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The 3 Essential Restaurants to Taste Your Way Through Tokyo's Culinary Scene

Food + Drink
by Matador Creators May 31, 2023

Tokyo is a food lover’s paradise. With its sheer number of restaurants, cafes and street vendors, there is no shortage of amazing food to try in the city. From classic Japanese dishes to international cuisine, Tokyo caters to every taste and budget. These are a few restaurants you have to check out in Tokyo.

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Sea-Gen

Sea-Gen is one of the most unique and exciting experiences for seafood lovers in Tokyo. This stylish seafood restaurant offers an innovative menu that showcases the freshest and most delicious seafood Japan has to offer. Located in the famous Tsukiji fish market, Sea-Gen specializes in Izakaya-style dishes, which are small plates or appetizers that are meant to be shared among a group of people. The dishes range from raw sashimi and sushi to grilled seafood and vegetables. One of the standout dishes at Sea-Gen is the “Sashimi Best 5” platter, which features five different types of sashimi, each with its own unique flavor and texture. The platter includes pristine cuts of tuna, yellowtail, squid, sea bream, and scallops, all sourced from the Tsukiji fish market.

Bonko

Bonko, located in the bustling neighborhood of Shinjuku, is an exciting culinary experience for those looking to explore the diverse food scene of Japan. This intimate restaurant specializes in Okinawan cuisine, a style of Japanese cooking that combines traditional Japanese flavors with influences from other Asian culinary styles. Another recommended dish is the goya champuru, a stir-fried dish made with bitter melon, tofu, and pork. The atmosphere at Bonko is also part of the experience. The restaurant is small and cozy, with a bar area that looks into the open kitchen, allowing guests to watch the chefs in action.

Heckeln

A departure from the typical sushi restaurants you’ll find in Tokyo, Heckeln is a coffee shop that specializes in German-style pudding. This pudding is creamy, rich, and topped off with a light dusting of cocoa powder, making it a perfect dessert option to enjoy after indulging in the restaurant’s meaty dishes. You can sit at the counter and watch your pudding be made by a pudding master, with a flair that will remind you of bartenders mixing exotic drinks.

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