Asakusa, a neighbourhood to the east of Tokyo, is noteworthy for its retro and traditional atmosphere. Besides enjoying the rich cultural history in Japan’s bustling capital, there is also a variety of local delicacies you can find in the old downtown. This article will guide you to a list of mouth-watering delights so that you can enjoy a wonderful gastronomic journey while exploring the charming neighbourhood of Asakusa. Check out the must-try foods in Asakusa, Tokyo!
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1. Ningyo-yaki - traditional baked doll cakes perfect for eating on-the-go
There are many interesting cultural sights to visit in Asakusa and you may find that it is a challenge to find time for a proper sit-down meal with so much to cover. Grab some sweet Ningyo-yaki (人形焼) to eat on the go for energy replenishment. Ningyo means doll in Japanese, so this sweet confectionery is made in an adorable doll shape, baked in small molds, and filled with sweet anko bean paste. It is a popular snack and omiyage (souvenir) you can find easily in Asakusa.
To taste the best Ningyo-yaki, you must go to Kibundousouhonten (紀文堂総本店), a traditional Japanese sweets shop that has been established for more than 120 years. See your cute Ningyo-yaki being made on the spot right before you and eat them fresh and hot. Besides cakes in the shape of Doraemon, Hello Kitty, and faces, you will be able to buy Ningyo-yaki shaped in Asakusa’s famous landmarks such as the Sensoji Temple’s five-story pagoda and the big lantern of Kaminarimon. They are not just great snacks to eat on the go, but also perfect souvenirs for family and friends back home!
Kibundousouhonten (紀文堂総本店)
Address: 1-2-2 Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo
Price: 620 JPY (5.35 USD) for a pack of 5; 1,030 JPY (8.90 USD) for a pack of 10.
Opening Hours: 9am - 7pm daily. Closed on Wednesday.
Access: 30-second walk from Asakusa Station exit 1 on Tokyo Metro Ginza line.
Contact: +81 3-3841-4401
byFood Experience
1) Try more of Japan’s traditional sweets and the famous melon bread
If you have a sweet tooth, knowing how traditional candies are made in a traditional sweet shop and, of course, trying them will be right up your alley! Explore Sensoji and Asakusa and see its vibrant and fascinating streets while having a taste of the local cuisine, including a number of sweets.
This three-hour tour will let you explore the streets of Nakamise and enjoy a delicious Japanese lunch. You’ll also get to taste the famous Japanese melon bread! Lastly, wind down with a traditional tea ceremony with Japanese matcha green tea.
Book Tours : Back to Edo: Sensoji and Asakusa Food Tour
2. Monja-yaki - if you love Osaka’s famous okonomiyaki you will love this too!
Osaka’s okonomiyaki is a very famous dish in Japan that has won the hearts of many. If you love okonomiyaki, a type of Japanese savoury grilled pancake with a variety of ingredients, you have to try monja-yaki when you visit Asakusa. Monja-yaki is similar to okonomiyaki but more water or dashi (cooking stock) is added to the batter so it appears runnier than its famous cousin. Those who love the texture of melted cheese will like monja-yaki very much because of the runnier bite.
During World War II, food was scarce so people created this yummy monja-yaki dish with the easy mixture of flour and dashi. As writing materials were also hard to come by during the war, the grill became children’s chalkboard to practise writing in the watery batter mixture while the dish was being prepared. That is why monja-yaki has remained as a popular Japanese comfort food with the locals all this while as they reminisce about the old days. Monja-yaki may not be aesthetically pleasing because of its gluey texture, but you will not regret trying it. For the best monja-yaki in Asakusa, visit Tsukushi (つくし), a cosy local restaurant for that addictive bite!
Tsukushi (つくし)
Address: 2-4-13 Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo
Price: From 1,000 JPY (8.60 USD).
Opening Hours: 11am - 12am from Mondays to Saturdays. 10am - 11pm on Sundays. Irregular holidays.
Access: 3-minute walk from Asakusa Station on Toei Asakusa line.
Contact: +81 3-3844-3343
Book Tours : Food Crawl Tour in Asakusa - Klook
3. Unagi don - satisfying meal of grilled eel with steamed white rice
A large bowl of steamed white rice, topped with grilled fillets of eel (unagi), makes a delicious and nutritious meal that many Japanese food lovers enjoy nowadays. This delightful dish, known as the unagi don, or unadon for short, was invented in the late Edo era. Since you are already in the old town of Asakusa, why not treat yourself to a satisfying meal of unadon and imagine yourself in the bygone era?
