Bunji

Choose two rice balls from the display, then have them served on a tray with a rolled omelette, a small side dish and miso soup. Bunji’s rice-ball set is not about showiness; it is a quietly satisfying lunch, pairing the sweetness of fluffy rice with carefully prepared sides. Made with rice supplied by farmers and shaped by hand, the generously sized rice balls come with a range of straightforward fillings, from flaked salmon and Japanese-style tuna mayonnaise to the more substantial spam and egg. The accompanying rolled omelette is moist and thick, while the gently flavoured, dashi-rich miso soup brings the meal together as an unpretentious everyday treat.

The care given to rice and dashi carries through to the set-menu Japanese-style gapao rice. Seasoned with dashi as a subtle accent and made without coriander, this soboro rice has a moderate heat that brings out the flavour of the rice in an approachable dish. It also comes as a set meal with rolled omelette and miso soup, making it a good fit when you want a satisfying lunch.

For an after-meal treat or a break over tea, look for the old-fashioned pudding, made with just eggs, milk and sugar. Its firm, traditional texture meets a distinctly bittersweet caramel, making it a pleasing match for freshly brewed coffee or Japanese black tea.

The calm, uncluttered interior is said to have been created by renovating a room in an apartment building. With limited seating, it suits a quiet solo meal or an unhurried conversation with a small group in the afternoon. You can take your time over a nourishing set meal inside, or take rice balls away—a useful option when you would rather eat elsewhere.