Speak to people about traveling to Japan and sampling the best in Japanese food and many will warn you of the high prices. Unbeknownst to these people, traveling to Japan and eating like a local is possible without breaking the bank. As long as you know where to look, there are plenty of pocket-friendly restaurants and cheap eats, all with very high standards.
If you’re planning to travel on a budget, the following tips will help you save money on food. You won’t have to compromise on flavor or quality and when you get home, you can check out your favorite Japanese online store and recreate the dishes for your family and friends.
Regular Stores And Convenience Supermarkets
You’ll find the cheapest Japanese meals at a local convenience store. The Japanese call them comibini and they are a quintessential part of the local food culture.
You’ll have a great time exploring. Look out for Japanese snacks you can’t get anywhere else.
All the food in these establishments is freshly cooked and delivered daily. Alongside the typical supermarket food, you’ll also find coffee, sandwiches, sushi, various bento boxes, and o-nigiri (triangular rice with various stuffings).
You have the option of getting the food heated on the spot which makes it the perfect stop if you’re looking for some food on the go.
Food Halls At Metro Stations
At all major train and metro stations in Japan, you’ll find food halls. There you’ll find an array of medium-budget restaurants serving international and Japanese food. These places tend to be used to catering for foreigners, taking credit cards, and having English menus.
Casual Restaurants
You’ll be spoilt for choice if you want to splurge every once in a while, but authentic local dishes are very affordable if you’re watching your pennies.
For a casual lunch or dinner, pick ramen, soba, or tempura shops. These are on almost every street.
Mom-and-pop shops are also something to look out for. They serve home-cooked teishoku meal sets. These sets include a protein, bowl of rice, miso soup, a small side salad, and pickles.
Wander down any of the narrow alleys where you’re staying and you might be able to enjoy Japanese izakaya. These are small, casual spots that seat 8-10 people. The food is cooked in front of you and tends to be grilled meat on skewers, sashimi, various vegetable dishes, stews of the day, and lots of beer and sake.
Depachika
Depachika are food parlors found in major department stores. These parlors tend to be on the basement floor. You’ll find a range of different food counters where freshly made meals are cooked to go.
The food can be western-style dishes or Japanese fare. A quick tip if you want to save a buck or two is to drop by after 7 pm. The food goes on sale and can be reduced by as much as 50%.
Cheap Sushi
Sushi is the #1 Japanese food for most tourists and you can enjoy it at a low price if you visit local fish markets or one of the surrounding tiny sushi shops.
Another option is to pop by one of the more pricy restaurants at lunchtime when the sushi meal sets are more affordable.
Let’s not forget the conveyor-belt sushi spots. You pick up your sushi per plate and it can be a fun and cheap way to eat.
Food Markets
Japanese food markets are loads of fun and offer plenty of fresh fare at low prices. Try anything that takes your fancy from the range of stalls serving freshly cooked food, seafood, and local specialties such as pickles.
Lunch Specials
All restaurants in Japan offer lunch specials. You can get your hands on dinner-quality food at a fraction of the price.
Bakeries
Japanese bakeries are styled on French patisseries. You’ll find one in most neighborhoods. The pastries are meticulously arranged on shelves and come in a myriad of shapes and flavors.
If you’re looking for a quick breakfast bite or mid-day snack, these are great places to visit.
Food Trucks
Food trucks, and street food in general, are hard to come by in Japan. However, if you’re in Tokyo, there are two dedicated open-air spots where you can enjoy some low-cost food truck meals.
These spots serve mostly western food and offer vegetarian options too. Commune 2nd in Aoyama is open every day. While the Farmer’s Market by UNU is open on the weekends. If you’re in Tokyo at the right time of the year, you might also be able to experience one of the many international food festivals regularly hosted in Yoyogi and Hibiya Parks.
Restaurant Chains
There are a few affordable restaurant chains in Japan. Coco’s is recommended for Japanese curry as well as Sukiya, Sushiro, Matsuya, and Yoshinoya for different rice bowls. You’ll find these on almost every corner in both big and small cities. There is a machine where you place your order and then give the receipt to the waiter. The food follows just a few minutes later.
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