Hiroko MatsuyamaWe returned to Japan after two years of absence which is long enough for us to long for our families and friends. But we must admit what we’ve been missing the most, the food. We will share only the best restaurants in Tokyo.
Best Tokyo Food: Where Real Japanese Go to Eat
This post is about where real Japanese food lovers go. It largely owes to our dear friend who lives in Tokyo, so he knows the real deal.
He has a clear standard for choosing the best restaurants according to the occasion.
Excellent Food at a Reasonable Price
It’s normal to get something delicious when you go to up-scale restaurants. It’s good, though. However, there’s no surprise or ‘bargain-feeling’.
When you go to some restaurants with a reasonable price and find their food excellent, that’s the time you get that great feeling.
We had just arrived in Japan the day before that night and lost our luggage at San Fransisco Airport. That made us upset and exhausted enough to stay frowning all night.
The best Tokyo food made us realize how incredibly delicious they are and appreciate the fact we could enjoy them.
Aburi Shimizu Sohonten
This is the restaurant in Shinbashi. Our dear friend took us for the first time, and we were amazed by the quality and the price.
Shinbashi is a town full of bars. You can see men in suits with ties are swallowed by each bar.
Don’t be surprised if they bring you some small dishes before you order. It’s called “Otoshi” or “Sakitsuke”, the tradition which keeps you with some little things to eat while you wait for your order.
We’ve heard some visitors from other countries find it unreasonable since you pay for what you didn’t order. You assume it as a kind of ‘seating charge’ with real food.
Motsu-nikomi
If you opt for entrails, you should try this. It has no bad smell but is absorbed with delicious broth.
Price: 450 JPY
Amireba
Once you take a bite, you will be surprised by the feel in your mouth. It’s full of meat juice and fun to chew on.
Price: 210 JPY
Special Shio Motsu-nabe (hot pot stew made with offal)
This pot is full of the good taste of well-pretreated entrails. It warms up your stomach and gives you the satisfaction only good meals can bring.
Price: 1,480 JPY
Tataki
This is another find your tongue will appreciate you. Putting a small amount of grated wasabi (Japanese horseradish) adds superb freshness and intensity to the flavor.
Price: 980 JPY
Jikasei Nukazuke – Homemade Japanese Pickles Fermented with Rice Bran
Japanese pickles are something you need to try when the opportunity comes up. It can be the casual main dish where you don’t have meat or fish. Pairing with white or brown rice and miso soup is satisfying enough, and they are genuinely healthy.
Fermented food is popular in Japan. This is one of the secrets why they stay slim and healthy for long years.
Price: 350 JPY
Address: Le Gracier BLG.30., Shinbashi 3-19-8, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
Phone: +81-3-6432-0293
Hours: 12:00-04:00(the next day) Tue-Sat, the day before the holiday
12:00-0:00 Sun, Mon
You can drink in the daytime
Uokin Honten
Special Assorted Sashimi
This is truly the most special assorted Sashimi you ever get. Our dear friend invited us for another round of great deals after Aburi. You can’t beat the price or the quality of this assorted Sashimi.
It’s best suited for some celebration as the presentation adds a festive mood and the taste you would never be disappointed.
Price: 1,980 JPY
Aonori Dofu – Tofu Soaked in Green Laver Soup
Have you ever seen this beautiful deep green seaweed on the plate? We haven’t. The color reminds me of deep green jade jewelry. If you like the seaweed, this is a must and putting it in your mouth makes you smile.
Price: 780 JPY (large), 580 JPY (half)
Benijake no Harasuyaki (Red Salmon Belly Broiled)
Grilled salmon is something all the Japanese are familiar with, especially for breakfast. Usually, it’s cooked only with salt and grilled, which is fantastic with white rice. This one you can get is broiled so you can enjoy its fatty juice.
Price: 580 JPY
Uokin Honten
Address: Daini Fuji building, Shinbashi 3-18-3, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
Phone: +81-3-3431-1785
Hours: Mon-Fri 15:00-23:30
Sat 15:00-23:30
Sun, Holiday 15:00-23:00
Closed on New Year’s Holiday
Kanda Yabusoba
This Japanese noodles restaurant was established in 1880. The building, once damaged with the fire, however, was restored and reopened in 2014.
