Michelle Chong’s top picks for 7 Japanese foods to try in Tokyo

“Go to Yamada Sushi in Ginza for a sushi experience you’ll never forget. A seemingly simple 8-seater joint, this place is actually pretty exclusive and every piece of sushi here is made with fish that’s been aged, making the flavour more intense than the normal sushi. The rice is also delicious, still grainy (not mushy) and a tad salty, bringing out the flavour of the aged fish even more.”

Try: Yamada Sushi. 7-2-14 Ginza Chuo Tokyo

“One of the most delicious things I have tasted in my life: aged Kobe beef! Here they serve it raw, lightly seared, grilled and of course in shabu shabu! I tried them all and I have to say my favourite one was the grilled beef. Just a few seconds on the grill and it was melt-in-your-mouth heaven. Ageing also increased the flavour by 100%!”

Try: Bistro Nareniku. 4-1-9 Shinjuku Youth Bldg. (Pax) 7F, Shinjuku 160-0022, Tokyo

Photo: Tokyo Eye 2020

“If you love the clean flavour of soba or any kind of Japanese noodles, you have to try the aged soba in this restaurant that is about 100 years old. The decor is traditional and authentic; the aged soba actually tastes and smells like biscuit! Aged soba is pretty rare so it’s a good experience to just try it once! “

Try: Nakasei. 2-3-1 Nihombashi Muromachi, Coredo Muromachi-2 B1, Chuo 103-0022, Tokyo

Photo: Tokyo Eye 2020

“Firstly I love yuzu. I love yuzu tea, yuzu chilli, yuzu zest etc. Secondly, I love Ramen. Enough said! Putting touches of yuzu in ramen is a fantastic idea because the citrus flavour really cuts and balances the richness of the thick pork broth.”

Try: Afuri Ramen. B1 Roppongi Hills North Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Photo: Afuri

“Go to a neighbourhood izakaya (as opposed to the famous touristy ones in Shibuya) for an authentic Japanese bar experience. Hang out with Japanese “salary men” and eat gorgeous yakitori and homemade sakana (small dishes that go with sake)!”

Try: Wander around the more residential neighbourhoods and pop into any izakaya that looks crowded

Photo: Tatuyoshi Toriu / 123rf

“Everyone knows how expensive Japanese home-grown fruit is, so it’s better to eat it when you’re in Japan! It’s still expensive, but it’s cheaper than in Singapore. I suggest going to those specialty fruit stores and splitting the cost with your friends to get some momo (peach), some Kyoho grapes and, if you feel like splurging, a musk melon.”

Try: Head to any supermarket

Photo: Seksan Wangjaisuk / 123rf

“Going to a supermarket in the basement of a department store when in Tokyo is a must! The variety of fresh and cooked food is staggering and because there’s freshly-delivered raw fish sold every day, the sashimi and sushi bento boxes are superb and value-for-money!”

Try: Any department store supermarket

Photo: Michelle Chong