If you're craving traditional Japanese cuisine, Tokyo's Asakusa neighborhood is your safest bet. It's home to a thriving food scene, with eateries ranging from street food stalls along Nakamise-dori to Michelin-starred restaurants in the backstreets.
Whether it's your first time in Asakusa or well acquainted with the area, you might be looking for delicious fare. Let us introduce some incredible establishments that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
Not sure what to do in Asakusa? Check out our Asakusa area guide.
1. Kani Kato Asakusa
For over five decades, Kato Suisan has built a reputation as the "King of Crab" in Japan, supplying the finest Hokkaido crab to the nation. Their passion for exceptional seafood extends beyond distribution, with critically acclaimed sushi restaurants in Niseko. Now, their journey reaches the heart of Tokyo with Kani Kato Asakusa.
This new venture celebrates the bounty of the sea, featuring meticulously chosen live crabs sourced from Hokkaido, Fukui, and Ishikawa. Maintained in on-site tanks for peak freshness, these crustaceans are the stars of the show. But the commitment to quality extends beyond the main course.
Kani Kato Asakusa showcases the rich agricultural heritage of Edo Tokyo, incorporating rare local vegetables grown using traditional methods. To helm this culinary experience, Chef Okada Jun brings his impressive experience, having led a renowned Shibuya restaurant at a young age and representing Japanese cuisine on the international stage.
2. Hommage
Hommage offers nothing short of a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience. The two-Michelin-star restaurant specializes in fusion cuisine, where French haute cuisine techniques and seasonal Japanese ingredients come together beautifully on every plate.
Depending on your schedule, you can book a lunch or dinner course menu, but we recommend the omakase dinner course to see talented chef Noboru Arai at his best. It's a bit of a splurge for sure, but it's worth every yen.
3. Noura
A companion shop to Hommage, at Noura, Chef Arai and Chef Matsumoto Yoshio present diners with a more casual and affordable experience that still speaks to the chefs' skills. The lunch and dinner courses are omakase-style, promising only the freshest ingredients.
Noura made the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand list, so you know it's worthy of a stop even if you can't afford to break the bank.
4. Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku
Moving on from French cuisine for a bit, if you're only in the mood for a snack, let it be for the best onigiri in the neighborhood. Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku has served these triangular-shaped rice balls since 1954. You'll be spoiled for choice with the 20 fillings options available and spoiled rotten due to the shop's Michelin Bib Gourmand status, meaning every bite is sure to be heavenly.
5. Bentenyama Miyako Sushi
A historic restaurant in Asakusa that opened for business in 1866, Bentayama Miyako Sushi specializes in Edomae sushi. It's a must-visit if you want to expand your appreciation for traditional Japanese cuisine and craftsmanship. Ingredients and unique preparation characterize Edomae sushi: the fish must be from Tokyo Bay and cooked or cured before being served.
Bentenyama Miyako Sushi is managed by a septuagenarian owner, who keeps traditions that have been passed down for more than 200 years! Dining here is a non-negotiable for sushi purists.
6. Imahan
Welcome to one of the leaders of hot cuisine, not to be confused with haute cuisine. Sink your teeth into tender strips of the best Japanese beef in the country at Imahan. Take your pick from shabu-shabu or sukiyaki and slow-simmer your beef strips to perfect in flavorful stock. Either choice is a guaranteed win.
7. Kaminarimon Sansada
Tokyo-styled tempura in a traditional teahouse. Say that five times fast. Tongue twisters aside, Kaminarimon Sansada also serves up authentic tempura using a traditional sesame oil blend to fry vegetables and seafood. Course and a la carte menus are available here, along with seasonal specials and dishes throughout the year. There is a take-out counter for those on the go, but if time allows, dine in and enjoy the ambience and architecture.
8. grill GRAND
Just north of Senso-ji and Asakusa Shrine lies grill GRAND. Founded in 1941, the instantly recognizable yellow brick facade and frequent queues hint at its enduring popularity. Here, home-style yoshoku reigns supreme. Over eight decades, the menu of beloved classics like katsu sandwiches, gratin, and beef stew has only expanded — nothing gets removed!
While all dishes are crowd-pleasers, a clear champion emerges for longtime patrons: the omu-hayashi rice. Fluffy eggs envelop steaming rice, bathed in a homemade demi-glace — a dark, rich concoction simmered for over two weeks. Earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2024, grill GRAND proves that quality endures, better late than never.
Food tours and cooking classes in Asakusa
Most of Tokyo is modern, with some areas even edging on futuristic, but Asakusa has an undying retro atmosphere. You could — and you should — spend a whole day in Asakusa to soak in the history and culture. Food tours and cooking classes are a great way to dive deeper. Here are a few recommended experiences in the neighborhood:
- Make Your Own Ramen and Gyoza
- Asakusa Live Music Performance with Dinner
- Sustainable Vegetable Temari Sushi Cooking Class
- Amezaiku Candy Sculpting Workshop
Learn about Japanese cuisine and culture all in one go!
