The Ultimate Guide for Experiencing The Best Food in Tokyo
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, experiencing the food in Tokyo needs to be high on your list! We spent a full week exploring Tokyo with a friend who lives there, and food ended up being a huge part of our trip. We tried everything from tiny noodle shops and conveyor belt sushi to fluffy pancakes, viral desserts, markets, and some seriously unique dining experiences.
There are so many fun things to do in Tokyo, but the food in Tokyo truly is what makes it stand out. There are thousands of restaurants, markets, cafes, food stalls, department store food halls, and tiny spots tucked into side streets. You could easily eat something completely different at every meal and still barely scratch the surface. We ate probably 10 times a day, just because we had so many places and foods to try on our list!
In this guide, we’re sharing the food in Tokyo that we think you should actually look for, from iconic Japanese dishes and viral foods to desserts, drinks, markets, some of our favorite places to eat in the city, and fun food activities to add to your itnerary.
Want to save this for later? Pin it!
*Please note that this blog post may contain some affiliate links, which we make a small profit on, at zero cost to you. Links are only used on products & services that we’ve used and believe in, to give you the best buying experience. Purchasing from these links helps us to continue providing free travel guides for you- so thank you for your support!
Our Travel Planning Recommendations
A Brief Overview of the Food in Tokyo
Before diving into specific dishes, restaurants, and culinary experiences, this first part of our Tokyo food guide covers what eating in Tokyo is actually like. Understanding local food culture, tipping, and prices will help you plan where and how to eat while visiting.
⭐️ What Food in Tokyo is Famous For?
Tokyo is famous for sushi, ramen, tempura, soba, yakitori, wagyu, and an enormous variety of Japanese sweets and snacks. At the same time, the city has developed a huge modern food scene filled with viral desserts, themed cafes, creative takes on traditional dishes, and restaurants that are paired with a show or activity.
One of the things we noticed while exploring with our friend is that great food really is everywhere. Shibuya, Harajuku, Asakusa, Shinjuku, Akihabara, Ginza, and the neighborhoods in between all have their own food specialties and experiences.
🍱 What Is a Typical Japanese Meal Like?
There isn’t really one standard Japanese meal, which is part of what makes eating in Tokyo so much fun. You might have a bowl of ramen for lunch, sushi for dinner, and then stop for matcha ice cream or a fluffy pancake somewhere in between.
Traditional meals can include rice, fish, noodles, vegetables, pickles, miso soup, and several smaller dishes, while casual dining in Tokyo can be much simpler. Convenience stores, bakeries, noodle shops, izakayas, markets, and department store food halls all give you completely different ways to eat.
One thing that did surprise us in Japan, is that not everything is as “healthy” as you’d imagine. There are a lot of fried foods and oily dishes. The different is that portions aren’t crazy big and the ingredients used are of very high quality, which end up balancing each other out.
💴 How Much Does Food in Tokyo Cost?
You can spend very little or an absolutely ridiculous amount on food in Tokyo.
Casual noodle shops, conveyor belt sushi, convenience stores, markets, and street snacks can make eating around the city surprisingly affordable. At the same time, Tokyo is home to some incredibly high-end sushi restaurants, wagyu restaurants, omakase experiences, and elaborate dining concepts.
The cool things about eating your way around Tokyo is that you can actually do it for pretty cheap and have great value, or your can splurge and have some of the most unique dining experiencing in the world.
💸 Do You Tip in Tokyo?
No! Japan does not have the same tipping culture you’re probably used to in the United States, or even in Europe. You do not tip at restaurants, cafés, bars, taxis, or hotels, and just paying the amount shown on the bill is the norm. In fact, trying to leave a tip can sometimes even come off as rude.
Upgrade Your Inspo
Get the best travel tips, tricks, and hidden gems sent directly to your inbox. You’ll become a better traveler, week after week.
Upgrade Your Inspo
Get the best travel tips, tricks, and hidden gems sent directly to your inbox. You’ll become a better traveler, week after week.
⭐️ A Few Other Things to Know When Dining in Tokyo
Dining in Tokyo was SO much different than New York, Buenos Aires, or any other big cities we frequent. While we absolutely loved it, there were certain things that struck us as a bit wild and a bit of a culture shock to us.
