Akihabara's Top 10 Must-Try Street Foods in 2025: A Food Lover's Guide
Tokyo is the epicenter of Japanese pop culture, with areas like Akihabara, Ikebukuro, and Nakano showcasing the best of what Japan's pop culture has to offer. When I first visited Akihabara, I was overwhelmed by the electric atmosphere and the powerful presence of otaku culture. I'm writing this article because I want to share this incredible experience with international visitors to Japan.
In recent years, as anime and manga have gained popularity worldwide, there's growing interest in guided tours that let visitors explore otaku culture with local experts.
Magical Trip, which won TripAdvisor's #1 tour ranking across all categories in 2024, offers the "Akihabara Anime & Gaming Adventure Tour" where visitors can experience Akihabara's otaku culture alongside local guides. This hugely popular tour has attracted over 3,500 international visitors through 2024.
（Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku was ranked #1）
If you're interested in otaku culture, I recommend starting with this Akihabara tour to deepen your understanding of Japanese pop culture before visiting the otaku spots I'll introduce in this article!
For those who would like to check more tour options for Tokyo, please visit the tours listing page.
Introduction
Akihabara is located just 2 stations away from Tokyo station by train, about a 5-minute ride. In Akihabara, where the transportation network of JR lines, subway lines, and buses is well-developed, many commuters pass through the station area during weekday mornings and evenings.
Additionally, Akihabara has become a hub for Japanese pop culture, with many anime and manga goods shops and game centers, attracting tourists from both within Japan and abroad.
In this article, we'll introduce takeout street food and easily enjoyable street food options for foreign tourists visiting Akihabara, home to some of the best street food at Akihabara 2025 has to offer.
Characteristics of "Akihabara," the Center of Japanese Pop Culture
Akihabara, the gathering place of Japanese pop culture, has spots where you can experience the world of anime and places to get immersed in games, where tourists might forget time and spend the whole day.
Another characteristic of Akihabara is the abundance of food options that cater to tourists' needs.
Among these, street food that can be easily enjoyed while sightseeing and restaurants designed to be accessible to foreign visitors are particularly popular. When visiting Akihabara, please enjoy both sightseeing and gourmet food.
Akihabara is Part of the "Kanda Area," Which Has Long Been Frequented by Food Connoisseurs, and Has Many Spots to Enjoy Delicious Food
The Kanda area, where Akihabara is located, has long been known as a place frequented by Japanese food connoisseurs.
Therefore, even today, skilled chefs eager to share their proud dishes with many people open shops here and compete with each other in taste.
Another characteristic of the Kanda area is its rich repertoire of gourmet options, from authentic restaurants to everyday local foods.
If you want to enjoy delicious Japanese food along with sightseeing, please visit Akihabara, where you'll find the best street food at Akihabara 2025 has on display.
5 Delicious Takeout Foods You Can Enjoy While Walking Around Akihabara
Katsusando Vending Machine
Source:Google Maps
For those who want to eat while walking around Akihabara, the cutlet sandwich available from vending machines is recommended. The advantage of purchasing a cutlet sandwich from a vending machine is that you can easily get it without waiting in long lines at stores.
A cutlet sandwich consists of a fluffy bread with a sweet and savory sauce-flavored pork cutlet sandwiched between.
In Akihabara's vending machines, cutlet sandwiches made by the popular meat restaurant "Niku no Mansei" are sold.
The cutlet sandwich vending machine is located a 5-minute walk from Akihabara's Electric town exit. Please enjoy this exquisite gourmet food while being impressed by Japanese technology that allows for delicious food to be sold in vending machines. This is truly one of the best street food at Akihabara 2025 experiences you can have.
Haikara Fried Chicken
Source:Tripadvisor
When touring Akihabara, try purchasing Haikara Fried Chicken, which is easy to eat while walking around. Haikara Fried Chicken is a specialized fried chicken shop located on the first floor of YODOBASHI Akiba. It's popular for its crispy exterior, juicy interior texture, and addictive original spice flavor.
Among their offerings, I particularly recommend the boneless chicken, which is easy to eat while walking. The cost performance of 3 pieces for 500 yen is also an attractive point of Haikara Fried Chicken. This is definitely one of the best street food at Akihabara 2025 for tourists on the go!
Fried chicken is eaten in many countries around the world, but the seasoning and texture differ from place to place. Take this opportunity to try Japanese fried chicken and compare it with the taste from your home country.
Kurikoan
Source:Official website
For those looking for a distinctly Japanese street food, I recommend taiyaki from Kurikoan. Taiyaki is a delicious Japanese sweet with plenty of anko (sweet red bean paste) inside a crispy baked dough.
Particularly, the taiyaki specialty shop Kurikoan is highly popular, with two locations in the Akihabara area alone: one at the electric town exit of Akihabara station and another inside YODOBASHI Akiba. Kurikoan offers some of the best street food at Akihabara 2025 for visitors wanting an authentic Japanese snack experience.
Additionally, an attractive point of Kurikoan is that they sell products filled with not only anko but also custard cream and limited-time flavored creams.
When visiting in pairs or groups, I recommend purchasing several flavors to share and enjoy together.
Gigo's Taiyaki Akihabara
Source:Tabelog
Let me introduce a street food that captures the essence of Akihabara with character-themed designs.
