street food shimokitazawa paolofromtokyo

There are several Tokyo street food destinations that you have heard of like Tsukiji, Ameya Yokocho and Harajuku but these well-known spots could be intimidating by crazy crowd of tourists.

So where are locals go to pick up their street food joy?

Now, I want you to add Shimokitazawa in your Tokyo street food destination list. Shimokitazawa is about 5 minutes away by train from Shibuya. Having many cool vintage shops and theaters, Local hipsters, actors and musicians hang out there.

Alright. Are you ready for Shimokita Treats? Let's start the Top 10!

1. Pudding / Toyonchi no Tamago
2. Curry Pan / Tenmaya
3. Milk Shaved Ice / Gram Factory
4. Donuts / Captain's Donut
5. Coffee Jelly latte / Moldive
6. All-you-can-eat Natto / Sendaiya
7. Pancake Pie / Flippers
8. Lemonade drinks / Lemonade by Lemonica
9. Gelato / Sweet Twist
10. Izakaya / Totoshigure

10 MUST-EAT STREET FOOD at ShimokiTazawa

1. Pudding / Toyonchi no Tamago

Toyonchinotamago is an egg specialty store. Products are shipped fresh from the chicken farm right by Kujukuri beach in Chiba. You can buy all different kinds of premium eggs but what I love is their pudding (¥268).

It is extremely creamy and silky. It literally melts in your mouth. Since it is an egg store, you would think that it might have a strong egg flaver, but you taste more of cream. Their pudding is unforgettable and this definitely is #1 Must try in the Shimokitazawa Street Food list.

2. Curry Pan / Tenmaya

Shimokitazawa is known to have its share of delectable curry restaurants - Soup curry, Indian curry, Steph curry, Japanese curry… but if you’re like me and want it delivered in a pocket of joy. Tenmaya’s curry pan is the jam.

Tenmaya offers different kinds of curry pan - original, egg and cheese.

They use sweet curry with bits of beef and vegetable in it which goes perfectly with freshly fried crispy bread coating.

This is the egg curry pan. You can see the egg is perfectly runny.

3. Milk Shaved Ice / Gram Factory

Korean born milk shaved ice shop, Gram Factory taste good AND looks good. You can throw down on one of the 5 pre-made cups or you can go crazy on the toppings and create your own monster mix to slay your followers on the gram.

You pour as much as topping you want from the cereal bar on the left and the counter.

What we ordered in the picture is #OREOgram - Milk shaved ice topped with Oreo Cookies, Vanilla Ice cream, Chocolate sauce and Cheerios!

It looks like it would give you a heart attack, right? But since the milk shaved ice is so light and just lightly sweet.

4. Donuts / Captain's Donut

The handmade organic soy donuts shop, Captain Donut, has been killing it at Shimokita for years. (They actually changed the name and had a renewal last year but the products are the same.) The owner was actually the captain of his school baseball team and that’s why it is called Captain’s Donut.

What we order was the one with soy ice cream on the top. We actually regretted that we did not order a simple donut since the donut it self in the cup was just sooooo good! They use a special blend of vegetable oil to minimize absorption and to make the donut’s crispy outside and fluffy inside.

5. Coffee Jelly latte / Moldive

It’s OG of roast coffee shop in Shimokita with a 30 year rep. It is more of a coffee bean shop but you can also order their original blend dripped coffee to go.

What I love is Coffee Jelly latte. It's basically Iced milk with coffee jelly. I usually do not like coffee jelly because it tends to be really bitter.

However, Moldive's coffee jelly is so much different from typical ones you have probably tried in your life. Their French roasted coffee jelly is so flavorful that you can actually enjoy it as coffee.

You will love it if you like latte like me.

6. All-you-can-eat Natto / Sendaiya

Sendaiya is a Natto store hailing from Yamanashi prefecture. You can buy different types of natto and even get crazy with the all-you-can eat natto inside!

They have 8 kinds of Natto which you can choose from when ordering all-you-can-eat. I like Hikiwari, which is chopped up beans. You order 2 kind to start with and you can switch to different kind when you order more.

They don't have English menu so see the translations below when you order.

7. Pancake Pie / Flipper's

Flipper’s is definitely #1 pancake shop in Shimokitazawa for its silky pudding like texture. There’s even a line before it opens but did you know they have take-out window for their pies?

Seasonal menu: Strawberry custard ¥400 + tax

So it is basically a small pancake with custard sandwiched with thin crispy pie. It is so cute and fluffy (not as moist as the one you get inside).

8. Lemonade drinks / Lemonade by Lemonica

Lemonade by Lemonica is a new face in Shimokitazawa, just opened in March 2018. This super yellow shop stands out in this retro neighborhood so you won't miss it.

They have basic lemonade, soda lemonade and frozen lemonade, all in different flavors. Their drinks are made by staff one by one using the original lemon syrup.

9. Gelato / Sweet Twist

In this hello-kitty like ice cream shop, you can throw down on this additive free gelato made with 100% raw milk. Their milk is from Owase which is known for its richness, and Irokawa Zencha for matcha gelato. All ingredients are chosen for the best and you will taste it in your scoop.

10. Izakaya / Totoshigure

Totoshigure is an Izakaya offers fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables. It feels so good to sit at the ENGAWA table. It’s almost like I’m at an old school traditional Japanese house.

(I know it is not really street food but since it is outside, let me add it!)