🍽️ Food in Tokyo to Try
Now let’s get into the fun part: what foods in Tokyo to actually put on your list.
There are so many Japanese dishes to choose from that it can be tempting to spend your entire trip trying to check everything off a list. Instead, we’d recommend mixing iconic Japanese foods with a few things that are particularly fun or unusual in Tokyo.
🍴 Foods in Tokyo
Here are some of the specialty dishes of Tokyo that you definitely won’t want to miss out on!
🍣 Sushi
Obviously, you can’t come to Tokyo without eating sushi.
Tokyo is home to everything from casual conveyor belt sushi to traditional sushi counters and high-end omakase. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to have good sushi, either. Some of the most fun experiences are the casual spots where you can order exactly what you want and keep adding plates.
If you’re looking for specific recommendations, we have several sushi spots in our full Tokyo restaurant guide, including Kura Sushi and Sushi Dai.
🍜 Ramen
Ramen is another absolute must when visiting Tokyo.
There are tons of styles and variations – you can find everything from rich and creamy broths to lighter styles, spicy ramen, and creative versions that don’t look anything like the ramen you may have eaten back home.
We also found one particularly wild version during our trip: cappuccino ramen at Rahmen Eddie, topped with a creamy foam and truffle flavor. It ended up being one of my favorite foods in Tokyo!
🍜 Soba
Soba is another Japanese noodle dish worth seeking out, especially if you want something different from ramen.
These thin buckwheat noodles can be served hot in broth or chilled with a dipping sauce, and they’re a staple of Japanese cuisine. We tried handmade soba at Baso Omotesando and found it to be a nice change from some of the heavier foods we were eating around the city.
🥟 Gyoza
Gyoza is honestly one of my favorite foods in Japan. The pork filled dumplings are sot on the inside, crispy on the outside, and paired with a tangy, salty sauce. They’re a perfect way to start your meal in Tokyo, or for grabbing on the go at one of the markets.
🥩 Wagyu & Japanese Beef
Japan is famous for its beef, and Tokyo gives you plenty of opportunities to try it.
Wagyu can show up in everything from high-end steak dinners to more casual dishes. Another fun one to look for is gyukatsu, which is essentially a breaded piece of beef that arrives rare and is finished on a hot stone at your table.
Wagyu is an expensive marbleized beef, but you don’t need to spend a fortune to have some – you can sample some or have small bites of it at many of the markets.
🥪 Japanese Egg Sandwiches
Japan has the best egg sandwiches you’ll ever try in your life – seriously. The egg salad is made with special Japanese mayo, and is super fluffy and flavorful. Some of the egg sandwiches we also tried had whipped egg whites and runny yolks, making them an absolute egg powerhouse. You CANNOT leave Tokyo without trying one!
While restaurants dedicated to sandwiches will have the best ones, 711 has some oddly good egg sandwiches if you need something cheap, quick, or in the wee hours of the night.
🐙 Takoyaki (Octopus Balls)
These round, crispy-on-the-outside and soft-in-the-middle bites are made with a savory batter and a piece of octopus inside, then topped with sauce, Japanese mayonnaise, bonito flakes, and green onion. They’re especially associated with Osaka, but you’ll find takoyaki all over Tokyo too.
🐔 Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)
Japanese fried chicken is crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and usually seasoned with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and other aromatics. You’ll find it everywhere from casual restaurants to convenience stores and market stalls.
We got Japanese fried chicken on the daily, and honestly one of our favorites was the spicy chicken from Family Mart 😂. It sounds ridiculous – but it’s easy, tasty, and super cheap!
🍙 Onigiri
These simple stuffed rice triangles are a Japanese staple, usually wrapped in nori and filled with ingredients like salmon, tuna mayo, pickled plum, or seasoned vegetables. They’re an easy snack to grab on the go, and were some of our go-to snacks from the convenience stores.
🍣 Conveyor Belt Sushi
Conveyor belt sushi deserves its own mention because the experience is part of the fun.
