Where to Eat in Tokyo

From Michelin stars to ¥500 standing bars

Tokyo isn't just a food city — it's THE food city. More Michelin stars than Paris. Ramen shops that have perfected a single dish for 50 years. Izakayas where salary workers decompress over yakitori and highballs. Seven-Eleven onigiri that somehow slaps at 2am. The depth here is unmatched.

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Neighborhoods to Know

Shibuya

Vibe: Young, energetic, chaotic

Best for: Late-night eats, trendy spots, people watching

Shinjuku

Vibe: Neon-lit, diverse, overwhelming

Best for: Izakayas, Golden Gai bars, yakitori alleys

Nakameguro

Vibe: Hip, relaxed, Instagram-worthy

Best for: Coffee shops, natural wine bars, brunch

Tsukiji/Toyosu

Vibe: Early morning, authentic, bustling

Best for: Fresh sushi breakfast, tamagoyaki, seafood

Ebisu

Vibe: Sophisticated, local, less touristy

Best for: Date nights, craft beer, quality dining

What to Eat

Ramen

Every shop has its own style — shoyu, shio, miso, tonkotsu. The obsession is real.

Must try: Tonkotsu at a shop with a line (trust the line)

Sushi

From conveyor belt to omakase. Budget doesn't equal quality here — ¥2000 sushi can be transcendent.

Must try: Standing sushi bar for lunch

Izakaya

Japanese tapas meets pub. Order many small things, drink beer or highballs, stay for hours.

Must try: Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) with a cold Asahi

Kissaten

Old-school coffee shops with hand-dripped coffee, thick toast, and nostalgia.

Must try: Hot coffee and tamago sando (egg sandwich)

Local Tips

→Lunch sets (teishoku) are insanely good value — often half the dinner price for the same quality
→The best spots rarely have English menus. Point, smile, and trust.
→Convenience store food is genuinely excellent. 7-Eleven egg salad sandwich at 2am is a rite of passage.
→Standing bars (tachinomi) are where locals actually drink. Cheaper, more authentic.
→Reservations are essential for anything with a reputation. Book weeks ahead.

When to Eat

Breakfast

7-9am

Tsukiji for sushi, kissaten for coffee and toast

Lunch

11:30am-1pm

Best value — get the set menu

Dinner

6-8pm

Izakayas fill up fast, go early or reserve

Late night

10pm-2am

Ramen, gyudon chains, or konbini runs

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