When picturing Tokyo, vibrant neon lights and towering skyscrapers likely come to mind, alongside ancient temples and a thriving anime culture. Of course, the image is completed with thoughts of cozy ramen shops and sushi restaurants tucked into every corner. While Tokyo is famed for its high-end Michelin-starred dining and countless restaurants, sometimes the best culinary experiences are found outside of formal settings. That’s where the incredible world of Japanese Street Food steps in.
While Fukuoka’s Nakasu district is renowned for its yatai, traditional Japanese street food stalls, you don’t need to venture that far to get your street food fix. Japanese street food is a nationwide phenomenon, readily found throughout Japan. Keep an eye out for small, often temporary stalls, skillfully operated by street food vendors. These vendors are frequently spotted in the atmospheric back alleys near temples and shrines, or at local festivals, offering a taste of authentic Japan on the go.
Japanese cuisine is often associated with delicate seafood, but the realm of street food reveals a much broader and more diverse culinary landscape. These affordable dishes are bursting with incredible flavor and offer a fantastic way to experience local tastes. Prepare to discover the joy of biting into piping hot takoyaki or slurping flavorful yakisoba noodles as you explore Japan’s streets.
The variety of Japanese street food is truly extensive, promising a delightful culinary journey. To help you navigate this delicious world, we’ve curated a list of must-try dishes to seek out during your Japanese adventures. Be warned: Japanese street food is incredibly addictive! Bringing a friend to share your street food discoveries is highly recommended – food is always more enjoyable when shared.
10 Japanese Street Foods You Absolutely Must Try
Here are 10 essential Japanese street food dishes that you shouldn’t miss during your trip to Japan!
- Yakitori
- Takoyaki
- Ningyo-yaki
- Mitarashi Dango
- Crepe
- Menchi Katsu
- Okonomiyaki
- Karaage
- Daigaku Imo
- Yakisoba
1. Yakitori
Yakitori, grilled chicken skewers, are a quintessential Japanese street food, prized for their portability and savory flavors. These skewers feature various cuts of chicken, from the classic momo (juicy thigh meat) to tebasaki (flavorful chicken wings). For those wanting to explore further, popular options include tsukune (chicken meatballs) and negima (alternating pieces of chicken and negi, Japanese leek).
For the more adventurous palate, sunagimo (chicken gizzard), nankotsu (chicken cartilage), and reba (chicken liver) offer unique textures and tastes. These delicious chicken skewers are staples at street food stalls in local markets and are also widely available in izakaya (Japanese pubs) across the country.
Pro tip: Enhance your yakitori experience by pairing it with a chilled Japanese beer, a perfect combination to enjoy the savory skewers.
2. Takoyaki
Takoyaki, often spotted at street food stalls, in depachika (department store food halls), and izakaya, is arguably Tokyo’s most beloved street food, though it originated in Osaka. This iconic snack consists of crispy, bite-sized balls made from wheat flour batter, dotted with green onions, and most importantly, pieces of tender octopus (tako). The name literally translates to “octopus fry,” perfectly describing this savory treat. Takoyaki are cooked in specialized griddle pans with hemispherical molds, allowing vendors to skillfully flip and shape them into perfect spheres using specialized tools.
Typically served hot, takoyaki is drizzled with a savory takoyaki sauce (similar in taste to Worcestershire sauce), creamy Japanese mayonnaise, and topped with katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) and aonori (seaweed flakes). The texture is a delightful contrast – crispy on the outside and wonderfully soft and gooey on the inside, making it an ideal snack any time of day, or a great accompaniment to a cold beer.
Priced between ¥400 to ¥600, takoyaki is readily available throughout Tokyo. For a popular chain experience, visit Gindaco, known for its consistently delicious takoyaki.
Explore more: Discover the best Takoyaki in Tokyo and where to find it.
3. Ningyo-yaki
Don’t be deceived by the cute appearance of ningyo-yaki. These small, charming treats are more than just sweet street snacks; one bite, and you’ll likely find yourself wanting more. Ningyo-yaki are made from a light, fluffy batter, similar to pancakes, poured into intricate, often character-shaped molds. They are traditionally filled with anko (sweet red bean paste) and baked to a golden brown perfection. Best enjoyed warm, ningyo-yaki pairs wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee.
For those less keen on anko, modern variations include fillings like chocolate or custard. Ningyo-yaki come in various shapes and sizes, often reflecting local characters or themes. Typically priced around ¥500 for seven pieces, they are a signature sweet at Tokyo’s historic Sensoji Temple in Asakusa.
Discover more culinary delights in the area with a Sensoji and Asakusa Food Tour.
4. Mitarashi Dango
Mitarashi dango are delightful little dumplings that perfectly balance sweet and savory flavors. Made from glutinous rice flour, these dango are shaped into small balls, skewered, and then grilled over charcoal, imparting a subtle smoky flavor. The grilled dumplings are then generously coated in a sweet and savory soy sauce glaze, creating a satisfyingly addictive snack.
