Food and Drink

料亭 時葉山

Enjoy Real Chanko Nabe Surrounded by Historic Japanese Ambiance at Ryotei Tokibayama

Chanko nabe is a traditional hot pot dish deeply intertwined with Japan’s sumo culture. For sumo wrestlers, nutritional balance has always been paramount in their diet to maintain and strengthen their physiques. Japanese hot pot dishes, which are mainly built around protein while incorporating a variety of ingredients, are truly ideal meals for sumo wrestlers. Born from this tradition, chanko…

Unchanged Since 1895: Savor Timeless Sukiyaki in a Registered Cultural Property at Imahan Honten

Asakusa, home to a collection of historic eateries with over 100 years of history, is where you’ll find Sukiyaki Imahan Honten, serving guests since 1895. This sukiyaki specialty restaurant is renowned for its secret warishita (sukiyaki broth), a carefully guarded recipe passed down to each successive owner. Now proudly made by the current owner, this signature broth has been a…

花の舞 江戸東京博物館前店

This Ryogoku Restaurant Lets You Eat Chanko Nabe Beside a Real Sumo Ring

Ryōgoku, in Tokyo, is a place deeply connected to sumo, Japan’s national sport. Many sumo stables are located in the surrounding area, and it’s not uncommon to spot sumo wrestlers belonging to these stables while walking around. Among the many restaurants near Ryōgoku Station serving chanko nabe (a hearty hot pot dish traditionally eaten by sumo wrestlers), “Hananomai Edo Tokyo…

ちゃんこ道場 両国駅前店

Where to Try Authentic Chanko Nabe in Ryogoku – Don’t Miss Chanko Dojo

Sumo is one of Japan’s most iconic traditional sports, and the meals sumo wrestlers eat every day are collectively known as chanko. Among them, chanko nabe—a hot pot loaded with vegetables, meat, and sometimes seafood—is particularly famous. For many people, “sumo food” instantly brings this dish to mind. The area around Ryōgoku Station, where Ryōgoku Kokugikan (National Sumo Arena) is…

牛だし おでん酒場 COZAKURA

Try Rare Beef Broth Oden in Shibuya with Japanese Craft Beer and Sake

Oden is a traditional Japanese dish in which ingredients like daikon radish, fish cakes such as chikuwa and kamaboko, and more are simmered slowly in a large pot. Across Japan, you’ll find many establishments where you can enjoy oden paired with alcohol. The type of broth used and the selection of ingredients—called oden-dane—vary widely, giving each shop a distinct character….

Enjoy Kichijoji’s Nightlife: HOME PLANET, a Cultural Hub for Encounters

Kichijōji is a part of Tokyo that defies simple description, offering countless layers of charm. And HOME PLANET is a venue that seems to embody everything this multifaceted neighborhood has to offer. This lively bar features an impressive array of drinks, including mezcal, alongside a rotating lineup of DJ events and special dishes created by guest chefs. It’s a place…

Ginza’s Sushi Ginza Onodera Serves Premium Takeout Sushi Made by Master Chefs!

Just a 3-minute walk from Kabuki-za Theater, “Sushi Ginza Onodera SOUHONTEN” is a renowned sushi restaurant nestled in a prime location in Tokyo’s Ginza district—perfect for special occasions. Offering only course meals for both lunch and dinner, the restaurant features a diverse selection of the season’s finest seafood, including red fish, white fish, uni (sea urchin), shrimp, and shellfish. 15…

24-Hour Japanese Convenience Store Sandwiches: FamilyMart’s Classics and Hidden Gems

Japanese convenience stores, known as conbini, offer an incredible variety of products—from food to daily necessities—available 24 hours a day. The extensive selection of food items alone can make it hard to choose, but that’s part of the fun! To help you navigate these offerings, the Umami bites editorial team is highlighting must-try items by category. From timeless classics to…

資生堂パーラー銀座本店 サロン・ド・カフェ 

Japanese Parfaits and Fruit Sandwiches Galore at Shiseidou Parlour in Ginza!

Ginza brings together the finest from various fields. The streets are lined with high-brand boutiques, internationally acclaimed gastronomy, and art galleries. Among all the establishments in Ginza, the “Shiseido Parlour Salon de Cafe” stands out with a remarkable presence. The red brick building housing the cafe commands attention even on the main street. Founded in 1902, “Shiseido Parlour” began as…

Ginza Washita Shop: Your Hidden Okinawan Food Paradise in the Heart of Ginza

Okinawa is one of the first places that comes to mind when talking about resort destinations in Japan. It’s not just the beautiful natural scenery and historic architecture—Okinawa’s rich local cuisine is also a big part of its lasting appeal. Located near Yūrakuchō Station, “Ginza Washita Shop Honten” (referred to hereafter as “Ginza Washita Shop”) is a place where you…

ちょいおでん 新宿本店

A Fresh Take on Oden at Choi Oden Shinjuku—Try This Fun Twist!

Oden is one of Japan’s traditional simmered dishes. By slowly cooking ingredients such as daikon radish, eggs, chikuwa (tube-shaped fish cake), and hanpen (another type of fish cake) in a large pot, it brings out the umami of the ingredients. While simple in appearance, this exquisite dish allows you to experience the depth of Japanese food culture through the complexity…

おでん 俺のだし

Where to Try Rich Dashi and Creative Oden in Tokyo’s Ginza District

Oden is a dish in which a variety of ingredients—such as vegetables like daikon radish and seafood-based items like chikuwa (tube-shaped fish cake) and kamaboko (another type of fish cake)—are simmered together in a large pot. Tokyo is home to many restaurants where oden takes center stage. The ingredients used in oden and the type of broth it’s simmered in…