Mukai — Restaurant in Tokyo

After getting off from Shinsen station, the eldest lead us to our lunch place. I was surprised that the place just look like any residential home except for a signboard outside next to the road. When we knocked on the door, we were greeted by a young man who led us into the house. This is a place that served seafood donburi. They have 4 bowls to chose from and you could have white rice or 5 grains rice as well as choice of either rice with white vinegar or red vinegar. I chose white rice with red vinegar. The rice with red vinegar tasted stronger of rice vinegar and offered layers of complexity. You could also choose the amount of rice. For soy, they offered the normal soy sauce as well as dashi soy sauce which is soy sauce with dashi (softer taste and not as salty). My premium bowl has tuna, salmon, ikura, uni and it is really good value. You finished off by pouring over some clam soup stock into the bowl with a little bit of rice and seafood left. You get a porridge mixture that brings together everything. All in, a very good meal and only cost us about 8100 yen (about S$70) for 4 person and that includes a small bottle of Haikkaisan sake. Really good value compared to what we will pay for...

I would go here every day if I could 😭 💚 We went 3x on our trip to Tokyo in 2024, there's always a line, but very reasonable, just need to be mindful since it's located in a very quiet neighborhood. Try to arrive early. 🏡The vibe is like visiting an Ojisan's house, you'll be seated in a small dining room or outside terrace overlooking a zen garden. 🍚 There's only 4-5 menu of Kaisendon (seafood rice bowl), same dish but different portioning of uni and ikura and types of fish. Don't worry they have English menu. 🥢You can choose light or normal shōyu, I prefer light since the rice (2 types, I always choose white sushi rice) and toppings are already so flavorful and made with fresh sea food. 🍶After you're almost done, don't forget to pour ochazuke and make your dish into a soup dish. It's a bit fishy for my taste, so I usually waited until the very end with little portion left. 🔪 You can see the chef in action from where you're seated, do say "gochisousamadeshita" before you leave as a sign of appreciation. 💸 I have never tried the viral Tsujihan, but I know this one is more affordable. In where I live, this could easily be...

The food and service from the staff was great. The portions were large (we added extra portion seafood). The seafood quality was fresh and delicious. The waitresses were very kind and attentive. I was stuffed by the end of the meal.

My only negative was that the hours on google say the store opens at 10:45 am. However, we got there at 10:35 and there was already a small line waiting. I thought “Great, when 10:45 rolls around, we’re surely going to get in right away!” When it turned to 10:45 am, no one was let in. Everyone in line was very confused as to why they weren’t opening. We all stood waiting for almost 25 minutes before a random couple exited the restaurant and finally someone from the line was allowed in. That’s when we realized the restaurant was already full and that’s why the line wasn’t moving. They let a bunch of people in way before opening time. It wasn’t a huge deal, but it would have been nice to have known prior to coming here and the restaurant should really update their opening hours if it is now earlier...