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Tokyo Food Guide: TOP 10 Must-Eat Foods

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I've been to Tokyo 6 times and usually staying about a month so I decided it is time I share my favorite TOP 10 Must-Eat foods in Tokyo including the best sushi, the best ramen and the best Japanese sweets.

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sushi zanmai in Tokyo, Japan tsukiji outer market in Tokyo, Japan ramen jiro shinjuku in Tokyo, Japan sea urchin - uniman tsukiji in Tokyo, Japan

I visit Tokyo almost every year due to my obsession with Japanese culture, food, language and all the amazing friends I made throughout the past decade thus I feel like I can make this TOP 10 must-eat foods with confidence to make sure your next trip to Tokyo will be a foody-loaded adventure.

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Best Places for Travel in Tokyo

  • 1. Sushi Zanmai

    Deluxe sushi set from Sushi Zanmai is the first meal I buy each time upon arrival in Tokyo, Sushi Zanmai is open 24/7. Map

  • 2. Sea Urchin Bun

    Creamy uniman, colored black by bamboo-charcoal from the Tsukiji outer fish market at the Hamada Soten shop. Map

  • 3. Japanese Mochi

    Delicious sticky rice cake ball filled with custard cream. Map

  • 4. Jiro Ramen

    Considered the best ramen in Tokyo and the best-bang-for-your-buck. Just $7 USD for an epic bowl of ramen. Map

  • 5. Udon Noodles

    Tsurutontan is the best udon restaurant chain in Tokyo open until 8am which is ridiculous. Map

  • 6. Grilled Stingray

    Eihire is an Izakaya dish serve at many establishment, it is crispy, tough and delicious, roughly $7 USD per plate. Map

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There are many sushi restaurants in Japan but in my honest opinion nothing beats the sushi chain Sushi Zanmai. This chain can be found all over Japan and over the best sushi for the best price.

  • 7. Raw Horse Meat

    As a Dutchman, I love horse meat, especially raw, known in Japanese as sakura often costing around $7 USD per plate. Map

  • 8. Yakitori

    Grilled chicken skewers are some of the most popular street foods in Japan. Checkout Yakitori Akira in Nakameguro for a wild Yakitori adventure. Map

  • 9. Famichiki

    Deep fried breaded heavenly chicken from the FamilyMart convenience store is a snack you cannot miss. Map

  • 10. Matsuya

    For a quick, cheap and delicious bite visit Matsuya for their 24/7 beef-on-rice bowls for just $2.60 USD. DIRT CHEAP EATS! Map

sushi zanmai in Tokyo, Japan sushi zanmai

I always order the deluxe sushi set after arriving in Japan, for just 3000 yen, $27 USD, you'll feast on a mouthwatering sushi set including blue fin tuna, saltwater eel, shrimp and sea urchin.

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Since the Tsukiji inner fish market closed, you can still enjoy the Tsukiji outer market where you can still run into public tuna cutting. Two other major items you have to buy at the Tsukiji outer market are the Japanese custard mochi ball which is a sticky rice ball treat and the bizarre sea urchin bamboo-charcoal bun (uniman) from Hamada Shoten.

meeting John Daub - ONLY in Japan in Tokyo, Japan meeting John Daub - ONLY in Japan

It was a total coincidence running into famous YouTube star John Daub from the show ONLY in Japan. An incredible show about everything Japan with over 1 million subscribers. John was live streaming the closure of the Tsukiji inner fish market and asking the locals their thoughts on the relocation to Toyosu. 

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