Ten cheap eats in Tokyo
Eating in Tokyo is a culinary experience that could hit your wallet hard - but not if you follow these canny readers' tips
Yoshinoya fast food restaurants
Posted by suffolkboy
It was my first time in Japan, and I was looking for somewhere cheap to eat that wasn’t a burger joint. I happened upon Yoshinoya (they’re everywhere, look for the bright orange signs). The menu is mainly rice-based: the dishes include pork, beef etc. with ginger, curry etc. The dishes cost from 360 - 630 yen (approx. £2-4) including rice and miso soup - fantastic value for money. I ate there four times in a 10-day holiday, and every time we were the only westerners there; as they say, if it’s where the locals go it must be good!
Kaiten-zushi Shion
Posted by Sissi
You can’t leave Tokyo without sampling sushi, but the city can be a pricey place to eat out. Head instead to Kaiten-zushi for affordable plates from a conveyor belt. This fad may have spread to cheap London chains, but the quality is definitely better in Japan. There are several branches across the city, including Shinjuku. It’s also handy for anyone who doesn’t speak Japanese or like surprises when it comes to their dinner!
Inexpensive eats
Posted by LesP
On your own in Tokyo? Search out large office blocks, daytime or night, and there's usually a food court either at ground or upper level. Japan can be expensive and this is an easy and inexpensive way to eat out alone. Don't worry about the language, there are the plastic plates to point out.
Vending machine noodles!
Posted by jonyee
When travelling in Tokyo, I would highly recommend vending machine Ramen (noodles). The ramen is not dispensed by a machine, but human contact (read, the need to communicate in Japanese) is limited. The process may look intimidating, but in reality couldn't be simpler. Outside the restaurant you will be faced with a vending machine with a selection of buttons, typically you need to select:
1) The size of your noodles
2) The type of noodles
3) Any extras, including egg, extra meat, etc
Simply press your desired buttons (all with pictures on), insert money and you will be issued with a coupon. Hand this to the staff in the 'restaurant' (usually a bar - perfect for single dining) and a few minutes later you will be presented with a piping hot bowl of ramen. Prices are fantastically cheap (no more than £5 a bowl) and extremely fresh. As an added bonus, you can feel smug that you've achieved to dine like a local and navigate yourself around what can be a very confusing city.
The machines can be found all around Japan - look for vending machines with pictures on
Shomben Yokocho or Piss Alley by Shinjuku station
Posted by jaimebell
The rather delightfully named 'Piss alley' might not sound like best place to enjoy your dinner, but the noodles here are truly fantastic. Navigate some of the divinely old-style Japanese 'corridors' of alleyway shops and restaurants and nip into one of the tiny hole in the walls to get your piping hot noodles and aromatic flavours of Japan. They are only able to accommodate a few people, so you're likely to squeeze in with a hurried commuter and maybe a couple of old ladies, but the atmosphere is pure magic in the ramen shops. All in all, thankfully modern plumbing but old-style eating experience!
Tako-Yaki
Posted by shingo
Tako-Yaki was my favorite street food in Tokyo. A savory octopus gobstopper, you bite through a crispy pancake shell, swallow down runny batter til you get to the chewy chunk of octopus in the center. Stalls selling this tend to have a cute cartoon octopus waiving its legs invitingly at you.
You can buy it from stalls at festivals or in parks (there‘s one in front of Yoiyogi park).
Sakura Suisan
Posted by JustinMcCurry
One of several cheap izakaya chains serving such Japanese staples as grilled fish, rice, miso soup, pickled plums, natto – and all at daft prices. You should spend no more than 1,000 yen for lunch and 3,000 yen for dinner, including drinks. Look out for the familiar red jumping fish logo and the chain’s English motto: Every day the same low prices.
There are dozens across Tokyo, but here’s a local favourite: Kawanabe Building B1, Shinbashi 3-7-9, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0004; teraken.co.jp (Japanese only)
Lunch
Posted by susanm
Tokyo is a paradise for food lovers with restaurants of all cuisines. It can be very expensive, but all restaurants have fantastic lunch deals at a fraction of the dinner price, so seek out a good place and go for lunch, not dinner.
Torigin Honten by Ginza station
Posted by ElaineN
Try this traditional restaurant in an alley, two blocks east of the Sony building. Serves kamameshi - rice cooked in a metal bowl inside a wooden holder complete with lid. Choose your own toppings - we had chicken, mushrooms, bamboo shoots and prawns. Inexpensive. Helpful waiters and locals and English menu.
Davis in Takanawa and Davis too in Nishishinbashi, Kamiyacho
Posted by archibaldcrooks
Davis in Takanwa (the owner is Shoko Davis, married to an eponymous Englishman) has created two fine restaurants. The food is European, the wines are well chosen and it's surprisingly good value. You eat well, drink well and still it's cheaper than all but the cheapest London curry houses. They can be a bit difficult to find so ask for a map. The effort is well worth it.
Davis 2-5-6 Takanwa Tel 03 3440 6007
Nearest stations Shirogane Takanawa, Shinagawa (JR)
Davis too 3-13-4 Nishishinbashi Tel 03 3433 4321
Nearest stations Kamiyacho, Toranomon, Onarimon