An incredible value, budget-friendly tempura rice bowl <！Recommended by a Japanese food show: "Kaneko Hannosuke"

Text and photos byHappy Yun

The tempura rice bowl at "Kaneko Hannosuke" in Nihonbashi<相信是来到东京的朋友们的美食口袋名单，尤其是在被黄金传奇报导过之后，据说要排两个小时的队伍丫，哇！！真是排队排到晕倒丫！！

On this trip to Tokyo, thanks to my friends Xiao A and Xiao V, who reminded me not to miss this amazing place; they even suggested getting there before it opens to be among the first batch to enjoy the food...... I took note, but for me, who came to Tokyo for a leisurely stroll, having to specifically find this shop and mentally prepare to wait two hours just for a bowl of tempura rice, not even knowing if it’s any good—that didn’t really fit my relaxing walk itinerary!!

The reason I ended up in Nihonbashi that day was actually by chance; I was on my way to "Meiji Shrine" and took the subway, passing through the Nihonbashi station. Thinking I hadn’t gotten off to see what Nihonbashi was like, I decided to get off and check out the area. While I was there, I thought I’d Google "Kaneko Hannosuke in Nihonbashi" and found it was less than five minutes away—so why not go explore? I figured if I couldn’t eat there, I could at least take some photos of the people lining up outside.

So with that casual mindset, I followed Google Maps and arrived here, weaving through high-rise alleys. Could such a super-popular shop really be here?? I had my doubts!! Just as the map indicated I’d reached the destination, the scene before me was quite unfamiliar—it didn’t look like the pictures my friend had shown me. Did Google Maps make a mistake??

Why was the indicated spot a "Western-style" restaurant, with someone even handing out flyers at the entrance—this...... where was the crowd? How could this be the legendary Nihonbashi "Kaneko Hannosuke"?? Then, in a nearby alley, I suddenly spotted a few Japanese people waiting in line. Curious, I walked over to see what this place served.

I saw a sign embedded in the wall that read "Kaneko Hannosuke." The shop sign was so understated, almost like a wind lion god embedded in a wall in Kinmen. I looked again to confirm—isn’t this the shop I’m looking for?? But why weren’t there many people, and why did it look different from the photos? Could it be a similar shop??

I took a photo of the sign and asked Xiao A online. He said I probably went to a branch. He told me what to order and that I could pay extra for a bowl of miso soup..... With that, I felt relieved and joined the line of office workers.

After about twenty minutes, it was finally my turn!! When I opened the door and went inside, I was slightly shocked—how small is this place? I counted only 13 seats. Isn’t that too few?? The seating area surrounds an open kitchen, which actually felt pretty nice and quite upscale!! Wow!! I wonder if the meal will be expensive!!

After being seated, I looked at the menu, and the staff confirmed again whether what I wanted matched what I’d asked about before entering. Then, in Japanese I couldn’t understand, they gestured that the first three small side dishes were all-you-can-eat.

Looking at the other diners around me, I followed their lead, picking up small plates and dividing the three side dishes onto three separate plates, ready to start eating!!

I checked the prices on the menu again; yes, it was the tempura rice bowl I’d planned to eat.<是980日圆(也不知含不含税)心想说该加点味增汤，但云看不懂日文，想说等会再来比手划脚好噜！

Before long, the staff brought out white rice, miso soup, and the tempura dipping sauce (with grated radish)!! There’s no need to order anything extra here!!

It’s all included, or will I have to pay extra later?? I wasn’t sure, but I figured I’d just eat first!!

Looking at the open kitchen, the chefs were focused on frying the tempura—I could hear the sizzling sound of the oil and the shamisen music playing from the speakers. It was such an immersive vibe!! It felt like a chef’s table experience!!

Wow!! This feels amazing. I counted the seats again—there really were 13. There were five staff members—the service team and chefs cooking the food. Wow!! Five people serving thirteen customers—that’s some pretty high-end service!!

Before long, the staff started placing freshly fried tempura pieces one by one onto the customers’ plates, giving some verbal instructions in Japanese. Watching everyone enjoy their meals with delight and smelling the aroma in the air, my stomach started growling—I was hungry!!

While snacking on the side dishes and waiting, it was soon my turn!! I watched the staff’s swift movements as they neatly arranged the fried pieces on the plate. In a separate container was a single "fried egg"—it had a crispy outer layer and a soft yolk inside, looking absolutely delicious. The staff suggested placing it on top of the rice and adding seasonings to taste.

Wow!! This is such a decadent egg rice bowl!! So delicious!! The crispy thin egg white added a different texture, making it even tastier!! It was so good that the plate quickly filled up. Although it didn’t look like the version from the main store, which was piled high and almost overflowing, I actually liked this style—cooking, serving, and eating it right away. This kind of service is truly a pleasure!!

I thought that was it, but as I ate, the empty spaces on the plate kept getting refilled!! Wow!! This time there was also fish and vegetables....... Suddenly, the iron plate was full again, haha, keep eating; it felt like the more I ate, the more appeared. It was such a magical feeling!!

The freshly fried tempura was absolutely delicious!! I especially loved the little balls made from diced squid—they had such a tasty texture, both flavorful and chewy, it was just........ amazing. To be honest, every bite of tempura felt like it came with so much care and appreciation—it was so good!! I couldn’t help but think that to myself.

And with the sizzling oil sounds and the shamisen music in the background, it really added to the atmosphere. It felt like a premium restaurant’s tableside service—it was truly impressive. Everyone was quietly eating, heads down, but I couldn’t stop taking photos with my camera. I have to admit, the ambiance made it hard to take proper photos, but I just wanted to enjoy the delicious meal.

Wow!! Savoring each delicious bite was such a treat!! Drinking the miso soup and eating the pickled sides, I really loved the food and the atmosphere. The Japanese customers nearby cleared their tables pretty quickly—maybe they were office workers nearby who had to get back to work!! I slowly finished this wonderful meal, took a sip of hot tea, and reluctantly got ready to leave. When I picked up the bill to pay at the counter, I naturally took out two thousand-yen bills, thinking 980 yen might be before tax!! But the staff smiled and said something in Japanese I didn’t understand, handed back one of the thousand-yen bills, and gave me a 20-yen coin as change.

Ah!! What a surprise—it was so cheap!! Suddenly, ramen seemed a bit expensive in comparison!!

Leaving the sister shop of Nihonbashi “Kaneko Hannosuke,” there were still a few people waiting in line. Compared to the main store, which was packed with people as shown in the online photos, it felt very different. Even the way the food was presented had a more elegant touch; the flavors were just right for me. Wow!! This is such an amazing shop—it’s definitely one of the best value spots in Tokyo for me. I’m so happy that getting lost and a bit of coincidence led me to such a great place; I hope I get to visit again in the future!!

Nihonbashi Tempura Rice Kaneko Hannosuke (Sister Shop of Nihonbashi “Kaneko Hannosuke”)
Website:http://www.hannosuke.com/shop/
Address: 1-4-3 Honcho, Nihonbashi, Chuo City
Access: 3-minute walk from Exit A1 of Mitsukoshimae Station
Phone: 03-6262-3734
Business Hours:
Mon–Fri 11:00–22:00 (Last Order 21:30)
Sat 10:00–21:00 (Last Order 20:30)

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