If you find yourself on a late-night drinking spree, it’s inevitable to crave some drunk food in Japan. It’s likely been hours since your last meal, and after one too many drinks, your body starts yearning for some greasy, unhealthy late-night munchies to help sober you up. Or, at least, that’s the hope, right?
But if you’re new to Tokyo, you might be wondering where the best spots are for drunk food. What are your options, and what’s even open at this hour? How do you satisfy those munchies in Japan? Japanese food and western food in Japan are all amazing, and after extensive firsthand research (that included getting drunk and hungry ourselves), we’ve made this list of the best drunk foods for your late-night cravings.
Check out every Japanese food you should try, fusion dishes, types of ramen, ramen chains, yakitori, food and drinks at izakaya, fast food chains in Japan, and healthy food in Japan!
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Ramen
Rich, filling and delicious, ramen makes for great drunk food, probably one of the best food for your munchies.
But beyond its culinary appeal, there are actually biological reasons why indulging in ramen is a smart move when you’re inebriated. When your liver processes alcohol, it generates harmful substances that can lead to hangovers or impair liver function. However, fear not, as ramen comes to the rescue! Alanine, plentiful in pork and pork gelatin often found in ramen, along with glutamic acid found in the noodles, can help break down these harmful substances and mitigate their negative effects. Who knows, consume enough ramen, and you might just sidestep that dreaded hangover altogether.
Surprisingly, there’s a plethora of ramen joints that stay open until the early hours, especially in bustling nightlife hubs like Shibuya or Shinjuku. You’re bound to stumble upon one simply by wandering around, making ramen an incredibly convenient choice for drunk food.
However, the combination of slippery noodles, chopsticks, and copious broth might not be ideal if you’re a bit uncoordinated after a few drinks. If that sounds like you, bid farewell to any pristine white clothing you may be sporting.
Soba and Udon
Soba and udon, like ramen, are quintessential Japanese noodles. They’re lighter than ramen, so you won’t feel uncomfortably full afterwards, and as mentioned earlier, they boast nutrients in both the noodles and broth that can aid in breaking down toxins in your body.
These two noodle dishes are often found together on menus. If a restaurant serves soba, chances are they’ll offer udon too. Many of these eateries also operate round the clock, so you won’t struggle to find one to accommodate your late-night cravings. Plus, they’re speedy – you’ll typically be in and out within 20 to 30 minutes (assuming there’s no queue).
Soba and udon tend to be more wallet-friendly than ramen, with some dishes priced as low as 600 or 700 yen, compared to ramen’s usual 800 to 1000 yen. So, if you’re not keen on splurging, perhaps soba or udon make better drunk noodle options for you than ramen.
We’d recommend Tsurutontan, a restaurant renowned for its udon specialities. They’re famed for their generous portions and innovative udon creations. Some branches stay open until 4 am, and you’ll often find tipsy locals slurping away on their noodles, patiently waiting for the trains to start running again.
Convenience Store Grubs
Convenience stores are your go-to pals in Tokyo, and they’re literally everywhere. The sheer variety of options available in these stores is mind-boggling. Whether you’re craving something savoury or sweet, hot or cold, rest assured you’ll stumble upon something that your intoxicated self will approve of to curb those munchies.
When it comes to classic drunk food from convenience stores, their hot food sections take the crown. All the major convenience store chains offer a plethora of piping hot delights that you can grab over the counter. From meat buns to deep-fried chicken, hash browns to spring rolls, and even oden, these warm treats serve as comforting companions for your intoxicated munchies.
Beef Bowls
The beef bowl stands tall among Japan’s fast-food options as beef bowl chains such as Sukiya, Matsuya and Yoshinoya are open 24/7.
The classic beef bowl features shredded beef and onions atop a bed of rice, but you can also jazz it up with cheese, egg toppings, and much more. Pair a beef bowl with a steaming bowl of miso soup, and you’ve got yourself a fantastic drunk food choice to help you sober up. On the flip side, if you’re aiming to amp up the buzz, beef bowl joints typically offer beer on their menus.
In addition to the beef bowl, these spots also dish out chicken and pork bowl options. Unfortunately, there aren’t any vegetarian choices available, so if you’re not a meat enthusiast, you might want to explore other options for your drunk food fix.
Family Restaurant Goodies
Here’s one you might not have considered before. Family restaurants in Japan keep their doors open 24/7, welcoming folks for a drink or a place to sober up after a night out. Some of the most renowned ones include Denny’s, Jonathan’s, and Saizeriya. Yes, you heard that right – it’s the same Denny’s you know from the States, although the quality is quite different here in Japan.
