Eating Your Way Through Tokyo’s Koreatown

Photo: Richard Henry

Like Chinatown in Yokohama, the delegated Koreatown in Tokyo can be found in Shin-Okubo – just one train stop north of the massive and often packed Shinjuku Station. Turning out of Shin-Okubo Station, tourists are met with a Tokyo-amount of neon lights but this time in Korean with a focus on food, music, and cosmetics. With K-Pop playing on every corner and the scents of samgyeopsal (Korean barbeque) filling the narrow allies of the Okubo neighbourhood, a visit to Shin-Okubo is a portal to Korea without having to leave Japan.

Time to Dine

While the allure of the area can be exciting, especially for fans of Korean culture, there are simply too many markets and restaurants in the area to not have the focus of your mission in Shin-Okubo being divine eats. It’s just everywhere! From start to finish, the neighbourhood is a foodie’s paradise.

It’s tough to choose. Sign after sign covered in fried chicken and fondue, you may find yourself walking in circles trying to decide what’s best for your one lunch. Lucky you, however. It’s all a good choice!

Still, to make some tried and tested recommendations, the limitless set options of chicken meals at Nandaimon are an easy win. With these as well as some creative fried seafood options and all the standard Korean favourites available, it’s all here for the tasting and just a few blocks from the station. It also comes with a bright café vibe with a regular K-Pop playlist.

Photo: Richard Henry

While the upper floors of Nandaimon offer a different atmosphere, we recommend walking just next door, on the other side of cosmetics shop, to Minzoku Mura to meet all your Korean barbeque desires. Here, you order via an iPad with optional language settings that comes with a stellar view of the main road below. Order up some sides of your choosing and consider adding a sizzling bibimbap (stirred rice in a hot stone bowl) just for that extra razzle-dazzle.

Perusing the Markets

Photo: Richard Henry

Straight from the source, the Okubo markets sell all you could ever hope to get from Korea. From smaller family-owned markets to grocery stores, everything from dried noodles to ginseng products can be found in these places. Some of them even have specific specializations.

Just off the main road, Seoul Ichiba carries an assortment of imported goods and freshly made foods. If you’re looking for dried noodle dishes to enjoy at home or ginseng souvenirs like candies, teas, or bottled root drinks (yes, with a long ginseng root marinating inside), this is an ideal stop. The grocery store also makes a lot of their Korean products in–house – mainly an assortment of kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage). For something hot, skip on over to their in-store street food stalls selling cheese balls and Korean corn dogs! If you’re hungry, this is a genuine one-stop-shop.

Photo: Richard Henry

If kimchi is number one on your list, make your way to the little shop on the corner, Bambi Kimchi. Carefully fermented and masterfully seasoned, crisp options are on display and with a surprising number of varieties. It’s truly a gem to seek out when in the Okubo area.

Without a doubt, Korean products and cosmetics can be found at shops all over Shin-Okubo. If the famous Japanese place-that-has-it-all, Don Quijote, doesn’t have what you’re looking for (this one being Korean product specific), there are loads of shops throughout the alleyways selling makeup and beauty products. Shops from Korea like It’s Skin are options in Shin-Okubo, also.

K-Pop ‘Til You Drop

Are there K-Pop shops all over this Koreatown? Absolutely! As you discover the neighbourhood, look out for postcards of your favourite idols’ faces. Without a doubt, K-Pop treasures will be hidden inside, and they come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re a fan, this is your chance to enhance your collection.

Cafes and theatres are options, as well. It’s tough to circumnavigate the area without running into at least a few idol group hopefuls handing out flyers for an upcoming performance. If you’re there on a weekend, it could be the very same night. One of these groups could just be the next big sensation (either in Japan or abroad).

Lastly, clubs and karaoke are never far away. In Shin-Okubo, K-Pop nights are plentiful and can be found just about everywhere there is to have a drink. Spend a night pouring soju (Korean alcohol) for your friends like many of the K-Dramas you may have watched back home and leave Japan haven’t experienced even more of East Asia than you’d predicted.

Is There Something Here for Everyone?

Photo: Richard Henry

Without a doubt. The pleasure of delicacies, discovery, and pop culture are sure to bring a sense of fulfilment with getting a taste of what lies just west of Japan. The glimpse of Korea that Shin-Okubo provides might just tickle your travel bone for a future tour. Who knows!

What we do know is that if you don’t leave without getting a stuffed waffle from Waffle Khan next to the station, you could be leaving with regrets. The choice of filling is yours, but is Nutella ever a bad choice? Just saying.

Taste Buds Tingling?

From Tokyo to Seoul and places in between, try out Hidden Treasures of Korea and Japan tour!

Looking for a dive into Japanese media? Take a gander at our Otaku Japan tour!