TabiEats Explores Nogata: Tokyo Street Food Guide

Tokyo is famous for its food and busy districts, but some of the best discoveries are found in quieter neighborhoods. In their latest video, TabiEats explores Nogata, just 15 minutes from Shinjuku. They sample local street food, sweets, and takeaway treats while discovering a more everyday side of Tokyo. From old wagashi shops to cozy bakeries, the food tour shows how much there is to enjoy beyond Tokyo’s famous tourist areas.

Starting with Freshly Fried Karaage

The first stop is Nogataya, a specialty shop known for Japanese-style fried chicken, or karaage. TabiEats orders the original soy sauce-flavored karaage. The shop fries the chicken fresh after they place their order. It is crispy on the outside and juicy and tender inside. The shop uses soy sauce made in Tokyo by a producer with more than 100 years of history. This adds a local touch to a popular Japanese favorite. TabiEats calls it one of their favorite places for karaage in the area. The shop also serves bento meals for those looking for a more filling option.

Seasonal Wagashi in Nogata

Next, TabiEats visits a traditional wagashi shop that has served the neighborhood for more than 80 years. They try wakaayu, a summer sweet shaped like an ayu fish. Despite its name and shape, there is no fish inside. The sweet has a soft pancake-like layer with chewy mochi in the center. They also try a goldfish-shaped wagashi made with agar. It looks like a goldfish swimming in water. The light design and texture make it a perfect summer treat. TabiEats also points out how traditional wagashi often uses seasonal ingredients, shapes, and designs.

Discover Japan Through Snacks with Sakuraco

During the video, TabiEats also introduces Sakuraco, a monthly Japanese snack box filled with traditional and seasonal treats from makers across Japan. The September box celebrates Tsukimi, Japan’s traditional autumn moon-viewing festival. TabiEats features several treats from the box. These include a moon-shaped Tsukimi custard cake from Tokushima, a Tsukimi lemon cream cookie, and golden roasted hojicha from Shizuoka. The box also comes with a ceramic Tsukimi rabbit coaster. Sakuraco also includes a booklet with each box. It shares information about the snacks, their regions, allergen details, and the Japanese traditions behind the theme. This gives subscribers a chance to enjoy Japanese snacks while learning more about the culture behind them.

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Fresh Bread from a Local Bakery

The food tour continues at Nayuta Bakery, one of TabiEats’ favorite bakeries in Nogata. The bakery opens early, and its popular items can sell out quickly. TabiEats tries a freshly baked chocolate custard bread filled with chocolate and custard. The soft bread and rich filling pair well with the slightly crisp chocolate topping. They also discover banana anpan. This creative take on traditional anpan combines sweet azuki red bean paste with fresh banana and walnuts. These treats show how local bakeries can offer both classic favorites and new combinations.

Taiwanese Snacks and a Local Kebab

The next stop brings Taiwanese flavors to the food tour. TabiEats tries a crispy green onion pancake and sweet potato balls. Both remind them of snacks they enjoyed in Taiwan. The green onion pancake has a crisp outside and chewy center. The sweet potato balls are also crispy outside, with a soft and chewy texture inside. They then stop at a local kebab shop. TabiEats orders a chicken kebab with cabbage and garlic yogurt sauce. The pita is packed with tender chicken and fresh cabbage. The mild sauce adds a creamy flavor without overpowering the meat. These stops show the variety of food you can find in Tokyo neighborhoods. Traditional Japanese sweets can sit alongside Taiwanese snacks and international dishes.

Refreshing Taiwanese Tea

Before finishing the tour, TabiEats visits a Taiwanese tea shop near Nogata Station. They order a white peach oolong milk tea with tapioca and a seasonal watermelon tea with real pieces of watermelon. The peach and oolong flavors blend well in the milk tea. The watermelon tea offers a lighter and more refreshing choice for summer. TabiEats also highlights the shop’s use of authentic Taiwanese tea, which gives the drinks a rich tea flavor.

Ending with Homemade Ice Cream

The final stop is Daily Bakes, a local bakery that serves homemade ice cream during the summer. TabiEats chooses watermelon sorbet and Kyoto Uji matcha ice cream to end the food tour. The watermelon sorbet has a fresh and fruity flavor, while the Uji matcha ice cream has a rich and smooth matcha taste. Both flavors offer a refreshing break after trying so many different foods around Nogata. After a full day of exploring the neighborhood and enjoying its local treats, the homemade ice cream makes a refreshing and satisfying way to end the tour.

Discovering the Local Side of Tokyo

TabiEats’ visit to Nogata shows that you can discover Tokyo’s food culture beyond its famous tourist districts. The neighborhood offers many local flavors, from crispy karaage and seasonal wagashi to fresh bakery treats and homemade ice cream. The video also features Sakuraco, a monthly Japanese snack box featuring traditional and seasonal treats from makers across Japan. Each box includes Japanese snacks, tea, a special homeware item, and a booklet about the snacks, their regions, and the traditions behind them. Just as TabiEats discovers local flavors by exploring Nogata, Sakuraco offers a way to discover Japan’s regional snacks from home. Each box brings new flavors and stories from different parts of Japan. Together, they show how food can be a simple way to learn more about Japanese culture.

📺Watch the full video: Tokyo Street Food You Won’t Find in Guidebooks