Japan Airport Food Guide: Best Eateries To Try

where to eat in japan airport

Japanese airports offer a wide variety of dining options, ranging from fast food to regional specialties. If you're looking for a quick bite, you can choose from various restaurants and cafes in the airport terminals, offering everything from sushi and ramen to tempura and unagi bowls. For those who crave Western fast food, there's even a McDonald's at Narita Airport, offering seasonal and Japan-exclusive items. However, if you're seeking a more unique dining experience, you might want to explore the Japan Food Hall in Terminal 2 of Narita Airport, which hosts outposts of popular restaurants across Japan, allowing you to indulge in a proper Japanese meal before your flight. Haneda Airport in Tokyo also boasts over 77 restaurants across its three terminals, ensuring that you'll find a delicious meal to suit your tastes.

Characteristics Values
Number of Restaurants Over 77
Variety of Food Options Japanese, Western, Chinese, Light meal fast food, food court
Popular Japanese Foods Sushi, Ramen, Onigiri, Tonkatsu, Tempura, Udon, Bento
Popular Restaurants Ariso Sushi, Marugame Seimen, The Minatoya Lounge, McDonald's, Rikyu Gyutan, Hong Hu Shokudo, Ittenmon, Teppanyaki Kurita, Tempura Nihonbashi Tamai, Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu, Sushi Kyotatsu

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Where to find traditional Japanese food in Narita Airport

Narita Airport features three terminals, each with a variety of restaurants and cafes offering traditional Japanese food. Terminal 2 is home to the JAPAN FOOD HALL, which has ten outposts of popular restaurants across Japan, including Sushi Kyotatsu, where you can find authentic Edo-mae style sushi, and Unagi Yondaime Kikugawa, which serves grilled freshwater eel. Terminal 3 also has some must-visit spots, including Rikyu Gyutan, famous for its grilled beef tongue, and Hong Hu Shokudo, known for its xiao long bao and unique combination of chicken cutlets with dan dan noodles.

If you're looking for a quick meal before your flight, Terminal 1's Central Building, 4th Floor, has WithGreen, a popular restaurant with 25 locations across Japan. They offer options like "Steamed Chicken Breast and Apple Salad" and seasonal menus with fresh, authentic Japanese ingredients.

For those who want to venture outside the airport for a more immersive experience, Naritasan is just a 10-minute ride away and has an Edo-Period vibe. You can find street food and traditional Japanese sweets at Miyoshiya, located in a small alleyway. Kintoki no Amataro in Naritasan is another popular spot, specialising in Obanyaki, a Japanese-style pancake with freshly made bean paste filling.

If you're looking for a sit-down meal, Okonomiyaki Yu is a teppanyaki restaurant just a 15-minute drive from the airport. They offer dishes like Beef Motsu-Yaki and Okonomiyaki Mochi Cheese, best enjoyed with a cold beer. Chiso Kakuta is another excellent choice, serving seasonal dishes and selected sake brands in a renovated old building with a modern Japanese style.

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Best sushi spots in Haneda Airport

If you're looking for sushi spots in Haneda Airport, there are a few options to consider.

One popular choice is Ariso Sushi, located in the Haneda International Terminal. This sushi-go-round restaurant offers a variety of sushi options, including tuna, scallop, and sea bream nigiri and rolls. While some reviewers have praised the quality of the fish and the friendly staff, others have criticised the value for money. It is a small restaurant, but it offers tablet ordering and fast service.

For those who prefer their sushi made-to-order, Sushiko in Terminal 1 is a good option. This restaurant, which is an offshoot of a main branch in Ginza, does not have a conveyor belt. Instead, itamae-sans will prepare your sushi after you order it.

Haneda Airport also features kaitenzushi (conveyor belt sushi) options in Terminals 2 and 3. These restaurants offer a variety of sushi, seafood, and deep-fried foods at affordable prices.

Lastly, Kojiya Sta., located near the airport, is a sushi izakaya (tavern) that offers authentic Edomae sushi and sake at reasonable prices.

Whether you're looking for a quick bite at a conveyor belt sushi spot or a more sit-down experience with made-to-order sushi, Haneda Airport has options to satisfy your sushi cravings.

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Budget-friendly options in Terminal 3 of Narita Airport

Terminal 3 of Narita Airport, which primarily serves budget airline passengers, offers a selection of restaurants with affordable prices without compromising on taste and quality.

One budget-friendly option is McDonald's, which offers seasonal and Japan-exclusive menu items. All items are available for takeaway, making it a convenient choice for those on the go.

For those looking to indulge in Japanese cuisine, Ittenmon is a renowned ramen shop from Hakata, offering its only Kanto region branch at Terminal 3. The rich tonkotsu broth is crafted with Rishiri kelp from Hokkaido, resulting in a refreshing taste. Rikyu Gyutan, another option, is famous for its grilled beef tongue, while Hong Hu Shokudo is known for its savory xiao long bao and unique combination of chicken cutlets with dan dan noodles.

