Many tourists want to maximize their time at their destination. Those eager to actively explore Japan from the morning should head to the onigiri shop “Odamusubi Honten” (hereunder referred to as “Odamusubi”).
Conveniently located in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku neighborhood, the shop opens daily at 6:30 AM. Here, you can enjoy a wide variety of onigiri rice balls, popular worldwide as a Japanese food.
Display window of Odamusubi Honten filled with onigiri
Popular fillings at the Shinjuku onigiri shop Odamusubi
At Odamusubi, you can take out your onigiri or eat it in the shop. When you come to the cash register, let the staff know if you want take-out or to eat in.
An English menu with photos is also available, so international tourists can order with ease.
Menu with English descriptions is available
Particularly popular fillings at Odamusubi are “Salmon” and “Spicy Cod Roe.”
The rice used is Hitomebore from Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture, prized for its balance of sweetness and aroma. As a result, it’s a great match with any filling, especially with salmon.
The mild saltiness of the salmon allows the sweetness of the white rice to shine through, making it popular among both young and old.
“鮭,” Salmon: Take-out 220 JPY (tax included) | Eat-in 224 JPY (tax included)
The “Spicy Cod Roe” onigiri with its mild kick of spice becomes even tastier when paired with white rice. The rice softens the spiciness, making it a recommended filling even for those who are not fond of spicy food.
Odamusubi also offers onigiri with more hefty fillings, such as the “Shrimp Tempura Rice Ball.” The batter is soaked in a sweet and salty sauce, offering a taste experience similar to eating a tempura rice bowl. The shrimp, wrapped in tempura batter, adds a delightful texture to the filling.
“天むす,” Shrimp Tempura Rice Ball – Take-out 290 JPY (tax included) | Eat-in 295 JPY (tax included)
Additionally, Odamusubi offers various other fillings, like cod roe and tuna mayonnaise. Each one is packed with its featured fillings, ensuring deliciousness until the last bite. The size is just right, not too big or too small, fitting comfortably in your palm.
You’ll surely be tempted to try different ones!
Pair your favorite onigiri with karaage for a great deal in a set meal!
At Odamusubi, there are set menus available at three different time slots: 6:30 AM to 11 AM, 11 AM to 5 PM, and 5 PM until closing.
Among these, the “Karaage Set” featuring karaage (a Japanese style of fried chicken) and the “Rice Ball Dashi Soup Set” are recommended. The Karaage Set, available from 11 AM to 5 PM, can be enjoyed for an additional 260 JPY (tax included) on top of your chosen onigiri’s price.
“唐揚げセット（ツナ＋煮卵）,” Karaage Set (Tuna + Seasoned Boiled Egg) 738 JPY (tax included)
The set includes a rolled omelet, pickles, miso soup, and a piece of karaage. Each bite of the well-marinated chicken releases a delightful burst of savory flavor in your mouth.
Karaage is also available à la carte
The sweetly seasoned rolled omelet and the salty karaage balance each other’s flavors. The pickles, with their mild tartness, provide a refreshing taste.
“漬物,” pickles (left), “卵焼き,” rolled omelet (right)
The onigiri at Odamusubi are delightful on their own, but for a more satisfying meal, the Karaage Set is a must!
You’ll want to relish the “Rice Ball Dashi Soup Set”
The “Rice Ball Dashi Soup Set” is also a menu item you should try at Odamusubi. It’s available daily after 11 AM. For the rice ball, you can choose from “Salmon,” “Dried Young Sardines with Japanese Pepper,” “Spicy Cod Roe,” and “Pickled Leaf Mustard.”
“おむすびだし茶漬けセット（鮭）,” Rice Ball Dashi Soup Set (Salmon) 850 JPY (tax included)
To enjoy the Rice Ball Dashi Soup Set, pour the shirodashi broth over the rice ball in your bowl. This dashi is made with a blend of katsuobushi (bonito flakes), sōdagatsuobushi (frigate tuna flakes), iwashibushi (sardine flakes), and kelp, offering a rich umami flavor.
The shirodashi, with its depth of flavor from these four ingredients, provides a robust and savory taste. It’s sure to pleasantly surprise you with its delightful aroma wafting up from your bowl.
A popular shop selling about 3,000 rice balls daily
Odamusubi is a popular destination in Shinjuku, selling around 3,000 onigiri daily. Open early and conveniently located near Shinjuku Station’s gates, it often sees long lines in the morning.
Photo of Odamusubi Honten’s exterior
The popularity of the shop stems from the variety of fillings and the delicately soft yet firm texture of the onigiri. When you take a bite, savor the experience as the rice gently falls apart, revealing its perfectly fluffy and light texture.
Located right at Shinjuku Station, one of Tokyo’s major transit hubs where various train lines converge, Odamusubi is an ideal stop for travelers. Many visitors, planning their day around the city, find this conveniently situated onigiri shop a perfect place to start their journey.
Whether grabbing a quick rice ball for the Shinkansen or the Romancecar, or enjoying a sit-down breakfast at the shop before departure, the shop offers a fitting start to your day.
Odamusubi will surely become a delightful part of your Japan travel experience!
Information
| Store name | おだむすび 本店 Odamusubi Honten |
|---|---|
| Address | Odakyu Line Shinjuku Station West Exit Underground Concourse, 1-1-3 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Shinjuku Station（SJK）Short walk from West Underground Gate
Shinjuku Station（SJK）Short walk from Shinjuku Station Central West Gate
|
| Phone number | 03-3344-8776 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment method |
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| Hours | Mon-Fri. 6:30-21:00（last order 20:30） Sat. 6:30-19:30（last order 19:00） Sun. & nat’l holidays 6:30-19:00（last order 18:30） |
| Closed | No regular holidays Unscheduled holidays |
| Seating | 19 seats 8 counter seats, 11 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://www.odakyu-restaurant.jp/shop/odamusubi/honten |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of January 2024.
