Ueno is a vibrant neighborhood in Taito Ward, Tokyo, famous for its zoo, museums, lush parks, and the bustling drinking district under the train tracks. Taito Ward is easily accessible from central Tokyo and, with its shinkansen (bullet train) station, serves as a popular base for tourists.
Many visitors combine their trip to Ueno with a visit to nearby Asakusa. Ueno Zoo, the National Art Center, and Ameyoko are always crowded with tourists and locals alike.
Among these attractions, "Ameyoko" stands out as an area where you can experience the retro atmosphere of Tokyo's old downtown. Lined with izakayas (Japanese pubs) and food stalls, it's a paradise for affordable and delicious street food. Food hopping and bar hopping in Ameyoko are extremely popular among tourists.
In this article, we'll introduce you to the best street food at Ueno 2024, focusing on the food stalls you can enjoy while strolling around Ueno Station and the Ameyoko area.
Ueno: Tokyo's Premier Gourmet Destination for Food and Bar Hopping
Ueno is one of Tokyo's top gourmet spots where you can fully enjoy food hopping and bar hopping.
The Ameyoko area, with its festival-like atmosphere of food stalls and retro charm, is a melting pot of different eras. Here, you can savor cuisines from around the world at reasonable prices. With standing bars open from early morning and unique bars scattered throughout, you can experience authentic Japanese atmosphere and food culture while enjoying all-day bar hopping and food crawls.
Food hopping and bar hopping in Ueno not only allow you to indulge in local flavors but also immerse yourself in the warm atmosphere of Tokyo's old downtown.
5 Must-Try Street Foods in Ueno
Croquettes
Croquettes are a popular snack or side dish in Japan, made by mixing mashed potatoes with sautéed onions and ground meat, shaping the mixture, coating it in breadcrumbs, and deep-frying.
In Ueno's Ameyoko, several butcher shops offer freshly fried croquettes. These croquettes are known for their rich meaty flavor and satisfying texture.
When you bite into a freshly made croquette, you'll experience the pleasant crunchiness of the coating, followed by the rich flavor of potatoes and the juicy umami of the ground meat filling your mouth.
Each shop offers its unique take on croquettes, so it can be fun to try different ones as you stroll through the area. They also make great snacks for bar hopping.
Seafood Rice Bowls
Kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) is a quintessential Japanese dish featuring slices of fresh tuna, salmon, squid, shrimp, and other seafood generously piled on top of rice.
Ameyoko has a history of developing as a food market since the post-war period, and it's known for its many shops dealing in seafood.
As a result, there are numerous places around Ueno where you can enjoy fresh and delicious seafood rice bowls at reasonable prices. The variety is impressive, from bowls that let you compare different parts of tuna to luxurious ones topped with over 10 types of seafood.
The luxury of tasting various kinds of seafood in one dish is truly a blissful experience. When visiting Ueno, don't miss the chance to savor these diverse seafood rice bowls.
Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings)
Xiaolongbao, or shoronpo in Japanese, is one of China's most famous dim sum dishes. These small steamed dumplings are wrapped in a thin skin and filled with juicy meat.
When you take a bite, hot and flavorful soup bursts out. The dough is chewy, and you can fully enjoy the aroma of the grilled surface and the juiciness of the meat. They pair excellently with beer.
Ueno is a place where various food cultures converge, allowing you to easily taste authentic Chinese cuisine. Xiaolongbao is the perfect street food for food hopping and bar hopping.
Savor these authentic xiaolongbao amidst the lively atmosphere of Ueno.
Cheese Hot Dogs
Cheese hot dogs are a Korean street food that has gained popularity in Japan. They are made by coating a cheese-filled stick in batter and deep-frying it.
The cheese inside is typically mozzarella or cheddar. The crispy, sweet batter harmonizes perfectly with the flavor of the cheese, creating an exquisite taste. When you take a bite, melted cheese oozes out, providing a very satisfying experience. When I tried it, I was amazed at how much the cheese stretched, and I enjoyed savoring its taste with my friends.
The popularity of cheese hot dogs lies in their convenience - you can enjoy them freshly fried while walking around.
Ueno is home to many casual Korean restaurants. As a result, you can taste trendy Korean street food here before it becomes popular elsewhere in Japan. Don't miss the chance to try these cheese hot dogs, which are currently all the rage in Korea, right here in Ueno.
Sweet Treats (Fruits and Soft Serve Ice Cream)
Source:Tabelog
When you get tired from all the food hopping, refresh yourself with some light sweets like fresh fruits or specialty soft serve ice cream.
Fruits are often sold cut and skewered or in cups, perfect for eating while walking. These stands carefully select the most delicious fruits of the season, allowing you to enjoy their juicy and fresh flavors to the fullest.
Among the soft serve ice cream options, the "matcha soft serve" is highly recommended. Crafted by tea experts after extensive research, this matcha soft serve has a distinctive bitterness that becomes addictive.
Both of these sweets are ideal for refreshing yourself and perfect for enjoying while exploring the streets of Ueno.
Two Areas in Ueno Perfect for Food Hopping and Bar Hopping
Ameyoko Area (Ameya Yokocho)
Ameyoko is a lively shopping street within walking distance from Ueno Station, popular for food hopping and shopping.
Developed from a post-war black market, it now flourishes as an attractive spot offering fresh seafood, sweets, and cuisines from various countries. You can easily experience unique Japanese food culture while soaking in the local atmosphere.
Minatoya Shokuhin
Source: Ameyoko Official website
"Minatoya Shokuhin" is a spot where you can easily enjoy fresh seafood. The shop's charm lies in its variety of seafood rice bowls made with fresh ingredients, all available at reasonable prices. Their takoyaki (octopus balls) with large pieces of octopus is also popular.
Using high-quality seafood directly from Toyosu Market, they offer authentic flavors at casual prices. For those who don't enjoy raw fish, there are also cooked menu items, making it a place where everyone can dine with peace of mind.
"Minatoya Shokuhin" is the perfect place to experience Japanese seafood culture. Indulge in the flavors of fresh seafood to your heart's content.
Address: 4-1-9 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: 11:00 - 19:00
Closed: January 1st and 2nd
Phone: 03-3831-4350
Tentenraku
Source: Ameyoko Official website
"Tentenraku" is a shop where you can casually enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine. They offer a diverse menu including handmade water dumplings, grilled xiaolongbao, and skewered beef tendon and lamb.
One of its attractive points is that it's popular among Chinese regulars, allowing you to enjoy authentic local flavors. Fried buns and skewers are perfect for eating while walking, ideal for enjoying while exploring the lively Ueno area. It's also a great spot for bar hopping, perfect for dropping by during your sightseeing.
If you want to enjoy authentic Chinese flavors in addition to Japanese cuisine in Ameyoko, be sure to visit this shop.
Address: Ameyoko Center Building 1F No.45, 4-7-8 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: 9:00 - 23:00
Closed: None
Phone: 080-4797-5211
Uncle Joe
Source:Tabelog
"Uncle Joe" is a Korean street food fast food stall where you can casually enjoy authentic Korean cuisine. In addition to popular menu items like tteokbokki, yangnyeom chicken, and pajeon, they also offer Korean street foods like hotteok.
Ueno has many Korean restaurants, allowing you to taste trendy Korean foods in Japan before they become popular elsewhere.
It's a rare opportunity to enjoy popular Korean street food while traveling in Japan. Take a break from Japanese cuisine and savor freshly made Korean dishes while enjoying the lively atmosphere of Ueno.
Address: Ameyoko Plaza B Building No.56, 6-10-7 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: 10:00 - 21:00
Closed: 2nd Wednesday of every month
Phone: 03-6284-4219
Official Website: https://unclejoe.jp/
Ueno Station to Ameyoko Front
The area from Ueno Station to the front of Ameyoko is concentrated with tourist spots. There are many nature-rich places like Ueno Park and Shinobazu Pond, as well as plenty of cafes and restaurants to visit after a leisurely stroll.
The road from the station to Ameyoko is always bustling, full of energy from locals and tourists alike. It's an attractive area where you can enjoy gourmet food while feeling close to nature.
Hyakkaen
Source:Official X
"Hyakkaen" is a popular shop selling fresh fruits.
They offer a selection of fresh fruits that changes with the seasons, sourced from all over Japan. While they were once famous for selling various fruits on skewers for easy eating while walking, they now primarily sell fruits in cups.
Among their offerings, the pineapple skewer is so popular that even locals say it's a "must-eat when visiting Ueno." The sweetness of fresh fruits is the perfect refreshment for a tired body after walking around.
Enjoy your Ueno stroll while savoring the delicious seasonal fruits.
Address: 6-10-12 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: 10:00 - 19:00
Closed: Only on New Year's Day
Phone: 03-3832-2625
Niku no Ooyama
Source: Rakuten Gnavi
"Niku no Ooyama" is a shop famous for its high-quality meat-based fried foods.
