Top 10 Must-Try Tokyo Street Foods for First-Time Visitors (With Locations & Prices)
Introduction
The city of Tokyo is a busy metropolis with its feet in two worlds and nowhere can one find as delicious a blend of tradition and modernity as in the culture of Tokyo street food. As a novice traveler, one can get a great experience by traveling Tokyo street foods as a great way to enjoy the flavors of Japanese cuisine as well as be immersed in the atmosphere of the busy Japanese streets and the bustling markets.
Are you Visiting Japan soon?
Let us make your trip effortless. From tickets and hotels to transport and local guides, we arrange everything for you or your group. Whether it’s a music festival in Tokyo or a business conference in Osaka, our custom travel service ensures you enjoy the event stress-free.
Contact Jasumo Now →This travel guide will present you to the greatest street food in Tokyo- iconic foods that people can enjoy and tourists cannot miss. Since there are crispy tempura bites to sweet desserts, each bite is telling a story.
The Tokyo Street Food is a Tourist Destination
The street food of Tokyo is not a simple affair of fast food but a centuries old culinary tradition and creativity. You will find savory takoyaki balls down to wagashi sweet things. It is an excellent idea to eat the street food to experience the Japanese culture, enjoy new tastes, and get energy to explore the city.
The 10 best Street Foods in Tokyo.
1. Takoyaki – Octopus Balls
Takoyaki are tiny, round shaped balls of batter stuffed with soft bits of octopus, tempura scraps, green onion and pickled ginger. They are cooked in special molds on a hot griddle and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Where to have a meal: Have a taste of the well known takoyaki sold by street vendors in Asakusa or near Shibuya.
Price: It will be around 500700 JPY six pieces.
2. Taiyaki -Fish Cake Sweet Cake.
Taiyaki is a wonderful fish pastry that is literally translated as fish, and is traditionally stuffed with sweet red bean paste, but custard, chocolate, and cheese are also popular. It is crunchy on the outside and warm on the inside – a good snack.
Where to eat: Get taiyaki stores in Ueno Park and Akihabara.
Price: Around 150–250 JPY per piece.
3. Yakitori -Grilled Chicken Skewers.
Yakitori are small chicken pieces which are grilled by charcoal and salty or tare sauce (a sweet soy glaze). It is a smoky savory snack that is well received by the locals.
Where to eat: Find the yakitori stalls in Omoide Yokocho (Shinjuku) or Ebisu.
Price: About 150–300 JPY per skewer.
4. Dango – Sweet Rice Dumplings
Dango are soft rice flour balls that are skewked and rich in soy sauce sweet or smeared with red bean paste. They are a typical Japanese snack commonly taken with tea.
Food to buy: Dango stalls are located around Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa and Meiji Shrine.
Cost: Some 200-400 JPY per stick of three to five dumplings.
5. Imagawayaki Thick Pancake Stuffed with Sweet Beans
Imagawayaki is a thick, round pancake that contains sweet azuki beans or custard cream. It is another variant of taiyaki without the fish shape.
Where to eat:Frequent in the Harajuku and Tsukiji Outer Market: Festivals and street vendors.
Price: 200-300 JPY each (or so).
6. Korokke- Japanese Croquettes
Korokke are meat or vegetable-stuffed deep-fried patties made out of mashed potatoes. They are a crunchy and gratifying savory snack.
What to eat: korokke can be found on the street at Nakamise Street, Asakusa, and around the Shinjuku Station.
Price: 150–250 JPY per piece.
7. Taiyaki Ice Cream -The best of both worlds
This new trend is a combination of crispy taiyaki cones with soft serve ice cream. It is fashionable in warmer seasons and it is adorable with the way it has the playful combination of textures.
Where to eat: Taiyaki ice cream is sold at Shibuya and Ginza.
Price: Around 400–600 JPY.
8. Okonomiyaki Japanese Savoury Pancake
Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake that is stuffed with cabbage, seafood, pork and topped with a special sauce and mayonnaise. Most of them are served in restaurants, but there are street stalls that sell smaller portions that are ideal as snacks.
Where to dine: Okonomiyaki street food in Tsukiji market and Odaiba.
Price: 500–800 JPY for a small portion.
9. Kakigori – Shaved Ice Dessert
Kakigori is a cool shaved ice dessert that is sweetened with syrup such as strawberry, green tea or melon. It is a favorite summer snack, and one that cools down.
