Tokyo, officially known as Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan and a dream destination for many travelers. If you're planning to pack your bags and travel abroad, Tokyo is a top choice. The city offers a mix of ancient temples, shrines, beautiful parks where you can fully enjoy the cherry blossoms, and is also a vibrant hub for shopping and entertainment, with countless restaurants in every alley to choose from.

            One of the most popular dishes that tourists don't miss when visiting Tokyo is sushi. This Japanese dish is easy to eat, delicious, and can be found almost everywhere in Tokyo. There are various types available, with prices ranging from affordable to expensive, depending on your budget. Sushi isn't the only favorite among tourists; there are also many other dishes like tempura, ramen, grilled meats, and rice dishes to choose from.

            The first restaurant I recommend for sushi is Midori Sushi located in Shibuya, on the 4th floor of the Mark City building. Be prepared to wait in line for a while, as it can take at least an hour, but it's worth the wait for the fresh and high-quality ingredients. Let's take a look at the food set!

You can order whatever you want from the chef.

This set includes shrimp, which I loved the most because it was fresh and very sweet.

Crab roe salad comes with fresh vegetables and is included with every food set, though it will be smaller than this. I personally think this crab roe is the best I've ever had.

Cod sperm, or Shirako, has a creamy texture similar to steamed egg, served with ponzu sauce that cuts the richness well. I personally enjoyed it a lot.

Salmon roe sushi topped with a whole bunch of roe, known as Nama Sujiko, served with seaweed. The taste is salty but a bit difficult to eat as the membrane attached to the roe is quite chewy.

          Another sushi restaurant beloved by many Thai people is the overflowing sushi, or Miuramisaki Kou, located in the Ameyoko market in Ueno. This is a conveyor belt sushi restaurant, and the highlight here is that the toppings on each sushi plate are noticeably overflowing. The price depends on the color of the plate, which is clearly marked at the front. It’s hard to describe, so let the pictures tell the story.

The sushi is truly overflowing, so much so that you can’t even see the rice.

          Next, let’s switch to a grilled meat restaurant located in the Ameyoko market as well, called Isomaru Suisan. This seafood restaurant has small grills for you to cook your own food. The atmosphere is nice, decorated to resemble a ship, and most customers are office workers who come to eat and drink after work. A must-order dish at almost every table is the various shellfish grilled on the grill, along with the crab roe grilled in its shell. Let’s take a look at the pictures.

Various shellfish like giant surf clams, scallops, Hokkigai or wing clams, and clams are served in containers according to your order.

 This crab roe is very delicious, though it has a slightly sweet taste.

It’s recommended to grill the shellfish with only ponzu sauce, as the soy sauce here is very salty and can ruin the taste.

Grilled shrimp skewers can be eaten whole without peeling, and the restaurant provides lemon. After grilling, squeeze the lemon on the shrimp for a delicious taste.

Small shrimp are deep-fried like tempura, making them very enjoyable to eat.

            Now let’s move from Ueno to Harajuku, an area that can be compared to Siam Square in Thailand, as it is a gathering place for Japanese youth. There are numerous restaurants and dessert shops lined up in the alleys, with small cafes on both sides of the street.

            A restaurant I recommend in Harajuku is Luke’s Lobster, located in the Omotesando area. You have to walk into Cat Street to find this small shop, which often has a long line of customers waiting to buy. They sell rolls filled with lobster, shrimp, and crab meat. The prices are relatively high, but they look very appetizing. I recommend going in the morning as it gets very crowded during lunchtime.

The bread used is warm and quite crispy, while the filling consists of lobster and cold crab. They may not seem to go together, but they are very delicious.

              Another must-visit restaurant with several branches throughout Tokyo is Ichiran Ramen, also known as the exam ramen. No matter which branch you go to, there is always a long line. Personally, I love it because it’s incredibly delicious without needing any seasoning. I could eat it almost every day, but the long wait at every branch is a downside. Their broth is excellently made, combined with the ramen noodles and very tender chashu pork, with a flavor that isn't greasy.

After waiting about 40 minutes, I finally got a seat.

You can circle what you like.

          Lastly, another place you shouldn't miss when visiting Tokyo is the Tsukiji Fish Market. This popular spot is loved by tourists as it is filled with restaurants lining both sides of the street, mostly sushi, tempura, and ready-to-eat food that you can enjoy standing right in front of the shops.

Overflowing sushi at Tsukiji Market wrapped in tofu skin. The ingredients are very fresh, earning a score of 10. The price is 800 yen per piece.

This grilled seafood is 1,000 yen and very delicious, especially the broth in the shell. I recommend trying it.

Stir-fried pork with mala powder, this bowl weighs 1.5 kilograms. It’s delicious but too much to finish.

Grilled surf clams.

Sea urchin is available at several shops; choose according to your preference.

There are vending machines everywhere, and I love that they have Wi-Fi available. You can stand and eat at the vending machine and throw your trash there, so you don’t have to walk around with it, as finding a trash can can be difficult. I personally appreciate this because it keeps everything clean and organized.

          This is just a glimpse of some restaurants in Tokyo. I hope it serves as a guide for readers planning to travel to Japan. There are many more restaurants waiting for you to experience firsthand. When eating in Japan, if you find a shop without seating, I recommend eating standing next to the shop. It’s better to walk and eat because it may not look good, and there are often no trash cans available. After finishing your meal, you can ask the shop where you bought your food to dispose of it for you. Japanese people are very kind and sometimes offer to throw it away for you. It may seem like a small thing, but these little details contribute to keeping their country clean. Regardless, when traveling anywhere, it’s essential to follow the rules of that country, as the saying goes, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.' This will help you be a good tourist and enjoy your travels even more.