In our experience, there wasn't much diverse range of food on offer especially cheaper ones. We always ended up having ramen (most of the time), curry rice particularly in Tokyo, Ekiben (bento box meals) on trains or at stations, Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki pancakes on malls and busy Dotonburi streets in Osaka. Usually, individual meals ranges from 800 to 1,000 Yen per person. Takoyaki is around 600 Yen.

chashu ramen :tup

Curry rice from MyCurry Shokudo restaurant in Shibuya. If you love food with a spicy kick, you might like this.

assorted Ekiben (railway bento box meal) :tup

Takoyaki: Japanese snack made of wheat  flour based batter with a small piece of octopus inside

Okonomiyaki: Japanese style pancake, ingredients and toppings varies

We also tried fast-food hamburger restaurant like Mo's Burger. I think 520 Yen should be more than enough to get you a hamburger set.

Mo's Burger in JR Universal City station near Universal Studios Japan

Mo's Burger Teriyaki Chicken Burger set with fries and drink 690 Yen

We went to many little ramen shops. These are really tiny restaurants with few seats or counter style seating. Usually "meal tickets" on vending machine can be found near the restaurant's entrance. Purchase your meal ticket here and hand it over to the staff who will then serve the food.

ramen with gyoza

meal ticket vending machines

We love the classic tontokotsu ramen particularly at Ichiran Ramen. Here, you can customize your ramen preferences. I like it light, while HB prefers spicy and heavy flavor. It was a wonderful new dining experience where the old-style Japanese ambiance joined force with the authentic tonkotsu ramen from the 60's.

Ichiran Ramen restaurant in Harajuku

Ichiran Ramen's ticket vending machine

Aside from cubicle style seating, there are also booths for 2-4 people.

cubicle style seating

classic tonkotsu ramen with Ichiran's original red sauce

light flavor of tonkotsu ramen

For most of us, slurping is considered bad manner. But in Japan, it's typical to make noise when you eat noodles. It means that you're enjoying your food. So if ever you're in Japan and having a noodle soup, don't hesitate to make a loud and hearty slurping sound. SLUUURP!!! ;)

Fine dining was out on our list. We also didn't visit the conveyor belt sushi joints as I'm not really fond of sushi. Or probably time did not allow us to explore extensively. If you have any suggestions, please feel fee to share regarding food and restaurants in Japan. :)

Address:
Ichiran Ramen Harajuku
Sanpo Sogo Building 2F
6-5-6 Jingumae Shibuya-ku Tokyo
150-0001
- 1 minute walk from Tokyo Metro Fukutoshi Line and Chiyoda Line Mejiijingumae Station
- 3 minutes walk from JR Harajuku Station (Omotesando Exit)

Related Posts:
Part I: Konnichiwa Japan
Part II: Konnichiwa Japan (Getting There)
Part III: Dormy Inn Premium Shibuya Jingumae

Till next time... toodles,
♥June