Tsukishima Monja Street in Tokyo is the ultimate destination for a unique culinary experience. This charming street is home to over 80 restaurants, each specializing in the local dish of monjayaki – a delicious blend of flour-based batter mixed with cabbage, ginger, and a variety of toppings such as octopus, shrimp, and cheese. While it may not be as well-known as Osaka’s okonomiyaki, monjayaki inspires heated regional rivalries in Japan, as residents debate which is better.
Discover the origins of monjayaki by tracing it back to its traditional dish “mojiyaki,” where the batter was cooked in the form of letters to teach children the Japanese alphabet. Tsukishima, located in Tokyo’s Shitamachi old district, is considered the birthplace of monjayaki and is home to numerous restaurants that serve it.
Not only can you savor the delicious taste of monjayaki, but you can also have the unique experience of cooking it yourself or asking the staff to do it for you. Once cooked, the proper way to eat it is to pull off a piece of batter and toppings, press it down with a spatula to brown it, and eat it. Alternatively, you can also enjoy a different texture by eating it without browning.
Tsukishima Monja Street is not only a foodie destination but also a unique place to explore. The street is located on Tsukishima, an island constructed on reclaimed land in 1892, which adds an interesting and unique aspect to your visit.
