What to Eat in Tokyo Japan: My 9 Top Foods to Try & Restaurants in Tokyo Japan

The food in Tokyo is, in my opinion, the main event. More important than the sights, more important than exploring neighborhoods and even more important than the shrines. And honestly, that probably applies to all of Japan.

I thought I loved Japanese food before visiting. Turns out I had absolutely no idea. From the moment I landed in Tokyo, I was completely obsessed. My days quickly started revolving around meals, where to eat next, what time to line up, and whether I could realistically fit ramen and sushi into the same afternoon.

If that sounds a bit excessive, trust me, once you’re there you’ll understand. The quality, consistency, and sheer variety of food in Tokyo is unreal, especially when you’re here for the first time.

That’s why I put together this guide on what to eat in Tokyo, focusing on my personal favorite dishes and my top restaurants in Tokyo. These are all places I have been to and genuinely loved and would go back to in a heartbeat, and hopefully they’ll help you eat just as well as I did.

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What to Eat in Tokyo Japan: My 9 Top Foods to Try & Restaurants in Tokyo Japan

What to Eat in Tokyo – My Experience (The Best Food in Tokyo IMO)

Let me start with my own experience first, because I think that’s way more helpful than just listing “must-eat” foods without any context. Almost all of the good food I had in Tokyo I found through Google Maps. I know a lot of people swear by Tabelog and say it’s the only way to find good restaurants in Japan, but honestly, I heavily disagree. Some of my best meals came from places I randomly bookmarked on Google Maps and just walked into.

I had a lot of incredible food in Tokyo, but I also had a few disappointments, and almost all of those were viral Instagram spots. The pattern was pretty clear. The best ramen, sushi, and gyoza I ate were at regular, local places. Sometimes there was a short line, sometimes there wasn’t. None of them felt “hyped,” and all of them were excellent. From my experience, Tokyo just has so much good food that you really don’t need to chase anything viral to eat well.

My favorite sushi in Tokyo was at a small spot called Sushi Bar Nigirite in Shinjuku. We actually got very lucky here, we walked in without a reservation right after another booking had canceled, so we managed to snag a table. We did a mini omakase with 11 courses for around $25, which honestly felt ridiculous for the quality. Some of the best mackerel and salmon nigiri I had in Japan came from this place.

Another absolute highlight was gyoza in Kameido, in an area with basically no tourists. The restaurant only serves one thing: gyoza. As soon as you sit down, they bring beer and a plate of dumplings, and then they just keep bringing more until you tell them to stop. No menu, no decisions, just excellent gyoza. I loved it.

If there’s one piece of advice I’d really stress here, it’s this: don’t overthink food in Tokyo. Yes, make a reservation or two if there’s something specific you really want to try, but don’t stress about it. Some of my favorite meals came from spontaneous decisions, zero planning, and places I’d never seen online before. Tokyo rewards curiosity, especially when it comes to food.

Are Viral Food Spots in Tokyo Worth It?

Before arriving in Japan, my Instagram feed was already full of Tokyo food recommendations. Every second video seemed to feature a must-try spot, usually with a massive line and some famous food in Tokyo. I’ll admit, it made me feel like I needed to plan my days around food reservations and viral places, which, in hindsight, was completely unnecessary.

I did try a few of those viral spots while I was in Tokyo, and honestly, most of them weren’t worth it. The viral udon carbonara was my biggest disappointment. After waiting for hours, the food itself was just not good at all. It was bland, flavourless and just didn’t compare to other food I had in Tokyo.

What I learned pretty quickly is that Tokyo is packed with incredible food that never shows up on Instagram. Some of my best meals were from small, local places I found on Google Maps, often without a line at all. Great ramen, great sushi, amazing gyoza and zero hype involved.

So if you’re worried about missing out on viral food spots, don’t be. Tokyo’s food scene is so good that you’ll eat extremely well without chasing trends or standing in line for hours. Wander a bit, trust your instincts, and you’ll be just fine.

What to Eat in Tokyo & Where to Eat in Tokyo (middle)

1. Japanese Ramen

I’m definitely no ramen expert. I feel like I need to say that upfront so I don’t upset anyone, but ramen was one of the dishes I loved most in Tokyo and throughout my whole month in Japan.

