4 Best Restaurants in Tsukiji, Tokyo

Expect generous portions of fresh, reasonably priced seafood at this neighborhood restaurant. Sashimi and simmered fish are the staples, but there's also a wonderful tendon bowl with shrimp and eel tempura on rice. À la carte prices are not posted because they vary with the costs that morning in the Toyosu Market. Reservations can only be made for large parties.

This no-frills sushi restaurant with wooden interiors serves up excellent Tokyo-style (Edomae) sushi, the classic nigiri topped with seafood. Á la carte is an option, but it's easier to opt for a set meal, which will be substantially cheaper during lunch than at dinner.

Tucked on a side street, this friendly café takes its name from the little "turret" trucks that carted produce around the old Tsukiji Market. The owner serves a powerful espresso in ceramic sake cups and also creates delightful latte art—all for similar prices to the far less enjoyable Starbucks on the corner.

Not far from Tsukiji, Tsukishima (Moon Island) is a large man-made island known as the birthplace of delicious monjayaki: a thin batter is mixed with shredded cabbage and other ingredients, fried on a griddle built into the table, and eaten directly from the grill with metal spatulas. The main street in Tsukishima is filled with dozens of monjayaki establishments, but Yumeya is one of the best, an obvious fact when you spot the line of waiting patrons. Tried-and-true monjayaki eaters make it themselves at the table, but it can be a tricky endeavor—you need to form a ring of dry ingredients on the grill and pour the batter into the middle. If you're not feeling confident, servers can also make it for you at your table.