The Food Landscape of Tokyo

If you’re a foodie, it’s no doubt that you’ve sampled countless tastes around the world. You might even have created your own personal list of favorite dishes. Food fanatics can go to great lengths just to get the thrill that comes with a peculiar new flavor. However, none of your food experiences can be compared to what Tokyo offers. From the who is who in the restaurant world, down to the simple traditional eating joints, one thing remains constant; scrumptious meals.

Another amazing thing about Japan’s capital is the various flight options that link it to multiple capitals of the world. Nowadays, you can conveniently travel here without having to break a sweat. You can take Cathay Pacific direct flights to Tokyo from Hong Kong; just click here to book the flight.

Now back to foods, let’s dive deep in Tokyo and explore its menu from the well know meals to the enigmatic ones.

Sushi

Please don’t be a laughing stock. If you’ve been to Tokyo, you’ve definitely got to try this delicacy. It would be pretty embarrassing if you won’t. So here are some fundamental facts about this meal. Basically, the word Sushi means sour. The delicacy is made of rice that has been seasoned with vinegar and added with vegetables or raw fish. The meal is normally prepared by chefs who have mastered the art of Japanese cuisines. Many people normally associate it with steep prices; inasmuch as that might be true, you can still find it sold in many eating joints in Tokyo at an affordable price. Sushi no Midori is one popular spot in Tokyo where you can dine to get a taste of this delicacy. The place is pretty popular among locals and tourists alike; thus, avoiding peak hours would be a shrewd thing to do, which are normally around 11 am-12 pm and 6-7 pm. Be sure to learn your chopsticks technique before eating here – you’ll be proud of yourself. If you find it too hard, don’t stress yourself, you can still enjoy it using bare hands.

Chicken Skewers

Chicken is a meal that can be eaten in so many ways. In Tokyo, people like devouring it when grilled as small pieces on sticks. The meat is normally seasoned with tare sauce or salt, with charcoal being the preferred source of heating. The meat is normally grilled until they achieve a dark, golden brown color, at which point they would have become succulent. Grilled chicken skewers, or better known as Yakitori are normally made from different chicken parts that include thighs, cartilage, heart, and skin. Some of the places in the capital where you can get the best Yakitori include Torimitsu and Doromarire. It’s very common in Tokyo for locals to accompany the meal with a cold beer in the evening with family and friends. 

Ramen Noodles

There’s no way top Japanese meals will be mentioned without highlighting Ramen. It’s an all-time favorite among Tokyo dwellers. From it’s low-price to its nutritional value, there are so many reasons to fall in love with this meal. One lovable factor about it is the many available options you can use to supplement it such as pork, dried fish, and soy sauce. When it comes to places where you can enjoy this meal, it’s impossible to run out of options in the city. In fact, there are restaurants that have established themselves as purely ramen eateries. The most popular ones include Nakamoto, Aburagumi, and Ichiran. 

Soba 

Not very far from the Ramen Noodles is Soba Noodles. Here’s a side note, if you find yourself slurping, that’s totally fine – no need to be embarrassed. This meal is normally light, accompanying it with vegetables and fried crusty shrimp would make the perfect combo. Eating it while hot or cold normally depends on how you want your experience to be. Should you prefer it cold, adding a somewhat warm tempura would just be the perfect fit for it. To get a nice dish at an affordable price, head over to any one of Fuji Soba restaurants where you can get a dish for as low as 300 JPY. Another great option would be Yabu Soba, a joint that is well known to provide incredible side meals including eels and rolled eggs. The ultimate spot to find this dish would be Ueno and various major stations.

The food landscape is one of the best ways to explore Tokyo. From the city center all the way to the very remote parts to Tokyo, there’s no place the cuisine adventure won’t take you.

Olivia Watson

Olivia is a world traveler who has been to 27 countries in just over 15 years. She loves to share her knowledge of traveling to help others travel safer, cheaper and have more fun.
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