Onigiri, rice balls, have been a staple in Japanese cuisine for centuries. While simple in concept, their depth in craft and flavor have made them not just a traditional treat, but a popular modern delicacy.
These tasty rice balls come in a wide variety of flavors, and are the perfect snack to fuel your travels in Japan. Here are some of the best restaurants to sample onigiri in Tokyo!
- Michelin-level onigiri in Asakusa: Yadoroku
- Irresistible Spicy Tuna Mayo onigiri in Shibuya: Togoshi-ya
- Onigiri take-out and refreshing ochazuke: Yamamotoyama
- Gluten-free and organic onigiri in Nakameguro: Onigily Cafe
- Onigiri and delicious miso soup breakfast in Asakusa: MISOJYU
- An all-new way to eat onigiri in Shinjuku: Odamusubi
Michelin-level onigiri in Asakusa: Yadoroku
Featured in the Bib Gourmand category of the Michelin Guide Tokyo, “ONIGIRI ASAKUSA YADOROKU” is said to be Tokyo’s oldest onigiri shop. This Asakusa hot spot offers a diverse menu of traditional and modernly unique onigiri fillings, and is famous for their exquisitely soft rice.
The restaurant also has counter seats that allow you to watch the owner expertly crafting your onigiri right in front of you.
It’s highly recommended to go during lunchtime, as you can order a set meal of two or three onigiri, and a side of miso soup. This way you can compare several of the restaurant’s various types of fillings. An English menu with pictured ingredients makes ordering very convenient for international diners.
A beloved mainstay in Asakusa’s traditional downtown area, ONIGIRI ASAKUSA YADOROKU is a great start to exploring rice ball cuisine in Tokyo.
Irresistible Spicy Tuna Mayo onigiri in Shibuya: Togoshi-ya
Located in the Dōgenzaka neighborhood of Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward, “Togoshi-ya Shibuya” is particularly popular with international diners, and one look at their menu is all it takes to see why. Offering 40 different types of rice balls at any given time, the restaurant provides the perfect opportunity to explore the world of onigiri and their diverse fillings.
One of their most popular onigiri combines egg yolk and soboro (seasoned ground chicken meat). Its appearance is perfect for social media posts, and it’s packed with flavor. The soboro is cooked slowly with sugar, soy sauce, and sake, and the egg yolk is marinated in soy sauce for hours.
“卵黄+そぼろ,” Egg Yolk & Ground Meat 400 JPY (tax included)
The “Spicy Tuna Mayo” is an onigiri often ordered by international customers. This onigiri combines chili oil, tuna, and mayonnaise and delivers the familiar delicious taste of a spicy tuna roll in rice ball form!
“スパイシーツナマヨ,” Spicy Tuna Mayo 330 JPY (tax included)
Those looking to enjoy a full meal can order a combination plate that serves karaage (Japanese fried chicken), tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet), kinpira gobō (braised burdock root with carrot), and miso soup along with their choice of onigiri.
“おにぎり１つセット（卵黄+そぼろ）,” Combo B (Egg Yolk & Ground Meat) 1,090 JPY (tax included)
Togoshi-ya Shibuya’s wide range of onigiri types makes it a great place to sample all sorts of different flavors, whether it be dine-in or take-out!
Onigiri take-out and refreshing ochazuke: Yamamotoyama
Conveniently located in the EATo LUMINE complex inside JR Shinjuku Station, “Ochazuke Onigiri Yamamotoyama” is a must-visit for rice ball fans. Not only does the shop have delectable onigiri, but also divine ochazuke, a dish made by pouring tea or dashi broth over a bowl of rice!
At Ochazuke Onigiri Yamamotoyama, you can enjoy onigiri as both take-out or a dine-in set with karaage. What really makes their onigiri stand out is their signature tsukudani (seaweed simmered in soy sauce), which packs an incredibly rich sweetness.
The Umami bites team particularly recommends the “Yamamotoyama Nori-Seaweed Tsukudani Paste x Plum Chips” onigiri. The sourness of the ume (Japanese plum) chips perfectly complements the sweetness of the tsukudani.
“のりの×梅チップ,” Yamamotoyama Nori-Seaweed Tsukudani Paste x Plum Chips, take-out: 330 JPY à la carte (tax included)
While you may come for the onigiri, you’ll want to stay for the ochazuke! The restaurant uses a specially crafted tea dashi that really enhances this classic Japanese dish. The marinated tuna ochazuke provides a perfectly refreshing finish, and the menu also features inventive dishes such as a roast beef ochazuke.
“漬けマグロ茶漬け,” Tsuke-Maguro (Marinated Tuna) Chazuke 1,350 JPY (tax included)
Ochazuke Onigiri Yamamotoyama in Shinjuku is a restaurant that really shows how seemingly simple rice balls can deliver a high-level gourmet experience!
Gluten-free and organic onigiri in Nakameguro: Onigily Cafe
Located in the chic Nakameguro area of Tokyo, “Onigily Cafe” offers onigiri with a fresh farm-to-table touch. Most of the ingredients used are gluten-free, and the seaweed is additive-free as well. The restaurant’s showcase displays allergy and dietary information for each onigiri, making it very convenient for those who need to be mindful of dietary restrictions.
(Left) “明太クリーム,” Seasoned Cod & Cream Eat-in: 240 JPY (tax included) / Take-out: 235 JPY (tax included); (Right) “和風ツナ,” Tuna Eat-in: 230 JPY (tax included) / Take-out: 226 JPY (tax included)
It’s highly recommended that customers order a special set, which includes an onigiri of your choosing (such as the delicious “Soft-Boiled Egg” onigiri), a plain onigiri simply seasoned with salt, and a side dish.
“半熟玉子,” Soft-Boiled Egg Eat-in: 295 JPY (tax included) / Take-out: 290 JPY (tax included)
The Umami bites team recommends the “Kakuni Set” featuring kakuni (sweet and tender simmered pork), with the ginger rice onigiri, a rice ball prepared by stir-frying rice with dashi and ginger.
(left) ginger rice onigiri; (right) kakuni
Enjoy healthy onigiri in a cafe atmosphere at Onigily Cafe in Nakameguro!
Onigiri and delicious miso soup breakfast in Asakusa: MISOJYU
Located in the heart of Asakusa, “MISOJYU” is a restaurant that specializes in another simple but flavorful dish that pairs perfectly with onigiri: miso soup! Open from 8:00 AM, this restaurant with gorgeous traditional decor is a great way to start your day when sightseeing in Japan.
“MISOJYUメニュー,” MISOJYU Menu 1,680 JPY (tax included)
The restaurant offers breakfast and lunch sets that let you pair onigiri with their signature miso soups. These come with traditional ingredients such as tofu, and also rarer ones such as tomato and beef.
“いつもと違ういつもの豆腐のおみそ汁,” LEGENDARY TOFU MISO SOUP
MISOJYU’s onigiri are also varied in this regard, with international diner-friendly rice ball fillings such as spicy tuna, and Japanese classics like pickled ume plum.
“うめ,” Pickled Plum
Start your day off with tasty rice balls and invigorating miso soup at MISOJYU in Asakusa!
An all-new way to eat onigiri in Shinjuku: Odamusubi
Open from 6:30 AM, “Odamusubi Honten” in Shinjuku is another great place to pick up some onigiri in the morning. The shop uses Hitomebore rice from Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture, renowned for a balance of sweetness and aroma.
This flavorful rice pairs perfectly with salmon, for example, which is one of their more popular rice balls.
“鮭,” Salmon: Take-out 220 JPY (tax included) | Eat-in 224 JPY (tax included)
Another popular option is the “Shrimp Tempura Rice Ball,” which uses a sweet and savory sauce that recreates eating a tempura rice bowl. It’s perfect for those with big appetites.
“天むす,” Shrimp Tempura Rice Ball – Take-out 290 JPY (tax included) | Eat-in 295 JPY (tax included)
A unique dish that will have you wanting to visit for lunch as well is their “Rice Ball Dashi Soup Set.” Available from 11:00 AM, this set lets you pick from four different onigiri. You then pour the restaurant’s incredibly rich dashi over your rice ball, creating a delicious umami-packed meal!
For early morning onigiri and a new refreshing twist on rice balls, be sure to stop by Odamusubi Honten in Shinjuku.
Onigiri can be a simple snack, but they are a great way to taste many traditional Japanese ingredients during your travels. We hope this guide helps you get started exploring some of the best shops in Tokyo to try them out!