Some of them you can order directly from a screen and have your plates delivered to you on the conveyor belt, while others you’ll just wait for the sushi to come by and choose from what looks appealing.
Also, if you’re planning on traveling to Osaka, do not miss out on Sushiro, our favorite sushi conveyor belt restaurant that has mini-games and prizes!
🍓 Viral Foods & Desserts in Tokyo
Tokyo is absolutely packed with foods that have gone viral online, and honestly, this is one of the categories we had the most fun exploring.
Some are worth the hype because they’re genuinely delicious. Others are mostly fun because they’re completely ridiculous. Either way, we had to try quite a few of them, and we’re going to let you know which viral foods in Tokyo we think are actually worth all the hype.
🥞 Fluffy Japanese Pancakes
If you’ve seen those enormous, jiggly Japanese pancakes all over Instagram and TikTok, this is your chance to try them.
They’re much lighter and airier than American pancakes and have an almost soufflé-like texture. We tried both Micasadeco & Cafe Jingumae and Benizuru, with Benizuru being my personal favorite.
🍧 Kakigori
Japanese shaved ice, or kakigori, is completely different from the typical snow cone you may be picturing.
The ice is shaved incredibly finely, creating a soft texture that almost melts as soon as it hits your tongue. You’ll find all kinds of creative flavors and toppings around Tokyo, and it’s truly the best dessert if you’re visiting in hotter months.
🍵 Matcha Desserts
Matcha is everywhere in Tokyo, and dessert is one of the easiest ways to try it. You can try everything from matcha ice cream, cakes, and pastries, to different drinks, shaved ice, and other creative sweets.
🍓 Strawberry Daifuku
These chewy mochi sweets are filled with sweet red bean paste and a whole fresh strawberry. They’re especially popular when strawberries are in season and make a great snack or dessert.
🍦 Other Viral Desserts to Look For
Tokyo’s dessert scene changes constantly, so don’t limit yourself to the famous things you’ve already seen online. During our trip, we also tried:
We’re putting together a full guide dedicated to viral foods in Tokyo, so we’ll save the much longer list for that article.
🍸 Drinks to Try in Tokyo
Food in Tokyo isn’t complete without trying some of the drinks that are part of Japanese food culture.
🍶 Sake
Sake is one of the most iconic Japanese drinks, and Tokyo has plenty of restaurants and bars where you can try different varieties. This rice wine is typically served hot, and there are tastings in Tokyo where you can sample different types.
🍵 Matcha
Matcha isn’t just a dessert flavor. Traditional matcha tea is worth trying on its own, especially if you’ve mostly experienced matcha through lattes and sweets.
And yes, after drinking it, you can absolutely go back to eating matcha ice cream.
🍺 Japanese Beer
Japanese beer is extremely popular and pairs especially well with casual foods like ramen, yakitori, fried foods, and izakaya dishes.
Fede is a big fan of trying local beers when we travel, so this was definitely something we were happy to sample throughout Japan.
Our Favorite Restaurants & Eateries in Tokyo
We’ve already put together an entire guide dedicated to incredible restaurants in Tokyo, Japan, so we’re not necessarily going to copy all of those restaurant descriptions into this article.
Instead, here are a few of the places and experiences from that guide that we’d specifically keep in mind while planning your food itinerary:
For the full list, including themed cafes, unique dining experiences, viral desserts, and more, check out our complete guide to restaurants in Tokyo, Japan.
29 Incredible Restaurants in Tokyo, Japan You Need to Try
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to get to Jeju Island no matter where you’re coming from, along with visa details and other helpful info.
Food & Drink Activities in Tokyo
Trying the food in Tokyo is one thing, but taking part in a food experience is a whole different level. Whether you want to learn how to make Japanese dishes yourself, sample local specialties with an expert, or dive deeper into the city’s amazing food culture, there are plenty of incredible experiences to take part in it.
Here are some of the best food and drink experiences to add to your Tokyo itinerary:
FAQ About Experiencing the Best Food in Tokyo, Japan
Before wrapping up our Tokyo food guide, here are some of the most common questions travelers have about food in Tokyo and Japanese cuisine. These answers should help you feel more confident when deciding where, when, and what to eat while visiting.
