Eating in Japan is always a treat for any foodie but finding the hidden gems could be a challenge owing to the numerous establishments that dot the country. While not everyone is ready to navigate through an unfamiliar city, those who are wary of getting lost in Tokyo but are willing to pay a small premium to try a variety of delicacies all under 1 roof, will find Toyosu Edo-mae Market, located just across the modern Toyosu Fish Market, a must-visit.
The Edo period-inspired food center, spread across three levels, is a site for food and entertainment. First opened in February 2024, this new facility features wooden buildings using timber sourced from the Tama area of Tokyo, as well as ibushi tiles from Awaji Island. The result is a modern interpretation of historical Japan that is filled to the brim with various food offerings, ranging from appetizers on a stick, to full set meals that can be enjoyed at one’s leisure.
On the first level of the Toyosu Edo-mae Market are several sit-down restaurants offering both indoor and al-fresco seating. The offerings run the gamut, from meat-heavy menus to sushi and seafood rice bowls using fish and shellfish sourced directly from the Toyosu Fish Market. In Toyosu Naraya, one of the specialties is whole grilled sea bream. Here, the fish is butterflied before being salted and grilled. The simple preparation highlights the quality of the fish.
Moving up to the second level, guests should be prepared by the number of people – both local and foreign, that mill around the complex in search of something to enjoy. Marutake Premium is the Toyosu branch of Marutake, a Tamagoyaki restaurant which first opened in 1924. Here, customers line up to enjoy steaming hot servings of Japanese rolled omelet. Unlike the western-style omelet, Tamagoyaki is seasoned with dashi and sugar along with salt for a slightly sweet, umami-packed bite.
Another crowd favorite is Tsukishima Monja Jugoya which serves freshly-baked Taiyaki. This is a traditional Japanese baked sweet shaped like a fish bream and filled with red bean paste. Jugoya’s “An-Butter Taiyaki” is popular for its unusual combination of rich red bean paste and butter. The sweetness of the red bean paste and the salty taste of the butter make a perfect match, and the volume is a perfect snack.
There are also several stalls which offer seafood skewers. One is Isaribi, a Toyosu Fish Market marine product wholesaler with a history of nearly 150 years. Here, fish and seafood are grilled to order and served on individual sticks which can be enjoyed while walking around.
For those who want a heartier meal, the second floor is also home to Unagi Meigetsugawa. Originating from Kita-Kamakura, this restaurant focuses on a single ingredient – eel. The freshwater eel butterflied before a lengthy cooking process involving steaming and grilling transforms it into a succulent dish. At this restaurant, diners can enjoy an Unaju set meal featuring slabs of Kabayaki or river eel glazed during grilling on top of rice and paired with an eel liver soup and pickled vegetables. There is also Shiroyaki, or plain salted grilled eel sans the glaze which better highlights the richness and flavor of the fish. The restaurant also offers grilled skewers of different parts of the eel, such as internal organs, liver, fin, head, and belly.
For those who want to end the meal on a sweet note, Harunire’s store in the interior of the second floor offers soft serve ice cream using milk direct from ranches in Hokkaido, one of the prefectures known all over the world for its high quality dairy products.
Finally, the third floor features a food court where diners can enjoy a variety of dishes, from ramen and soba, to rice bowls, desserts, drinks, and sushi and shashimi platters.
