Onigiri Shop Mamma — Restaurant in Tokyo

We thought this was a sister branch from Onigiri Bongo that we had visited previously and tried to give it a go. Boy was it the worse experience we have had. When we arrived that their sliding doors, we could see that the male waiting staff was reluctant to let us in. Seeing as we are foreigners. We were finally shown into our seats and begun to order. The staff assumed that we knew how their ordering system was like (in order left to right, per person). We had elderly with us so of course we would order for them first. The staff didn’t even bother to correct us when we had to order out of turn and had the audacity to say “tsk, 最悪です“ to his colleague after taking our order. Which roughly translates to: well that was the worst. Thinking that we didn’t understand Japanese. Lastly, when it came to settling the bill. We notified the same male staff that mistreated us earlier and he told us to wait. Which was standard practice until he told another colleague that we would like to pay. Actively avoiding us.

The joke of a service we got aside, the food was average as best. Could even hold a candle to their Bongo counterpart. Bongo’s had more and fresher filling so overall the taste was leagues better.

TL.DR: Just...

Onigiri Shop Mamma feels less foreigner-friendly at first glance, as the menu isn’t in English(they have a English but the items were quite different), but Google Translate works and the staff were very nice and accommodating. This place seems to stick to a more traditional approach. I ordered the beef + egg yolk onigiri and it was extremely sweet and salty — honestly, I wasn’t sure how anyone could eat it without the miso soup. The rice held the fillings really well, and they packed more ingredients inside than other onigiri I’ve tried.

The salmon + salmon roe onigiri had the same issue: very salty, and again, without miso soup it would have been difficult to enjoy. The flavour profile is rich and intense, which shows the craftsmanship and tradition of the store, but it wasn’t quite suited to my palate.

If you enjoy onigiri with strong, bold flavours and don’t mind the sweetness and saltiness being very pronounced, this place is worth a try. For me, it was a solid experience, but not something I’d...

Onigiri Mamma in Shinjuku is an excellent spot for anyone craving delicious, authentic onigiri. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it a perfect place for a casual meal or a quick snack. The staff is friendly and welcoming, offering top-notch service that makes you feel right at home.

As for the onigiri, they are outstanding. The rice is perfectly cooked, sticky yet fluffy, and the fillings are flavorful, ranging from traditional options like salted salmon to more creative ones like pickled plum. The seaweed is fresh and crisp, complementing the rice and fillings well. You can also enjoy a variety of side dishes, all prepared with the same attention to quality and flavor.

The portion sizes are generous, offering great value for money, especially considering the quality of the food. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular, Onigiri Mamma never fails to deliver a satisfying experience. Highly recommended for anyone...