13 recommended places to eat while walking around Ueno and Ameyoko! Enjoy sweets, seafood, and senbero (cheap drinks) [Gourmet Map]

Speaking of gourmet spots in Ueno, there's Ameyoko (Ameya Yokocho/Ameyoko Shopping Street Association), which started as a black market after the war. This street is rich in international flavor and offers a wide variety of food, from the standard to the unusual. We'll introduce the four categories of standard gourmet, international gourmet, sweets, and drinks, with maps included.

*All prices include tax.

Ueno Ameyoko Food Walking Map

Easy and classic gourmet food recommended for eating while walking or having a few drinks

Ameyoko is dotted with popular bars offering quick and easy one-handed meals and cheap, delicious "senbero" (get drunk for 1,000 yen) style drinks. We've carefully selected some of the best places you can't miss when you visit Ameyoko.

[Menchikatsu] Hot and juicy, a specialty of the long-established meat wholesaler "Niku no Oyama"

"Oyama Meat Ueno Branch" is a particularly famous store in the area, run by a long-established meat wholesaler founded in 1932 (Showa 7). As a meat wholesaler, the prices are reasonable. There is a stand-up corner at the entrance where you can enjoy freshly prepared meat dishes, mainly fried foods, and a restaurant inside where you can relax and eat in.

Their specialties are minced meat cutlets and croquettes. They have three different grades of minced meat cutlets: "Yamitsuki Menchi" (150 yen), made in a factory using minced beef and pork, "Oyama Special Menchi" (220 yen), which is hand-kneaded with a higher proportion of beef, and "Takumi no Wagyu Menchi" (420 yen), which is hand-kneaded with 100% Japanese beef.

The "Yamitsuki Croquette" is also extremely affordable at just 90 yen. All of them are hearty, with a crispy batter and a moist, juicy filling. Sauces, mustard, tomato ketchup, and more are available in store, so enjoy comparing the different flavors.

Meat Oyama Ueno store

[Tempura] "Kacchan" offers a great deal on the "Senbero Set" of 4 bowls + assorted tempura

Katchan is a famous tempura bar located under the elevated tracks between Ueno Station and Okachimachi Station. The restaurant has table seating on the second floor and standing seating on the first floor, and the "Senbero Set" available only on the first floor is especially popular. It currently costs 1,300 yen, but until a few years ago it was offered for just 1,000 yen.

The menu includes a selection of tempura or a dish of the day (assorted oden at the time of the interview), and up to four drinks, making for a very satisfying meal. The tempura on this day was six types: shrimp (small), carrot, pumpkin, eggplant, lotus root, and yam. Drinks are standard portions, and you can choose from over 15 types, including highballs, fresh lemon sours, and soft drinks.

It's a unique system where you're given four dice to exchange for each drink. Draft beer costs two dice, but it's still a good deal. You can also exchange one dice for food or bite-sized curry worth 200 yen, so it's a great system for people who don't need that much alcohol, but would rather have some snacks. They're open for lunch, so it's also recommended for people who want to drink from noon.

Katchan

[Seafood] Try oysters at Uozuka, a fresh fish store newly opened in 2022

"Nomeru Sakanaya Uokusa" is a standing bar that opened in 2013 and has become a very popular spot in Ameyoko. Diagonally across from it is its sister store, "Uotsuka," which opened in the spring of 2022. The quality of the ingredients is of course the same, but one difference is that "Uotsuka" does not serve alcohol. As a result, it is relatively quiet, so if you're just looking for a meal, this store may be easier to visit.

And you definitely want to try the super fresh raw oysters. The origin, variety, size and price will vary depending on the source, but on some days you can enjoy two oysters for 500 yen.

At the time of the interview (November 2022), they were produced in Hokkaido and priced at 400 yen each. A set of three was priced at 1,000 yen. Depending on the season, there are also days when you can compare different varieties and origins.

