This time, we’ll look for traditional family recipes and try to find fresh and creative regional foods.
There are meals with cool and creative names, as well as a large range of noodles and tasty fried appetizers in Tokyo. Are you all set? We made a list for you. This list will definitely make you curious and maybe even desire to cook for yourself.
1.**Yoshimiya (Monjayaki)**:To experience the true taste of Tokyo cuisine, you must always include Monjayaki. A local recommended this restaurant.
Their family has deep roots in this area. Monjayaki is sometimes compared to Okonomiyaki. However, they are entirely different dishes, both based on fried batter.
Monjayaki uses a more liquid batter. It is mixed with broth or water, and when cooked on a hot griddle, the batter remains in a flowing state like melted cheese, rather than solidifying into a pancake shape. The server will mix all the ingredients, or if you dare, you can mix them yourself. Then let it cook for a few minutes before scraping off the crumbs from the griddle with a small spatula. You can also add ingredients like octopus, or pork works well too.
This is an interesting and unique dish that pairs well with ice-cold beer. Finding this place was a pleasant surprise. The elderly owner warmly welcomed us despite the language barrier. The overall experience was unforgettable, and you must try it. It’s located in the Tsukishima area, which is said to be the best spot for it.
2. **Miyako (Fukagawa Meshi)**: This is another tasty meal from the Tokyo area that is popular in the region. The dish is made by cooking rice with clams and green onions in miso sauce.
The dish is named after the Fukagawa district of Tokyo, reflecting the area’s history. Fukagawa was once a fishing village where locals relied on the sea for their livelihood. They fished for seafood, collected clams, and harvested seaweed. This was a working-class meal, a simple yet hearty dish for laborers. However, its flavor is far from simple—it is absolutely delicious.
The clams in this dish are juicy, tender, and plump. They add a subtle umami flavor to the rice, while the miso imparts a rich depth of flavor. The tatami-mat seating in the restaurant gives it an authentic feel, and finding this dish elsewhere is quite challenging. In Fukagawa, its place of origin, you are sure to experience the authentic taste.
3. **Inoko (Ramen)**:Attention ramen lovers. The ramen we ate at Inoko (Ramen) was absolutely top-notch.
A local friend recommended it to us. It lives up to all the hype, and one standout dish is the shrimp miso dipping ramen. Is this your first time trying dipping ramen? It’s a different type of ramen where the noodles and soup are served separately. You dip the noodles into the soup, which is usually thick and perfect for dipping.
Take a sip of Inoko’s broth, and wow. You’ll understand why locals love it so much. It’s packed with rich shrimp head flavor. If you enjoy sucking on shrimp heads, this dipping noodle dish is a dream come true. Another dish is the crab miso ramen. It looks stunning, topped with a whole crab. It also has a great miso base, making the broth very flavorful. There’s tempting crab roe on top, so if you love crab, you must try this. You can choose between thin or thick noodles, and the ramen here has a great texture as well.
4. **Oreryu Shio Ramen**:The next stop on our Tokyo ramen tour, Oreryu Shio Ramen is another shop worth trying. A local food expert recommended this place.
Although not as impressive as Inoko, it is still extremely delicious ramen. There are many branches around Shibuya, and we tried a few bowls inside the shop. The special grilled pork ramen is a standout, with exceptionally tender and smooth pork slices.
There’s also the salt-flavored butter corn ramen bowl, a combination that sounds quite unique. But trust me, it’s truly delightful. The natural sweetness of the corn balances perfectly with the broth. The corn kernels have a crisp texture, paired with your favorite pork slices. There are also some fresh vegetables.
This ramen shop has become my favorite. It’s conveniently located, and the ramen is top-notch. Our visit was near the Shibuya intersection, just a ten-minute walk away. It’s easily accessible in the heart of Tokyo. If you’re looking for reliable, high-quality ramen, this place is definitely worth a try.
5. **Teuchi (Soba)**:One day, I had a craving for good soba. Tabelog guided me to Teuchi, which has the highest rated soba in the entire Shinjuku area. It’s a small store and very popular. Locals love to have lunch here.
We chose tempura to go with our soba. Soba and tempura are like a match made in heaven and this combination was delicious. Dipped in a delicious Tsuyu sauce, it was a delight to eat. But here’s a little secret: I admit the soba was delicious. But perhaps the tempura was even better , the prawns were cooked just right and juicy.
6. **Southern Fried Chicken Livers**:From the busy city of Tokyo to the warmth and coziness of the southern food district. Here you’ll find the core dishes of American cuisine, which everyone knows as barbecue and fried chicken. There are also lesser-known dishes in the South, and they are well worth our attention. The classic dish is one of them, Southern Fried Chicken Liver is here.
This dish is not usually on every menu, but those who love it love it.
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