Onigiri Bongo

Finally had the chance to check out Ongiri Bongo in Otsuka Tokyo!! Amazing freshly made onigiri made only when ordered. We couldn’t get a seat in the small 6 seater restaurant so we went to a nice park nearby to have our delicious onigiri. The rice was warm and wrapped in fresh seaweed. Each filling was perfectly seasoned too. Definitely going back again

I queued close to 2 hours for the onigiri here but I don't think it was worth the time and effort. I expected more from the onigiri but the ingredients weren't tasty enough. It's definitely different from the onigiri you get at convenience stores, but that time could really be put into other things or activities.

Onigiri that garners a long queue before opening. Come about 15 to 30 minutes before opening time to avoid long wait times. The server will take your order while in queue and even serve you hot tea as well. The onigiri is filling and stuffed with ingredients. The tsujiko onigiri had enough salmon roe that it actually started becoming pretty salty. You can order online to skip the queue - seems like a good option since onigiri is a good takeaway food.

Definitely recommend! The onigiris we’re really really nice, and our favourite was definitely the egg&soy onigiri. We also tried the salmon and mayo(which was also really good) and a couple of the meat ones. We thought the meat ones end up being a bit dry, but they also have is the option to add an egg (which we said no at the time but actually would probably have made them perfect, so I would recommend trying!). We had to wait a bit outside but overall the line moves quickly. They also do take away which is much quicker!

I heard about this restaurant from a famous YouTube channel, so I should’ve known it would be busy, but it was worth the wait! The line can definitely be long! In the early afternoon, I waited outside around 30 or 40 minutes before getting into the restaurant. While I didn’t do this myself, I heard you can skip the line by ordering onigiri for pick up by phone in Japanese. If true, this would save a lot of time! The staff primarily only speak Japanese, so for tourists, I definitely recommend asking your hotel front desk for assistance calling and ordering! When I got to the chairs in front of the entrance, a staff member provided an English menu and took my order. The inside is small with limited seating, which might explain the size of the line. I’ve also heard you can sit and get as many free refills of soup and tea as you want, but I personally felt pressured to finished my meal as soon as possible to make room for the people in the line behind me. The service was quick. It only took five minutes after sitting down to get my onigiri. The soup and tea were good, and the onigiri were great! They’re large, delicious, and better than any from a cobini! They are more expensive than cobini onigiri, but they have a lot of fresh flavor and filling is packed in for a good ratio compared to the amount of rice used! Three of them were enough to fill me up! I liked this restaurant enough to try to stop by a few other times when I was in the area, but the line was always so long that I had to skip it. But I do think it’s worth getting at least once if you’re visiting, even with the line!

The famous Onigiri place in Japan 🇯🇵 Everything made fresh to order We were there about half an hour before they open and there were some people lining up already The owner came out from the store to greet us and gave us and other people chairs and hot green tea 🍵 while waiting for the open what a great hospitality!!! It wasnt a long wait but the line was starting to build up For the onigiri 🍙 i would say that this is one of the best so far i have had before You can choose from the menu or you can also customize your own!! But to be honest it is really good!! The price is really reasonable and you should order their miso soup as well it goes well with the onigiri 🍙 I will definitely come back next time when i visit Tokyo!!!

Located in the Ōtsuka neighborhood of Tokyo, Onigiri Bongo (ぼんご) is a beloved local eatery that has earned a reputation as one of the city’s must-visit spots for authentic rice balls. