TOKYO TOUR GUIDE SID'S TEN CASUAL EATS RECOMMENDATION IN TOKYO
Here is a top ten list of my favorite casual eats in Tokyo. This list is comprised of some of my favorite CASUAL restaurants that I like to go to, when I’m craving something, passing through the area or want to have a cheat day. This list is NOT a list of what I think are some of Tokyo’s best, but rather a list of my favorite chain restaurants, comfort foods and hangout spots that are affordable. If I am ever your Tokyo tour guide, you can ask me about this list and we can go eat at some of these spots!
*The list is in no particular order.
Tsukemen from Rokurinsha
When it comes to ramen, I’m more of a “tsukemen” kind of person. Tuskemen is basically dipping ramen where the broth and noodles are separate. Rokurinsha’s tsukemen is the creamiest, most umami packed tsukemen ever. They have restaurants in Tokyo Station, Ueno Station and the Skytree.
Fruits Sandwich from Sembikiya
My favorite sandwich is not a savory kind but a sweet one. The founder of the the fruits sandwich - Sembikiya - lives up to it’s expectation and has the fluffiest, sweetest, juciest fruits sandwich one can imagine. In the winter time, it’s strawberry season so I like going in the winter for a strawberry sandwich! They’re flagship store in Nihonbashi is nice, but the one in Kitte building in front of Tokyo Station is my favorite!
Udon and Tempura at Inaniwa Udon Kaneko Hannosuke
Kaneko Hannosuke is arguably one of the most famous tendon (tempura donburi which is tempura over rice) restaurants in Tokyo. Sometimes lines are about 1.5 hours long. BUT, if you don’t want to wait you can head over to their udon store nearby. Their udon set comes with a mini tendon so you can get a taste of their famous tendon plus some udon! There are toppings right in front of you that you can add to enhance the udon. Honestly, I think this is better if you want both noodles and the tendon.
Address: Japan, 〒103-0022 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashimuromachi, 2 Chome−3−1 コレド室町 2 地下1階
A 1 minute walk from the Mitsukoshi-mae station. It’s on the B1F of Coredo Muromachi Department Store 2
Tonkatsu from Maisen
There are many highly rated and Michelin rated tonkatsu restaurants in Japan. The problem with those restaurants are that the lines can be very long. If you’re stopping by and want a quick lunch with good tonkatsu, you can’t go wrong with Maisen. They’re tonkatsu is honestly one of the softest tonkatsus I’ve had. Don’t miss out on their katsu sandwich either. They have many stores throughout Tokyo but I usually go to the one in Shibuya’s Hikarie Department store
Japanese sweets from Umezono
Dating back to 1854, this Japanese cafe serves some of the best traditional Japanese sweets. My favorite is the Anmitsu (in the photo) which basically includes small cubes of agar jelly, a white translucent jelly made from red algae, mochi, red beans and sometimes fruits and ice cream on top. If you’re willing to try new Japanese desserts, this is your place to come.
Sushi from Midori Sushi
Sushi can be very expensive. Really good places can also be hard to make reservations for. Midori sushi (although they may have long lines) is one of my favorite decent priced sushi. You can get full on sushi from about 20-30 bucks which is an absolute steal in Tokyo! Midori sushi is a chain restaurant (Katsu Midori is their revolving sushi version which is also highly recommended) although there aren’t that many throughout Tokyo. My personal favorite is the one in Tamagawa at the Takashimaya Department store. I dream about their toro all the time.
Website: https://www.sushinomidori.co.jp/eng/
Curry from Curry Bondy
Cocoichi curry is a famous curry chain restaurant but, Curry Bondy in my opinion is the more superior chain (by miles). It’s not really a chain as there are only 8 shops throughout Tokyo but this Japanese styled curry hits the right spice. The flagship store is in Jimbocho, which is considered a curry town, so it’s a perfect place for any curry lovers. You can find all the stores here http://bondy.co.jp/web/contents/shoplist.html
Gindaco
Now this one on the list isn’t necessarily a special one, but a personal favorite. Gindaco is a very popular chain takoyaki restaurant. There are over 30 of them around Tokyo. Takoyaki is basically an octopus ball made of wheat flour based batter, filled with octopus. It’s topped off with your choice of sauce (typically their regular takoyaki sauce) but I personally love their cod roe (mentaiko) sauce as seen in the picture. Most Gindaco’s have take out, but you can also dine in. Usually Gindaco’s are used as a drinking establishment and I like to mix it in when I’m bar hopping for a great late night snack!
*Takoyaki is a very popular snack in Osaka.
Yakiniku from Beef Kitchen Nakameguro
Now this one is borderline sticking onto this list because it can be casual and not-so casual depending on how you look at it. Yakiniku, or Japanese BBQ can be very expensive. A5 wagyu cuts will literally melt in your mouth, but it comes at a price. Some of the best yakiniku restaurants in Japan can be hard to get reservations and will cost you couple hundred dollars. But, Beef Kitchen has some of the best yakiniku I’ve had and the prices are not so bad, compared to the best. You can look to spend around 50-100 USD a person (depending on how much you eat and drink), and that’s not too bad considering how mouth watering their meat is. Of course, there are much cheaper options, but I rank it in with my casual eats because of the quality and price correlation. If you’re not looking to ball out, but willing to pay a little extra for good food, Beef Kitchen Nakameguro is the way to go.
Matcha Ice Cream from Sawawa Asakusa
It’s one of the best richest, creamiest and flavor full matcha ice creams I’ve had. Simple as that. It has the perfect balance of matcha and cream so you can get the best of both worlds. A plus because it’s right by the world famous Sensoji Temple.
Photo Credit: Tabelog