"Onigiri" that every Japanese person would have eaten at least once. It is no exaggeration to say that the "ultimate form" has been achieved at the rice ball specialty store "Bongo" in Otsuka, Tokyo.

It's a popular shop where you can get in line depending on the time of day. Excuse me, isn't it amazing that people line up for rice balls? What is the attraction you care about ...? I have confirmed it with my eyes and tongue!

◆ Attractive part 1, many menus

Onigiri made with Koshihikari from Niigata has a lineup of more than 50 types of rice balls for 250 yen (tax included, same below), 300 yen, and 550 yen. You can double the amount of ingredients for an additional 50 yen, or you can put two kinds of ingredients in one rice ball. The combinations are endless!


I was worried, but this time I ordered one sujiko (250 yen) and one sujiko (550 yen).

◆ Attractive part 2, texture

Don't hold the bongo rice balls. All you have to do is wrap plenty of ingredients in crispy seaweed. Therefore, when you eat it, you can enjoy the unique texture that makes the rice fluffy and loose in your mouth. Although the rice has a solid grain, it is not heavy, so you can eat as many as you like!

◆ Attractiveness # 3, many ingredients

And, no matter where you eat it, it's filled with plenty of ingredients that will flow in from the first bite. The sujiko is fluffy, pops and spreads in a trolley, and the salty and rich flavor is irresistible!



It's not just a rice ball, it's like a bite of freshly cooked rice and side dishes. The rice is so grainy and contains plenty of ingredients. This rice ball is worth lining up!

◆ The best-by date for take-out is 180 minutes

I wanted to pursue more bongo because it was so delicious, so I took it home and made an additional order. From the "topping" rice balls that you can choose from two ingredients, we asked for the restaurant's recommended "Shirasu + Mamakeha" (300 yen) and "Bacon + cheese" (350 yen).


Shirasu + Mamake has plenty of shirasu boiled in a soft and fluffy pot! Mamakeha is Yamagata's sweet and spicy Jiuqu miso. The spiciness of the sardine brings out the umami of the shirasu, and the next bite is aroused.


Bacon + cheese is a Western-style rice ball that melts and spreads the flavor of bacon. Once you put it on, it won't stop because of its richness and sweetness ...! Bacon is seasoned with soy sauce and mirin, so it goes well with rice.


According to Bongo, rice balls are "raw, not preserved foods." It is very fragile, so if you want to take it home, please consume it within 3 hours. It's because we are particular about the texture and freshness of the rice balls.

Since the seats are only counters, the rotation is fast, and even if they are lined up, I think they can enter relatively quickly. It also accepts orders over the phone, so it might be a good idea to use it for lunch meetings, events, parties, etc. in the office. If you like rice, you should definitely visit this shop.