Tokyo: infinitely delicious food (these are our favorite spots)
Japanese people take food very seriously; every millimeter of food on your plate has been thought through in detail. That makes Tokyo one of the best food cities I’ve ever visited.
You probably don’t need us to tell you that you have to go to the Tsukiji fish market for sushi breakfast and buy a knife at Masamoto. Or that it’s fun to try as many green tea treats as possible (ice cream, waffles, KitKat, noodles). But these should definitely not be missing from a culinary Tokyo itinerary either.
Japan has a reputation for being ridiculously expensive, while in reality it’s actually not too bad. Yes, you can eat at many Michelin-starred restaurants for a fortune, but for 8 euros you can also get a huge bowl of ramen or curry. Tip: most expensive restaurants have a much cheaper lunch menu.
Tonkatsu at Maguro (neighborhood: Akihabara)
Possibly the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten in my entire life. You can find tonkatsu all over the city, but I’ve never encountered any as delicious as this one anywhere else. Pork tenderloin is coated in panko and deep-fried, resulting in a crispy exterior around the juiciest, most flavorful meat ever.
Udon at Mentsu-dan (neighborhood: Shinjuku)
Udon noodles made right in front of you, countless toppings and tempura to choose from, all for under ten euros. Make sure to add a soft-boiled egg, and watch out: it’s more filling than you think.
35 Steps Bistro (neighborhood: Shibuya)
It takes some finding, but as soon as you’re inside, you’re rewarded with a lively place, delicious food and bamboo sake. If you order all five dishes from the favorites menu, you’ll have exactly enough food for two. I understand if you then want to order the deep-fried shrimp with chili and a half-cooked egg again. I did too. The mackerel flambéed at the table is also quite a spectacle.
Ramen Street (Tokyo train station)
The idea that you can get good food at a train station may seem a little counterintuitive, but it’s absolutely true. In addition to to-go sushi of amazing quality, there’s Ramen Street. Tokyo’s eight best ramen restaurants have a second location here, satisfying cravings for this favorite noodle soup.
Sushi at Midori (neighborhood: Shibuya)
It has been researched: eating sushi makes you smarter. How convenient. If you don’t want to spend a fortune but do want to eat incredibly good sushi, go to Midori. Absolutely order the combination with three different types of tuna (at any sushi restaurant), and please NEVER order this sushi. You’ll get toro among other things—the fattiest and most delicious piece of tuna, melting on your tongue. The line can be long, but the reward is a belly full of sushi for around 25 euros. Make sure you get a ticket before joining the line.
Kaikaya by the sea (neighborhood: Shibuya)
The name says it all: this is where you eat seafood. Make sure to order the tuna sparerib, which they’re known for. It’s juicy and tender, with a sweet, mildly spicy sauce.
Unagi don at Unagi Irokawa (neighborhood: Asakusa)
Charcoal-grilled eel, glazed with a syrupy sauce, served on top of a bowl of rice. Unagi don actually consists of only two components, but when both are prepared perfectly, you have one of my favorite dishes. You can choose to eat it at Michelin-star level, but the version you get at Irokawa is already unbelievably delicious.
Also read:
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- Good news: M&Ms are good for your health
- Is Waldkorn bread healthy? No, you’re being fooled
