A Tokyo food trip guide: 12 must-try dishes from street stalls to Michelin ramen (where to find them, recommended Tokyo Stays nearby, and how to optimize your itinerary with transfers & Wi‑Fi tips)

Tokyo is a city built around eating — from sizzling street stalls to multi-course Michelin dining. This guide walks you through 12 essential Tokyo eats, where to find the best examples, nearby Tokyo Stays recommendations, and practical tips to optimize your route with transfers and reliable Wi‑Fi.

Quick planning tips (before we dive in)

• Cluster neighborhoods by day (e.g., Tsukiji/Ginza → Marunouchi → Ginza; Shibuya/Harajuku → Omotesando; Asakusa → Ueno).
• Download offline maps and ride apps before you land. A stable connection helps with reservations and real-time transit.
• Get a Suica or Pasmo card on arrival for seamless subway/train travel.
• Book airport transfers and pocket Wi‑Fi or an eSIM ahead — Tokyo Stays can arrange these services for a smooth start.
• Bring cash for small stalls — many street vendors are cash-first.

The 12 must-try dishes

1. Sushi (Edomae)
2. Where to find it: Tsukiji Outer Market for fresh, affordable sushi stalls and small counters; Ginza for high-end sushi counters (some require reservations).
3. Recommended Tokyo Stays nearby: Tokyo Stays Tsukiji / Tokyo Stays Ginza — both put you within walking distance of markets and fine dining.

4. Tip: For counter seats at top sushi bars, reserve weeks in advance. Try a sushi set for lunch to save.

5. Michelin ramen (Tsuta or Nakiryu)

6. Where to find it: Tsuta (Sugamo) and Nakiryu (Otsuka) are the ramen shops that earned Michelin recognition — expect refined broths and skilled technique.
7. Recommended Tokyo Stays nearby: Tokyo Stays Ikebukuro / Tokyo Stays Ueno (good transport links to Sugamo/Otsuka).

8. Tip: Lines can form early — go off-peak or be prepared to queue. Check opening hours and any ticketing/queue rules.

9. Tonkatsu (breaded, deep-fried pork)

10. Where to find it: Maisen (Aoyama) and specialty tonkatsu restaurants around Omotesando and Ginza.
11. Recommended Tokyo Stays nearby: Tokyo Stays Omotesando / Tokyo Stays Shibuya.

12. Tip: Order a set with rice, miso soup and cabbage. Try a premium Kurobuta cut for richer flavor.

13. Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers)

14. Where to find it: Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku, Yakitori Alley under Yurakucho station, and many izakayas across the city.
15. Recommended Tokyo Stays nearby: Tokyo Stays Shinjuku / Tokyo Stays Yurakucho.

16. Tip: Visit in the evening for atmosphere. Share multiple small skewers to taste different cuts (negima, tsukune, bonjiri).

17. Tempura (lightly battered & fried)

18. Where to find it: Tempura counters in Ginza and Asakusa; for high-end tempura, look for specialty counters and Michelin-recommended shops.
19. Recommended Tokyo Stays nearby: Tokyo Stays Ginza / Tokyo Stays Asakusa.

20. Tip: Sit at the counter for freshly fried pieces served one-by-one. Lemon or tentsuyu dipping sauce depends on the shop.

21. Monjayaki / Okonomiyaki (Tokyo’s monjayaki specialty)

22. Where to find it: Tsukishima — the monja and okonomiyaki street is famous; chefs cook at your table.
23. Recommended Tokyo Stays nearby: Tokyo Stays Tsukishima / Tokyo Stays Kyobashi.

24. Tip: If you’re unsure how to cook it, choose a restaurant where staff will prepare it for you.

25. Takoyaki (octopus balls)

26. Where to find it: Street stalls in Asakusa and around popular tourist corridors; also found in depachika and food halls.
27. Recommended Tokyo Stays nearby: Tokyo Stays Asakusa.

28. Tip: Eat hot but not scalding — takoyaki centers around a molten interior.

29. Taiyaki (fish-shaped filled cake)

30. Where to find it: Ningyocho and Asakusa for traditional shops; depachika basements also sell variations.
31. Recommended Tokyo Stays nearby: Tokyo Stays Ningyocho / Tokyo Stays Asakusa.

32. Tip: Classic red bean is a must; try custard or sweet potato variations if you want something different.

33. Katsu Sando (cutlet sandwich)

34. Where to find it: Specialty shops and department store food halls (depachika) across Tokyo; Ginza and Tokyo Station have top-quality katsu sando vendors.
35. Recommended Tokyo Stays nearby: Tokyo Stays Ginza / Tokyo Stays Tokyo Station area.

36. Tip: Perfect as a portable gourmet snack for train travel — popular on bento lines.

37. Soba / Udon (buckwheat noodles / thick wheat noodles)

38. Where to find it: Long-established soba shops in Kanda, Marunouchi and around Tokyo Station; tempura-udon shops near shrines and parks.
39. Recommended Tokyo Stays nearby: Tokyo Stays Kanda / Tokyo Stays Marunouchi.

