Guides
Before you book
Context for the decisions that eating in Tokyo actually involves. Not a restaurant list, and not another chopsticks-and-bowing roundup.
12 November 2026
Halal Food in Tokyo
Halal food in Tokyo: how halal-certified differs from Muslim-friendly, what to watch for in Japanese cooking, convenience stores and prayer spaces.
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12 November 2026
Vegetarian and Vegan Food in Tokyo
How to eat vegetarian or vegan in Tokyo: where fish stock hides, how to ask, shojin ryori, ramen and izakaya, and convenience-store food.
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12 November 2026
How to Order Ramen in Japan
A step-by-step guide for beginners: how the ramen ticket machine works, how to pay, what to say about your noodles, and how to order more.
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12 November 2026
Typical Food in Tokyo: What to Eat on Your First Trip
The famous food of Tokyo, from Edo-era sushi and tempura to monjayaki and chanko nabe, and where first-time visitors find each one.
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12 November 2026
Tipping in Japan: What to Do Instead
You do not tip in Japanese restaurants. Here is what happens if you tip in Japan anyway, why it can cause confusion, and what people do instead.
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20 August 2026
Japanese Dining Etiquette: Chopsticks and Customs
The chopstick rules to know before your first meal in Japan, the everyday customs of eating out, and what matters most at a small counter restaurant.
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3 July 2026
What Is Omakase, Really?
The word has come to mean "expensive sushi" in English. It does not mean that, and the difference is worth understanding before you book.
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12 June 2026
How to Book a Restaurant in Japan From Abroad
Which restaurants in Japan need a booking, how to reserve online or through your hotel from abroad, what is different about omakase, and what to do if your plans change.