Japan’s Secret Street Food Alley Under The Tokyo Metro 🇯🇵

octopus

🥗Healthier: squid

💰Cheaper: cooked shrimp

Squid is a lower-cost alternative, while shrimp is more widely available.

dashi stock

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with soy sauce

Vegetable broth provides flavor without fish, and water with soy sauce is budget-friendly.

mayonnaise

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt offers a tangy flavor with fewer calories.

bonito flakes

🥗Healthier: smoked salmon

💰Cheaper: cooked chicken

Smoked salmon adds a similar umami flavor, while chicken is more economical.

Arrive at Ameo street outside Aeno station in Tokyo.

Order takoyaki from a popular stall that sells over 3,000 balls a day.

Dress the takoyaki with takoyaki sauce, green onions, and bonito flakes.

Wait for the takoyaki to cool down as it is very hot.

Taste the takoyaki, noting the creamy inside and chewy octopus texture.

Discuss the umami flavor from the bonito flakes and the tangy sauce.

Move to the next stall specializing in menchi katsu (minced beef cutlet).

Order and taste the menchi katsu, noting its crispy exterior and thinness.

Dip the menchi katsu in the same takoyaki sauce and enjoy.

Enter an izakaya and check the menu, which is mostly in Japanese but has an English menu available.

Order stingray liver and shark heart, discussing the unique nature of the dishes.

Taste the stingray liver, describing its creamy texture and mild flavor.

Taste the shark heart, noting its chewy texture and iron flavor.

Enjoy a mixed platter of sashimi including sea bass, mackerel, tuna, and squid.

Dip sashimi in soy sauce and enjoy with sake.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens