I went to the foodie capital of the world where I had the best cheap meals of my life plus snacks for £1.50

I NEVER considered myself much of a foodie – until I went to the culinary capital of the world.

While great food can be found in countries like Italy and Mexico, the very best can be found in Tokyo.

I traveled to the foodie capital of the world - and left extremely well-fed — I traveled to the foodie capital of the world – and left extremely well-fed

My favorite find was a stack of gyoza for just £2.50 each

Tokyo has more than 200 Michelin starsPhoto credit: Alamy

The capital Tokyo is known for its fine dining – there are more Michelin star restaurants than Paris and New York combined.

Food & Wine’s Global Tastemakers list named it the best city for food and drink this year. Previous awards have included being named “Best Food City in the World” by Saveur magazine.

There’s never been a better time to visit Japan as the yen is weak against the pound, meaning your money will go further.

And I’ve found the restaurants that only cost a few pounds and have the best food I’ve ever eaten.

In the Harujuku district was our favorite find: Harajuku Gyozaro, hidden in a hut covered in condensation.

Serving only gyoza, we had six of the best pork dumplings, soft on top and crispy on the bottom, for just 290 yen (£1.50).

It’s safe to say we came back the next day and ordered two more portions, opting for steamed (the only other option was fried).

Or there was all the ramen from the vending machine, better than what I had eaten in a restaurant in the UK.

One of my favorite ramen restaurants was Kyushu Jangara Ramen, with a huge bowl that I couldn’t finish for only £8.

Most places also offer free unlimited pasta – if you can fit in it.

Exploring Britain’s Most Underrated Cities

The desserts are less expensive, but they are also the most fun of all.

There’s the chocolate-filled fish, the milk breads filled with cream and ice cream, the numerous matcha mochi and the famous matcha KitKats.

My favorite was Crunky, little chocolate balls filled with rice crispies, similar to a Crunch bar.

This is best found in the many 7-Eleven mom and pop stores across the country – with more than 21,000 to choose from.

It’s safe to say I returned extremely well-fed – and with a suitcase full of snacks.

That’s not the only amazing thing about Japan.

I've never had a bad bowl of ramen, either from a restaurant or a vending machine — I’ve never had a bad bowl of ramen, either from a restaurant or a vending machine

The deserts there were also on another level

Most hotels will even provide you with free pajamas for your stay.

The Sun’s Ryan Gray said: “Some came in two-piece tops and bottoms, others were more traditional gowns with a fancy sash that you tie around the hem, known as a yukata.”

“They ranged from simple solid color designs to much more unusually patterned pieces that I loved slipping into after a shower at the end of a long day of exploring.”

Flights to Japan from the UK start from just £197 one way. The cheapest flights are with China Eastern Airways with a stopover in Shanghai.

The flight time is approximately 16 hours.

Can’t make it all the way to Japan? Here is an English park that makes you feel like you are there.

What else can you do in Japan?

The Sun’s deputy travel editor Sophie Swietochowski visited Japan last year – here’s what she said.

The chaos of the capital Tokyo, with its neon lights, skyscrapers and maze of zebra crossings herding crowds, does not reflect the entire country.

The culture of Japan stretches far and wide, and the best way to get an overview of it all is with a guided tour – you can tick off the sights and have an expert on hand to answer any questions about traditions and history or the best Restaurants answered.

My whirlwind itinerary with the knowledgeable Richard of Inside Japan Tours began in Japan’s second largest city, Osaka.

Japan holds close to the tradition, and while you can find bits of it in Osaka and almost every region, a visit to an onsen town is the best way to soak it up.

But Kyoto is the place to find these places of worship in abundance.

It’s hard to believe that the city is the former capital of Japan, especially for those like me who associate the country with the bright lights and large crowds of today’s capital, Tokyo.