Tokyo is a city that consistently defied Bourdain’s comprehension while endlessly fascinating his palate. Returning in 2013 for the season two finale of Parts Unknown, he dove back into a metropolis where the culinary scene operates on a level of obsessive specialization found nowhere else on earth. The food here ranges from transcendent, multi-generational sushi mastery to the glorious, unpretentious comfort of a smoky, chaotic izakaya—all executed with a terrifying level of precision. His angle in this episode was an exploration of Tokyo’s fascinating contradictions. He wanted to highlight the tension between the rigorous, almost monastic dedication required for high-end dining and the bizarre, hyper-modern subcultures that thrive in the city’s neon-lit underbelly. He sought profound lessons in sushi from a master, while simultaneously embracing the cheap thrills of fried skewers and fermented fish in bustling, working-class drinking holes. It was a journey to understand how intense tradition and bizarre innovation coexist so perfectly. Let’s retrace his path through the strange and sublime extremes of Tokyo.
The great Anthony Bourdain left his mark everywhere he went. When his death was announced to the world in June 2018, media throughout the globe chimed in and listed all the great things he had done for their respective city, town, province, country. Whereas before, tourists would shy away from exotic foods, thanks to him, travellers now go the extra mile to find and try local bites. With this in mind, here are all the restaurants Bourdain visited and the dishes he tasted when he shot Anthony Bourdain Tokyo for his show, Parts Unknown Season 2 Episode 8 (originally aired November 3, 2013):
READ MORE: C&C’S COMPLETE QUICK GUIDE FOR THINGS TO DO IN TOKYO
DISH – Omakase
WHAT IS IT?
Omakase is a term used in sushi restaurants that means leaving the dish selection to the chef.
WHERE IS IT?
Sushi Bar Yasuda
4 Chome-2-6 Minamiaoyama
Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
READ MORE: INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES IN TOKYO: 15 PHOTOGRAPHY DESTINATIONS
ANTHONY BOURDAIN TOKYO NOTES
Sushi Bar Yasuda is Chef Naomichi Yasuda’s 14-seat sushi bar in the Minato district of Tokyo. In Parts Unknown Tokyo, Anthony Bourdain explains that Yasuda’s wife, Naomi, is his only helper. The menu changes constantly, depending on what Yasuda finds in the market. Chef Yasuda went into the details of sushi in this segment of the show.
DISH – Grilled Kusaya, Motsuyaki, Yakitori, and Motsunabe – Anthony Bourdain Tokyo
WHAT IS IT?
Grilled Kusaya – grilled fermented fish; Motsuyaki – skewered beef intestine; Yakitori – chicken skewers; Motsunabe – intestines stew with miso.
WHERE IS IT?
Daitoryo
6 Chome-10-14 Ueno
Taito City, Tokyo, Japan
ANTHONY BOURDAIN TOKYO NOTES
Daitoryo is a popular Izakaya restaurant in Taito where one can have a drink and, according to Bourdain, “salty, savory, pickly delicious snacks that go brilliantly with alcohol.”
DISH – Katsuo no Tataki and Tomato Nabe – Anthony Bourdain Tokyo
WHAT IS IT?
Katsuo no Tataki – fresh bonito seared quickly over flame, arranged in bite-sized pieces, and garnished with daikon fresh greens, sprouts and ponzu; Tomato Nabe – hot pot of chicken, pork, beef, fish balls and vegetables.
WHERE IS IT?
Mienoumi Restaurant
3f エスビル １丁目-１３-8 １３ １３, 13 Tomioka
Koto City, Tokyo, Japan
ANTHONY BOURDAIN TOKYO NOTES
Mienoumi Restaurant was where Anthony Bourdain had dinner with pioneering manga creator, Toshio Maeda. Here, Maeda discussed his groundbreaking work to Bourdain. Bourdain’s observation: “Notice, by the way, the distinguished owner and her complete lack of shock or offense at the graphic, frankly horrifying images of rape, violation, and murder spread casually across the table for all to see.”
DISH – Kushiage and Okonomiyaki – Parts Unknown Tokyo
WHAT IS IT?
Kushiage – skewers of shrimp and basil, lotus root, octopus, and pickled quail eggs dipped in batter and fried perfectly; Okonomiyaki – a type of egg-batter pancake filled with squid and brushed with Worcestershire sauce.
WHERE IS IT?
Mahakala
Aobadai, 1 Chome−17−5 メゾン青葉 102
Japan, Tokyo, Meguro City
ANTHONY BOURDAIN TOKYO NOTES
Mahakala is a low-key joint to enjoy family meals and meet friends. As Anthony Bourdain puts it: “They don’t serve high-end sushi here… or elaborate kaiseki-inspired fare. It’s almost like hipster tempura.”
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This 2013 Tokyo episode stands out as one of Bourdain’s most introspective, highlighting his deep, slightly intimidated reverence for Japanese culinary discipline. The masterclass sequence at Sushi Bar Yasuda remains a definitive lesson in the subtle, complex artistry of sushi, proving it is about far more than just fresh fish. Yet, he perfectly balanced this high art by reveling in the salty, gritty atmosphere of Daitoryo, proving that Tokyo’s true heartbeat is often found over a skewer of grilled intestines and a cold beer. It’s memorable for capturing a city that is constantly reinventing itself while fiercely guarding its ancient traditions. If you travel to Tokyo, embrace the weirdness, but always approach the food—whether it’s a delicate omakase or a plate of okonomiyaki—with the deepest respect.