Unagi Irokawa (うなぎ 色川) is a 12-seater restaurant that has been serving the delish unadon since 1861, with a Michelin Bib Gourmand certification. It is not difficult to understand why such a tiny restaurant is listed on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list once you taste their unadon. Unagi Irokawa only uses fresh local eels, grilling them slowly with Binchotan charcoal that brings the flavours of the fish to the next level. Furthermore, only exclusively selected rice and sweet sauce are used to enhance the taste of this dish.
Unagi Irokawa (うなぎ 色川)
Address: 2-6-11 Kaminarimon, Taito Ward, Tokyo
Price: 2,500 JPY (21.60 USD).
Opening Hours: 11.30am - 2pm daily. Irregular holidays.
Access: 1-minute walk from Asakusa Station exit A1 on Toei Asakusa line.
Contact: +81 3-3844-1187
4. Tendon - savour the crispy fried tempura served with steamed white rice
Tendon, which is tempura rice bowl, is another classic favourite dish in Japan. The crispy tempura, made by deep frying battered vegetables or seafood, is eaten together with steamed white rice. This simple yet filling bowl of rice dish is served in many restaurants in Japan. For the best in Asakusa, make your way to Daikokuya Tempura (大黒屋天麩羅), a traditional restaurant established since 1887. Enjoy a sumptuous bowl of rice topped with huge portions of heavenly tempura here!
Daikokuya Tempura (大黒屋天麩羅)
Address: 1-38-10 Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo
Price: From 3,300 JPY (28.50 USD) for a set meal.
Opening Hours: 11.10am - 8.30pm from Sunday to Friday. 11.30am - 9pm on Saturday and national holidays.
Access: 8-minute walk from Asakusa Station.
Contact: +81 3-3844-1111
5. Sukiyaki - tuck into a delish meal of simmered tender meat with vegetables the Japanese hotpot style
Developed during the Meiji era, sukiyaki is a Japanese hot-pot style dish, typically with meat and vegetables simmered in a broth. It is commonly found at Japanese year-end parties (bōnenkai) during winter. However, regardless of when you visit Asakusa, you will be able to find restaurants serving this classic winter dish now. It is similar to shabu shabu although it is considered sweeter than the former.
There is the ancient Yonekyuuhonten (米久本店) restaurant which has been serving this heartwarming dish since 1886 in the heart of Asakusa which you have to try. Fresh local ingredients are used in preparing the famous sukiyaki here, and you will be able to soak in the nostalgic ambience in the restaurant’s traditional Japanese decor as you dine at Yonekyuuhonten.
Yonekyuuhonten (米久本店)
Address: 2-17-10 Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo
Price: around 5,000 JPY (43.20 USD) on average per person.
Opening Hours: 12pm - 9pm daily. Closed on Wednesday.
Access: 3-minute walk from Asakusa Station.
Contact: +81 3-3841-6416
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6. Dojo - enjoy the working-class favourite dish since ancient times
Most people will be familiar with unagi, which is freshwater eel found in the ocean. Have you heard about the dojo yet? It is a type of freshwater fish found in deep muddy rivers, with a slender body shape like an eel. This was the most commonly eaten fish for the working-class Japanese since the ancient times. While the natural dojo population has dwindled due to urbanisation, you can still find restaurants serving this working-class favourite dish in Asakusa.
Founded in 1801, stepping into Dozeu Komakata (駒形どぜう) restaurant is like entering a time machine that brings you all the way back to a pub right out of the Edo era. The restaurant is fitted with traditional retro furnishings like zabuton cushions, tatami mats and low tables. To taste dojo at its best, order the dojo-nabe, cooked over charcoal fire so that its best flavour is retained. The simmered dojo is so soft it melts in your mouth, without leaving a distinctive after-taste.
Dozeu Komakata (駒形どぜう)
Address: 1-7-12 Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo
Price: around 5,000 JPY (43.20 USD) on average per person.
Opening Hours: 11am - 9pm daily.
Access: 2-minute walk from Asakusa Station exit A1 on Toei Asakusa line.
Contact: +81 3-3842-4001
7. Complete your Asakusa trip with a sweet chestnut red bean dessert
Having filled your stomach with so many delectable main courses recommended above, it’s time to hunt for some nice desserts in the old town. As we all know, the Japanese love their sweets and do it really well. In Asakusa, Umezono (梅園 浅草本店) is an age-old cosy dessert shop founded in 1854 where you can have your sweet fix. Umezono is famous for its kuri zenzai, which is red bean soup filled with sweet chestnuts. This is a must-try for the sweet tooth that has been enjoyed by many for more than 160 years!
Umezono (梅園 浅草本店)
Address: 1-31-12 Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo
Price: from 480 JPY (4.15 USD).
Opening Hours: 10am - 8pm daily. Closed on Wednesdays and irregular holidays.
Access: 2-minute walk from Asakusa Station on Tobu Skytree line.
