Over the past couple of months I have received hundreds of Instagram posts showing all sorts of foods to try and where to get them in Tokyo. I know more places than I can remember to eat wagyu beef, sushi, several types of ramen, and every type dessert or snack available. The posts have been fun to follow but somewhat overwhelming as well.
So, so many delicious foods to eat in Japan!
For the most part I’ll be fixing meals at our son’s home but I do intend to hit up konbini (convenience markets) regularly for onigiri, sando (sandwiches), fried chicken, and ice cream. One treat I’m anxious to try is an egg salad sando from Family Mart konbini with a slice of their famous Famichiki fried chicken inside. And of course I can’t be in Japan and not stop at McDonald’s at least once for a teriyaki burger, or have a veggie burger in a rice bun at MosBurger, or karaage (fried chicken pieces) and potato salad from the prepared foods section of the supermarket, my favorite easy meal. While I’m going to avoid regular bakeries as much as possible (too tempting) I don’t plan to cut them out completely, and will be trying out a few of the amazing creme-filled donuts that have appeared since I was last there. I also plan to pick up some raisin bread at Sawamura bakery. I’ll of course be enjoying as much ice cream and fruit as possible as well as other uniquely Japanese foods and treats (which includes anything matcha). There will definitely be some CookDo dishes made.
We are all eager to tried the fried sandwiches at Age.3, located in the Ginza neighborhood. The two above are sweet cream with matcha, and curry-stuffed sandwiches – both look yummy to me.
However, when Meiling and YaYu arrive it will be pedal to the metal when it comes to eating during the two weeks we’re together. We plan to EAT our way through Tokyo, getting and trying everything and anything we want. One thing at the top of our list is a newer addition to Japan’s food treats: the fried sandwich. A slice of bread is deep fried and then split open and stuffed with either sweet or savory fillings – these sandwiches look amazing!
The biggest problem we’re going to encounter will be the summer heat and humidity, but we’ve agreed to get an early start in the morning and be back home in the early afternoon to rest and cool off, then head out again in the evenings. Both girls have hollow legs and can put away a lot, and they also will eat anything. I’m not sure I can keep up with them but I’m going to try. Eating will of course be combined with shopping, but that’s another post.
The second biggest problem? Too many people wanting to eat the same things at the same places as we want. Thanks to the magic of social media, every place, from small hole-in-the-wall donut shops to sit-down restaurants, seems to have a line and a long wait to get through. Lines sometimes form two hours before the eatery opens! I have never experienced lines before in Japan, so I’m not sure how it’s going to go, especially if the heat and humidity live up to expectations.
Normally I lose weight during a Japan visit, but I don’t think that’s going to happen this time, not even if I walk 20,000 steps a day. Japan has upped their food game and it’s going to be hard to resist.
But, as I say, bring it on! Me and my stomach are ready!
The Occasional Nomads 
Thanks for the laugh, Laura! You’re like an elite athlete training for the Olympics! In all seriousness, it makes sense to me. The food options in Japan are next level, so I’d be doing likewise.
I’m looking forward to hearing all about you and your daughters eating your way through Tokyo, joining you in spirit for every mouthful 🍣
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I can’t get over how the food choices have expanded in Japan over what was available there just four years ago. It’s nothing short of amazing to me. Other than a few of the places mentioned by influencers on Instagram, I plan to stick to small neighborhood joints. Great food, no crowds or lines. I’m hoping the summer heat will keep the crowd numbers down when we visit Ginza for those fried sandwiches or Asakusa for the melon pan and match montblanc crepes (among other treats).
I’ve already got the the girls’ first night dinner planned LOL. They’ve already said we need to plan on sharing because everything looks too big or too much to eat on our own. We’ll see though.
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Stop teasing! lol.
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I never tease about eating Japanese food!! Seriously – I plan to enjoy it ALL when I’m there, although I also plan to miss many of the influencer sites as I’m not a fan of crowds or lines. I love the little neighborhood joints more anyway.
My first meal is going to be an egg sando with Famichiki inside. That sounds amazing. And, a umeboshi (pickled plum) onigiri!
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I am jealous. It all sounds fabulous.
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Japan has really upped their food game. I have lots of favorites, but there are so many new things to try as well. The girls and I have been overwhelmed by choices.
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Take notes. Take pictures. This sounds like fun.
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I plan to be posting A LOT. You will have to endure it all! And yes, it’s going to be fun (all except for the heat and humidity).
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So many yummy options! I love the concept of those fried sandwiches. And I had to laugh at the girls having a hollow leg. My mom used to say that when we were kids.
Definitely a good time to ignore diets and enjoy all the great options.
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Someone seriously criticized the fried sandwiches the other day because “they weren’t as crunchy” as some influencer had touted. Who cares? They look and will probably taste amazing.
The girls can eat a lot. They always amaze me when they’re here. But, we’re planning to do a LOT of sharing on this trip.
No calories or steps will be counted. All the steps in the world wouldn’t matter anyway, as I found out in Florence when we ate gelato every day along with 20K steps. We gained weight.
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So much food… so little time! LOL! Enjoy every bite!
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Exactly! What I am most excited about are all the new items available now in the convenience stores – big changes and more variety since we were last there. I could eat every meal from a konbini and be satisfied!
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