The Ultimate Guide to 10 Affordable Tokyo Eats

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🤗 1. 五代目野田岩 Goyome Nodawan (Unagi rice heirloom classic)

Address: 4-2-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Unagi rice, one of the icons of Japanese cuisine, is a must-try for many people when they come to Tokyo. And to savor top-notch unagi rice, you can't go wrong with Goyome Nodawan. This eel restaurant has been around for more than 200 years and has passed down its craftsmanship for five generations. The honor of one Michelin star is also a testament to its unshakable position in Tokyo's unagi rice scene.

When you walk into Goyome Nodawan, the aroma of unagi fills the air, instantly whetting your appetite. The unagi is carefully grilled over charcoal, crispy on the outside but soft and juicy on the inside, topped with a secret sauce and served with fluffy rice, mesmerizing you with every bite. The unagi rice here is not only a treat for the tastebuds, but also a journey of the taste buds through time, experiencing the old-time flavor of old Tokyo.

🤗 2. 築地拳母鮨 Tsukiji Katsumi Sushi (Tsukiji's Seafood Feast)

Address: 4-11-3 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Tsukiji Market, a world-famous seafood market, has always been a pilgrimage for food lovers. And the unassuming little store near the market, Tsukiji Kuncho Sushi, is a mecca for sushi lovers. Fresh seafood is delivered directly from the market to the store every day, ensuring the excellent taste of the sushi.

Walking into Fist Mother Sushi, you will find that there is no flashy decoration, only simple Japanese atmosphere and warm service. You can sit at the bar and watch directly as the chef skillfully kneads the sushi, which is presented as if it were a work of art. The sashimi that melts in your mouth is served with slightly sweet and sour vinegared rice, and the freshness of the ingredients and the skill of the chef make every bite full of surprises. The prices here are also relatively affordable, making it an ideal choice for experiencing Tokyo's high quality sushi.

🤗 3. Brillant Cafe (sweet time in the morning)

Address: 11F Odakyu Department Store Main Building, 1-1-3 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

In the bustling center of Shinjuku is Brillant Cafe, a café-restaurant with a romantic European feel, which is the first choice of many Tokyoites to start their day. The interior is cozy and elegant, as if you were in a Parisian street cafe. Whether it's breakfast or afternoon tea, this place offers a unique sweet time.

Brillant Cafe is best known for its waffles. Fresh from the oven, the waffles are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and when you break them gently, the air is filled with a creamy, sweet flavor. Paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and topped with some sweet maple syrup, each bite seems to dance in your mouth. In addition, the restaurant offers a wide variety of breakfast options, so whether you love French toast or are a fan of Japanese light meals, you'll find the flavor you're looking for here. Every meal here is exquisite and heartfelt, so you can feel the beauty of life while enjoying your meal.

🤗 4. Tempura Nakayama (Uncle Goro's Tempura Don)

Address: 1-10-8 Nihonbashi Ningyocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

If you're a big fan of The Lonely Gourmet, then you'll be no stranger to Tempura Nakayama. This restaurant was made famous by Uncle Goro from the show, yet it's the authentic tempura donburi that really keeps customers coming back.

Tempura Nakayama's Tempura Don is known for the richness of its sauce and the freshness of its ingredients. Large pieces of shrimp tempura are gently coated in batter and deep-fried at high temperatures, resulting in a golden and crispy outer skin while retaining the tenderness and juiciness of the shrimp on the inside. With one bite, the sweetness of the sauce mingles with the crispiness of the tempura in your mouth, instantly activating all your taste buds. There is no complicated decoration here, only a simple and cozy Japanese atmosphere, and every detail reveals the simplicity and care of Japanese cuisine.

🤗 5. Daikokuya Tempura (Gourmet Legends of Asakusa)

Address: 1-38-10, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Asakusa, Tokyo's most historic district, hides a number of unforgettable delicacies. One of the most famous restaurants in the area is Daikokuya Tempura. Founded in 1887, this restaurant has attracted countless diners with its tempura dishes that have been passed down over the years.

What makes Daikoku's tempura unique is its soft texture. Unlike traditional crispy tempura, the outer skin of tempura here is thin and soft, while the inner ingredients maintain a high level of freshness. Whether it's shrimp, fish or vegetables, each bite lets you feel the original flavor of the ingredients combined with the cleverness of deep-frying. Daikoku's tempura is not only a delicious legend of Asakusa, but also an unmissable taste of Tokyo.