Contact: +81 3-3841-7580
Book Tours : WAGASHI Japanese Sweets Cooking Experience in Tokyo
8. Hoppi Street - best way to end a great day over good beer and yakitori
After a hard day at work, the working-class Japanese like to head to an izakaya, a casual Japanese-style bar to relax and chill over some beer and street food. Since Asakusa was traditionally a working-class neighbourhood, you should follow the locals, and end your eventful day in town at Hoppi Street (浅草ホッピー通り). It is a short and modest-looking 80-metre long street lined with old-fashioned izakayas. Order some delicious yakitori (grilled chicken on a skewer) to complement the popular Hoppy Beer enjoyed since the Showa era at Suzuyoshi (鈴芳). It is an established izakaya that is frequented by friendly locals. What a cool way to end a lovely day in Asakusa!
Suzuyoshi (鈴芳)
Address: 2-5-1 Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo
Price: around 2,000 JPY (17.30 USD) on average per person.
Opening Hours: 12pm - 10pm on Monday, Wednesday to Friday; 9am - 10pm on Saturday and Sunday. Closed on Tuesday.
Access: 8-minute walk from Asakusa Station on Tokyo Metro Ginza line.
Contact: +81 3-3841-6081
Book Tours : Asakusa Local Food and Drink bar hopping Tour
Why not join a food tour?
9. Asakusa night foodie tour
Great people, good food and drinks – you can have all of these in a very exciting foodie night tour in Asakusa. Walk through lively local alleys where you’ll get to try various foods you won’t be able to find in the more touristy night markets. Try your hands at making Monja & Okonomiyaki on a hot iron plate. Next, visit the intimate Japanese style Izakaya bars in Hoppy street where you’ll get to interact with locals and even sip “hoppy” – a drink made and first sold on 1948 in Japan, with a beer-like taste. Finally, grab a traditional Japanese fortune and visit a standing bar near Asakusa station for more drinks! Inclusive of three foods and three drinks that make up a full dinner, this night tour definitely is made for foodies and those looking to experience the delicate Japanese food culture.
Asakusa night foodie tour
Duration: 3 hours
Price: from 85 USD
10. Monjayaki - Asakusa cultural & street-food walking tour
Walk your way through Asakusa like a local as you sample street food and immerse in its rich cultural charms. A perfect example of authentic, local, and fun first takes you strolling through Nakamise Street, one of the busiest shopping food arcades in Tokyo where you’ll be able to sample sweets and take great pictures in front of Senso-ji temple – its history and culture explained by your local Magic Trip guide. Head on next to Kappabashi, where you’ll find some of the finest kitchen tools and goods in the world. Finish off the walking tour with a unique lunch by learning how to cook a local favorite – monjayaki (a local dish that’s similar to a pancake - filled with different ingredients) in the backstreets of Asakusa along Hoppy Street. So hop on and enjoy this comprehensive walking tour with family or friends!
Asakusa cultural & street-food walking tour
Duration: 3 hours
Price: from 70 USD
byFood Experience
- Explore local attractions and try traditional snacks and sweets
Explore this historic district and learn about its history and the Japanese culture in this one-hour tour of Asakusa. Visit popular attractions such as Sensoji Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Tokyo, and find cute souvenirs and memorabilia in one of the stores at Nakamise Dori Shopping Street. It can be a bit crowded, but you can still listen to your guide via the provided headsets.
An Asakusa tour wouldn’t be complete without trying a selection of local food! There are plenty of savory and sweet options including taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes), jumbo melon pan, fried manju (flour-based pastry), and ningyo yaki (sweet filled with red bean paste).
Book Tours : Historical Tour in Asakusa With Street Food & Sweets
11. Fresh seafood and matcha green tea - Culinary Tour in Tsukiji and Asakusa
Explore traditional Japanese cuisine on this food tour of the famous districts of Tsukiji and Asakusa. Sample different seafood offerings at Tsukiji Market where you’ll find some of the freshest bounties from the sea before going to Asakusa for its vibrant streets and delicious street food. During the tour, you’ll learn more about the culture and history that has shaped both districts and the guide will answer any questions you might have as you go around.
The tour also offers a scrumptious menu of Japanese omelets, fried fish cakes, fresh tuna and sushi, dashi soup, Japanese matcha green tea, and so much more. End the tour on a sweet note by enjoying a matcha green tea parfait in a cafe.
Embark on a wonderful gastronomic journey in Asakusa
As you can see, there is a variety of great food you can enjoy when you relish in the rich historical atmosphere of Asakusa. Asakusa is not just a place for cultural and history buffs, but also a wonderful place for foodies. Make sure you go with an empty stomach for your next visit to Asakusa so that you will be able to sink your teeth into all these yummy delicacies. Itadakimasu (enjoy your food)!
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