Ramen is a noodle dish, usually served in a hot broth (but not always), with different combinations of broth, noodles, meat, and toppings. I made it a bit of a mission to try as many styles as possible, from tonkotsu to miso to shio and shoyu, plus a few dry ramen versions. Honestly, I loved all of them, but some of my favorite bowls I had anywhere in Japan were right here in Tokyo.

A very quick ramen 101, based purely on my own experience: my personal favorite is tonkotsu, which is made from pork bones and has a rich, creamy broth. There are also lighter options like shio (salt-based) and shoyu (soy sauce–based), and miso ramen, which is especially comforting. Vegetarian ramen does exist, often miso-based, but I would find eating strictly vegetarian in Japan a bit more challenging overall.

One thing to know is that waiting in line for ramen is pretty common, especially at popular spots. That said, lines usually move fast. Ramen isn’t a long, sit-down dinner in Japan. People come in, order (often via a vending machine or a simple order slip), eat fairly quickly, maybe have a beer, and then leave. Lingering at the table isn’t really a thing, and blocking a seat would be considered rude. As much as I love ramen, it’s rarely a cozy, drawn-out dinner experience. It almost feels closer to fast food in Japan, just incredibly good fast food.

Best places to eat in Tokyo for Ramen:

1.Ramen Tasunoya: This is actually the best Ramen I’ve had in Japan (Google Maps Location)

2.Ichiran Tokyo: Super popular and touristy Ramen spot but I really enjoyed their Ramen! (Google Maps Location)

3.Ramen Hayashida: One of my favorites, it was super delicious and not busy at all! (Google Maps Location)

2. Sushi in Tokyo

Sushi in Tokyo was easily one of my favorite things to eat, and I might sound dramatic here, but after having sushi in Japan, I’m genuinely not sure I can fully enjoy it back home the same way. The quality of the fish is on another level. From tuna and salmon to mackerel and eel, everything tasted incredibly fresh, clean, and perfectly balanced. I honestly could’ve eaten sushi every single day.

One thing that surprised me at first is how different sushi culture is in Tokyo compared to what many of us are used to. Sushi here is mostly nigiri or sashimi, sometimes simple maki, but you won’t find California rolls or anything with heavy sauces. That kind of sushi is considered very Westernized. Trust me though, you won’t miss it, the simplicity is exactly what makes it so good.

As for where to eat sushi in Tokyo, I had fantastic experiences at Tsukiji Fish Market, where you can get high-quality sushi early in the morning, as well as at small local sushi bars. One of my absolute favorites was Sushi Bar Nigirite in Shinjuku, which I mentioned earlier.

Japanese sushi etiquette is very real, and I definitely learned some of this the hard way. A few things to know: the wasabi is usually already placed under the fish, so there’s no need to add more. If soy sauce is provided, dip the fish side lightly, don’t drown it. Ginger is meant to be eaten between pieces, not on top of the sushi. And if a place doesn’t give you soy sauce at all, that’s intentional. The chef wants you to eat the sushi exactly as it’s served. From my experience, sushi chefs in Tokyo are very particular about this, and honestly, once you try it their way, it makes total sense.

My favorite sushi restaurants in Tokyo:

1.Sushi Mon Shinjuku: This place is a great easy first Omakase. It’s all in english and fairly affordable! (Google Maps Location)

2.Tsukiji Fish Market: It was definitely a little pricier but still amazing sushi! (Google Maps Location)

3.Sushi Bar Naminori: Probaly my second favorite sushi bar in Tokyo. (Google Maps Location)

3. Gyozas

I love gyozas, and in case you don’t know what they are, they’re basically dumplings (or potstickers), with gyoza being the Japanese version. I had gyozas all over Japan, but the best ones I ate were in Tokyo at an old-school spot called Kameido Gyoza Honten. It’s hugely popular with locals, and when I was there, we were the only tourists in the room.

As soon as we sat down, they brought out a big bottle of beer and a plate with five gyozas for each person. There’s no menu because they only do two things: gyozas and beer. Once you finish your plate, another one appears. They just kept bringing more until I said stop, which made the whole thing feel very fun and very local.

