Japanese Cuisine: 12 Types of Japanese Dishes To Try in Tokyo
When it comes to Asian cuisine, various types of Japanese dishes are always on top of the list. Although many Japanese restaurants can easily be found in every country, it will have a different atmosphere and taste when you’re trying it directly from its homeland.
There are many regions in Japan that is acknowledged as a culinary tourism paradise, including Tokyo. Various districts in Tokyo is offering several types of typical dishes that you can explore.
From the street food to five-star restaurants, the dishes offered will always satisfy Japanese culinary lovers’ tastes. The choices are very diverse, and it is possible to make you confused while determining the food choices. You should also know that there are many hundred years running-restaurants in Tokyo that you can explore.
Hence, we are compiling 12 types of Japanese dishes in Tokyo that you can use as a reference.
Main Dish
1. Edomae Sushi
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Edo is an ancient name for Tokyo, so Edomae Sushi is the original Sushi from Tokyo. This fresh seafood dish is several times included in CNN’s most delicious food list in the world.
Like sushi in general, Edomae sushi uses fresh raw fish, as the main ingredients. The fish-fillet then placed on top of the vinegar-seasoned rice. Although there are many types of sushi fusion in the world, the original Edomae sushi still preserved to this day.
Visit Sushi Dai to have a taste of the best Sushi in Tokyo. Its location is at the Tsukiji fish market that will be guaranteeing the freshness of the ingredients they use. You can have a high-end Edomae Sushi only for ¥3.000 or about $27 per portion.
Sushi Dai is at 6 Chome-5-1 Toyosu, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0061.
2. Shoyu Ramen
When talking about various types of Japanese dishes, this one comes to our mind first, Ramen. Numerous types of ramen are made in Japan; one of those is Shoyu Ramen. Shoyu means soy sauce in English. Shoyu ramen is the most popular type of ramen in Tokyo, so you won’t have any trouble to find it. Soyu sauce added to the ramen stock made from vegetable or chicken broth. This mixture produces clear brown broth with a rich taste.
Visit Aoshima Shokudo restaurant to have a taste of the rich Shoyu ramen. The ramen is homemade noodles and served with toppings of pork fillets and dried spinach. This restaurant is near Akihabara Station.
Aoshima Shokudo is at 3 Chome-20-1 Kanda Sakumacho, Chiyoda City.
3. Monjayaki
You might know this dish as Okonomiyaki, and you’re not entirely wrong, because Monjayaki is one type of Okonomiyaki. Okonomiyaki originates from the western side of Japan, while Monjayaki originates from the eastern side of Japan, including Tokyo. The ingredients to make both dishes are the same only Monjayaki is more watery in the middle.
Many restaurants in downtown Tokyo sell Monjayaki, especially in the Tsukishima area that called Monja Road. One of the Monjayaki stalls that you can visit is Okame Souhonen. This restaurant provides 60 types of Monjayaki, and the average price for Monjayaki in this place is $11, depending on the ingredients that you choose.
Okame Souhonen is at 3-17-3 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.
4. Yakitori
Almost all of the places in the world have delicious meat and vegetable skewers. Yakitori is a Japanese chicken skewer with sweet soy sauce. Besides Yakitori, there are Kushisaki and Kushikatsu, which is another version of Japanese typical skewer. The only difference is the type of meat and seasoning used.
If you have enough budget, come to Birdland restaurant. This place is a Michelin-starred Yakitori restaurant. If the price hasn’t changed, you can enjoy the full Yakitori course for $58 to $77. But if your budget is limited, you can visit Yakitori Tetsu. This place is serving yakitori at a lower price.
Birdland is at Exit C6 Ginza Station, Tokyo.
Yakitori Tetsu is 160 m from Shibuya Center-Gai.
5. Soba
Besides ramen, another noodle-based dish that is no less popular is soba. Soba means flour or noodles in English. The difference between soba and ramen is the type of flour. Soba made from a mixture of buckwheat and wheat flour, and it has a darker color than ramen. Soba can be served hot or cold, according to taste.