Another specialty is the "Ikura Donburi" (salmon roe bowl), which is very filling and surprisingly priced at 800 yen for a medium size and 1,000 yen for a large size. They also have a wide variety of other seafood on offer, and they provide free ice packs, so it's also a great place to buy souvenirs. If you're a seafood lover, this is definitely a place you'll want to check out.

Uozuka

[Grilled squid] Jumbo skewers of "Sanzoku Kaizoku" (Sea Bandit Pirates) that are about 50cm in size and have a delicious spicy flavor.

Sanzoku Kaizoku Ameyoko Center Building is a lively seafood izakaya with an open atmosphere that opened in 2023. The restaurant offers a wide variety of takeout dishes, all prepared on a hot plate in front of the store, with the grilled squid being one of the most popular.

The price is based on the market price, and on the day of the interview (June 2025) it was 2,000 yen. It may seem a little pricey, but that's understandable when you look at the size. It uses a whole large squid, measuring 50cm, and is sure to be very satisfying.

The dish is grilled so vigorously that pillars of flame rise from the griddle, resulting in a deliciously fragrant and exquisite taste. It is seasoned with a sweet and salty soy sauce base, and the cumin and sesame seeds added as a finishing touch add a nice spicy kick. The chewy texture is also wonderful, and when you eat in, be sure to pair it with a drink.

Sanzoku Kaizoku Ameyoko Center Building Store

International cuisine with an energetic atmosphere

The Asian restaurants in Ameyoko have an atmosphere that makes you feel like you're at a local food stall. From the popular Xiaolongbao dumplings that are popular as a snack to eat on the go, to the rapidly growing "genuine Chinese" cuisine, there are also many unique international dishes to choose from.

[Baked Xiaolongbao] Crispy and juicy! A masterpiece from "Heisei Fukujun"

As mentioned at the beginning, Ameyoko is lively thanks to the food stalls run by people from Asia, including China. The signature dishes vary slightly from shop to shop, but if you want to try Shanghai-style baked xiaolongbao, we recommend Heisei Fukujun Ameyoko Branch.

The restaurant offers a wide variety of B-grade gourmet foods from all over China, including Sichuan's "Malatang," Xi'an's "Biang Biang Noodles," and northeastern Chinese pancakes called "Sha Bing," but their baked xiaolongbao is one of their most popular items. Another plus is the reasonable price of 100 yen each (orders can be made from four pieces).

The thick dough encloses pork-based filling and meat juices, and the steamed dumplings are crispy and chewy, making them very filling. They are delicious as they are, but if you eat them at the store, you can enjoy the authentic taste by adding black vinegar to your liking.

Heisei Fukujun Ameyoko Store

[Lamb skewers] If you want to eat lamb skewers in Ueno, try "Hometown Flavors"

There are many restaurants serving cuisine from Northeast China in the Ueno area, many of which serve the local dish "Yangluozhan (lamb skewers)." In particular, "Furusato Aji" is a popular restaurant that has been loved for over 20 years since it opened in 2001.

The lamb skewers here cost 198 yen each. The owner, who is originally from Harbin in the Tohoku region, serves them using an authentic recipe, giving them a taste of his hometown.

Lamb thigh meat scented with sesame oil is seasoned with about 15 kinds of spices including cumin and grilled over charcoal until fragrant. The flavor of the lamb and the spices are in perfect harmony, creating an irresistible taste.

You will have to wait about 15 minutes after ordering, but that is because they cook each skewer carefully after each order. This is also the reason for its deliciousness. There are about 50 other types of skewers in total, including some unique ones such as frogs and silkworms. If you want to enjoy a wide variety of Chinese-style skewers, this is the place to go.

Hometown Taste Ueno Branch

[Duck neck meat] The rise of authentic Chinese food in Ueno!? Try something different at "Ten Ten Raku"

Among the restaurants run by Chinese people, those that offer the authentic Chinese flavors, rather than seasonings to suit Japanese tastes, are attracting attention as "Gachi Chuka." Tentenraku is one place where you can experience that atmosphere with all five senses.

