Dining in Tokyo — Culinary Capital of the World

Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any other city in the world — but the special thing is that the best food is often found in the simplest places. A ramen shop with a ticket machine, a sushi counter with six seats, a yakitori stand under the railway line.

Sushi

From conveyor-belt sushi (Kaiten-zushi, from ¥100/plate) to Tsukiji market breakfast (¥2,000–4,000) to the Omakase experience at the Ginza counter (¥15,000–50,000). For the best value: Sushi Zanmai (chain, 24h, from ¥1,000) or the stalls at Tsukiji Outer Market.

Ramen

Tokyo's soul food. Every district has its favorite. The major styles: Shoyu (soy sauce, classic Tokyo), Tonkotsu (pork bone broth, creamy), Miso (hearty), Shio (salt, clear). A bowl costs ¥800–1,200 — one of the best meals you can get for under 10 €. Ordered at the ticket machine in front of the shop (in Japanese, but often with pictures).

Yakitori

Grilled chicken parts on skewers — from breast to thigh to heart and cartilage. The best yakitori alleys: Yurakucho (under the train tracks, full of salarymen after work) and Omoide Yokochō in Shinjuku (Piss Alley — the name says it all, but the skewers are fantastic).

Izakaya

Japan's answer to the pub: cozy places where you drink beer, sake, and highball (whisky soda) and share small dishes — edamame, karaage (fried chicken), gyoza, sashimi. Order with "Toriaezu Nama!" (First a beer!).

Konbini Cuisine

Japan's convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) are culinary wonders: fresh onigiri (¥120–200), bento boxes (¥400–700), sandwiches, oden (stew in winter), nikuman (steamed buns) — all surprisingly good. A complete meal for ¥500 (3 €) is commonplace.