Ueno Ameyoko : Buy Food and Spices From Your homeland!

Ueno is a famous place in Tokyo for its old culture and fun atmosphere. Do you guys know "Ameya Yokocho" located about 5 minutes walk from JR Ueno Station?

There are about 400 stores there, selling a lot of good deals and unusual items. Japanese people call it "Ameyoko". Recently, the number of izakaya (Japanese style pubs) and food stalls has increased, making it a great place to eat and walk around.

This time, I would like to introduce a particularly fun part of Ameya Yokocho, the "Ueno Ameyoko Underground Food Street. Here you will find a wide variety of fresh Asian foods and seasonings.

If you miss the food of your homeland, this is the place to get the ingredients you need.

What Is Ameyoko Underground Food Street?

Ameyoko Underground Food Street is a food street located in the basement of the Ameyoko Center Building, the symbol of Ameya Yokocho. Here you will find many interesting things that you cannot find in Japanese supermarkets.

It is like a treasure trove of Asian foods, with ingredients from all over Asia, including Thailand, Korea, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Food Sold in the Ameyoko Underground Food Street

Credit: Alexander Raths/Shutterstock.com

Let me introduce some of the specific foods available in the Ameyoko underground food district.

Fresh Produce From Asian Countries

The Ameyoko Underground Food Arcade sells fruits that are hard to find in Japan, such as passion fruit and dragon fruit, as well as rare fresh foods such as beef and pork parts, frogs and turtles.

If you cannot find foods from your homeland at your local supermarket, try looking for them at the Ameyoko Underground Food Street.

Asian Spices and Seasonings

You can also get curry spices, chili peppers, cinnamon sticks, and other spices. You can also find all kinds of delicious sauces, such as tom yum kung paste and pad thai sauce.

So if you know which brands you like the taste of, you can find the flavor you really want.

Edible Insects (Entomophagy)

Insects that are eaten in Asia and Africa are also available here. Crickets, grasshoppers, silkworm pupae, frozen giant water bug, etc. are available. Recently, there seems to be an "entomophagy vending machine" so that you can eat them easily.

There are also shampoos and daily necessities from various countries. This is a very convenient place to get the products of the manufacturers I usually use.

Also, some of the health foods you buy at drugstores are a bit expensive, but you can find them at local prices in the Ameyoko Underground Food Arcade. If you are interested, please check it out.

The Unique Atmosphere of Ameyoko Underground Food Street

The Ameyoko Underground Food Street has a unique atmosphere not found anywhere else. Here are some of the unique features of this unique spot.

Lots of People, Lots of Activity

It is a paradise for foreign residents and food lovers. Still, it has recently become a significant spot for Japanese and foreign tourists who have heard about it. Locals and tourists alike gather in one place, making the street crowded and lively at all times.

Exotic Atmosphere

Ameyoko underground food street has an exotic atmosphere (an exciting atmosphere that makes you feel as if you are in another world). Foods and aromas from all over Asia are spread out, and each store has its own unique decoration. Many of the shopkeepers are also foreigners, and it is common to hear foreign languages being spoken.

Enthusiastic Staff

The staff are knowledgeable about the ingredients and seasonings they sell, and are always willing to talk to customers. If you want to know more about the ingredients or the cuisine, feel free to ask questions.

The Ameyoko Underground Food Arcade may be a new and interesting place for Japanese people, but for foreign residents, it is a place that reminds them of home.