One small thing I learned from a local while eating gyoza in Japan: you don’t dip them in plain soy sauce. You either mix soy sauce with vinegar or just use vinegar on its own. A lot of places also serve mustard with gyoza, which sounded strange to me at first, but I ended up loving it.

Where to eat in Tokyo for Gyozas:

1.Kameido Gyoza Honten: This was definitely the best Gyozas I had in Japan! (Google Maps Location)

2.Gyopao Gyoza Roppongi: Super popular but also super yummy. I had to wait in line for quite a bit! (Google Maps Location)

4. Izakaya

Before coming to Japan, I had never even heard the word izakaya, and I only really learned what it meant once I was actually there. Funny enough, the very first restaurant I walked into in Japan turned out to be an izakaya. There was no English menu, no one spoke English, and I was completely overwhelmed, but that experience kind of sums up how I discovered a lot of Japanese food.

An izakaya isn’t a specific dish, it’s a type of bar-restaurant. Super casual, lively, and very food-focused. Most izakayas serve all kinds of small plates and skewers, usually grilled over charcoal. You’ll see a lot of yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), but also more unusual cuts like chicken skin, cartilage, or liver. It sounds weird I know, but it’s actually really fun trying different things.

I went to quite a few izakayas in Tokyo and around Japan, mostly because they’re so social compared to something like a ramen dinner, which is usually quick and quiet. My izakaya nights usually went like this: beers first, order a few skewers and small dishes, have another drink, order more food, repeat. It’s basically the Japanese version of tapas!

Top Tokyo Restaurants for Izakaya:

1.有楽町産直横丁: The food I had here was ok but the vibe was amazing. It’s under the train tracks, full of energy and full of locals! (Google Maps Location)

2.琉球チャイニーズシシシ新宿本店: They had really tasty dishes here but it was for sure a little more expensive for an Izakaya (Google Maps Location)

5. Omakase

I’ve listed omakase separately from sushi because, for me, it’s a completely different experience and something you should try at least once while you’re in Tokyo.

So what exactly is omakase? In simple terms, it’s a multi-course sushi meal where you leave everything up to the chef. The ingredients, the order, the pacing, it’s all decided for you.

My first ever omakase was in Osaka, and I loved it so much that I did another one in Tokyo. The one I did in Tokyo was actually very affordable (I’ll link it below), and it ended up being one of my favorite food experiences in the city. We sat at the counter, ordered the lunch omakase, and the chef prepared each course right in front of us using incredibly fresh ingredients.

The Tokyo omakase took about an hour and included 11 courses, which was the perfect length. You can definitely do longer, more elaborate (and much more expensive) omakase meals too, but even a shorter one gives you a great feel for the experience. It’s mostly nigiri, usually with a bit of sashimi and sometimes a small soup or extra fish dish mixed in.

For me, omakase is special because it’s not just about eating high-quality sushi, it’s about slowing down, watching the process, and enjoying something that feels very intentional. If you’re even slightly into sushi, this is 100% worth doing in Tokyo.

Where to eat in Tokyo for Omakase:

1.Sushi Bar Nigirite: I loved the sushi here, it was super yummy and really affordable too! (Google Maps Location)

2.Sushi Kurosaki: I haven’t been to this sushi restaurant myself but I’ve heard good things. You will definitely need a reservation for this omakase. (Google Maps Location)

6. Tonkatsu

I absolutely love tonkatsu — and honestly, I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t. Just in case you’re not familiar with it, tonkatsu is Japan’s answer to a schnitzel: a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet, and it’s incredible when done right.

I had great tonkatsu all over Japan, but some of my favorites were in Tokyo. One spot that really stood out was Tonkatsu Suzuki, which a friend recommended to me. It completely blew me away. I didn’t think fried pork could be that juicy and flavorful. We ordered the lunch set, which came with rice and miso soup, and it was one of those simple meals that’s just done perfectly.

I love tonkatsu on its own, but if I had to pick a favorite version, it would be tonkatsu curry, rice topped with a crispy pork cutlet and rich Japanese curry sauce. I didn’t end up having it in Tokyo (sadly), but I did have an amazing one in Kanazawa. If you see tonkatsu curry on a menu anywhere in Japan, order it. It’s hard to beat.

