12 recommended places to eat while walking around Ueno and Ameyoko! You'll be completely satisfied with beloved classics and international cuisine

Speaking of gourmet spots in Ueno, there is "Ameyoko (Ameya Yokocho / Ameyoko Shopping Street Association)," which started as a black market after the war. This street is rich in international flavor and you can enjoy a variety of foods from standard to unusual. We will introduce it with a map, divided into four categories: standard gourmet, international gourmet, sweets, and drinks.
*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.

And the "Yamitsuki Croquette" is extremely affordable at 80 yen. All of them are voluminous, with a crispy batter and a moist and juicy filling. Sauces, mustard, tomato ketchup, and more are available in the store, so enjoy comparing the flavors.

Meat Oyama Ueno store

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

"Kacchan" 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" which is only available on the first floor is especially popular. It is currently priced at 1,200 yen, but until a few years ago it was offered for the literal price of 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. Also, you can exchange 150 yen worth of food or bite-sized curry for one dice, so it's a great system for people who don't want that much alcohol, but would rather have more 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 our visit, they were from Hokkaido and priced at 400 yen each. A set of three was priced at 1,000 yen. Depending on the season, there are days when you can compare different varieties and production areas.

Another specialty is the "Ikura-don" (salmon roe rice bowl), which is very filling and priced at the shocking price of 700 yen. A variety of other seafood is also available, and ice packs are provided free of charge, making it a great place to buy souvenirs. If you're a seafood lover, this is a place you should definitely check out.

Uozuka

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-class gourmet foods from all over China, such as "Malatang" from Sichuan, "Biang Biang Noodles" from Xi'an, and "Shaping" from northeastern China, but the baked Xiaolongbao is one of the most popular items. They are available in a pack of four for 400 yen and a pack of six for 600 yen, and at just 100 yen each, they are also a great value.

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 are priced at 180 yen each. The owner, who is originally from Harbin in the Tohoku region, serves them using the same recipe as his hometown, 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" (500 yen). There are many other varieties, such as "Ramen Tteokbokki" (650 yen) and "Cheese Tteokbokki" (700 yen), but we chose the plain version at the time of our interview. 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] Cut Fruit is the best way to enjoy fresh fruit easily

For many years, Ameyoko has been dominated by two giants of cut fruit skewers, "New Fruits" and "Hyakkaen," both of which are run by long-established fruit stores, but the former closed in 2018 and the latter has been closed for a long time. However, a new face has also appeared. That store is "Cut Fruits," whose name is as straightforward as it gets.

The specialty is "Strawberries" (300 yen), and the appeal is that they can be enjoyed all year round. Strawberries are generally available at supermarkets in town from winter to early summer, but the fact that they can be enjoyed all year round is a nice plus. Other fresh fruits available include "Pineapple" (100 yen), "Melon" (200 yen), and "Red Melon" (200 yen).

Other attractions include "chocolate banana" (350 yen), "chocolate strawberry" (450 yen), "strawberry candy" (medium 500 yen, large 600 yen), fruits you might find at a festival, as well as smoothies (from 450 yen) and soft serve ice cream (350 yen). The sweet and sour fruits are perfect for cleaning up your palate, and are also recommended after a heavy meal.

Cut Fruit

[Daigaku Imo] Taste and compare a variety of sweet potato desserts at "Oimoyasan Koshin"

Next, we will introduce the Ueno Ameyoko Street store of "Oimoyasan Koshin," which has 10 stores in Tokyo, mainly in Taito Ward. Its roots lie in a sweet potato wholesaler founded in Asakusa in 1876 (Meiji 9) by a potato farmer from Kawagoe. The storefront is lined with sweet potato desserts, including the famous Daigaku Imo.

As a sweet potato specialty store, they are particular about the sweet potatoes they sell. For example, the varieties they use. They grow several kinds of sweet potatoes at their own farm in Katori City, Chiba Prefecture, and one of the attractions of the store is that you can compare the most delicious varieties of sweet potatoes at that time of year.
At the time of our visit, they had "Miyabi," which is moist and light and delicious even when chilled, and "Aikomachi," a rich and fluffy flavor that is only available in autumn.

The price is 600 yen for a small "Daigaku Imo Cup," but this is only available at Miyabi and is for eat-in only. Take-out starts at 700 yen for 200g (5-6 pieces). There is also a "Daigaku Imo Taste Comparison" set of two varieties (7-8 pieces each) for 1,800 yen. Other items on offer include "Sweet Potato" (370 yen), "Sweet Potato Muffin" (300 yen), and "Imo Yokan" (1,700 yen for a box of 5 pieces), making this a must-visit shop for potato lovers.

Oimoyasan Koshin Ueno Ameyoko Street Store

[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 Chuo Dori, is a spacious and open cafe. There are five stores across the country, but the Ueno store has a menu that is exclusive to the store, featuring ice cream and cookies with a panda motif.

One drink we would like to introduce is the seasonal drink "Black Sesame Panda Latte" (660 yen).

This adorable drink is a delicious, uniquely fragrant black sesame latte topped with whipped cream, Oreos, and panda-themed ice cream.

The shop also offers three other varieties of panda parfaits (1,100 yen each): red (mixed berry), green (matcha red bean), and black (chocolate banana). The interior of the shop, which is also used as an event space, is spacious and relaxing, so you can use it as a rest spot while strolling around Ameyoko.

BLUE LEAF CAFÉ Ueno

[Tapioca drink] "Kurokogo" - Enjoy the authentic taste of Taiwan

The last place we will introduce is the Ueno branch of "Kokugo", a cafe stand where you can enjoy a wide variety of Taiwanese gourmet foods that are also popular in Japan. This is the first Japanese store of this grass jelly specialty store that opened in Tainan, Taiwan in 2013, and has been steadily gaining popularity since its arrival in 2018.

The classic Taiwanese drink, tea, is also available in a variety of variations and toppings. At the time of our visit, we selected the classic "Brown Sugar Tapioca Milk" (Medium 464 yen, Large 507 yen).

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

The specialty "grass jelly" (from 880 yen) is a black jelly made by boiling down the herbal medicine, and is a healthy sweet that is said to have beauty benefits. They also serve douhua (bean paste pudding) (from 660 yen), which is popular in Japan. There is also an eat-in space, so it is recommended to take a break and enjoy your 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

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