Family restaurants typically boast an extensive menu, offering everything from tapas and appetisers to hearty main meals and tempting desserts. Many of these dishes make excellent drunk food options in Japan. You’ll find a mix of Japanese, Chinese, Western cuisines, and more on offer. Plus, these joints usually serve up affordable alcohol, typically beer and wine, to accompany your meal if you’re in the mood for more drinks. It’s the perfect spot to satisfy those munchies when they hit!
Most family restaurants boast comfortable booth seats, ideal for drunk revellers to catch some shut-eye. While technically you’re not supposed to crash there, chances are the staff will overlook it, as long as you’re not causing a disturbance or snoring too loudly.
One of the standout features of these joints is their all-you-can-drink drink bars. For just a couple of quid, you’ll have unrestricted access to tea, coffee, juice, soft drinks, and more, making family restaurants the ultimate spot to rehydrate your body after a night of drinking.
Izakaya Chows
Heading to an izakaya is an excellent move, especially if you’re keen to keep the drinks flowing. Many izakayas stay open well past midnight, some even through the night. They offer an extensive selection of wallet-friendly food options. Since izakayas serve dishes in small portions, you can snack your way through a few plates while you’re there. From edamame and yakitori to fried chicken and gyoza, the choices are endless.
In some countries, folks might hit up a bar or club when they’re drunk and stay until morning. In Japan, however, locals opt to hang out in an izakaya, sipping drinks, nibbling on food, and playing drinking games while they wait for the morning and the trains to start running again.
Sushi
While sushi might not be everyone’s first choice for drunk food in Japan, it’s undeniably a culinary gem unique to the country. Paired with a bowl of miso soup on the side, sushi surprisingly hits the spot when you’re in need of some late-night munchies.
When you’re feeling the effects of a few too many drinks, your body craves carbs to help absorb the alcohol. This is the perfect moment to indulge in some delicious, hearty sushi, accompanied by hot green tea and a few slices of sashimi. Don’t forget to add a kick of wasabi to give yourself a wake-up call.
You’ll find a handful of 24-hour sushi joints scattered across the city. Many of these are conveyor belt sushi restaurants, where you can snag a plate or two for as little as a quid. Just a word of caution – handling plates of food on conveyor belts might prove to be quite the challenge, depending on your level of inebriation.
Kebab
Kebab stands out as one of the most popular choices for drunk food worldwide, especially in regions lacking the abundance of 24-hour eateries found in Japan. Offering greasy meat paired with mouth-watering sauces, it’s an affordable option readily available from kebab food trucks and small stalls dotted around major nightlife hubs.
In addition to the classic kebab with bread, many of these spots also serve up variations like kebab with rice and even kebab sushi. You’ll typically find options for chicken and/or beef, along with a range of sauces from mild to hot, garlic and beyond. If you’re after a quick fix, this hits the spot. And rest assured, given Japan’s meticulous approach to restaurant hygiene and safety, you can chow down without any worries.
Western Fast-Food Chains
Masoud Akbari, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Just like in other places, Western fast-food joints are solid choices for drunk food in Japan. When those munchies hit, you can satisfy your cravings at McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and beyond. The majority of these spots stay open 24/7, dishing out your classic burgers, fries, and soft drinks.
Fast-food joints in Japan pride themselves on cleanliness, and many offer WiFi and even sockets. So, if you fancy drunkenly scrolling through your phone, just swing by the nearest fast-food joint and make yourself at home.
Chinese Food
For those craving something a bit more oily and greasy, Chinese restaurants in Japan are the perfect option for drunk food, available round the clock. These joints offer a variety of delights such as soup noodles, fried noodles, dumplings, dim sum, and much more. And with most dishes served in generous portions, you won’t leave hungry after a visit to one of these spots.
Chinese Cafe Eight stands out as a top choice for revellers. Renowned for its extensive menu, affordable prices, generous servings, and authentic flavours, it’s a go-to spot for satisfying late-night cravings. Open 24/7, it offers mouth-watering options at any hour. Plus, its quirky decor featuring male and female sex organs is said to bring good luck – definitely an interesting sight to behold!
Munch Responsibly: Etiquette Tips for Enjoying Drunk Food in Japan
There you have it! You’re ready for your drunk night out and make use of this list of munchies! A majority of these restaurants that offer drunk food are quite used to people coming into the restaurant intoxicated. They are used to people falling asleep at the table, being loud or just being drunk in general. However, keep in mind to be respectful and be a reasonable drunk when satisfying your munchies in Japan.
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