Only the fiercest travel enthusiasts in Japan know the alleys of the best food in the country. Ask them where it’s amazing to eat, and they won’t point you to McDonald’s, which is what first-time travelers would usually head over to. If you happen to find yourself in Tokyo, they’ll most likely recommend Tsukishima Monja Street. Never heard? Understandable.
Known as Tokyo’s gourmet paradise, Tsukishima Monja Street is not the place for tea drinkers who would lift their pinky finger off the cup to say they’re drinking “fancily.” Its look isn’t like the upscale neighborhoods of Japan. It is actually part of an island constructed on reclaimed land in 1892.
However, Tsukishima Monja Street is still located in central Tokyo, yet it is quieter than the rest of the city. Think of it as a residential area that offers gourmet flavors. Its most popular offering is the monjayaki, but there's a lot more to discover in this place. Let’s take a look.
Monjayaki
Don’t waste your time checking out monjayaki in places outside Tsukishima Monja Street because the best-tasting monjayaki are here.
If you’re unaware, this Japanese dish is the rival of Osaka’s okonomiyaki. It is made from a flour-based batter filled with cabbage and ginger, then combined with some octopus, shrimp, cheese, clams, and other toppings, depending on the restaurant. Even mochi and sweet corn!
It’s quite an adventure to experience this dish because, like cooking your Korean samgyupsal yourself or preparing your Asian hot pot noodle soup by yourself, you will usually be the one to make your monjayaki.
Upon ordering, you won’t get served with the finished product, but instead, you will be given a bowl of batter and another bowl containing the ingredients. It’s best if you watch tutorial videos on YouTube if you are shy of asking the restaurant staff.
First, start by oiling your pan and spreading out the ingredients. Notice them sizzling already? Now, create a doughnut-shaped hole in the center, pour in the batter, and begin quickly mixing this batter and the ingredients into the pan’s center. Wait for the liquid mixture to firm up. You’ll then see a large, flat pancake, which you can cut up and enjoy with your spatula.
See? It is like preparing an omelet, but not as easy as just grilling your Korean pork or beef. There are now around over 80 restaurants serving up monjayaki along Tsukishima Monja Street. The best ones are:
Monja Kura: 3 Chome-9-9 Tsukishima, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0052, Japan
Monja Iroha: 3-4-5 Tsukishima, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0052, Japan (Sangranpa 2F)
Tsukishima Monja Moheji: 3-16-9 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0052, Japan
Tsukishima Monja Okoge Tsukishima Honten: 3-8-9 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0052, Japan
Daruma Tsukishima Honten: 3-17-9 Tsukishima, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0052, Japan
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Okonomiyaki
Monjayaki can get really tasty, so be sure you have room for more Tsukishima Monja Street delights because there will be more. Even if the street is the bastion of monjayaki, there are still restaurants here that serve okonomiyaki, though they’re not as delicious as those in Osaka.
Nonetheless, okonomiyaki is a tasty Japanese pancake or fritter that consists of a batter based on flour, eggs, and cabbage, together with other ingredients, such as meat, fish, vegetables, pork belly, seafood like squid and shrimp, mochi, and cheese. The best part is the sauce, so don’t forget to eat your okonomiyaki with that.
Okonomiyaki is also quite historic as it had been a staple dish in the Japanese dish after the Second World War. The name literally translates to “grilled as you like it.”
Monja Kura: 3 Chome-9-9 Tsukishima, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0052, Japan
Tsukishima Monja Monrou: 1-22-1 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0052, Japan
Tsukishima Monja Koboreya Hon Ten: 3-16-9 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0052, Japan
Yakisoba
Lastly is yakisoba. You shouldn’t bother to visit Tsukishima Monja Street if you don’t have a palate ready for this sumptuous Japanese stir-fried noodle dish. Even if you have tried this countless times in your respective country, usually via instant noodle packs, nothing beats the yakisoba experience in Japan and, of course, along Tsukishima Monja Street.
This dish will remind you of the Chinese chow mien, but the Japanese version consists of wheat flour noodles, protein (either pork, chicken, or seafood), vegetables such as cabbage and onions, and sauce. All those create sweet, savory, and tangy flavors at the same time. The best restaurants for yakisoba along this street are:
Moheji Hanare: 3-6-4 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0052, Japan
Tsukishima Monja Koboreya Bettei: 3-7-12 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0052, Japan (The City Tsukishima 1F)
Tsukishima Monja Moheji: 3-16-9 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0052, Japan
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To reach Tsukishima Monja Street, you can simply call a taxi or use a transport app, then consult your phone’s map. However, if you are commuting, you must take the Toei Oedo Line to Tsukishima Station, go to Exit 7, and then walk straight to Monja-dori. The area will be very close there. The train system in Japan isn’t as confusing as those in other nations, but if they make you dizzy, don’t be shy to ask the locals. It’s a gourmet triathlon at Tsukishima Monja Street!
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