Commonly known as Japanese rice balls in English, onigiri are a cherished food item in Japan that spans generations. Amid a recent surge in specialized onigiri shops, Umami bites writer Bensky, a long-time resident of Japan who appreciates Japanese rice, was drawn to Togoshi-ya Shibuya in the Dōgenzaka neighborhood of Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward. Officially named “Togoshi-ya, the place for onigiri made with delicious rice” in Japanese, the shop’s commitment to quality grains made it a must-visit for Bensky.
Togoshi-ya carefully selects the rice varieties they use each year through taste tests. In 2023, they are offering onigiri made with Tsuyahime, a rice variety from Yamagata Prefecture known for its delectably chewy texture and sweetness.
The most popular onigiri at Togoshi-ya Shibuya
Togoshi-ya creatively uses ingredients to enhance the flavor of their rice. Their most popular onigiri features a combination of egg yolk and soboro (seasoned ground chicken meat). The egg yolk is marinated in soy sauce for four hours, and the soboro is cooked slowly with sugar, soy sauce, and sake.
“卵黄+そぼろ,” Egg Yolk & Ground Meat 400 JPY (tax included)
This generous onigiri is about the size of a baseball and generously stuffed with its delicious fillings. Bensky ordered a combo that comes with a large piece of karaage (Japanese fried chicken), tamagoyaki (seasoned rolled omelet), kinpira gobō (braised burdock root with carrot), and miso soup.
“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)
Other options include sets where you can choose two types of onigiri, as well as sets with smaller-sized onigiri.
Bensky took a big bite of the tasty-looking onigiri and exclaimed:
The combination of egg yolk and soboro is perfect! The rich egg yolk is deliciously gooey, and I love how the onigiri is packed full of flavor!
This was Bensky’s first time trying onigiri from a specialty shop, and the experience didn’t disappoint, leaving him visibly pleased.
The secret ingredient that elevates the taste? Ginger, used in the preparation of the soboro. It adds a unique twist to the flavor profile, enhancing the natural sweetness of both the meat and the rice.
Togoshi-ya: Where onigiri are always fresh and warm
Togoshi-ya’s onigiri are delicious not just because of the high-quality rice but also because each one is carefully handmade upon order, ensuring a fluffy texture.
You can watch them make onigiri right in front of you at the counter
The salt used in the onigiri comes from Okinawa and it has a special mildness that complements the rice perfectly. As for the seaweed, it’s carefully selected based on various factors such as texture, bite, flavor intensity, and aroma.
It’s clear that Togoshi-ya takes pride in their role as an onigiri specialty shop, refusing to compromise on any ingredient—be it rice, fillings, salt, or seaweed.
Togoshi-ya’s karaage is freshly fried and delicious
Next, Bensky sampled Togoshi-ya’s Japanese Fried Chicken Togoshi-Maru, their version of karaage. The shop’s expertise extends beyond onigiri, as they also excel in this Japanese-style fried chicken dish.
“戸越丸唐揚げ,” Japanese Fried Chicken Togoshi-Maru 160 JPY apiece (tax included)
Their fried chicken has a thin batter and is incredibly crispy. You should definitely order it in a combo!
The Japanese Fried Chicken Togoshi-Maru can also be ordered a la carte and is a flavorful treat. It’s marinated for a day in a special sauce blended with various spices and soy sauce, delivering a punchy taste.
It’s easy to see why Togoshi-ya’s signature karaage, which is plump, crispy, and freshly fried, has garnered such a devoted following.
Togoshi-ya is popular among foreign tourists visiting Japan
Togoshi-ya is frequented by many international tourists. The ordering tablet is available in both Japanese and English, making it easy for those who don’t understand Japanese.
The tablet can display both Japanese and English
One onigiri often ordered by foreign tourists is the Spicy Tuna Mayo. The combination of tuna mayo and chili sauce makes it spicier than it looks.
Bensky, who loves spicy food, was happily surprised by this unique take on the classic tuna mayo onigiri and quickly finished it.
“スパイシーツナマヨ,” Spicy Tuna Mayo 330 JPY (tax included)
I’ve never had a tuna mayo rice ball like this before! The spiciness really gets you craving more—I couldn’t put it down. I definitely want another one!
Togoshi-ya also offers other flavors like Tuna Mayo Salty Kelp and Tuna Mayo & Daikon Pickles (known as takuan in Japanese). So, if you don’t like things spicy but still enjoy tuna mayo, you can rest easy. Both options truly maximize the potential of tuna mayo, so we highly recommend giving them a try.
Many other onigiri types, such as Plum Pickles and Tuna Mayo Salty Kelp, are available
Bensky bites into a rice ball bursting with salted salmon roe
After enjoying two scrumptious rice balls and feeling quite satisfied, it looks like Bensky still had room for one more treat. He couldn’t resist trying the Salted Salmon Roe onigiri!
“筋子,” Salted Salmon Roe 600 JPY (tax included)
Bensky’s grin widened at the sight of the rice ball generously filled with sujiko—salmon roe that’s salted while still in its egg casing (unlike ikura which is salted after being removed). The rice ball’s decadence could rival that of high-quality sushi; it’s hard to imagine anyone not drooling over it.
Unable to contain his excitement at the mouthwatering sight of sujiko, Bensky finished it off in a flash.
The fluffy, slightly sweet rice and the sujiko were a match made in heaven. I was so blown away, I actually said ‘Wow!’ out loud. It was loaded with so much sujiko, it was amazing!
Each time the sujiko’s delicious flavors burst in his mouth, a smile crept across Bensky’s face. In fact, Bensky was so pleased with the luxurious onigiri that he decided to buy some to take home for his family.
Rice balls not in the display case are also available for take-out
Fully satisfied after indulging in rice balls made from delicious Japanese rice, and even managing to get some to take home, Bensky was delighted. He had this to say about the rice balls from Togoshi-ya
I had no idea onigiri could be so good. I wish someone had told me about this place sooner!
Togoshi-ya offers around 40 different types of rice balls at any given time. In addition to their regular menu items, they also have limited-time offerings.
Beyond the three kinds Bensky tried, there are plenty more delicious onigiri to explore, so why not visit multiple times and find your favorites?
Information
| Store name | 米がおいしいおにぎり戸越屋 渋谷道玄坂店 Togoshi-ya Shibuya |
|---|---|
| Address | 1F, 2-10-4 Dōgenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
|
| Access |
Shibuya Station（SBY）4-minute walk from Shibuya Station Exit A0
|
| Phone number | 03-6416-1816 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
|
| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | Mon-Fri. 8:00-22:50（last order 22:30）, Sat-Sun., nat’l holidays 10:00-22:50（last order 22:30） |
| Closed | No holidays |
| Seating | 11 counter seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://www.togoshiya.jp/#header |
| Other information |
|
※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of September 2023.
