Love this new dining concept from Yamamoto Nori in Nihonbashi. The historic shop was founded in 1849. A famous shop for nori. It was Japan’s first drive-through shop! This location is retail with a small counter for eight guests in one corner.
Lunch is rice served in an ohitsu wooden vessel and freshly roasted nori. It is kept warm in a small wooden box with a wee piece of toasty charcoal underneath. Twelve fillings are presented. Marinated creamy egg yolk. Unagi with fresh sansho leaf. Tuna sashimi. Smoked sturgeon and caviar. My favorite was the shin natto which included dried natto giving it an unexpected crunchy texture.
Diners select between two sets. I went with my friend, Iron Chef @kimiononaga of Nihonbashi Yukari. I love his creativity and this new natto is a perfect example of his imagination. This set is 3,630 yen ($23). There is an option of upgrading the nori to 5,280 yen ($34).
The other lunch set is by Yumiko Ukon of the popular @onigiri_bongo in Otsuka. Her menu is 1,980 yen ($13). The rice served is Niigata Koshihikari. There is also a small plastic holder to hold the nori while filling with rice and toppings.
Yamamoto Nori
Note this is a new/temporary location. See the address below. The last location is currently under renovation (for up to about six years I believe).
This lunch is very popular. I have tried going many times in the past but the waitlist was too long. I was delighted to get seated when I tried recently.
Food Sake Tokyo 