When you are in Tokyo, visit the famous Namiki Yabusoba restaurant in Asakusa. The queue of the visitors started even before the shop opened. The service in this restaurant is also very satisfying, even though the staff are mostly elderly.
Namiki Yabusoba is at 2 Chome-11-9 Kaminarimon, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0034.
6. Tempura
Tempura is a type of fries that is famous in Japan. This dish is generally made from seafood dipped in seasoned flour, then deep-fried. Besides seafood, vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes can also process as great tempura. Tempura has a crispy texture and savory taste.
Tempura sold in various places in Tokyo, ranging from street food to luxurious restaurants. One Michelin starred restaurant that you can visit is Tempura Kondo in Ginza. This restaurant has 2 Michelin stars that will be guaranteed the delicacy of the dishes. For lunch packages, you can get a price of around $74 and a dinner package for $92.5.
Tempura Kondo is at 5-5-13 Ginza Chuo, Tokyo.
7. Sashimi
Besides sushi, another fresh seafood dish that you can try is Sashimi. Sashimi uses fresh fish slices as the main ingredient and served with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger. Since Tokyo is in the coastal area, the freshness of the seafood is unquestionable.
For you who have a limited budget, the port area has diverse stalls that serve fresh sashimi at a low price. If you’re in Shibuya, visit the Ame Nochi Hare Aoyama, which provides a beautiful presentation and Instagramable Sashimi.
Ame Nochi Hare Aoyama is at 2-2-17 Shibuya, Tokyo.
Dessert
8. Dango
Dango is a traditional Japanese culinary made from sweet rice flour or mochiko, potato or cornflour, sugar, and sauce. Dango shaped small balls and pierced like a skewer. One skewer contains three to five Dangos. The composition of Dango ingredients is quite safe for Muslim tourists. Dango is often enjoyed with Ocha.
If you want to enjoy Dangos with original flavors, visit Habutae Dango at Higashi Nippori. This shop has been around for 200 years, and the atmosphere inside the shop is very comfortable and spacious. Here you can enjoy a Dango package with a cup of matcha.
Habutae Dango is at 6 Chome-60-6-13 Higashinippori, Tokyo.
9. Mochi
Another typical Japanese dessert that you can’t miss is mochi. Mochi made from steamed sticky rice flour that is chewy and not too sweet. Sometimes also given a variety of fillings, such as mashed green beans or even ice cream. Ice cream mochi itself known as Daifuku.
Lots of shops sell mochi with various filling throughout Tokyo. One of the stores that you can visit is Ginza Akebono, which is very popular. This shop also provides a mochi according to the season, such as sakura mochi in spring. You can get one mochi for around $2.5.
Ginza Akebono is at 5-7-19 Ginza Akebono.
10. Matcha Ice Cream Level 7
Matcha is a common material used as a drink or a dessert. One matcha-based dessert that you should not miss is Matcha Ice Cream Level 7. This level refers to the total amount of matcha uses in ice cream. The higher the level, the darker the ice cream is, and the taste is bitter. Come to the Suzukien ice cream shop in Asakusa to try this dish.
Suzukien Asakusa is at 3 Chome-4-3 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032.
Beverages
11. Sake
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The most famous Japanese alcoholic drink in the world is sake, and it’s coming from fermented rice. Even though the ingredients for making sake are easy to obtain and the process of making it looks easy, not everyone can produce it. Almost all traditional Japanese restaurants and gastro pubs serve this drink in their menus.
12. Matcha
Green tea powder brewed without adding any flavors, such as sugar, and generally enjoyed at certain ceremonies. Besides matcha, Ocha also uses green tea leaves as its main ingredients. However, Ocha takes the extract from the brewed dried tea leaves, while Matcha uses whole tea leaf powder.
These types of Japanese dishes are just some of the few mouthwatering food you can try when you go to Japan. Japan always has something delicious that tourists should try. What about you? What are the types of Japanese dishes are you always craving for?
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