Kikumasamune Tokusen 180ml – Smooth Japanese Sake, Kikumasamune
If you are a frequent Japanese noodles lover, you may know this tradition of enjoying some cups of sake before you start eating Buckwheat noodles. This practice lets you feel warmed up for the noodles and make your conversation with your company smooth.
It’s popular you have them warmed, but you can enjoy it in cold temperatures as well like we did.
You can enjoy other alcohol like beer, shochu, and soft drinks.
Price: 770 JPY
Aiyaki – Grilled Duck
Salt in a Small Plate Comes with Aiyaki.
You don’t want to miss this on when you go to Japanese buckwheat noodles. The grilled duck with leaks is the best combination for a cup of sake.
A little amount of salt brings out the best flavor from the duck, and it also makes a simple snack that goes well with sake.
Price: 1,340 JPY
Anago-yaki – Grilled Conger Eels
We have to admit we weren’t impressed with this dish here. Against our expectation, it had little flavor but sensed the muddy odor. It made us wait for about 20 minutes, making our experience even worse.
The season of the conger eels is summer, but some prefer them in winter since they put more fat in cold temperatures. Either way, we assumed their pretreatment was in poor condition.
Price: 1,720 JPY
Seirou Soba
After we enjoyed sipping cold, smooth sake, our main deal came. We ordered just one Seirou for each, but it turned out we needed another. I looked around, and every customer ordered two Seirou in advance.
Having soba noodles at this place became more than just an eating experience for us. The lively mood made us think about the past sometime in the Edo period (1603-1868). We were honored to have this experience and wished this place to last as long as possible.
Price: 670 JPY
Kanda Yabusoba
Address: Awajicho 2-10, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Phone: +81-3-3251-0287
Hours: 11:30-20:30 (Last order: 20:00)
Holiday: Wed
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Grilled Aging Beef Delicatessen Awaji-cho Branch
Once you enter the house, you’ll be welcomed by the extensive showcase full of aging meats. Varieties of selection let you find your favorite one, ranging from fatty ones to lean meat.
But what is aging beef?
Aging beef is beef processed mainly by breaking down the connective tissue with several weeks of drying. Only the higher grades of meat can be dry aged, as the process requires meat with a significant, evenly distributed fat content.
Kamenoko
Price: 1,500 JPY
Tamanegi – Boiled Whole Onion Covered with Rock Salt
The appearance is so lovely, and the taste is so sweet. Boiling while being covered with salt brings out the natural sweetness and juiciness.
Price: 490 JPY
Grilled Aging Beef Delicatessen Awaji-cho Branch
Address: Tsukasa-machi 2-10, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Phone: +81-50-5890-2098
Hours: 17:00-23:30
Holiday: 2nd Mon
Toraya
Toraya is no doubt a high-end cafe featuring Japanese-style sweets.
Tokyo is brimmed with sweets shops, but if you want to experience the traditional and authentic Japanese style, consider Toraya.
Oshiruko – Red Bean Soup with Rice Cake
Oshiruko, sweetened and strained red bean soup with rice cake, is amazingly satisfying for your palate. You can enjoy the soup with a whole bean version, too.
The rice cake is so soft and fun to chew on.
Price: 1,296 JPY
Yokan – Sweet Beans Jelly
This is what Toraya is famous for, Yokan. The thickness of this jelly tells you that this is not something you can buy from a convenience store. The quality is superb.
You will know what I’m discussing when you place your folks onto the Yokan. This is a real deal.
The atmosphere is nice and calm, a valuable spot where you can relax in the middle of the central shopping district, Ginza.
We’d love to come back again for another fantastic ‘sweet’ time.
Price: 1,080 JPY
Address: Ginza 7-8-6, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Phone: +81-3-3571-3679
Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30-19:30 (Last Order 19:00)
Sun, Holiday 11:30-19:00 (Last Order 18:30)
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