Asakusa is one of Tokyo’s best areas for combining sightseeing with traditional Japanese food. After visiting Senso-ji Temple and walking through Nakamise, you can find everything from classic soba and tempura to Japanese sweets, local snacks, and casual cafés.
This Asakusa food guide explains what to eat, where to eat, and how to plan your meals while exploring the area.
Whether you want a traditional Japanese lunch, a quick snack between sightseeing stops, or a relaxed café break, this guide will help you decide what to try in Asakusa.
What to Eat in Asakusa
Asakusa is known for traditional Japanese food as well as casual snacks and sweets. Here are some dishes worth looking for during your visit.
Tempura
Tempura is one of the classic Japanese dishes to try in Asakusa.
Fresh seafood and vegetables are lightly coated in batter and fried until crisp. You can often find tempura served with rice as tendon, or with soba as a traditional combination.
If you enjoy fried food but want something different from typical Western-style fried dishes, tempura is a good choice.
Soba
Soba is a Japanese noodle made mainly from buckwheat.
You can order soba either hot or cold. Cold soba is usually served with a dipping sauce, while hot soba comes in a warm broth.
In Japan, it is normal to hear people slurping noodles. You do not need to worry about making the same sound when eating soba.
Asakusa has several long-established soba restaurants, making it a good area to try this traditional dish.
Sushi
Sushi is another familiar Japanese food that you can enjoy in Asakusa.
For a traditional experience, you may find nigiri sushi, where slices of fish are placed on small portions of seasoned rice.
When eating nigiri, you can use chopsticks or your hands. If you use soy sauce, try to dip the fish side rather than soaking the rice.
Tororo and Barley Rice
Tororo is grated Japanese yam with a soft and sticky texture. It is often served over barley rice and is a traditional Japanese comfort food.
One of the places associated with this style of food in Asakusa is Asakusa Mugitoro.
If you want to try something that feels different from the Japanese dishes commonly found outside Japan, mugitoro can be an interesting option.
Japanese Sweets and Snacks
Asakusa is also a great place to try Japanese sweets and casual snacks while walking around the neighborhood.
Nakamise and the streets around Senso-ji are particularly convenient for finding traditional-style sweets and snacks.
If you are mainly interested in food you can eat while exploring, see our guide to the best street food in Asakusa.
Where to Eat in Asakusa
Instead of trying to find one “best” restaurant, it can be more useful to choose a restaurant based on the type of food you want to try.
Here are three long-running restaurants to consider when planning a meal in Asakusa.
Owariya: Soba and Tempura
Owariya is a long-established restaurant in Asakusa with roots dating back to 1860.
The restaurant serves traditional soba and tempura dishes, including tempura soba, cold soba with tempura, and a tempura rice bowl.
If you want to combine two classic Japanese foods in one meal, soba and tempura are a natural choice.
The restaurant currently lists cash as its payment method, so it is a good idea to have some Japanese yen with you.
Official website:
https://owariya-asakusa.com/
Asakusa Mugitoro: Tororo and Barley Rice
Asakusa Mugitoro specializes in mugitoro, grated Japanese yam served with barley rice.
The restaurant currently lists a mugitoro set meal as well as other Japanese dishes.
It also offers buffet-style dining options, including the rooftop Tenku Tororo Buffet. The current official information lists the Tenku buffet at ¥3,300 per adult with 80-minute dining sessions and online reservations.
Buffet schedules and conditions can change, so check the official website before visiting.
Official website:
https://www.mugitoro.co.jp/honten/
Aoi Marushin: Traditional Tempura
Aoi Marushin is a long-running Asakusa restaurant specializing in tempura and tendon.
It is about a three-minute walk from Kaminarimon and offers several tempura dishes and rice bowls.
If you want a proper sit-down tempura meal rather than a quick snack, this is another restaurant to consider.
Reservations are available by phone, and closing days can vary by month. Check the restaurant’s latest information before your visit.
Official website:
https://www.aoi-marushin.co.jp/meal.html
Lunch in Asakusa: How to Choose
Not sure what to eat for lunch? Start with the type of meal you want.
Want soba and tempura?
Try a traditional soba restaurant such as Owariya.
Want to try tororo and barley rice?
Asakusa Mugitoro is a place to consider.
Want tempura or tendon?
Aoi Marushin specializes in these dishes.
Want something quick while sightseeing?
Explore the street food around Nakamise and Senso-ji.
Want coffee and a break?
Check out our guide to the best cafés in Asakusa.
Your choice also depends on your schedule. A sit-down lunch can take longer than grabbing a snack, so consider how much time you have before your next sightseeing stop.
Want to Try Asakusa Street Food?
One of the easiest ways to experience Asakusa food is to try small snacks while exploring the neighborhood.
You can find Japanese sweets, rice crackers, dango, melon pan, and other casual foods around Nakamise and the streets near Senso-ji.
If you want to focus specifically on food you can enjoy while walking around Asakusa, read our complete guide to Asakusa street food.
Tips for Eating in Asakusa
Check opening hours before you go
Restaurants in Asakusa can have different closing days and lunch hours.
Some long-established restaurants also have shorter hours on certain days.
Always check the restaurant’s official website before making a special trip.
Bring some cash
Although card and cashless payments are increasingly common in Japan, some restaurants still accept cash only.
For example, Owariya currently lists cash as its payment method.
Having some Japanese yen with you can make eating around Asakusa easier.
Expect busy lunch hours
Popular restaurants can become busy around lunchtime, especially on weekends and holidays.
If your schedule is flexible, arriving earlier can make it easier to find a table.
Check reservation rules
Some restaurants accept reservations while others may have different procedures depending on the meal or dining option.
For restaurants you particularly want to visit, check the official website before you go.
Be considerate when eating street food
When eating snacks around Nakamise and Senso-ji, pay attention to where you stop.
Avoid blocking narrow paths or entrances, and follow any signs asking visitors not to eat in certain areas.
Plan Your Asakusa Food Day
You do not need to spend the entire day searching for restaurants to enjoy food in Asakusa.
A simple plan can be:
Morning:
Visit Senso-ji and explore Nakamise.
Lunch:
Choose a traditional Japanese meal such as soba, tempura, or mugitoro.
Afternoon:
Try a Japanese sweet or snack and take a café break.
Evening:
If you want a more organized food experience, consider a guided food activity in Asakusa.
You can also combine your food stops with our Asakusa 1-Day Itinerary to plan your sightseeing route.
If you are interested in a guided evening food experience, the existing Klook option on this page is a bar-hopping food tour in Asakusa. Check the booking page for the current price, schedule, and availability.
Planning Your Asakusa Food Day?
Combine food, temples, local streets, and cafés with our practical Asakusa 1-Day Itinerary.