On the first floor of the GIGO Akihabara 3rd Building arcade, Gigo's Taiyaki Akihabara is sold. While taiyaki is typically fish-shaped, Gigo's Taiyaki Akihabara features products molded into cute characters.
The characters featured change with the seasons, including Chiikawa and Love Live! The fillings are also varied, not just anko but also chocolate cream, curry, and more. Enjoy this Akihabara-style street food that appeals to anime fans. This unique offering has quickly become part of the best street food at Akihabara 2025 collection.
Smiley Crepes
Source:Official website
As a memento of your visit to Japan, try Japanese crepes, which differ in both taste and appearance from those in France and other countries.
Japanese crepes have evolved as desserts that are easy to eat while walking, with thin batter generously filled with cream and fruits.
Among these, Smiley Crepes, which has shops throughout Japan, offers an attractive wide lineup ranging from dessert varieties like strawberry and cream to savory options like tuna and cheese. These are considered some of the best street food at Akihabara 2025 by many tourists.
These crepes packed with ingredients are very filling, making them perfect as a meal as well.
When tired from sightseeing, take a short break while enjoying a Smiley Crepe.
If You Want to Enjoy Street Food, "Fujisoft Akiba Plaza" with Its Diverse Food Trucks Is Recommended
Source:Official website
If you want to compare various foods before deciding, visit Fujisoft Akiba Plaza during lunch time. At the Fujisoft Akiba Plaza event space in Akihabara, the "Fujisoft Akiba Yatai Mura" is held four weekdays—Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday—from 11:30 to 13:30.
At "Fujisoft Akiba Yatai Mura," several food trucks arrive on a rotating daily basis, selling their specialty gourmet items. You can find distinctly Japanese lunches like okonomiyaki and karaage bento boxes, as well as shops offering ethnic cuisine, allowing you to choose from a wide variety of menu items.
The Best street food at Akihabara 2025 can be found at this plaza, where you'll experience an authentic local food scene that tourists often miss. The event days and participating trucks may change, so before visiting, please check the official website for the latest information.
3 Recommended Casual Restaurants Loved by Locals in Akihabara
Tonkatsu Marugo
Source:Tabelog
For those who want to enjoy an authentic Japanese meal in Akihabara, Tonkatsu Marugo is recommended. Tonkatsu Marugo is a famous tonkatsu restaurant that has been loved in Akihabara for many years.
It's popular with foreign tourists as well, and even first-time visitors to Japan can easily enter. Please also enjoy the traditional Japanese atmosphere inside the restaurant.
Among the many tonkatsu restaurants found throughout Japan, Tonkatsu Marugo's attractive points are its crispy coating fried with fine breadcrumbs and the thick, juicy pork. The Best street food at Akihabara 2025 must include a visit to this establishment, as it represents the perfect balance of traditional cooking techniques and quality ingredients.
In particular, the menu item I especially recommend at Tonkatsu Marugo is the loin cutlet. The moderately marbled pork spreads its umami with each bite and is absolutely delicious.
There may be lines during lunch time, so please visit with plenty of time to spare.
Iki na Isshō
Source:Tabelog
Many people visiting Japan want to eat delicious ramen. My recommended ramen shop in Akihabara is Iki na Isshō.
The ramen at Iki na Isshō has a rich, deep Tonkotsu flavor, yet it finishes clean without being too heavy, which is its most attractive feature. Additionally, the restaurant only has counter seating, making it easy for foreign tourists to enter even when alone, which is another reason I recommend it.
The standard "ikina" ramen and ramen with seasoned egg are particularly popular. It's located about an 8-minute walk from Akihabara station, so please visit while you're touring the area. This is definitely one of the best street food options at Akihabara 2025 has to offer for ramen lovers.
Soba Nemurian
Source:Tabelog
If you want to enjoy authentic Japanese food in Akihabara, let's visit Soba Nemurian. At Soba Nemurian, they make their noodles by hand daily, resulting in a fragrant aroma and firm texture.
The menu item I recommend for first-time soba eaters is seiro soba. Seiro soba is eaten by dipping the noodles into a separate broth, and since the noodles aren't soaking in the soup, it's easier to taste the soba itself. Enjoy the unique aroma of soba, which differs from pasta or udon.
Also, pairing soba with Tenpura, which complements it well, will give you greater satisfaction, making it perfect for lunch or dinner. The combination creates one of the best street food experiences at Akihabara 2025 visitors can enjoy.
While in Akihabara, Enjoy a Pop Culture Pilgrimage with a Local Guide Who Knows All the Tourist Spots!
If you want to fully experience pop culture in Akihabara, use a tour with a local guide. A local guide can introduce you to Japanese cuisine and Instagram-worthy spots that only locals know about.
You can enjoy uniquely Japanese attractions like maid cafes, cosplay experiences, and game centers that you can't experience on large tourist tours. The best street food at Akihabara 2025 can often be found through these local guides who know the hidden gems.
Especially if you want to deepen your knowledge of Japanese pop culture, a private tour is recommended. You can ask the guide questions and stay at places you like without worrying about other participants.
Please try participating in the Akihabara Anime & Gaming Adventure Tour.
<Tour Information>
- Meeting point: In front of the ticket office just outside the Electric Town exit of JR Akihabara Station
- Tour area: Akihabara area
- Start time: 14:00~