What food is Tokyo famous for?
Tokyo is famous for sushi, ramen, soba, Japanese beef, and an incredible variety of Japanese dishes. You’ll also find plenty of viral foods and desserts throughout the city, from fluffy pancakes and kakigori to matcha sweets and Japanese-style sandwiches.
What is the must-try food in Tokyo?
If you’re visiting Tokyo for the first time, we recommend trying sushi, ramen, soba, Japanese beef, and a Japanese sandwich. It’s also worth leaving room for some of Tokyo’s viral foods, especially fluffy pancakes, kakigori, matcha desserts, and Japanese donuts.
Is Tokyo a good city for food lovers?
Absolutely! Tokyo has an enormous food scene, with everything from tiny ramen shops and sushi counters to markets, themed cafés, specialty dessert shops, and unique dining experiences. You could easily spend an entire trip exploring food in Tokyo and still have plenty left to try.
Is food in Tokyo expensive?
Not necessarily. Tokyo has restaurants and food stalls for practically every budget, so you can eat very well without spending a fortune. Ramen, soba, conveyor belt sushi, markets, and casual neighborhood restaurants can all be affordable, while Tokyo also has plenty of high-end restaurants if you’re looking to splurge.
What drinks should I try in Tokyo?
Some of the most popular drinks to try in Tokyo include sake, matcha, and Japanese beer. You’ll also find specialty tea shops, matcha cafés, cocktail bars, and plenty of unique drinks throughout the city.
Do you tip at restaurants in Tokyo?
No. Tipping is not part of Japanese culture, so you won’t be expected to leave extra money at restaurants, cafés, or bars. The amount on your bill is generally the amount you pay.
Where can I find authentic food in Tokyo?
Some of the best places to experience food in Tokyo include local neighborhood restaurants, markets, ramen shops, sushi counters, and smaller specialty eateries. Tsukiji Outer Market, Ameya-Yokocho, and the restaurants tucked throughout neighborhoods like Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa, and Harajuku are all worth exploring.
How many days do I need to experience the food in Tokyo?
There’s no way to experience all of Tokyo’s food scene in just a few days, but we’d recommend leaving at least several days of your trip open for eating and exploring different neighborhoods. This gives you time to try local restaurants, visit markets, sample viral foods, and fit in a food tour or other food experience.
Tokyo Food Guide: Final Thoughts & What’s Next
Tokyo is a dream destination for food lovers, but you shouldn’t get there with a strict list of every single restaurant and dish you need to check off. Some of our favorite meals came from researching specific places, while others happened because our friend took us somewhere we never would have found on our own.
Our biggest advice is to mix it up. Have sushi one day, grab ramen from a tiny shop the next, wander through a market, try a viral dessert, and leave room for something completely random.
Some restaurants might have long lines to get in, while others may require a special reservation. We recommend choosing a few important dining experiences to you, and checking what their booking system looks like so you won’t miss out on anything.
Liked this article and want to access it later? Pin it!
👀 What’s Next?
Now that you know everything about the food in Tokyo, let’s help you learn more about visiting this incredible city.
Here are other Japan guides we have:
🗼 30 things to do in Osaka, Japan
✈️ How to get to Osaka, Japan
🚗 How to get around Osaka, Japan
🚌 How to get to Nara, Japan
🏮 Nara Lantern Festival
🦌 What to do in Nara in one day
📖 Nara travel guide
📆 The best time to visit Japan
🇯🇵 The ultimate guide to planning a trip to Japan
You’re going to enjoy eating your way around Japan so much! We hope our Tokyo food guide helps you have the best dining experiences, and try all the incredible foods in Tokyo.
Want to learn more visiting Tokyo and other areas of Japan? We have tons of other Japan Travel Guides for you, as well as new ones coming up every week! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so that you’re able to stay up to date with our most recent articles, and get special discounts on our shop.
Ready to start planning an incredible trip to Japan? Well, we’re here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers customized travel planning, so you can skip all the tedious work, and simply enjoy your trip. Take a look at our travel planning packages we have, or simply email us to get started today!
Here are some other guides you’ll love:
