A guide to the best sushi, ramen and sashimi in Tokyo

A guide to the best sushi, ramen and sashimi in Tokyo

Do you have dreams of finding that perfect slice of melt-in-your-mouth fatty tuna sashimi? Or a steaming bowl of savoury ramen to quell all worries? What about sushi so beautiful and expertly crafted it should belong in a museum?

Well, we have the perfect list to turn your dreams into reality. Check out Skyscanner's Tokyo food guide to the best ramen, sushi and sashimi spots around: your taste buds can thank us later.

1. Sushisho Masa

Photo: TripAdvisor

This intimate restaurant doesn't boast any Michelin stars, fancy waiters, or loud furniture. But what it does boast, is revered sushi chef Masakatsu Oka. Watch his expert hands freshly prepare your sushi as you sit around the bar.

Prices are extremely affordable, so there's really no excuse to not eat the whole menu... which works out well anyway, because we'd recommend you try everything. With only seating for 8 people at the bar, remember to call ahead and make a reservation to chope your seats!

Address: Japan, 〒106-0031 Tokyo, Minato, Nishiazabu, 4 Chome−1−15, セブン西麻布 B1F

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2. Umegaoka Sushi No Midori

Sushi joints and train stations in Japan are not a rare combination, and Midori Sushi is no exception. The restaurant might seem difficult to find as it's hidden away near the Shibuya train station but when in doubt, just look around for the long, orderly train of people and you'll be on the right track.

Photo: TripAdvisor

Draw a queue ticket from the machine up front, then roam about the heart of the Shibuya shopping district to quickly pass the time. The wait may range from 20 minutes to 2 hours depending on the time, but the quality, quantity, and affordable prices of Midori Sushi will be more than worth it.

Address: Daikanyama Address Dixsept, 17-6 Daikanyamacho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0034, Japan

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3. Sushi Iwa

Ever wanted to eat at a Michelin-starred restaurant without having to burn through a month's salary? Here's your chance! World-famous chef Hisayoshi Iwa does humankind a huge favour by running this high-end eatery at a medium price; regular folk everywhere rejoice.

Photo: TripAdvisor

But one small caveat - there is no menu, and the chef decides what you will eat. This is not necessarily a bad thing though, as it means that you get fish too fresh for a printed menu. And if you don't manage to snag one of the 6 seats in the restaurant, try going at lunchtime, which comes with the added bonus of even lower prices than at dinner.

Address: 悠玄ビル 1F, 6 Chome-3-17 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo, Japan

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4. Sushi Daiwa

You can tell how good a place is by looking at the length of the queue. So with a line that starts forming at 6am and a wait of at least an hour, this place must be nothing but the best. Located in the heart of the famous Tsukiji Fish Market, freshness is guaranteed with all produce coming from just next door.

Photo: TripAdvisor

Rolling out of bed early to join a queue might not sound ideal, but your morning grumpiness will melt away as quickly as the tuna melts in your mouth. Too early to decide on what to get? Let the chef choose, 'omakase' style, for an experience you won't soon forget.

Address: Japan, 〒104-0045 Tokyo, Chuo, 築地5-2-1

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5. Ryuzushi

If you're really not a queuing type of person (a rare breed of Singaporean), you can head on over to Ryu Sushi, aka Dragon Sushi, also a stone's throw from Tsukiji Fish Market.

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And just like with Sushi Dawa, we recommend you order 'omakase' for the choicest and freshest sashimi and sushi around. Don't sleep in too late, though, as the restaurant often sells out quickly and closes its doors by 2pm.

Address: 5-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo 104-0045, Tokyo Prefecture

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6. Ichiran Ramen

What do you get when you combine the three Japanese national obsessions of good food, vending machines, and efficiency? Why, Ichiran Ramen of course! When you enter, place your order at a large vending machine by pushing a bunch of over-sized picture buttons of what you want. Pay, collect your ticket and pick a seat at a booth. Soon enough, two hands will appear to present you with a steaming, rich, brothy, generous, and delicious bowl of ramen.

Photo: TripAdvisor

The whole experience is designed to minimise human interaction and get customers in and out as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality. You can be assured that no one will shoo you out, though, so take your time to slurp the perfectly "QQ" (springy) noodles and savour every last drop of soup as your plan your next visit.

Address: 1-22-7 Jinnan | Iwamoto Bldg. B1F, Shibuya 150-0041, Tokyo Prefecture

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7. Mensho Taketora

Eat ramen. Walk it off. Eat more ramen. Chant this in your head as you make your way to the hip and exciting Roppongi district in search of more noodles and more soup at Mensho Taketora. The ambiance of this place is super chic and modern, but there's nothing more humble than a filling bowl of their house special Taketora ramen, which is a variation of Tonkotsu ramen.

Photo: TripAdvisor

The noodles are thicker, and the gravy-broth (which you're not meant to polish off) is richer. If you have a hankering for soup, then order the miso soup base, but we recommend the house special for a more unique experience! When you're finished, make like the tiger decor at the entrance and embark on your next prowl for yet more Japanese food.

Address: 3-14-14 Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo Prefecture

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8. Sushi Zanmai

Traveling on a students' budget but still want to get the best sushi you can, sans queue? Thankfully, Sushi Zanmai is here to save the day. Despite being a chain restaurant, Sushi Zanmai maintains the hallmarks of Japanese cuisine by using quality ingredients, freshly prepared. While there are more than 40 branches peppered all over Japan, its main branch is located at - you guessed it - Tsukiji Fish Market.

Photo: TripAdvisor

Sushi Zanmai's Shibuya branch is also open all hours of the day, so if you get hungry while spending a night out on the town, head on over and your stomach will thank you for sparing it from freeze-dried snacks.

Address: 4-4-3 Tsukiji, Chuo 104-0045, Tokyo Prefecture; 34-5 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo Prefecture

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9. Miyakozushi

There's a certain amount of street cred that comes with discovering a place "before it was cool." In the world of Japanese high-end restaurants, Miyakozushi is just that place you'd want to take note of for maximum cred. This tiny sushi-ya hidden away in Chuo is known as one of the best-rated joints around without a Michelin star.

Photo: TripAdvisor

It's surely a contender though, so you'd better go soon before prices go up! For now, gather up some yen and treat yourself to the best sushi and sashimi for miles around, without the price tag.

Address: 3-1-3 Higashinihombashi, Chuo 103-0004, Tokyo Prefecture

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10. Rokurinsha Tokyo

One more ramen recommendation, and the Trinity of Japanese ramen will be complete. After you've had your Tonkotsu, and the special Mensho Taketora ramen, what's left? You guessed it, it's Tsuketemen ramen.

Continuing the Japanese tradition of serving up food beside locomotives, Rukorinsha Tokyo is located in the basement of the Tokyo train station at Tokyo Ramen Street.

Photo: TripAdvisor

Tsuketemen ramen differs from Tonkotsu ramen as the noodles and soup are served in separate bowls. Dip the noodles into the soup (quickly but just long enough to pick up that decadent, savoury broth), and slurp it up for a "life-changing experience" like no other. This near-religious ritual does not allow soaking, so never combine both bowls or you might get stares. Rukorinsha is no secret with locals and tourists making the pilgrimage every day, so expect a moderate wait for a table.

Address: 1-9-1 Marunochi, Chiyoda, Tokyo Prefecture

This article first appeared on Skyscanner’s Tokyo food guide: best sushi, ramen and sashimi in town.

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