Soba (©JNTO)
| There are many long-standing establishments in Tokyo that specialize
in traditional Japanese cuisine. Sushi
and soba
(buckwheat noodles) are two foods that have been enjoyed by the common people
for ages. Soba is a particularly affordable and quick lunch option, and eateries
serving them up can be found almost anywhere. Sushi can be considerably more expensive,
but in recent years kaiten-zushi
(conveyor-belt sushi) restaurants offering cheap but fresh sushi have become explosively
popular. These and other popular foods from days of old have found steady favor
among contemporary diners.
Meanwhile, the restaurants known as ryotei specialize in Japanese haute cuisine. These restaurants are said to have its origins in the Edo-period establishments known as ryori jaya, which were the five-star restaurants of their time. The food at a ryotei is accompanied by sake, and customers are served and entertained by the proprietress, waitresses, or geisha. Some of the big-name ryotei have launched an array of establishments that offer modified versions of the ryotei experience. At these new restaurants, which are tailored to a variety of purposes and budgets, travelers can get a generous helping of Japanese culture while sampling the country's distinctive cuisine. |
| index | previous | next |