969 NYC Coffee

"Since opening in Jackson Heights in 2016, 969 Coffee has been a favorite of neighborhood regulars — both for its onigirazu (a sandwich with a bun of rice), and its genial owner Mitsumine Oda. (The business name is reportedly related to his favorite number, not the address.) Though the shop with a small seating area in front serves great coffee, it’s known for its Japanese snacks. There’s no menu listing for the variations on the onigirazu sandwich, but try the chicken katsu or shrimp patty, also layered with avocado, carrots, and American cheese." - Emma Orlow, Robert Sietsema

"The neighborhood boasts a solid number of Asian restaurants — Thai, Filipino, Chinese American, and of course, Indian — though there’s no Japanese option quite like 969 NYC Coffee. Owner Mitsumine Oda offers nearly a dozen different onigiri options, which he sometimes fashions into heart-shaped rice balls filled with everything from kaarage to pickled plums. But that’s not all: He serves ramen with green tea noodles, crispy shrimp tempura, and there’s a decent selection of Japanese snacks like sesame mochi and seaweed snacks, plus some of the best matcha in town." - Robert Sietsema

"In 2016, Mitsumine Oda opened 969 Coffee, a Jackson Heights coffee and Japanese snacks shop specializing in onigirazu; back then it was one of the only purveyors of the dish in New York, according to a New York Times review." - Emma Orlow

"Since opening in Jackson Heights in 2016, 969 Coffee has been a favorite of neighborhood regulars — both for its onigirazu (a rice-based sandwich) and its genial owner Mitsumine Oda." - Eater Staff

"969 NYC Coffee is a pleasant little Japanese café that specializes in coffee, matcha whipped as you watch, and onigiri (rice balls). Located on a side street, it has a yellow awning, a pleasant outdoor seating area with tables, and tight interior that looks like any other coffee bar, only instead of doughnuts and bagels, it serves rice balls." - Robert Sietsema