I ate my way around Tokyo

I went to Tokyo with my husband for our honeymoon, and it was my first time in Tokyo. We had been to Japan before, but we visited Osaka for his birthday in March. Everyone says that Tokyo is an amazing and bustling capital, and they were right; it felt like a utopia to me.

Everything seemed almost too perfect, with their compact cars, clean streets, friendly smiles, cute alleyways and super efficient system. Nowhere in the world is perfect, but this huge concrete paradise certainly took me by surprise.

Japan is known for many things, and I was mostly excited to visit to try the food there. We explored different areas of Tokyo, and found some local and popular food spots that I highly recommend for you to visit. So here are a few things to add to your itinerary if you're visiting anytime soon!

Where to eat in Shibuya

Shibuya is famously known for two things: the huge Shibuya Scramble Crossing and the Hachiko statue. When I first visited this area, I was fascinated by the interactive billboards, the tall buildings and the hustle and bustle on the streets.

Just next to the train station is a tiny Katsudon restaurant called Niigata Katsudon Tarekatsu. It seemed to be a usual spot for some of the locals, and I am not surprised why. The menu has different donburi bowls, with the main star being the pork Tonkatsu. I had the pork, shrimp and mixed vegetables donburi bowl. Everything was golden and crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside. It was all fried perfectly. The miso soup was very flavourful and light. It was a well balanced meal that didn't make me feel too heavy, and the sauce that came with the donburi was sweet and addictive. There was no fault to this dish.

Where to take a coffee break in Harajuku

Harajuku is a famous area that many tourists visit. It has a similar resemblance and vibe to Hongdae in Seoul, and Camden in London, yet it has its own unique touch. As you walk around the quieter streets of Harajuku, you can stumble across a smaller and quieter area called Cat Street. It technically starts from Shibuya, but leads you into Harajuku. This area is quite modern, with many designer vintage shops, cool hairdressers and trendy cafes.

There is one cafe that is popular for a reason: the baristas use their artistic skills and do latte art. Reissue Cafe was crowded with tourists from all over the world, but due to their quick and efficient service, we didn't wait too long to be seated. Even if you don't drink coffee, it's okay, since they do cool 3D or 2D designs for hot or chocolate drinks too. I had the cold chocolate with a Totoro design, and it was too cute to drink, but the drink itself was cool, sweet and delicious. They also serve cakes and have a great view of Cat Street, which made it the ideal spot to sit back, relax and take a break from sightseeing.

Where to get a good bowl of Ramen

When people think of Japanese food, they instantly think of sushi and ramen. And they aren't wrong, there are so many ramen restaurants in Tokyo, that it can feel overwhelming to decide where to go. Ichiran Ramen is a famous chain and I still have not tried it, but I do recommend a place that has been around for a long time and is known for its shoyu ramen.

Yoroiya Ramen is located next to Sensoji temple in Asakusa. The soy broth is rich and has deep flavour. The noodles are thick and fresh, and the slices of pork are succulent and tender. I would also recommend ordering their gyoza dumplings, because they are highly rated for a reason. The gyoza dumplings are crispy on the outside and the pork mince is packed with flavour.

Where to eat curry in Shinjuku

When I visited Shinjuku, I was fascinated by the neon lights, the izakaya alleyways and eclectic nightlife of the area.

Curry is known as a comforting dish in Japan, and many family style or budget friendly restaurants serve cheap yet good curry dishes. We stumbled across a self serve restaurant that has the typical interior for solo diners. Tonkatsu Matsunoya is a chain restaurant with budget friendly curry and Tonkatsu dishes.

I tried the chicken katsu curry dish, and was impressed by the delicious combination of tartar sauce and a rich curry sauce. The portion was big, yet every bite delivered rich flavour. It was definitely a hearty and comforting dish to eat in the middle of Shinjuku area.

Where to eat a Chinese-Japanese fusion of Omurice

Omurice is one of my favourite Japanese dishes. In Asakusa, there is a chain restaurant that serves Chinese-Japanese fusion dishes. Hidakaya is popular for its Chinese style ramen, but I decided to try the crab meat omurice.

The texture of the egg was soft and silky, and the rice was fluffy. What's different about this omurice rice is the sauce that is served in the dish, which is a sweet and sour sauce. It wasn't too rich, but it was different from eating omurice with ketchup.

Where to eat Thai food in Tokyo

Tokyo is a capital with diversity. When we walked around different parts of the city, we noticed a lot of Italian restaurants and Turkish kebab shops. But we were in the mood for Thai food, and found a restaurant in the area, Shimbashi. Old Thailand is a small yet busy restaurant that is loved by the local office workers there. As you step inside, it feels like you've fast forwarded to the evening and you're ready for a night out. The atmosphere is lively and keeps you hidden from the daylight outside.

They serve you free a small portion of a light and fragrant soup and fresh spring rolls. The Thai food itself was very authentic and had the right amount of spice. The service was really good too, and I would recommend finishing your meal with their homemade coconut ice cream.

Where to eat a crepe

We did a lot of sightseeing in Tokyo, and by the time we reached Tokyo Tower, I needed a snack break. The famous chain Marion Crepes is nestled next to Tokyo Tower, making it a romantic spot to enjoy a crepe. There are different flavours, but I went for the classic Nutella, fresh strawberries and whipped cream crepe.