Mitarashi dango’s combination of sweetness, saltiness, and chewy texture makes them an irresistible treat. Affordability is another plus, typically costing between ¥100 to ¥150 per skewer. Find them at traditional wagashi (Japanese confectionery) shops, outside temples, and at local festivals.
5. Crepe
While originating in France, crepes have become a hugely popular and unique Japanese street food, particularly in Tokyo’s trendy Harajuku district. The Japanese crepe is distinctively served wrapped in a cone shape, making it incredibly easy to eat on the go. What truly sets them apart is the vast array of fillings, far beyond what you might find in Europe.
Made fresh to order, you can choose from countless sweet and savory options, many of which are exclusive to Japan. Consider indulging in a matcha ice cream cheesecake crepe for a uniquely Japanese flavor combination. For those with a sweet tooth, classic options like strawberries and whipped cream are always a hit. Savory crepe lovers might opt for fillings like crispy fried chicken with a sweet soy glaze.
Japanese crepes typically range from ¥300 to ¥600, depending on the fillings. Explore the best crepe shops in Tokyo or experience them firsthand on a Kawaii Harajuku Food Tour.
6. Menchi Katsu
Who would have imagined that premium wagyu, Japanese beef, could be transformed into a deeply satisfying street food? Menchi katsu achieves just that. This dish features finely minced wagyu beef, coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried to golden perfection. The result is an incredibly crispy exterior and a tender, juicy, and flavorful interior. Menchi katsu is a truly indulgent Japanese street food experience.
Typically priced around ¥220 per piece, menchi katsu can be found in various locations. However, for a truly exceptional experience, head to Satou Steak House in Kichijoji. Known for their in-house butcher, Satou is highly acclaimed for its exceptional wagyu menchi katsu.
7. Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki, often referred to as “Japanese pizza” or “savory pancake,” is a popular and versatile dish in Japanese cuisine. It’s essentially a pancake made with a batter base, typically incorporating cabbage, meat, and egg, and then generously topped with flavorful sauces and condiments. There are two main regional styles of okonomiyaki: Hiroshima-style and Osaka-style.
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is characterized by its layered construction, with crepe-like batter, cabbage, meat, egg, and other ingredients stacked in distinct layers. Osaka-style okonomiyaki, on the other hand, is an “all-in-one” style where the batter is mixed with vegetables, meat or seafood, egg, and often tenkasu (tempura scraps).
The name okonomiyaki translates to “grilled as you like it,” reflecting its customizable nature. It’s a dish that welcomes a wide variety of ingredients. Common toppings include okonomiyaki sauce (a sweet and savory sauce), Japanese mayonnaise, katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes), and aonori (dried seaweed flakes).
8. Karaage
Karaage, Japanese fried chicken, is a wildly popular dish, especially enjoyed with drinks. Chicken pieces are marinated in a flavorful blend of mirin (sweet rice wine), garlic, soy sauce, and ginger, then lightly coated with potato starch for an incredibly crispy exterior when fried. The result is savory, juicy chicken with a satisfying crunch – the perfect snack when you crave something light yet flavorful.
Typically priced from ¥300 to ¥400, karaage is ubiquitous in Tokyo and throughout Japan. You can even find delicious karaage at Japanese convenience stores.
9. Daigaku Imo
Sweet treat lovers will adore daigaku imo, candied sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are cut into chunky pieces, deep-fried until crispy, and then coated in a glistening caramelized sugar or honey glaze. Finally, they are sprinkled with sesame seeds to add a nutty aroma and flavor. Daigaku imo is best enjoyed warm, and it’s also surprisingly nutritious.
The price of daigaku imo varies depending on the weight you purchase, and it’s widely available across Japan, from supermarkets to street food stalls, particularly in areas like Asakusa.
For a less intensely sweet version, try yaki imo (baked sweet potato). This simple yet satisfying Japanese treat is often found at supermarkets or sold by yaki imo vendors who drive trucks equipped with ovens around neighborhoods. It’s a comforting and warming snack, especially perfect on a cool autumn day.
10. Yakisoba
Yakisoba is a hugely popular Japanese street food staple. It consists of wheat noodles stir-fried with pork slices and vegetables like cabbage, onions, and carrots. The dish is generously seasoned with a savory yakisoba sauce and typically topped with katsuobushi, aonori, and beni shoga (pickled ginger).
For a carb-on-carb experience, try yakisoba-pan, a popular variation where yakisoba noodles are stuffed into a soft bread roll. Yakisoba typically costs between ¥350 and ¥700 and is widely sold by street food vendors throughout Japan.
The world of Japanese cuisine offers an endless array of incredible dishes, but these 10 Japanese street foods are essential starting points for any visitor to Japan. From sweet mitarashi dango to savory okonomiyaki, exploring Japanese street food is a delicious adventure in itself. Venture out onto the streets and discover even more culinary treasures that await!
Explore Tokyo’s Street Food Truck Scene
Discover more about Japanese street food and see it in action by watching this video showcasing Tokyo’s best food trucks!
Dive deeper into Japanese street food culture with these Japanese street food experiences and subscribe to Japan by Food on YouTube for more exciting food adventures!
