Tokyo travel guide
Best Street Food in Tokyo: Where & What to Eat
Tokyo is famous for sushi, ramen, tempura, yakitori and monjayaki. The city holds more Michelin stars than any other, but its defining experiences are casual: conveyor-belt sushi, ramen counters under train tracks and depachika department-store food halls.
Eating in Tokyo: what you need to know
Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any city on earth, but its best eating often happens in six-seat counters and basement izakaya. Eat seasonally, queue where locals queue, and don’t skip the depachika — the extraordinary food halls beneath department stores.
Must-try dishes in Tokyo
| Dish | What it is | Where to try it | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramen | Rich tonkotsu or clear shoyu broth with hand-pulled noodles | Ramen alleys of Shinjuku and Tokyo Station | ¥900–1,500 |
| Sushi | Edomae-style nigiri, from ¥100 conveyor plates to omakase counters | Toyosu Market outer stalls and Ginza | ¥1,500–30,000 |
| Tempura | Feather-light battered seafood and vegetables fried to order | Asakusa’s century-old tempura houses | ¥1,200–8,000 |
| Yakitori | Charcoal-grilled chicken skewers with tare glaze | Omoide Yokocho and under the tracks at Yurakucho | ¥150–300 per skewer |
| Monjayaki | Runny savoury pancake cooked on the table griddle | Tsukishima Monja Street | ¥900–1,400 |
The best food spots in Tokyo
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Ichiran Ramen · Shibuya
Cuisine: Tonkotsu ramen · Expect to pay: ¥1,200
Must order: Classic tonkotsu with extra garlic
1-22-7 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo
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Sushi Dai · Toyosu
Cuisine: Sushi · Expect to pay: ¥5,000
Must order: Omakase set
Toyosu Market, 6-5-1 Toyosu, Koto City, Tokyo
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Tempura Daikokuya · Asakusa
Cuisine: Tempura · Expect to pay: ¥2,500
Must order: Tendon tempura rice bowl
1-38-10 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo
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Afuri · Ebisu
Cuisine: Ramen · Expect to pay: ¥1,400
Must order: Yuzu shio ramen
1-1-7 Ebisu, Shibuya City, Tokyo
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Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu · Nishi-Azabu
Cuisine: Izakaya · Expect to pay: ¥4,000
Must order: Soba and yakitori set
1-13-11 Nishi-Azabu, Minato City, Tokyo
Destinations in Tokyo
best street food in Tokyo — FAQs
What food is Tokyo famous for?
Tokyo is famous for sushi, ramen, tempura, yakitori and monjayaki. The city holds more Michelin stars than any other, but its defining experiences are casual: conveyor-belt sushi, ramen counters under train tracks and depachika department-store food halls.
How much does it cost to eat out in Tokyo?
A typical Tokyo meal costs ¥900–1,500 at ramen shops and casual chains, ¥2,000–4,000 at izakaya with drinks, and ¥10,000+ at high-end sushi counters. Budget travellers can eat very well on ¥3,000–4,000 per day including convenience-store breakfasts.
Do Tokyo restaurants take walk-ins?
Most casual Tokyo restaurants are walk-in only and seat diners in order of arrival. High-end sushi, kaiseki and popular omakase counters require reservations, often weeks ahead. Vending-ticket machines at ramen shops let you order before sitting down.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.