Tokyo is a food lover’s paradise, from fresh sushi to steaming bowls of ramen, and so much more. A trip to Tokyo is not complete without sampling some of the city’s most iconic dishes. Here are 15 must-try foods in Tokyo and where to find them:
If there’s one dish Tokyo is known for, it’s sushi. Head to Tsukiji fish market and follow the crowds to Sushi Dai or Daiwa Sushi, two of the most popular sushi counters. Be prepared to wait in line, but the melt-in-your-mouth tuna and sweet shrimp will be well worth it.
For a classic bowl of ramen, go to Ichiran Ramen. This popular chain is known for its tonkotsu ramen, a rich pork-bone broth ramen topped with sliced chashu pork, soft-boiled egg, and scallions. Order a bowl and customize it to your liking.
You can’t leave Tokyo without trying tempura, lightly battered and fried vegetables, seafood and meat. Head to Tenkaippin, a popular tempura chain, and order a mixed tempura bowl with seasonal vegetables like lotus roots, mushrooms and green beans.
To sample some of the freshest sashimi around, pay a visit to Tsukiji Fish Market. At restaurants and counters throughout the market, you’ll find the day’s catch laid out before you. Point at what looks good and they’ll slice it up for you on the spot. It doesn’t get any fresher than that!
Okonomiyaki is a popular savory pancake filled with meat, seafood and vegetables. At Okonomiyaki Kiji, choose from a variety of fillings, then watch as chefs cook up your okonomiyaki on hot griddles. Top it with mayonnaise, okonomiyaki sauce, bonito flakes and you’ve got a delicious savory pancake.
Mochi, or sticky rice cakes, make a great light snack. Sample soft and chewy daifuku, mochi filled with sweet red bean paste, at Kaneko Hannosuke. They offer over a dozen varieties of handmade mochi, all of them delicious.
Yakitori, or grilled chicken skewers, are a popular street food. Head to Toriki for some of the best yakitori in town, where every part of the chicken, from breast meat to skin to chicken tail, is grilled to smoky perfection. Pair it with an ice cold beer for the perfect evening.