Top 5 Budget Eats in Tokyo

Robert Fitzsimmons is a 20-something from the UK. He is currently spending the year in Japan, firstly based in Fukushima and then moving to Tokyo after the big earthquake. He blogs about his adventures at Adventure Rob. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

We all know Tokyo has the most Michelin stars in the world, and Michelin starred food equals money. On top of Tokyo always ranking in the top three most expensive cities in the world, it can seem a struggle to find something cheap to eat in Japan's capital.

Fear not, fellow eating machines! There are plenty of cheap options in the land of the rising sun for those who want to enjoy the cuisine without emptying your wallet of all it's Yen. Here are just five examples of where you can go:

1. Izakaya

Izakaya's are often described as 'Japanese pubs'. But really they have a higher emphasis on food. Customers usually buy an alcoholic drink and a few plates of food.

While the plates are not the biggest portions, they are cheap and it is very common to share food here. Three plates between two people usually satisfies everyone and the food selection is usually varied. If you fancy fried chicken, noodles, fries, different varieties of beef and rice dishes, then an Izakaya is usually a good choice.

2. Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a dish made up of flour, cabbage, relish, eggs, green onion and a special sauce. Options include meat and more vegetables. A savoury pancake is the rough translation, but that really doesn't help describe it in my opinion. After cooked they are usually topped with a delicious BBQ sauce and flakes.

You get served the food raw in a bowl and cook it yourself on a hotplate. This is similar to yakiniku (Korean BBQ where you grill your own meat) but a lot cheaper due to cheaper base ingredients. Of course you're not paying a chef to cook for you either, just prepare the bowl, so this usually works out as a reasonable dish as well as being well priced.

Watch out for the Dohton bori brand of Okonomiyaki, they have a drinks bar (unlimited drinks) and shout 'pom poku pom' when someone makes an order, as their mascot is a tanuki, which the Japanese say makes the noise 'pom poku pom'.

3. Takoyaki

Takoyaki means fried octopus balls. This really isn't as horrific as you might think! Usually you get 8-10 in a dish and it makes a nice and reasonably priced snack. More suited to a smaller lunch than a large dinner though.

You can find takoyaki stands everywhere, similar to burger vans in the west. It is basically a baby octopus or part of an octopus tenticle and wrapped in a delicious batter and basically taste like a pancake ball with a bit of seafood inside.

4. Convenience stores

Convenience stores are everywhere in Japan, in a typical five minute walk around Tokyo you will pass at least two. You can buy small bento boxes in here and the staff often ask you if you would like it warmed up after they see it. You can answer 'hai, onegashimasu' to have it warmed or 'iie, daijoubudesu' to decline and eat cold or take away for later. They offer the same for wraps and other food too.

You can pick up sandwiches, rice balls (onigiri), chips, dumplings, fried meat and sometimes sushi and other dishes at select stores too. Prices are usually reasonable but of course you don't typically get a seat to eat it at. It is much more Japanese to eat from a 'convi' then you'll ever realise. The prices are low but the food won't blow you away. Similar can be found in supermarkets too, although they are a little cheaper, it's not usually by much.

5. Sushi Trains

What good is an article on Japanese food without mentioning sushi? 100Yen sushi shops are popular so you know exactly what your bill will be when you finish, green tea is included for free too.

Each dish is priced at 100Yen (although usually a 5% tax charge is added on too) so five sushi plates will cost 525Yen or 10 plates is 1050Yen. There is usually a lot of options at sushi places to find something you like, even if you're not keen on fish.

Inspired to take your own culinary journey around Japan? Why not check out all our trips and start planning your trip today.

What's the best thing you tasted on your trip to Tokyo? Tell us about it in the comments section below then head to Twitter and Facebook to share it with the rest of the Gecko's community.

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