Where to dine: You should go to seasonal stalls that are found in parks such as Yoyogi Park and near Tokyo Tower.
Price: Approximately 300500 JPY per portion.
10. Senbei -Japanese Rice Crackers
Senbei are crispy rice crackers that are served in sweet, salty and savory flavor. Others are cooked before your eyes, and a smoky flavor is added to them.
Where to eat: The vending Senbei are ubiquitous in Nakamise Street, Asakusa.
Price: 100–200 JPY per cracker.
Best Tokyo Street Food: Where and Where to Find the Best Tokyo Street Food
Asakusa: Traditional Tastes in an Ancient Relaxation
The streets around Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa are filled with stalls that offer Tokyo street foods such as takoyaki, dango and senbei. It is an ideal place to visit among food lovers due to its vibrant environment and old fashioned stores.
Tsukiji Outer market Fresh seafood and Snacks
Although the inner fish market has shifted to Toyosu, Tsukiji Outer Market has been made a destination of fresh seafood and street food such as grilled scallops and sushi rolls and imagawayaki.
Shibuya and Harajuku: Street Scene of Trendy Food
Shibuya and Harajuku are popular among younger people and have innovative food booths, such as taiyaki ice cream and new versions of traditional dishes.
Table 1: Top Tokyo Street Foods with Locations and Average Prices
| Street Food | Location(s) | Average Price (JPY) | Must-Try Vendor/Area |
| Takoyaki | Asakusa, Shibuya | 500–700 | Asakusa Takoyaki Stalls |
| Taiyaki | Ueno, Akihabara | 150–250 | Taiyaki Wanaka (Ueno) |
| Yakitori | Omoide Yokocho, Ebisu | 150–300 | Omoide Yokocho Yakitori Bars |
| Dango | Asakusa, Meiji Shrine | 200–400 | Nakamise Street Vendors |
| Imagawayaki | Harajuku, Tsukiji Market | 200–300 | Harajuku Street Stalls |
| Korokke | Asakusa, Shinjuku | 150–250 | Nakamise Street Korokke Stalls |
| Taiyaki Ice Cream | Shibuya, Ginza | 400–600 | Taiyaki Ice Cream Shops |
| Okonomiyaki | Tsukiji, Odaiba | 500–800 | Tsukiji Okonomiyaki Stalls |
| Kakigori | Yoyogi Park, Tokyo Tower | 300–500 | Seasonal Park Stalls |
| Senbei | Asakusa | 100–200 | Nakamise Street Senbei Vendors |
The Tokyo Street Food Insider Tips to enjoy Tokyo street food like a local
- Go early or late: Check out famous stalls either early in the morning or in the afternoon when no one is around.
- Carry cash: Cash is usually accepted by most of the sellers out in the streets.
- Taste a little: Eat various foods by buying little or sharing.
- Watch cooking: Have your food cooked by watching it make it all the more interesting.
- Follow the local etiquette: Do not eat on the move, particularly in crowded places; sit or stand somewhere.
Table 2: Japanese Street Food Tokyo – Seasonal and Specialty Snacks
| Season | Popular Street Food | Description | Where to Find |
| Spring | Sakura Mochi | Sweet rice cake with cherry blossom leaf | Ueno Park, Asakusa |
| Summer | Kakigori (Shaved Ice) | Refreshing shaved ice with flavored syrup | Yoyogi Park, Festival Stalls |
| Autumn | Sweet Potato Yaki | Roasted sweet potato | Street stalls in Shinjuku |
| Winter | Oden | Hot pot with assorted ingredients | Street stalls near Tokyo Station |
Conclusion
Trying the Tokyo street foods is one of the necessary events in the first visit. The city has a glitzy array of flavors savory takoyaki to sweet taiyaki that show the important culinary heritage of the city. You can stroll down the streets of Asakusa and the hipster streets of Harajuku and each street has a different flavor.
With this guide you will have the best street food in Tokyo and at the same time you will eat like a local since the food will be within your budget. Grab your appetite, be open-minded and get ready to have an experience of mouthwatering tours in the capital of Japan.
Planning a Group Trip to Japan?
From corporate teams to friends traveling together, we create tailor-made travel packages. Enjoy VIP access, curated itineraries, and full support from our local experts. Tell us your plans, and we’ll handle the rest.
Contact Jasumo Now →