If you're craving sushi, which is known to be excellent at Japanese airports, FRESHNESS BURGER in Terminal 3 offers a range of options. Additionally, bento boxes, which typically include rice, pickled vegetables, tempura, salad, cooked chicken or fish, sashimi, and fruit, are convenient, cheap, and delicious options to consider.

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Udon noodle restaurants in Haneda Airport

Haneda Airport in Tokyo offers a wide variety of dining options for travellers, including several udon noodle restaurants. One of the most renowned udon restaurants in the airport is Tsurutontan, located in Terminal 3. Tsurutontan specialises in authentic Sanuki udon noodles, prepared using traditional techniques. Their udon noodles are known for their impressive length, measuring approximately 70 centimetres (27.5 inches). The restaurant also offers a complimentary service that allows customers to add up to three extra balls of noodles to their meal.

Another popular choice for udon noodles at Haneda Airport is Marugame Seimen, a well-known chain in Japan celebrated for its freshly made, handcrafted udon noodles. With affordable prices and early opening hours, Marugame Seimen is perfect for a quick and hearty breakfast before your flight. Their signature "kake udon", featuring freshly boiled udon noodles in a light broth, costs less than 500 yen.

For those seeking a more unique udon experience, Cuud in Haneda Airport offers a sleek atmosphere with a focused menu. The restaurant serves only two dishes: curry udon and tomato curry udon. The curry udon is particularly notable, as the curry soup is made by slowly simmering seasonal vegetables, resulting in a flavourful and spicy dish. The "half and half" option allows diners to taste both types of udon, offering a well-rounded culinary experience.

Additionally, travellers can explore other udon noodle restaurants in Haneda Airport, such as Noodle Master's Heart Tsutton, which follows the traditional Sanuki udon technique, and Sanuki Udon Hannyabayashi, showcasing the delicious flavours of this Japanese staple. Haneda Airport also boasts a specialty restaurant called Manjido, which serves "Inaniwa Umebushi", one of Japan's three major udon dishes and a traditional Akita speciality. With various options available, travellers can easily satisfy their cravings for delicious udon noodles before embarking on their journeys.

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Bento boxes in Japanese airports

Bento boxes, or 'obento' in Japanese, are a popular type of lunch box used across Japan. They are typically single-portion meals, packed with a combination of varied textures, tastes, and ingredients. A traditional bento usually includes rice or noodles, fish or meat, and an assortment of pickled or cooked vegetables.

In Japan, bento boxes can be found in various places, including convenience stores, bento shops, railway stations, and department stores. They are also available in airports, where they are known as 'soraben' or 'sora-ben', meaning 'sky bento'. Soraben is a must-try Japanese airport meal, offering travellers a chance to enjoy local flavours and culinary specialties. Airports across Japan compete to offer unique soraben options, showcasing regional ingredients and culinary techniques. These bento boxes are not just a meal but a cultural expression, reflecting Japan's deep appreciation for culinary diversity and hospitality.

Major airports in Japan, such as Narita and Haneda, feature dedicated shops offering a variety of delicious soraben options. Here are some popular choices for bento boxes in Japanese airports:

  • Sushi Bento: This option includes fresh nigiri sushi and sushi rolls, perfect for seafood lovers.
  • Wagyu Beef Bento: Showcases premium Japanese wagyu beef, often served with flavourful rice.
  • Tempura Bento: A crispy selection of shrimp, fish, and vegetable tempura, served with seasoned rice.
  • Grilled Fish Bento: A healthy option featuring grilled salmon or mackerel.
  • Chicken Karaage Bento: A popular Japanese-style fried chicken meal.
  • Vegetarian Bento: Includes tofu, seasonal vegetables, and rice for those who prefer a plant-based meal.

When travelling through Japan, be sure to try the soraben at the airports, as it offers a convenient, tasty, and culturally immersive dining experience.

Frequently asked questions

There are several options for Japanese food at Japan Airport. At Haneda Airport, you can find Marugame Seimen, a popular udon noodle chain, and Ariso Sushi, a popular sushi restaurant. At Narita Airport, you can find the new Japan Food Hall in Terminal 2, which features popular eateries like ramen shops, cafes, and Japanese cuisine spots.

Yes, there are a variety of restaurants at Japan Airport that serve non-Japanese food. At Haneda Airport, you can find Cafe Cardinal, which serves Western dishes such as curry, hot dogs, and desserts. At Narita Airport, you can find McDonald's, which offers seasonal and Japan-exclusive menu items.

Some unique Japanese dishes you can try at Japan Airport include onigiri (Japanese rice balls), bento boxes, and tonkatsu (fried pork schnitzels coated in panko crumbs). You can also find regional specialties like grilled beef tongue at Rikyu Gyutan in Narita Airport, and gyukatsu (breaded and deep-fried beef cutlets) at Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu in Haneda Airport.

Yes, if you have a long layover or flight delay, you can explore the restaurants near Haneda Airport, which is located close to the airport in Tokyo. One recommended restaurant is Tsurutontan, a popular udon noodle restaurant. You can also find a variety of restaurants along Edo Koji Street on the 4th floor of Haneda Airport, which offers a unique old Japanese atmosphere.

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