🤗 6. 浅草今半 Asakusa Imahan (a perfect encounter between sukiyaki and wagyu beef)

Address: 3-1-12 Nishi-Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo

For meat lovers, sukiyaki in Tokyo is definitely a big temptation, and Asakusa Imahan is a mecca for sukiyaki lovers. Since its founding, Asakusa Imahan has been around for more than 120 years and has become a symbol of sukiyaki in Tokyo.

Imahan's sukiyaki is made with top quality wagyu beef, which is tender and has an even distribution of fat. The thin slices of beef are shabu-shabu in the sauce, and the beef quickly changes color in the boiling sauce, but still maintains a delicate texture. When gently pinched, the beef melts in your mouth with the rich flavor of the sauce and the freshness of the gravy. Each portion of sukiyaki here conveys the essence of Japanese cuisine and is irresistible.

🤗 7. 六厘舍拉面 Rokkisha Ramen (the king of dipping noodles)

Address: 7-1-1 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

When it comes to ramen in Tokyo, Rokurinsha is definitely a name you can't get enough of. As a representative of Tsukemen (dipping noodles), Rokurinsha has countless fans in Tokyo and all over Japan. In particular, its “Sengoku Shichimi” dipping noodles, with its unique chili sauce and rich broth, have won over the stomachs of countless diners.

The dipping noodles at Rokkisha are different from traditional ramen in that the noodles are served separately from the broth. The noodles are thick and chewy, rinsed in cold water to maintain excellent elasticity and texture. The dipping sauce, on the other hand, is the soul of Sixth House. The thick pork bone soup base, with a special chili sauce, stirs up the spicy and fresh flavors in your mouth, giving you an unparalleled taste experience. Whether you're a ramen lover or trying dipping noodles for the first time, you'll find your own flavor paradise here.

🤗 8. 十十六 (The Art of Kaiseki Cuisine)

Address: 18F THE BLOSSOM HIBIYA, 1-1-13 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Tokyo's kaiseki cuisine is known for its sophistication and elegance, and Ten Sixteen is one of the best. Located on the upper floors of Ginza, this restaurant sits on the upper floors of Ginza and has a great view of Tokyo Tower, allowing you to enjoy your meal while taking in the sights of Tokyo's cityscape.

Ten Sixteen's cuisine is like an art exhibition, with each dish meticulously crafted and filled with both visual and taste pleasures. The pairing of cold dipping noodles and tempura is one of the specialties here. The smoothness of the cold dipping noodles contrasts perfectly with the crunchiness of the tempura, creating a rich and layered texture. Each dish emphasizes seasonality and matching of ingredients, as if telling a moving story with food. Ten Sixteen is not only a restaurant, but more like a work of art waiting to be savored.

🤗 9. 五代目花山乌冬 (thickness and pliability of udon)

Address: 3-14-13 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Udon is one of the icons of Japanese noodle dishes, and for top-notch udon in Tokyo, Goyome Hanayama Udon is definitely the place to go. This famous restaurant from Gunma Prefecture is known for its extremely wide noodles and multi-layered texture.

The udon noodles at Goyome Hanayama are made with the utmost care in the selection of flour and the kneading process, and each noodle has a handmade texture and a thick flavor. The udon noodles are tough and chewy in the mouth, and with the refreshing broth or rich sauce, you will feel the perfect blend of noodles and broth. The udon noodles here not only satisfy your tastebuds, but also let you experience the charm of traditional Japanese noodle dishes.

🤗 10. 鸟安 (the ultimate salt-flavored yakitori experience)

Address: 3-5-7 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Main Store)

If you love yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), then Torian in Tokyo is a stop you won't want to miss. Specializing in salt-flavored yakitori, this restaurant offers diners the purest Japanese yakitori experience with its rugged presentation and high-fire grilling.

Toranaga's yakitori emphasizes the original flavor of the ingredients, with each skewer of chicken meticulously seasoned and flamed to create a charred exterior and tender meat. The simple seasoning of the salt-flavored yakitori emphasizes the freshness and juiciness of the chicken, allowing you to feel the essence of the yakitori in every bite. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is equally rugged and natural, as if you were transported back to the streets of Showa-era Tokyo, in the midst of the smoke and fire, to experience that most authentic Japanese flavor.

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Tokyo is not only a modern city, but also a paradise for food lovers. From traditional eel rice and sushi to modern café lite, every restaurant shows you the diversity and endless possibilities of the city. Walking through the streets of Tokyo, you can stop at any time and walk into a small restaurant for a fine meal, or you can savor a delicious feast from a Michelin restaurant in a bustling business district. Every bite is a tribute to Tokyo; every meal is a love of life. Come to Tokyo, explore the city's secret taste buds and experience the endless charm of food!