At least to Singaporeans, who are literally everywhere.
Queuing at Sushi Dai at Tsukiji feels like being in line for char kway tiao Amoy Market during lunchtime – everyone around you is Singaporean!
Which kind of defeats the purpose of travelling, right?
The good news is, Tokyo is a food mecca. It’s hard to find fault with the grub served even at the dodgiest of izakayas, thanks to the Japanese’s rigid control over quality. But should you not want to risk stomach space for inferior food, make a beeline for these spots and enjoy the non-presence (no guarantees!) of your tribe from home.
Numazukou
This is a conveyer belt sushi joint, but you certainly won’t find dried out clumps of rice making its round. Located just a stone’s throw from the JR East station at Shinjuku (and also steps away from an Ichiran outlet, if you’re that sort of person), it’s a great place to fuel up before painting the town red at Kabuki-Cho nearby. The wallet-friendly prices means you can afford to have more for less – don’t be shy to ask the chef what the freshest catch of the day is.
Tip: Uni lovers must order its giant uni sushi – for just ¥1000 you’d get palm-sized serving of the delectable gonad. It’s definitely not the best uni we’ve had, but it’s good enough!
Address: Ikeda Plaza Bld 1F, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Mutekiya
Nothing warms you up on a cold winter’s day in Tokyo like a hearty bowl of soup, especially when it’s an unctuous Tonkotsu broth. Mutekiya is a standalone shop located in Ikebukuro, and it’s so popular that queues start to snake before it opens. The soup is thick with porcine flavours – you can even see the blobs of pork fat in it! The noodles are thicker than Ichiran’s, similar to egg noodles but sans the alkaline aftertaste.
Tip: Don’t want to wait in line? Mutekiya closes at 4am, so you can always visit it for a soul-warming supper.
Address: 1 Chome-17-1 Minamiikebukuro,Tokyo 171-0022, Japan
Obana
Considered the holy grail of Unagi by many, Obana is located in what is best described as the Joo Koon of Singapore, in Minami Senju. That, however, doesn’t deter the throngs of Obana worshippers who would happily wait hours for a taste of the melt-in-the-mouth grilled eel. There are a few ways the fish is prepared here, including the plain-grilled option, which showcases its freshness.
Tip: The Tamagoyaki at Obana is stuffed with Unagi; a perfect way to sate your Unagi craving while waiting for the main show to start.
Address: 5 Chome-33-1 Minamisenju, Arakawa, Tokyo 116-0003, Japan
Lawson
No, this is not a mistake. Undeniably Japan’s most prolific convenience store chain, it is unlikely that you’d bump into a fellow Singaporean if you hole yourself up in one far away from the main areas (but never say never).
Apart from its array of cheap beers, racks of xxx-rated magazines, Lawson offers some pretty yummy food too! In autumn and winter, it’s oden (Japanese stew) pots start popping up next to its cashier counters, providing cold and hungry customers a delicious snack. Its fried chicken is also quite legendary – crispy and packed with flavour.
Tip: Don’t waste your time and calories on its chilled western-styled items such as pasta though. You will be better off paying a little more for the same item at a restaurant.
