Tokyo Food Guide: What to Eat in 2 Days | Elizabeth Rider

This was my very first trip to Tokyo, and even though we only had two days, it completely captured my heart—M and I both fell head over heels in love with the city.

The food, the people, the culture, the energy—everything about Japan was just so wonderful. We already know we’ll be going back often (a direct flight from Seattle, score!), and I’ll keep updating this post with new food finds as we explore more of the city.

If you’re planning a short trip and want a simple, no-overwhelm Tokyo food guide, these are the exact places and tips I’d start with.

First up, here’s a quick video recap if you want a visual:

Quick Tokyo Food Tips Before You Go

• There are almost no public garbage cans, even though the city is spotless. Try not to create much trash while walking. If you buy food at 7-Eleven, you can usually go back inside to throw it away.
• Carry cash (Japanese yen) at all times. Many ramen shops and casual spots still require it—especially places with vending machine ordering. In Europe and the US I find I almost never need cash, but you’ll want it in Japan.
• Food is very affordable in Tokyo (compared to major US cities), especially for the quality.
• No tipping at restaurants—it’s not customary in Japan to tip and can even be considered rude because the service is already supposed to be so good. A tip can indicate that your expectations were lower (very different from America!).
• Google Maps and Yelp are very reliable for food reviews in Tokyo. The city takes food seriously, and we truly didn’t have a bad bite. Also, if your hotel has a concierge, definitely use them for recommendations and reservations.
• Most high-end restaurants and even bars will require a reservation. Casual spots don’t often need reservations.

Tokyo Ramen Street (Inside Tokyo Station)

If you only do one food experience in Tokyo, make it Tokyo Ramen Street.

Tokyo Ramen Street is located on the bottom floor of Tokyo Station (one of the main train stations in central Tokyo) and features eight ramen restaurants in one corridor. You’ll know you’ve found it when you see the large map showing all eight shops.

Each restaurant specializes in its own style of ramen, so you can choose based on:

• Light or deep, rich broth
• Pork-based, chicken-based, or vegetarian
• Traditional or modern styles, check out the map at the Ramen Street to make a choice (they are all equally good!)

How to order:
You purchase your meal from a vending machine outside the restaurant (you need cash!), bring the ticket inside, sit down, and your ramen is served shortly after. It’s fast, efficient, and part of the experience. We chose Restaurant 6, and chose the soup in the top left corner (pictured above).

Price:
Most bowls cost about $9–$12 USD, which is incredible for the quality.

This is perfect for:

• Your first night in Tokyo
• A quick sightseeing lunch
• A comforting travel-day meal

Sushi in Tokyo (You Truly Can’t Go Wrong)

Sushi in Japan is one of those experiences where it’s honestly hard to go wrong.

We went to a casual neighborhood sushi spot (called Fujiro in the Marunouchi building—their website photos look fancy, but it’s an open-air casual spot in a retail building), and it was excellent.

If your hotel has a concierge, ask them where to go—they give great recommendations. One of our favorite food tips (this restaurant) came from a bartender at our hotel. Take advantage of the bar tenders and concierges! 🙂

I chose one of the omakase (pre-set) lunch menu items and simply told them I don’t care for eel or squid. They were incredibly accommodating and adjusted everything with no problem.

One thing I loved about sushi in Japan is that they use much less rice than many American sushi restaurants. The balance feels lighter and cleaner, and we didn’t feel overly full afterward. I truly could have eaten sushi like this every day.

7-Eleven Japan Food Hack: The Viral Egg Salad Sandwich

This sandwich surprised me in the best way.

7-Eleven in Japan has a viral egg salad sandwich, and it absolutely lives up to the hype. It’s only a few dollars, and I had it twice during our trip. (lol) It’s high-quality and DELICIOUS. Healthy? Ehh, not really. But it’s fairly small, so it works best as a light meal or snack.

