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Eat Your Way Through Tsukiji Market: Exploring Japan’s Famous Market

There’s so much more to traveling in Japan when you do as the locals do. Eating at fancy restaurants, cafe-hopping in kissatens, and trying out street food are all great ways to experience Japan’s food culture, but have you ever tried going on a food trip in Tokyo’s busy markets?

Japan’s most popular market, the Tsukiji Market, is a mecca of flavors waiting for you to discover. Though the Tsukiji Fish Market itself moved to a new location in Toyosu in 2018, the outer market is still as thriving as ever– it’s actually one of the best ways to travel by taste, as you eat cheap yet delicious and fresh dishes early in the morning.

To give you a glimpse of what to expect in Tsukiji Market, we’ve listed down some of the things you can try here!

 

How to get to Tsukiji Market

From Tokyo Station, take the Marunochi Subway Line from Tokyo to Ginza. Then, transfer to Hibiya Subway Line going to Tsukiji Station. From there, the Tsukiji Market is just a six-minute walk.

Tip: Get a Tokyo Subway 24/48/72 hour ticket for a hassle-free subway ride going around the city. Get your 

 

 

What To Try

Eel, sea urchin, oysters

via Tuan Nguyen on Unsplash

The best thing about Tsukiji Market is that you absolutely get the freshest catch in the early morning if you plan to go there for breakfast. Their fresh-off-the-boat seafood is something you wouldn’t want to miss. Try their blow-torched scallops, placed in a super-sized shell filled with oyster and sea urchin for the perfect bitesize buffet. If you prefer grilled food, they also sell scallop and unagi skewers. Fan of oysters? You’re sure to find a gigantic and fresh one in the market stalls! 

 

 

Kaisendon

Image via KKDay Supplier

Probably the most popular dish in Tsukiji Market would be kaisendon. Kaisendon is Japan’s seafood rice bowl, with kaisen meaning seafood and don meaning rice. These rice bowls are served in many restaurants and shops in the inner market. The sushi chef prepares the food in front of the customers as they dine in front of the bar. Its freshly-caught seafood gives off a distinct ocean taste that ensures that tells the seafood is fresh. There are different varieties of kaisendon to choose from, too.

 

 

Crabs and Lobster

via yuki0328 on Pixabay

Besides getting fresh crabs from the market, why not try them on the spot for your meal? Tsukiji outer market also serves ready-to-eat crabs. One of the must-tries here is scorched Alaskan king crab legs with their succulent meat. There’s also a crab fish cake too. 

 

 

Kakigori

Image via KKDay supplier

Kakigori is Japan’s version of shaved ice dessert. They’re drizzled with syrup flavors, from strawberry to matcha, chocolate, or vanilla. Some stalls decorate their kakigori with different designs and character figures, much to the delight of the kids. During summer, expect long lines as it’s the favorite go-to dessert of people to beat the summer heat!

Want to travel by taste? Hop on a Tokyo FooDrink tour and get to know more about Tsukiji Market and Asakusa!

 

 

Tamago

via Kouki Kuriyama on Flickr

One of the cheapest yet most satisfying foods you can try in Tsukiji Outer Market is tamagoyaki. It’s a sweet egg omelet dish that’s very filling whether for breakfast or snack. You’ll find these in tiny shops where the chefs do live cooking of tamagoyaki. Other tamago versions you can try are tamagoyaki sandwiches or tamagoyaki on a stick.

 

 

Mochi

via Kim on Flickr

Aside from seafood, you’ll also find desserts in Tsukiji Market. Try mochi, a Japanese rice cake made with glutinous rice and a variety of sweet fillings such as sweet bean paste, or whole fruits like strawberries. There are ice cream versions of it too. These melt-in-your-mouth goodness are usually found in tiny stalls. 

 

 

Matcha Ice Cream

via Minna Mattila on Pixabay

Another dessert to try in Tsukiji Market is matcha ice cream, a Japanese green tea-flavored ice cream. It’s also a summer favorite as it’s very delicious, perfect for the sweet tooth. Some stalls also serve different flavors of ice cream as well. 

 

 

Onigiri

 

via Yida Li on Flickr

Want something filling and cheap? Try onigiri, made with triangle-shaped rice balls stuffed with seafood, egg, or meat and wrapped in dried seaweed. Onigiris are very handy to eat, and they’re great for whenever you want to eat them– for breakfast, lunch, snack, picnic, or dinner. The best thing about it is that there are lots of varieties to choose from.

Want to go on a food and educational trip in Tsukiji? Book a Tsukiji Market and Sushi Making Experience and get a better understanding of the Japanese food culture.

 

Have the best food trip in Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market! Discover more markets, restaurants, and cafes in Tokyo that you can book via KKDay.

 

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