Tokyo Food Guide: Must-Try Dishes and Restaurants

Why You Must Try It:

When in Tokyo, sushi is a must. The city is home to some of the world’s best sushi, where the freshest fish is paired with perfectly seasoned rice. Sushi is more than just a meal in Tokyo—it’s an art form.

Top Spots:

• Sukiyabashi Jiro (Ginza): This three-Michelin-starred restaurant is one of Tokyo’s most famous sushi spots, offering an unparalleled sushi dining experience. Be sure to make a reservation well in advance.
• Sushi Saito (Minato): Another highly acclaimed sushi restaurant, Sushi Saito is known for its delicate flavors and impeccable presentation.
• Tsukiji Outer Market: For a more casual experience, visit the Tsukiji Outer Market, where you can sample fresh sushi from various vendors.

Table Manners:

When eating sushi, it’s polite to eat it in one bite if possible. The sushi chef often brushes the fish with soy sauce, so avoid dipping it into more soy sauce unless necessary. If you do dip, only dip the fish side, not the rice, to avoid breaking the sushi. It’s also acceptable to eat sushi with your hands, but using chopsticks is perfectly fine too.

For more on Tokyo’s iconic dishes, check out our guide to Top Must-See Attractions in Tokyo.

2. Ramen: A Bowl of Comfort

Why You Must Try It:

Ramen is a beloved comfort food in Tokyo, with countless variations to explore. From rich, creamy tonkotsu to lighter shoyu, each bowl of ramen tells a different story through its broth, noodles, and toppings.

Top Spots:

• Ichiran (Shibuya): Famous for its customizable ramen and private dining booths, Ichiran is a great place to enjoy a bowl of tonkotsu ramen.
• Afuri (Ebisu): Known for its yuzu (citrus) shio ramen, Afuri offers a lighter, refreshing take on ramen.
• Ramen Street (Tokyo Station): Located in the basement of Tokyo Station, Ramen Street is home to several renowned ramen shops, each offering a different style.

Table Manners:

In Japan, it’s perfectly acceptable and even encouraged to slurp your ramen loudly. Slurping helps cool the noodles and enhances the flavor. It’s also a sign that you’re enjoying the meal. Ramen is typically eaten quickly to prevent the noodles from getting too soggy, so don’t be shy about digging in!

For more hidden culinary gems, explore our article on Hidden Gems in Tokyo: Off-the-Beaten-Path.

3. Tempura: Light and Crispy Perfection

Why You Must Try It:

Tempura is another classic Japanese dish that you can’t miss in Tokyo. Lightly battered and deep-fried, tempura showcases the natural flavors of seafood and vegetables without overpowering them.

Top Spots:

• Tempura Kondo (Ginza): A two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Tempura Kondo is known for its delicate, crispy tempura made from the finest ingredients.
• Tsunahachi (Shinjuku): A historic tempura restaurant that has been serving up perfectly fried tempura since 1923. It’s a more affordable option with a traditional atmosphere.
• Tenshige (Chiyoda): A hidden gem, Tenshige offers an intimate dining experience with expertly crafted tempura.

Table Manners:

When eating tempura, it’s customary to dip each piece lightly into a small dish of tentsuyu (a sauce made from dashi, soy sauce, and mirin) before eating. Some places may also provide salt or flavored salts, which you can sprinkle on the tempura for a different taste experience. Tempura is often served with grated daikon radish—mix this into the sauce to add a refreshing balance to the dish.

For more dining recommendations in Tokyo, see our Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Tokyo guide, which includes nearby restaurant options.

4. Soba: The Art of Japanese Noodles

Why You Must Try It:

Soba, made from buckwheat flour, is a versatile dish enjoyed hot or cold. In Tokyo, you can find soba served in traditional settings, offering a simple yet satisfying meal.