Best Tokyo Restaurant for Tonkatsu:

1.Tonkatsu Suzuku: Here I had the best Tonkatsu I’ve had in Tokyo. I did have to wait in line though. (Google Maps Location)

7. Onigiri

I absolutely love onigiri, and I must have eaten a ridiculous amount of them during my month in Japan. At some point I definitely stopped counting. Onigiri are simple rice snacks filled with things like tuna, chicken, beef, or pickled plum, wrapped in seaweed, and they’re honestly the perfect grab-and-go food.

I had a few great ones from proper onigiri specialty shops, but if I’m being completely honest, the onigiri from Lawson, 7-Eleven, and FamilyMart are incredible value for money. I grabbed those all the time.

One little tip from someone who’s eaten way too many: try the onigiri made with brown rice. They often don’t have the classic seaweed wrapper and, in my opinion, they taste way better than the standard white rice ones.

8. Udon

After my very disappointing experience with the viral udon carbonara (yes, I’m mentioning it again because it really was that bad), udon needed some serious redemption for me. Bland, overpriced, and wildly overrated, easily my biggest food letdown in Japan.

So I gave udon another chance at a small, non-viral spot called Kunugiya Shinjuku Gyoen, and it completely changed my mind. I ordered a proper udon soup with a rich broth and added some shrimp tempura, and it was fantastic. No line, small place, comforting food and exactly what I was hoping for.

If you’re not familiar with udon, it’s a thick, chewy noodle. You’ll most commonly find it in broth, but it also comes stir-fried or served cold depending on the season. Just do yourself a favor and skip the internet-famous versions.

Best Food in Tokyo, Udon:

1.Kunugiya Shinjuku Gyoen: Really tasty no fuss Udon. I came here for lunch and it was exactly what I needed. (Google Maps Location)

9. 7-Eleven Sandwiches

Were the 7-Eleven sandwiches the best food I had in Japan? Obviously not. But did I eat them constantly? Absolutely.

Convenience stores in Japan are on a completely different level compared to anywhere else in the world. 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart all sell genuinely good food, and the sandwiches are no exception. They’re cheap, fresh, and surprisingly good.

There’s a very real chance I had a 7-Eleven sandwich almost every single day, especially the egg salad sandwich, which is elite. I’d usually grab one for breakfast with a coffee or smoothie and be out the door in minutes. Quick, easy, and honestly kind of essential during my time in Japan.

FAQs About The Best Food in Tokyo

What is the cheapest food in Tokyo?

Ramen can be incredibly cheap if you find a small local shop, especially around train stations or in quieter neighborhoods. If you’re really watching your budget, convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart are hard to beat. The quality is shockingly good for the price.

Is food in Tokyo expensive?

It can be, but it really doesn’t have to be. I had plenty of fantastic meals for under $10, and then of course you can spend $200 per person at a high-end sushi restaurant if that’s what you’re after. Tokyo works at pretty much every budget level.

What to eat in Tokyo for breakfast?

I’ll be honest here: I tried traditional Japanese breakfast (rice, fish, miso soup) and it just wasn’t my thing. Most mornings I grabbed a sandwich from 7-Eleven or Lawson, sometimes with a coffee or smoothie, and that worked perfectly for me.

What are must eat foods in Tokyo Japan?

From my experience, ramen is an absolute must. You also have to eat fish in Tokyo, whether that’s nigiri at the fish market or a proper omakase. Those were some of my favorite food moments in the city.

Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Eat in Tokyo

Overall, the food in Tokyo was incredible. I spent a full month in Japan and tried food all over the country, but when it comes to fish and sushi, Tokyo really stands out.

My favorite meals were almost always in smaller, more local-feeling places, often with a single counter where you sit side by side, watching the chefs cook right in front of you. That’s the kind of experience I love, and Tokyo does it incredibly well.

I’ve said this a few times now, but it’s worth repeating: I didn’t have great experiences with viral or hyped-up food spots in Tokyo. Don’t stress about ticking off everything you’ve seen on Instagram. Go with the flow, follow your instincts (and Google Maps), and I promise you’ll eat well.

I hope this guide gives you a solid idea of what to eat in Tokyo. There’s obviously so much more to try, and I’m sure I’ve only scratched the surface, but these are the dishes and experiences I genuinely loved and would happily do all over again.