Eating & Drinking

Ready for a bite to eat? Then you’ve come to the right place, we’ve got all the info you need to help you satisfy your cravings. And if you’re not hungry now, you will be by the end.

Japanese Food

When in Japan… Well you know how it goes. You can’t possibly visit a place without trying at least some of the local food, and we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know. First up, let’s start with the favorites (so popular we gave them their own pages):

• Ramen
• Sushi

Of course there’s a lot more to Japanese cuisine than noodles and raw fish! Read on for an overview of the various types of cuisine and eateries you’ll want to try in Tokyo. If the idea of having to order food in Japanese is intimidating, we have a handy guide for you here.

• Okonomiyaki

  

  Okonomiyaki is a saucy, savory pancake stuffed with an array of ingredients like meat, seafood, vegetables and even noodles. Both Osaka and Hiroshima are famed for serving up the best okonomiyaki, but lucky for us we don’t have to travel to either place to taste test — you can find both styles of okonomiyaki right here in Tokyo. For a more in depth look at the differences between to two styles and a list of restaurant recommendations, check out our guide to okonomiyaki.

• Hot Pot

  

  If you’re looking for a soul-warming, belly-filling meal, hot pots are definitely the way to go. It’s exactly what you imagine it to be: in most cases a bubbling pot of one or more types of broth comes to your table, and you simply add ingredients — like meat, veg, tofu — to your heart’s content. Hot pots are not all created equal though — take your pick from the very delicious, but very different stylings of nabe, oden, shabu-shabu and even chanko-nabe (responsible for bulking up those sumo wrestlers), just to name a few.

• Street Food

  

  There’s no Japanese equivalent to the notorious hot dog cart to be found in Tokyo, but there are some definite street treats that are just too good to pass up. Yokocho are small streets and alleys packed with tiny — usually standing-room only — restaurants serving up quick bites like yakitori (chicken pieces on a skewer cooked over coal). Usually festivals come complete with yatai (or food stalls) serving up an array of favorites like okonomiyaki, yakisoba (fried noodles) and takoyaki (octopus balls) — all must-try dishes. Follow those with some sweets like chocobanana (bananas dipped in chocolate) or taiyaki (the cute fish-shaped pastries). If you happen to be in Tokyo for the colder months, keep those eyes peeled for yakiimo carts selling roasted sweet potato (culture bonus: some yakiimo vendors sing a traditional song about said sweet potatoes).

• Izakaya

  

  You might need to be reserved on the train (and just about everywhere else in Tokyo), but an izakaya is this place to let loose, laugh and chat as merrily as you like. This Japanese pub-like establishment is great for sharing, socialising, drinking in copious amounts, and as stated in our beginner’s guide to izakaya, it’s a quintessential Japanese experience. You can find an izakaya just about anywhere, but keep an eye out for Hanbey, a budget-friendly chain.

  If you’re keen to try an izakaya, but don’t know where to start there are a whole range of bar hopping tours out there for you to join. We especially recommend this bar-hopping tour in Shinjuku. It’s really popular, and the price includes food, drinks, and photos.

• International Food

  

  Had your fill of Japanese food for the time being? Pining for pasta? Itching for Indian? International cuisine is a huge part of the Tokyo food scene and you can satisfy just about any foreign craving you might have here. Go right ahead and chow down on some of the most authentic pizza you’ve ever had, bite into a (non-McDonald’s) juicy burger, or maybe you just want brunch. One thing to note though is that while international options abound, and many can be as authentic tasting as they are in their respective motherland, many dishes have been adapted to Japanese taste, which isn’t a bad thing, just different — so keep an open mind!

  Head here for a more detailed break down of international cuisine in Tokyo.

• Cafes

  

  When you think of Tokyo cafes, more than just plain ol’ java joints should come to mind. Tokyo is home to renowned craft coffee shops and green tea speciality cafes (harder to find in Tokyo than you think!). And of course there are the (in)famous themed maid or animal cafes, which are more for experience and ambiance than a place to order up a quality beverage.

  Read more about cafes in Tokyo here.

• Sweets

  

  Sweets come in many forms in Japan. You can indulge your sweet tooth by season (kakigōri — shaved ice — in the summer, chestnut-flavored anything in autumn) or you can try a bunch all at once at an all-you-can-desserts restaurant. You and your taste buds can also jump on trends like the Harajuku crepe or gourmet popcorn (counts as a sweet if you get the caramel-flavored kind) which were unjustifiably popular years back, but continue to attract locals and tourists alike.

  And don’t forget the elusive and alluring weird Kit Kats flavors (like wasabi or strawberry cheese cake) — the harder to find them, the sweeter they taste.

  More on sweets in Tokyo here.

  Veggie

  

  Trying to maintain a meatless diet can be daunting in a country where there’s pork in just about everything. Luckily the cheapo team is dietarily diverse, so we’ve got the scoop on spots that are not just suitable to dine at, but ones that offer up dishes so delicious you want to dine at. Check out this article to get your started.

Finally, if you’re reading this from London and your mouth is already watering, we’ve got some great options for you closer to home:

• Where to find cheap Japanese food in London
• Affordable sushi in London