Top Spots:

• Sarashina Horii (Azabu-Juban): With a history of over 200 years, this restaurant serves some of the finest soba in Tokyo, known for its delicate, thin noodles.
• Matsuya (Asakusa): A casual, old-school soba shop where you can enjoy hand-made soba in a cozy setting.
• Tamawarai (Harajuku): A Michelin-starred soba restaurant, Tamawarai is famous for its artisanal approach to making soba, using high-quality buckwheat.

Table Manners:

When eating soba, it’s polite to slurp the noodles, just like with ramen. If you’re eating cold soba (zaru soba), dip the noodles into the tsuyu (dipping sauce) before each bite. For hot soba, sip the broth directly from the bowl. It’s common to be served a small pot of soba-yu (the water in which the soba was cooked) at the end of the meal—pour this into your leftover tsuyu to dilute it and drink it like a soup.

For more about traditional Tokyo dishes, check out our Tokyo Cultural Experiences Guide.

5. Tonkatsu: The Perfectly Fried Pork Cutlet

Why You Must Try It:

Tonkatsu is a Japanese dish that features a breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet, usually served with shredded cabbage and a sweet-savory sauce. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal that’s beloved by locals and visitors alike.

Top Spots:

• Maisen (Aoyama): Known for its tender, juicy tonkatsu, Maisen is a Tokyo institution. The tonkatsu here is so tender you can cut it with chopsticks.
• Butagumi (Nishi-Azabu): A boutique tonkatsu restaurant offering a wide selection of pork varieties, each with a distinct flavor and texture.
• Katsukura (Shinjuku): Located in the Takashimaya department store, Katsukura offers a refined tonkatsu dining experience with an emphasis on quality ingredients.

Table Manners:

When eating tonkatsu, it’s common to dip the cutlet into a tangy tonkatsu sauce. You’ll often find this sauce on the table, along with a small bowl of sesame seeds that you can grind yourself before mixing with the sauce for added flavor. Tonkatsu is typically served with shredded cabbage, which is often topped with a light dressing or served with a squeeze of lemon.

For more Tokyo culinary adventures, explore our Tokyo Transportation Guide for tips on how to navigate the city’s food districts.

6. Unagi: Grilled Eel Delicacy

Why You Must Try It:

Unagi, or grilled eel, is a traditional Japanese delicacy that’s both flavorful and nutritious. In Tokyo, unagi is often served as kabayaki (grilled with a sweet soy-based sauce) over rice, making for a rich and savory meal.

Top Spots:

• Nodaiwa (Minato): A Michelin-starred unagi restaurant with over 200 years of history, Nodaiwa is known for its carefully grilled eel and traditional setting.
• Unatoto (Asakusa): A more casual and affordable option, Unatoto offers delicious unagi dishes that won’t break the bank.
• Obana (Minami-Senju): One of Tokyo’s oldest unagi restaurants, Obana offers an authentic and traditional dining experience.

Table Manners:

Unagi is often served over rice in a dish called unadon. It’s usually eaten with chopsticks, and it’s polite to eat it slowly, savoring the rich flavors. Some restaurants might offer sansho, a type of Japanese pepper, to sprinkle on top of the unagi for an extra kick.

7. Wagashi: Traditional Japanese Sweets

Why You Must Try It:

No food guide would be complete without a mention of wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Made from natural ingredients like red bean paste, mochi, and chestnuts, wagashi are often enjoyed with green tea.

Top Spots:

• Toraya (Ginza): A legendary wagashi shop with a history of over 500 years, Toraya offers exquisite sweets that are perfect for a special treat or souvenir.
• Kameya (Asakusa): A historic shop in Asakusa offering a wide variety of traditional wagashi, from dorayaki to manju.
• Higashiya (Nihonbashi): A modern take on wagashi, Higashiya offers beautifully crafted sweets in a chic, contemporary setting.

Table Manners:

Wagashi is typically enjoyed with a cup of matcha (green tea), especially in traditional tea ceremonies. When served wagashi, it’s polite to admire the presentation before eating. Use the small pick (yokan) provided to cut the wagashi into bite-sized pieces. If you’re drinking matcha, take a small bite of wagashi first, then a sip of tea to balance the sweetness.