One-coin Meals and where to find them in Tokyo
What can a ¥500 coin buy you?
“Tokyo is so expensive!” is a myth that everyone seems to repeat like a broken record. Of course, eating in Tokyo can get really expensive if you are constantly eyeing on one of the hundreds of Michelin-starred restaurants. But just like Singapore, there is an abundance of dining options (and we are talking about a full meal here, not snacks) for different budgets ranging from a few dollars to thousands of dollars. Let’s take a look at a few places where you can get a delicious meal with just one ¥500 (~S$6.50) coin (or less) in Tokyo.
1. Convenience Stores (コンビニ)
First on the list, everyone should know this… convenience stores.
(Image credit: JR TIMES)
Convenience stores, or konbini (コンビニ) are the best place to dine in Japan for travelers on a budget. Some of Tokyo's biggest konbini name-players are 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson. With a wide variety of choices available, one is sure to find something to satisfy their cravings with just ¥500. You can get a bento for ¥300 (~S$4.50) and a drink for ¥100 (~S$1.30) and still have enough for a corndog at the 'hot food' section at the counters. Alternatively, if you're feeling adventurous you could have 4 or 5 onigiri (rice balls). Perhaps you want instant noodles with some canned meats? You can get all that with a drink for less than ¥500, too. The possibilities are endless. Best of all, they can be found anywhere in Japan, even in the mountains in the middle of nowhere.
2. Departmental Stores' Food Markets (デパ地下) & Supermarkets (スーパー)
Next, we head over to the departmental stores –– more specifically, the basement-level food markets of department stores also known as depachika (デパ地下) in Japanese –– and supermarkets in Tokyo.
Yummy bento sets from Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro. (Image credit: Yahoo! Life Magazine)
Takashimaya, Isetan Mitsukoshi, Daimaru, AEON, and Seiyu are household depachika and sūpā (スーパー) names to both locals and tourists, and while the price range differs, you can easily find take-away food at affordable rates. However, to get the most bang out of your buck, you'll have to go after 8pm. Most items are slashed by 50% after 8pm and you could be having a whole sushi platter for less than ¥500. A bento that usually costs about ¥800 can also be bought for half the price, leaving you enough yen for a bottle of healthy unsweetened tea. If you are eyeing on a fancier bento or chūtoro sushi that usually costs more than ¥1,000, just pray and hope that no one snags them up until 9pm. When the clock strikes nine, the discounts go up to 90%! If you are lucky, you could be having a feast of what would have originally set you back for more than ¥3,000, for less than ¥500. These discount practices are practiced all over Japan so just go to your favorite depachika or supermarket.
3. In-Station Noodle Shops (駅ナカ立ち食い麺)
Third on the list can also be found in many places in Tokyo –– in-station noodle shops.
(Image credit: DigJapan)
While you can find many noodle shops throughout the country, what’s amazing is that you can find them on station platforms all over Tokyo, including the smaller and more obscure stations too. The most common ones that can be found at the platforms are noodle shops that sell soba or udon for less than ¥500. The best time to enjoy these noodles is while waiting for a train on a cold, winter's day. When the five-minute wait for the train seems to take forever as the cold wind whips against your slowly numbing body, your only salvation is the warmly lit noodle stall emitting hot steam. Just order up and you will be served a bowl of piping hot noodles in less than 30 seconds.
4. 9 Seconds Curry (9秒カレー)
Next, it is not only cheap but fast and delicious too.
(Image credit: Twitter / @mizuiro3105)
For ¥500, you get a plate of delicious, piping hot curry rice at 9 Seconds Curry. The tagline of this shop is “9秒で提供出来なければ返金!” which translates to: if the food is not served within 9 seconds, you will get a full refund! Imagine getting back that ¥500 and paying ¥0 for a delicious curry plate should you wait longer than 9 seconds. Best of all, you can enjoy a free upsize for your rice as well. The only downside to 9 Seconds Curry is that you can never find one in big cities like Tokyo. Rather, they are located in neighbouring prefectures like Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa, that are just less than an hour away from Tokyo. So why not take this chance to explore these prefectures away from the busy tourist hubs of Tokyo while enjoying your yummy curry plate?
5. Kitchen DIVE (キッチン。ダイブ)
Lastly, saving the best for last, the best value of all, bento sets that are available at just ¥200-300 at Kitchen DIVE.
(Image credit: Twitter / Kitchen DIVE @divemamuru)
Located just a short walk from Kameido Station near the heart of Tokyo in Chiyoda Ward, Kitchen DIVE is a must-visit if you are looking to take away some delicious fried food. Not only does Kitchen DIVE provide full meals for 200 to 300 yen, it also operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The best part is there is always a live camera in-store and you can watch it on YouTube to see what’s available.
Bonus: if you are able to spend a little more than ¥500, you can order their 1kg bento that is comprised of purely 1kg worth of deep-fried goodness. Selling for just ¥600, the 1kg of food also comes with complimentary rice that feeds enough for 2-3 people.
Travelling in Tokyo does not have to be expensive at all. Even if you are on a tight budget, you just have to look in the right places to find delicious Japanese food for a bargain. Even accommodations and transport have budget options in the form of hostels (with private sleeping arrangements) and travel passes. Don’t let your dreams be dreams and start planning your trip to Tokyo with the above places in mind.
Header image credit: PhotoAC
Related Articles
Man Chong from JTB Rail Pass Counter
Latest Topics
