Japan is known all over the world for its rich cultural heritage, beautiful scenery, and fresh and delicious food. Together with the Japanese’s dedication to craft and profession, you can rest assured that their cuisine will be among the best you’ve ever tasted! Are you looking to try some authentic Japanese menu items in Tokyo, without breaking the bank? Look no further – from seafood markets to izakaya restaurants, plan your next Tokyo foodie tour using our list of just a few of the many highlights of Tokyo, without the heavy price.
1. Sushi
As an island-nation, it’s no surprise that Japan`s cuisine has a wide range of delectable seafood options. The best place to experience the freshest sushi and sashimi that Japan has to offer is at any one of the island nation’s many fish markets. Markets like Tsukiji and the newer Toyosu fish market have specialized seafood restaurants along their restaurant rows, offering a variety of fresh fish delicacies on their menus. These are well-established areas where professional chefs and restaurateurs purchase the freshest seafood ingredients for some of the most high-end places in Japan. However, you can still eat like royalty without breaking budget.
Standing sushi bars are probably the best places to have a quick bite of fresh and delicious sushi. After having a taste, you can simply move along to the next thing to try! At Tsukiji, a standing sushi bar called Tsukiji Sushicho offers sets (or sushi boards) beginning at ¥690, with 6–10 pieces of sushi. Individual items begin at just ¥90, with the most expensive items (like otoro, uni, and botan–ebi) going for ¥440 a piece – allowing you to curate your own sushi meal to your liking.
Another alternative for great sushi at a decent price is at Uogashi Nihon Ichi, and their outlet in Shibuya Dogenzaka is another standing sushi bar. With individual (or pair) sushi items going for around ¥280 on average, you’ll be able to try a wide range of fresh sushi items – especially ones you might not see outside Japan! Sushi boards or sets begin at ¥1,280 – a good deal for a delicious meal!
Also Read: 10 Kinds of Next level Sushi
2. Kaisendon (seafood bowls)
Kaisendon, which means “seafood bowl”, features a variety of the sashimi of your choice served atop warm rice. A restaurant called Tsujihan is a famous restaurant chain for kaisendons. The main store is located in Nihonbashi, with the cheapest bowls priced around ¥1,250, and the most expensive being just ¥3,600. There’s a wide variety of toppings and add-ons to choose from: you can have a mixed bowl of sea urchin, crab, salmon roe, fatty tuna, and salmon, or whatever else suits your fancy! The amount of toppings affects your final bill, but with such fresh, high-quality ingredients, it’s hard to go wrong at a place like this!
Minatoya is a popular Japanese restaurant that also specializes in kaisendons. Located at the Ameyoko Market, you can choose what toppings you’d like from a giant picture menu outside the store. From tuna, salmon, squid, roe, sea urchin, scallops, or a mixture and variety of items, a kaisendon bowl begins at about ¥650 and goes up to ¥1,500. Portions are big, and with such a price, it’s definitely a good bang for your buck!
3. Grilled Seafood
Izakaya restaurants are an excellent place to try many of the regional specialties that Japan has to offer! Some izakaya offer fresh seafood dishes like sushi, sashimi, and kaisendons, but others focus on specific cuisines, with some establishing themselves as seafood only, or even yakitori (grilled or fried chicken) or kushikatsu (deep-fried skewered meat and veggies).
Also Read: The Colorful Izakaya Alleys of Japan
Seafood izakaya places at times have grills at the table, where you can enjoy freshly caught shellfish like clams and scallops – cooked directly in front of you. With a variety of condiments, like butter, shoyu (soy-sauce), ponzu sauce, and in-store specialty dipping sauces, it really doesn’t get any better than this!
A seafood centered Izakaya to try is a chain called Isomaru Suisan. With locations across the country, there are 28 stores in Tokyo alone! Items on the menu are under ¥1,000 each, and as they specialize in seafood, they have fresh sashimi, slow-cooked seafood options, and a range of barbecued or flame-grilled options. Large grilled clams go for ¥359 each, with similar prices for scallops (¥399), a whole squid (¥399), or even grilled fish (2 pieces for ¥499). At izakaya restaurants, you can truly curate your own seafood experience to your heart’s desire, and for very reasonable prices!
Another seafood izakaya highlight is Uohama. Located at the Ameyoko Market, they serve a wide variety of fish and other seafood options including sashimi, grilled fish, and fried delights! Grilled seafood items are at times served atop a small stone grill, where you can enjoy the table-top-cooking experience. Similarly, items on the menu are under ¥1,000 each, and with their extensive menu, you can sample many quintessential items of Japanese cuisine.
4. Yakitori (grilled or fried chicken)
If you’re looking for chicken options, izakaya have those too. Some izakaya are dedicated yakitori restaurants, which means they contain a plethora of grilled or fried chicken options on their menu. You can try Torikizoku, a popular yakitori chain with over 198 stores around Tokyo! It’s a cheap-eat chain from Osaka offering a wide selection of charcoal-grilled chicken skewers and side dishes, and as it`s found in almost every city in the country, you can trust this is an iconic establishment amongst locals. All menu items go for around ¥370 each, and yakitori dishes usually include 2 full skewers of the meat of your choice. A good deal, for sure!
Another well-known yakitori chain is Yakitori Daikichi, which serves more grilled items. This chain doesn’t serve appetizers (which is a common practice at izakaya), but charges a price for each skewer instead, from around ¥160 a piece. This is because they want customers to enjoy a wide variety of dishes from their menu! With 37 locations in Tokyo, this establishment offers a more cozy vibe in addition to having highly rated skewers and service.
Also Read: What Makes Izakayas in Japan So Special?
5. Noodles, and other local specialties
Izakaya are great places to try out some of the other local Japanese specialties as well! On the menu, they usually offer a wide range of items, including different kinds of noodles (ramen, soba, udon, and somen), fresh salads, boiled and slow-cooked dishes like oden, and even gyu-suji (a beef cut with loads of cartilage, slow-cooked till tender).
There really are so many options that Japan’s capital has to offer. With such high-quality and fresh ingredients, paired with the local’s sophisticated dedication to excellence, you can be sure you’ll be able to find delicious but affordable eats on your next Tokyo foodie tour!
Want all the planning taken care of for you? If you’re looking for a Tokyo food tour that best fits you, Best Experience Japan has a team of experienced locals that can share new horizons of authentic Japanese cuisine. Their Taverns & Ramen tour takes you to niche areas beyond the touristy crowds, letting you have an exclusive dining experience at three local, Japanese-only taverns, where you can try sashimi, grilled fish, and succulent skewered meats! And good news—to try.
Your guide will share exclusive insights about Japanese culinary culture, local customs, and any burning questions you may have about all things Japan! Experience the night like a local, and make memories of the true Tokyo nightlife, in one of the capital’s long-established neighborhoods!