tokyo food diary - best places to check out 🍙🍜🍱
the food in japan never disappoints 🙂↔️ here’s some places I’d recommend to make a trip to tokyo worthwhile 🤓
📍manten sushi (marunouchi)
⭐️ 22 course omakase - this is a must visit!!! you get a huge variety of sushi, sashimi, and seafood — freshly prepared in front of you. a premium and high quality experience from tasting to dining (look at the size of that uni handroll!!!) 🤠👍🏼 amazing, 10/10, best believe I was stuffed after this
📍pizza studio tamaki
⭐️ tamaki (signature pizza) - pizza in japan??? that’s what I thought too, until i tried it for myself 😲 the tamaki is a tomato based pizza dressed with mozzarella, pecorino romano, and fresh basil — simple, straightforward, and sooo delish. the pizzas are freshly handmade, with a light & springy dough. the cherry tomatoes topped on the pizza were so sweet and juicy too 🤤
⭐️ tiramisu & panna cotta - these were a good way to end the meal! tasty, but nothing that stood out very much
📍sushiro
⭐️ salmon belly sushi - thick, fatty slices of salmon belly 🍣
⭐️ hotate sushi - do you see how thickly sliced that hotate is 😲😲😲 it was so sweet as well
⭐️ sweet shrimp sushi - fresh, sweet, and so satisfying
sushiro is a good ol’ reliable place to get tasty and affordable sushi. really good value for money when you consider the quality of food you’re getting!
📍onigiri gorichan
⭐️ onigiri set meal (2/3 onigiris with soup) - the onigiris were HUGE. they make them fresh in front of you, the ingredients were fresh and super yummy. highly recommend trying the one with the marinated egg yolk! it was my fav 😋
📍cloud club matcha
⭐️ matcha and hojicha latte - both of these drinks were yummmmy 🥤🙂↕️ nutty, creamy, and sweetened just right. the staff were really friendly too!
📍9th keisuke (duck ramen)
⭐️ duck ramen clear soup - a deeply flavoured broth that was complex and well balanced. really unique as it’s not common to see places sell duck broth ramen
⭐️ duck ramen thick soup - a richer version of the clear soup. just as good, but definitely heavier on the palette
📍7/11
⭐️ prawn cutlet sando - deep fried prawn cutlet coated in soft white bread. so yum that it even tasted good cold
⭐️ marinated egg yolk onigiri - the number of times i had this will not be disclosed 😇 it’s such a simple snack yet packs such complex flavours
⭐️ egg sando - this is the japanese 7/11 cult classic. it’s simple, tasty, and never disappoints
⭐️ marinated salmon roe onigiri - yum! but can get a lil salty
ending off this post with the 7/11 recommendations because you can’t say u went to japan if you didn’t pop into some sort of konbini 🤭
Having visited Tokyo several times, I can say that the culinary scene there is incredibly diverse and vibrant, going beyond just sushi and ramen. One underrated experience I highly recommend is trying the omakase course at Manten Sushi in Marunouchi, as it offers a spectacular variety of fresh seafood, including extraordinary items like uni handrolls and abalone, all prepared right in front of you. The attention to detail and freshness truly elevate the dining experience. Another surprise hit from my trip was Pizza Studio Tamaki. At first, I was skeptical about Japanese pizza, but the Tamaki signature pizza completely changed my mind with its light, springy dough and the use of fresh tomatoes and high-quality cheeses. It's a delightful fusion of Italian technique and Japanese ingredient precision. For a quick, affordable sushi fix, places like Sushiro are unbeatable. Their thick-cut salmon belly and sweet shrimp sashimi are consistently fresh and melt in your mouth. It’s perfect for those wanting excellent sushi without the omakase price tag. Onigiri Gorichan offers huge, freshly made rice balls—my personal favorite was the marinated egg yolk onigiri, which was bursting with umami flavor. Pairing it with a comforting bowl of soup makes for a satisfying light meal. Do not overlook the local convenience stores (konbini), especially 7/11, which stock surprisingly high-quality items. The prawn cutlet sando and marinated salmon roe onigiri are perfect for quick snacks between sightseeing. Lastly, duck ramen at 9th Keisuke is a rare treat. Whether you opt for the clear or thick broth, the rich flavors are deeply satisfying and unlike traditional ramen broths you normally find. Pair your meals with a matcha or hojicha latte from spots like Cloud Club Matcha to round out your experience with authentic Japanese tea flavors made to creamy perfection. The friendly staff and cozy atmosphere make these cafes a great spot to relax after a busy day of food exploring. Overall, Tokyo’s food offerings are vast, and blending traditional with modern tastes ensures that every meal is memorable. I encourage fellow travelers to explore both upscale restaurants and humble street eats to truly experience the city’s culinary magic.