This store is a sister store of "Fukuraku" across the street, and both are characterized by the open feeling of a food stall. In addition, the sweet and spicy aroma and the Chinese language flying around create an even more authentic atmosphere.

Why not try something unique while you're there? Duck neck meat "Yabo" is a great choice. It's 250 yen a piece, and you can choose to have it cut into bite-sized pieces or eaten whole. It's infused with sweet and salty Chinese soy sauce, and has a slightly spicy aftertaste. It's not overly fatty, and has a similar taste to chicken thigh char siu. It has a lot of bones, so you should bite into it and eat it little by little.

In addition, the stewed meat dish called "Lu Wei" that is displayed in storefronts and display cases is also attracting attention as a genuine Chinese dish, and it is a popular dish with specialty stores opening in Tokyo. If you want to immerse yourself in the local atmosphere, be sure to give it a try.

Tentenraku

[Tteokbokki] "Uncle Joe" has a perfect combination of sweet and spicy sauce and chewy texture

Speaking of Asian cuisine, Korean food is also a must. If you want to enjoy some casual Korean food in Ameyoko, we recommend Uncle Joe. In addition to traditional Korean dishes such as tteokbokki, chijimi, japchae, and Korean oden, the restaurant also serves up gourmet dishes that have become popular in Japan, such as hotteok, cheese hot dogs, cheese dak galbi, and fried chicken, all in a street food style.

From the many menu items, we chose the restaurant's signature "Tteokbokki" (600 yen). There are many other varieties, such as "Ramen Tteokbokki" (700 yen) and "Cheese Tteokbokki" (750 yen), but for this article we chose the plain version. The taste is neither too spicy nor too sweet, with an exquisite balance.

The chewy tteok (rice cake) is very satisfying and goes well with the well-balanced sauce. The fish cake garnish adds an accent to this dish, making it undoubtedly delicious.

If you want to order takeout, they will prepare it for you so that you can enjoy it with one hand, and they also have a wide variety of drinks on the menu, including smoothies and tapioca milk tea. If you're a fan of Korean food, this is a place you should remember.

Uncle Joe

Sweets: Introducing the specialties of new and established shops

Ameyoko, a popular shopping spot for people of all ages and genders, has a wide selection of traditional snacks rather than trendy, cutting-edge treats. Here are three recommended shops where you can enjoy a palate cleanser or buy souvenirs.

[Cut Fruit] If you want to enjoy fresh fruit easily, try "Hyakkaen"

Hyakkaen Ueno Main Store is a long-established fruit and vegetable store in Ameyoko that has been loved since the Showa era. It is set up in the style of a good old greengrocer, with a wide variety of fruits lined up under the eaves, but one-handed cut fruit is also a specialty of the store.

Thanks to long-standing relationships with business partners and a global network, pineapples (200 yen), watermelons (280 yen), and melons (from 200 yen) are available all year round. What's more, they carefully select and procure fruit with high sugar content from each production area.

The most popular item is pineapple, and there are several varieties of melons available, both domestic and international, including the Kumamoto brand "Higo Green," so you can try them all. The melons, which have been ripened at just the right time, are incredibly juicy, and are of the high quality you'd expect from a specialty store.

Depending on the season, they also offer seasonal flavors, such as persimmons in autumn and strawberries in winter. These sweet and sour fruits are the perfect palate cleanser, and are also recommended after a heavy meal.

Hyakkaen Ueno Main Store

[Matcha Soft Serve] The key is the artisan's tea leaves. A masterpiece with the luxurious bitterness of "Kiminoen" and mellow milk

Chano Kiminoen was founded in 1918 (Taisho 7) in Tokyo's Arakawa Ward, and moved to its current location in Ameyoko after the war. Since then, it has become a beloved tea shop representing Ueno, beloved by many people. They stock tea leaves from various famous tea-producing regions, including Kakegawa tea and Kawane tea from Shizuoka, Sayama tea from Saitama, Uji tea from Kyoto, Yame tea from Fukuoka, and Chiran tea from Kagoshima, and they also sell a large number of award-winning and high-quality teas from national tea competitions.

