country offers has captivated people from around the world.
If you’re looking for where to eat in Tokyo to experience Japanese cuisine for yourself, this guide will help you plan the perfect culinary tour.
Let’s dive in!
Where to eat in Tokyo
Japan is a country whose cuisine has achieved global popularity like few others, so it’s common for many visitors to want to taste their favorite dishes in their place of origin.
Fortunately, Tokyo is a major hub where you can find top Japanese restaurants, with many spots offering the finest traditional Japanese food.
Food tour
If you’re not sure where the best restaurants are or where to find authentic Japanese food, we recommend joining a food tour with a Spanish-speaking guide.
The guide will take you to top local spots where you can try a range of traditional dishes. Lasting about 3 hours, the tour will help you distinguish between tourist spots and the best restaurants in the city.
Here are a few options:
Tendon Tenya
Tendon Tenya is the best spot in Tokyo if you’re a fan of tempura dishes, as this restaurant is part of a chain specializing in this Japanese delight.
The menu is available in both Japanese and English, making it easy and quick to order.
Dish prices range from the yen equivalent of €3 to €4, with some combo plates featuring tempura, rice, and soba noodles available for €8. For a large city, these are very reasonable prices.
In addition to a wide variety of tempura, rice, and noodles, Tendon Tenya also serves unique dishes such as salads, octopus, and squid in creative presentations.
Soranoiro Honten
Soranoiro Honten is ideal if you’re looking for an affordable meal in Tokyo, with low prices and delicious food.
This cozy restaurant is located under Tokyo Station and is famous for its ramen, which makes sense as this area is known as “Ramen Street.”
What’s surprising, however, is the range of flavors on offer.
For instance, they serve some vegetarian ramen dishes, which is rare, making this a great spot if you’re looking for vegetarian options.
The standard ramen bowl costs around €8, though you can find some dishes for as little as just over €1.
Nakiryu
This Michelin-starred ramen restaurant is renowned as one of the best places to eat in Tokyo.
If you want to experience ramen on a whole new level, this is the place to go.
Nakiryu offers a wide variety of ramen types, from spicy, sweet, and salty to vegetarian and those packed with exotic ingredients for the more adventurous.
Despite its Michelin star, the prices here remain reasonable.
However, that prestigious star does come with a downside: long lines, often lasting 60 to 80 minutes. Additionally, you are limited to purchasing only one bowl of ramen per person.
Bairin Tonkatsu
Bairin Tonkatsu is one of the most iconic restaurants in the Ginza district.
It was also the first to specialize in Tonkatsu, a breaded and fried pork cutlet.
The restaurant also serves rice bowls known as donburi, which are very popular with locals.
For under €8, you can enjoy a meal here and experience one of Tokyo’s most traditional and renowned eateries.
Ichiran
Ichiran, located in Jinnan in the Shibuya district, offers an extensive ramen menu along with traditional Japanese dishes that are popular with tourists.
The ordering process can be a bit complex for first-timers: while waiting in line, staff will hand you an order sheet. On it, you’ll specify details like your preferred noodle texture, ingredients, spice level, and other preferences.
This process applies to all dishes. Once you complete the sheet, you’ll pay at a vending machine, and with your receipt, you’ll collect your food at another part of the restaurant.
While the system might seem confusing, the flavors make it worth the effort, and prices for most dishes are around €7.
Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka
Located in Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka is a top spot for sushi lovers in the area.
Sushi is perhaps Japan’s most famous dish worldwide, and trying it in its place of origin is a must.
This restaurant operates like a classic sushi bar, featuring a conveyor belt where different dishes pass by in front of you.
You place your order via an iPad, and the conveyor belt delivers it directly to you.
Prices here are very low, so don’t hesitate to try as many dishes as you like!
The best areas to eat in Tokyo
Determining the best areas to eat in Tokyo isn’t easy. In other cities, this might be more straightforward, but in the Japanese capital, it’s not.
Why is it so hard to decide where to eat in Tokyo? The sheer variety of restaurants, each with its own unique cooking style, makes it a challenge.
Moreover, the best areas depend largely on what you’re craving:
- If you want to try delicious ramen, head to Shibuya, where nearly any restaurant is a great choice.
- If you’re in the mood for sushi, Toyosu Market is the place to go. Here, you’ll find sushi made with the freshest ingredients at very low prices.
- For exotic dishes, Shinjuku is a standout. Here, you’ll find dishes with eel, squid, octopus, and other seafood that may make you second-guess your choice, but you’ll enjoy every bite once you try them.
For a full immersion into Tokyo’s culinary culture, consider joining the ‘Full-Day Sightseeing Bus Tour.’ This tour not only allows you to explore the city’s history and landmarks but also gives you the chance to discover various culinary districts on your own.
Is eating out in Japan expensive?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIOOfEo6mtA
There’s a common misconception about the cost of dining in Japan, with many assuming it’s very expensive. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.
Not only are the prices quite affordable, but the portions are also generous. You don’t need to spend a lot to enjoy a satisfying meal.
If you’re looking for affordable dining in Tokyo, there are many options to help stretch your budget, unlike in many cities across Europe and America.
Dishes are reasonably priced, and you can get a complete meal for around €8, or even less.
Typical Japanese Food
Traditional Japanese cuisine relies on a limited range of ingredients, typically just rice, seafood, noodles, vegetables, soy, and cooked yoshoku.
What’s remarkable is the variety of dishes achieved by combining some or all of these ingredients:
- Rice-based dishes include popular options like sushi, onigiri, donburi, kare raisu (Japanese curry rice), chahan (fried rice with peas or egg), and kayu (porridge-style rice).
- Seafood-based dishes feature classics such as sashimi (raw fish with soy sauce or wasabi), yakizakana (grilled fish), and of course, sushi.
- Noodle-based options include soba, udon, yakisoba (fried noodles), and the iconic ramen.
- Soy-based dishes include yudofu (tofu simmered in soy sauce broth) and agedashi (fried tofu with soy sauce). You’re likely already familiar with miso soup, made with fermented soy miso in hot water, wakame seaweed, and small tofu cubes.
After savoring Tokyo’s culinary delights, why not explore the city at your own pace? The ‘Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Ticket’ is perfect for discovering Tokyo, letting you hop on and off at various stops near key attractions. Get your ticket here: link here.
Tips for Dining in Japanese Restaurants
Japanese cuisine is famous worldwide and widely enjoyed for its flavors and variety.
However, despite its popularity, many people don’t eat Japanese food in the authentic way or as it’s traditionally enjoyed in Japan.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when dining out in Japan:
Wasabi deserves special attention, as many people tend to overuse it, putting it on everything. In Japan, wasabi is mostly used in cooking rather than as a table condiment.
You can add a little extra if you like, but it’s best to use it sparingly.
The same goes for soy sauce, which is often overused internationally but is used more moderately in Japan.
For sushi, it’s typical to dip just a small part in soy sauce, especially the fish side of nigiri. When eating it, the fish should ideally touch your tongue first.
And here’s something that might surprise you: slurping your ramen is actually encouraged! Making noise while eating ramen is seen as a sign of respect for the chef, so don’t hold back.
Miso soup, on the other hand, should be sipped directly from the bowl without a spoon.