40. Tip: Try cold soba in summer and hot soba/udon in winter. Some soba shops hand-make noodles in front of you.

41. Wagyu / Yakiniku (Japanese beef)

42. Where to find it: Specialty yakiniku restaurants in Roppongi, Shinjuku and Ginza. For teppanyaki, reserve a counter for the show and quality cuts.
43. Recommended Tokyo Stays nearby: Tokyo Stays Roppongi / Tokyo Stays Shinjuku.

44. Tip: Savor small portions of high-grade wagyu; share with friends so everyone can try multiple cuts.

45. Harajuku crepes & sweets (street desserts)

46. Where to find it: Takeshita Street, Harajuku — colorful crepes, bubble tea, and trendy sweets.
47. Recommended Tokyo Stays nearby: Tokyo Stays Harajuku / Tokyo Stays Shibuya.
48. Tip: Go early to avoid long lines at popular vendors and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Omotesando’s cafés.

How to organize your food itinerary efficiently

• Day clusters:
• Day 1: Tsukiji/Tokyo Station/Ginza — sushi, katsu sando, tempura.
• Day 2: Asakusa/Ueno/Ikebukuro — street snacks, taiyaki, museums.
• Day 3: Shinjuku/Shibuya/Harajuku/Omotesando — yakitori, crepes, tonkatsu.
• Day 4: Tsukishima (monja) and Roppongi (yakiniku/teppanyaki), or branch out to Michelin ramen in Sugamo/Otsuka.
• Lunch vs dinner: Popular casual spots (ramen, sushi counters) are often cheaper and less busy at lunchtime; yakitori and izakaya are best in the evening for atmosphere.
• Reservations: For Michelin and high-end counters, reserve weeks in advance. Use Tokyo Stays’ booking service to help secure reservations and plan transfers.

Transfers — getting around from the airports and between neighborhoods

• From Narita: Narita Express (N’EX) to major hubs (Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya). Keisei Skyliner to Ueno for fast transfers. Reserve seats for comfort; Tokyo Stays can book airport transfers for door-to-door convenience.
• From Haneda: Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho (connect to Yamanote) or Keikyu Line into central Tokyo. For late-night arrivals, pre-book a private Tokyo Stays transfer.
• Between neighborhoods: Trains/subways are often fastest. Use JR Yamanote for main loop stations (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro).
• Luggage: Use coin lockers for short visits to free your schedule, or book Tokyo Stays early check-in/late check-out when available to store bags.

Wi‑Fi & connectivity tips

• Pocket Wi‑Fi vs eSIM: Pocket Wi‑Fi is great for groups and multiple devices; eSIM or local SIM is convenient for solo travelers. Tokyo Stays offers pocket Wi‑Fi rental and eSIM options — book ahead and pick up at the airport or delivered to your stay.
• Offline backups: Download maps, translation apps (camera translate), and menus offline in case of weak signals in basements or alleys.
• Payment & apps: Many places still prefer cash; have at least ¥5,000–¥10,000 on hand for stall shopping. Use smartphone maps and train apps with Tokyo Stays’ in-house Wi‑Fi to make real-time routing easier.

Sample 3-day food-focused itinerary (optimized)

Day 1 — Tsukiji → Ginza → Marunouchi - Morning: Tsukiji Outer Market sushi breakfast. - Midday: Walk to Ginza for a katsu sando at a depachika; explore Ginza shops. - Evening: Tempura dinner at a specialty counter in Ginza. - Stay: Tokyo Stays Ginza (easy walks between meals).

Day 2 — Asakusa → Ueno → Ikebukuro - Morning: Asakusa street snacks, taiyaki, and Senso‑ji stroll. - Lunch: Soba in Kanda or Ueno. - Evening: Michelin ramen (Tsuta / Nakiryu) — check travel time and line rules. - Stay: Tokyo Stays Asakusa or Tokyo Stays Ueno.

Day 3 — Shibuya → Harajuku → Shinjuku - Morning: Harajuku crepes and Omotesando cafes. - Lunch: Tonkatsu in Omotesando. - Evening: Yakitori alley in Shinjuku or a wagyu yakiniku in Roppongi. - Stay: Tokyo Stays Shibuya or Tokyo Stays Shinjuku.

Use Tokyo Stays transfers for airport rides and to move luggage between stays if you prefer to base one area and day-trip rather than changing hotels.

Why book Tokyo Stays for a food-focused trip

• Accommodation in prime food neighborhoods (Ginza, Asakusa, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tsukiji).
• Packages that can include airport transfers, pocket Wi‑Fi or eSIM, and curated food itineraries.
• Concierge help to make reservations at popular restaurants and Michelin counters.
• Travel insurance and flight booking assistance to help keep your trip smooth.

Final tips

• Go hungry and go early for queue-heavy favorites.
• Respect the local dining customs (no eating while walking in many busy streets, queue etiquette, and tipping is uncommon).
• Take advantage of depachika food halls early evening for a huge variety under one roof.
• Pre-arrange transfers and reliable Wi‑Fi with Tokyo Stays to spend less time logistics and more time tasting.

Ready to build your Tokyo food route? Book your Tokyo Stays accommodation, pocket Wi‑Fi/eSIM, and airport transfer, then we’ll help tailor the perfect culinary itinerary so you can focus on eating your way through Tokyo.