The must-try here is the soft serve ice cream. There are three types, including a plain milk flavor, but the most recommended is the "Matcha Soft Serve" (400 yen). Made with a generous amount of carefully selected Uji matcha, the rich astringency matches the mellow, full-bodied flavor of the milk, creating a truly delicious treat.

One of the people behind this flavor is tea master Genichi Kimino. In 2023, Kimino was promoted to the highest rank of 10th dan at the National Tea Examination Skills Competition, where young tea masters from all over the country compete. He is one of only around 20 people in Japan who are specialists in tea leaf appraisal. There are chairs available inside the store, so it's a great place to take a break while enjoying the matcha soft serve.

Tea Garden

[Manju] "Karuta-ya" offers a gentle and elegant Showa-era taste for just 60 yen each

There are manju with white bean paste and castella dough all over Japan, called "Miyako Manju," "Touman," "Castella Manju," "London Yaki," and so on, but there is a famous shop in Ameyoko that sells them: "Karuta-ya," which was founded in 1952 (and moved from Ueno Department Store/Saigo Kaikan in 2008).

This sweet is said to have originated in the early Showa period when a Fukuoka ironworks opened a local manju shop using a confectionery machine it had developed in-house. Although the detailed recipes differ from shop to shop, Karuta-ya's sweets are characterized by their gentle and refined taste, made with carefully selected ingredients such as eggs from Aomori Prefecture and tebo beans from Hokkaido.

Prices start at 600 yen for a pack of 10, making it extremely reasonable. Please enjoy the traditional, simple flavor that will warm your heart with just one bite. The expiration date is about one week at room temperature, so it is also recommended as a souvenir.

Karuta House

There are plenty of easy-to-drink drinks

The last category is drinks. We have picked a drink that is unique to this place, with a panda motif, which is a symbol of Ueno, and a popular tapioca drink, even among the many Asian restaurants in Ameyoko.

[Cafe] "Blue LEAF CAFÉ" - Enjoy the cute panda-themed menu

BLUE LEAF CAFÉ, located along Ueno's Chuo Dori, is a spacious and open cafe. In addition to Ueno, the cafe has five branches across Japan, including Sendai, Kyoto, Nagoya, and Hiroshima.

A menu exclusive to the Ueno store is the Panda Parfait, which is decorated with panda-themed ice cream and cookies. There are three flavors available: red (mixed berry), green (matcha azuki bean), and black (chocolate banana) (1,100 yen each). The interior, which is also used as an event space, is spacious and relaxing, so it's a great place to take a break while strolling around Ameyoko.

BLUE LEAF CAFÉ Ueno

[Tapioca Drink] Enjoy the authentic taste of Tainan at "Kokukougo"

Our final stop is the Ueno branch of Kurokogo, a cafe stand that serves a wide variety of Tainan cuisine, which is also popular in Japan. This herbal jelly specialty shop opened in Tainan in 2013 and is the first in Japan. It has been consistently popular since its launch in 2018.

The classic Tainan drink, tea, also comes in a variety of variations and toppings, and at the time of our visit we selected the classic "Brown Sugar Tapioca Milk" (M 495 yen, L 539 yen).

The slightly larger, slightly sweet grains combine with the rich flavor of milk tea to create a consistently delicious treat.

Their specialty, "Grass Jelly" (from 550 yen), is a black jelly made from boiled and solidified herbal medicine, and is a healthy sweet that is said to have beauty benefits. They also serve tofu pudding (from 550 yen), which has many fans in Japan. There is also an eat-in space, so it is recommended to take a break and enjoy a relaxing meal.

Kurokogo Ueno store

We have introduced a variety of shops, but Ueno is an energetic town where multinational cultures mix together. As mentioned at the beginning, there are many cultural spots, making it an area that can be enjoyed throughout the day. Please make use of this map when sightseeing or when you are out eating.

Interview and text: Hideaki Nakayama

Originally posted: November 25, 2022
*Some content was updated on July 24, 2025.

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