Their signature product, the menchi-katsu (deep-fried ground meat cutlet), is packed with juicy minced meat. They also offer freshly fried croquettes and ham-katsu (breaded and deep-fried ham).
One of the shop's attractions is the standing bar space in front, where you can purchase freshly fried items and enjoy them on the spot. It's fun to drink beer while snacking on fresh croquettes and interacting with locals and other tourists.
This is a great place to casually experience Japanese street food culture.
Address: 2F Watanabe Ueno Building, 6-13-2 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours:
Lunch / 11:00 - 15:00 (14:00 on weekends and holidays)
Dinner / 15:00 (14:00 on weekends and holidays) - 23:00 (22:00 on Sundays and holidays)
Last Order: Food 22:15, Drinks 22:30
(Sundays and holidays: Food 21:15, Drinks 21:30)
Closed: None
Phone: 03-3831-9007
Official Website: http://www.ohyama.com/ueno
Cha no Kiminoen
Source: Ueno Kankou Association
"Cha no Kiminoen" is a shop in Ameyoko specializing in Japanese tea and matcha products.
The shop is stocked with high-quality matcha and Japanese teas, as well as kyusu (special teapots for brewing Japanese tea) and chaki (tea utensils) for enjoying Japanese tea.
Their matcha soft serve ice cream, perfect for eating while walking, is a proud product developed by the shop owner after years of pursuing the perfect taste. It's popular for its rich and slightly bitter matcha flavor.
This shop is ideal for relaxing and experiencing Japanese culture during your Ameyoko tour, or for purchasing uniquely Japanese souvenirs.
Address: 4-9-13 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: 10:00 - 20:00
Closed: 3rd Tuesday of every month
Phone: 03-3831-7706
Official Website: http://www.kiminoen.jp/
Enjoy Bar Hopping at "Ameyoko," the Symbol of Ueno! Introducing 3 Recommended Izakayas
Daitoryo
Source: Tabelog
"Daitoryo" is a famous izakaya in Ueno's Ameyoko, known for its delicious grilled offal and rich offal stew.
The offal stew becomes even more flavorful when sprinkled with shichimi, a Japanese spice blend made with seven types of chili peppers. I always order this offal stew, and its taste makes it impossible to stop drinking beer or sake.
One of its unique features is that you can drink from early morning, allowing you to enjoy authentic Japanese casual gourmet food at any time. The interior has a retro atmosphere, and you can experience the unique sensation of the shop shaking every time a train passes by.
Enjoy interacting with local regulars in this shop that retains the flavor of old downtown Tokyo.
Address: 6-10-14 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: 10:00 - 24:00
Closed: None
Phone: 03-3832-5622
Tachinomi Kadokura
Source: Official website
"Tachinomi Kadokura" is a standing bar izakaya located under the train tracks in Ueno's Ameyoko, exuding a retro atmosphere.
They pride themselves on dishes made with fresh seafood and pork, with fried foods and sashimi being particularly popular. Another attraction is their reasonable prices, allowing you to enjoy a wide variety of Japanese sake and beer along with their specialty dishes.
Kadokura is a standing-style bar. This environment makes it easy to interact with local regulars, so you'll quickly feel at home even on your first visit. Please enjoy experiencing Japan's standing bar culture.
Address: 1F Forum Aji Building, 6-13-1 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun, Holidays: 11:00 - 22:00 (L.O. 21:30)
Fri, Sat, Days before holidays: 11:00 - 23:00 (L.O. 22:30)
Closed: None
Phone: 050-5492-9299
Official Website: https://g191301.gorp.jp/
TOWA Bakushu to Nihonshu to Soba
Source: Tabelog
"TOWA Bakushu to Nihonshu to Soba" is a unique izakaya in Ueno where you can enjoy soba (buckwheat noodles), Japanese sake, and craft beer.
You can savor authentic hand-made soba called "nihachi soba," which uses 80% domestic buckwheat flour. It's characterized by its smooth texture and pairs perfectly with their homemade dipping sauce.
They also offer a variety of appetizers, allowing you to enjoy the marriage of Japanese soba culture and alcohol in a stylish and relaxed atmosphere. You're sure to have a fulfilling time here.
Address: 2F, 6-11-12 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours:
Mon, Wed-Fri: 11:30 - 15:00 (L.O. 14:30), 17:00 - 23:00 (L.O. 22:00)
Sat, Sun, Holidays: 11:30 - 23:00 (L.O. 22:00)
Closed: Tuesdays
Phone: 03-5816-3934
Official Website: https://towaueno.owst.jp/