If you like egg salad at all, this is a must-try when you’re in Tokyo. Remember, there are no trash cans on the street, so if you take it to go, eat it close to the 7-Eleven, then go back in to toss the garbage (or plan to carry it in a wrapped bag in your purse).

(We were in India for a wedding before Tokyo, hence the henna on my hands.) 🙂

Why Japanese Pastries Are So Good (The French Influence)

Japan has a strong French culinary influence, especially when it comes to pastries, bakeries, and omelettes.

After World War II, French technique became highly respected in Japan, and many Japanese chefs trained in France. Over time, those techniques were blended with Japanese precision and attention to detail.

The result? Incredible omelettes, outstanding pastries, bakeries, and dessert shops everywhere.

You’ll find gorgeous French-inspired treats all over Tokyo, and they are consistently excellent. Just be ready to eat—and remember, you’ll likely be carrying your trash with you for a bit.

Go for the Views: A High-End Tokyo Rooftop Bar

If everyone in your group is 20 or older (the legal drinking age in Japan), I highly recommend visiting at least one high-end rooftop bar in Tokyo. Most are located on the top floors of five-star hotels and offer panoramic skyline views.

We went to the Bulgari Bar since we were staying at the Bulgari Hotel, which made it easier to access—but you do not need to be a guest. You can simply call ahead and make a reservation.

These bars sit on some of the tallest buildings in Tokyo, and the views are truly unforgettable. You’ll spend more here than at a casual spot, but it’s worth it for the experience alone.

For drinks, I ordered champagne, and my husband had a non-alcoholic sparkling white tea, which was excellent.

Whether you drink alcohol or not, you can still enjoy the experience with:

• Sake, cocktails, beer, champagne, wine, or—something we tried for the first time—sparkling sake (wonderful!)
• Mocktails (the bars in Japan take all drink making seriously and the mocktails are great!)
• Hot tea or just about anything you want to drink

Note on age: While the legal drinking age in Japan is 20, some rooftop bars allow minors to enter if they order non-alcoholic drinks. That said, many upscale bars enforce a strict 20+ entry policy, so it’s best to call ahead if you’re traveling with kids or teens.

Shibuya Crossing + The Famous Dog Statue (Hachikō)

This isn’t a food recommendation, but I have to mention it.

You should absolutely make a stop at Shibuya Crossing while you’re in Tokyo—even if it’s just once. It’s known as the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, where hundreds (sometimes thousands) of people cross from all directions at the same time. It’s energetic, hectic, and completely iconic (similar vibes to Times Square in NYC but different at the same time).

Right outside Shibuya Station you’ll also find the Hachikō dog statue, one of the most famous landmarks in Tokyo.

Hachikō was an incredibly loyal dog who waited for his owner at the station every day—even for years after his owner passed away. Locals built the statue as a tribute to loyalty, and today it’s a common meeting point and a sweet piece of Tokyo history. (If you’re a dog-lover, too, then we’re both tearing up right now!).

We walked through the crossing and around the neighborhood (at night stay on the main streets, which is the advice I’d give you in ANY large city in the world). It’s fast-paced, buzzing, and unforgettable. I grabbed the viral egg salad sandwich from 7-Eleven right nearby first (fuel is helpful here!), then we headed to the L’Occitane Café overlooking the crossing for a drink just for the view.

The L’Occitane Café is pretty basic (you’re there for the view, not the food), but it was such a fun way to see everything from above after being in the middle of it. Watching the crowd flow below you is fascinating and gives you a totally different perspective on how massive the crossing really is.

If you’re nearby in the late afternoon or evening, this is a great way to experience one of the most famous moments in Tokyo—both on foot and from above.

We’re Already Planning Our Next Tokyo Food Trip

We’re heading back to Japan in a few months to explore Harajuku and more neighborhoods, and I’ll continue updating this Tokyo food guide with new recommendations.

Make sure you’re subscribed to my newsletter so you don’t miss future Tokyo food finds—I’ll be sharing exactly where we eat next.