I’ve dreamed of visiting Japan for the past decade, and this year, I was finally able to experience the beauty of Japan. As a lifelong fan of the cuisine, I was eager to explore Tokyo’s food scene. We landed and headed straight for a ramen shop, and the adventure only got better from there. Here are the highlights of our couple days in Tokyo:
Tsujita: there’s nothing quite like the comfort of a bowl of ramen, and with great reviews, Tsujita seemed like the perfect spot to kick off our trip. As expected, it was quite busy when we arrived, with a line already forming, but it moved quickly. I couldn't wait to try one of the ramen vending machines, and while it was a bit confusing, it added such a fun and unique touch to the experience. We ordered a bowl of classic ramen and tsukemen— the tsukemen was my favorite and so good. Tsukemen is a Japanese noodle dish where you get the noodles and soup served separately, and you dip the noodles into the soup as you eat.
Tsukiji Outer Market: I think Tsukiji is the perfect place to dive into Japan’s diverse food scene. The market is very crowded, but for good reason. I recommend going around lunchtime, bringing a big appetite, and sampling a little bit of everything from the different stands. Below are some of our highlights from Tsukiji, including some of the best otoro nigiri I’ve ever had— and at just $3 a piece, it was an absolute steal.
Happy Pancake: We had heard a lot about Happy Pancake and how popular it was in Tokyo. When we arrived, there was a decent line, but it was worth the wait. They offer a variety of both sweet and savory pancakes, but I found the sweet ones to be the clear winner. The pancakes were fluffy and airy, with that melt-in-your-mouth texture. If you're a pancake lover, this place is a must-try
The Grey Room - Ginza: I didn’t expect to find great chicken tikka in Tokyo, but I was pleasantly surprised. Grey Room is a funky, cool rooftop bar and restaurant that blends Japanese and Indian influences in both its cocktails and small plates. The ambiance and views were fantastic, and I’d definitely return for another round of drinks
Ichiran Ramen: Ichiran is a famous ramen spot in Tokyo, known for its single booths lined up where you sit in your own private space to enjoy your bowl of ramen. I tried the tonkotsu ramen, and it was absolutely delicious. It was interesting to see how quickly people came and went, and how this solo dining experience is common at many Japanese ramen shops.
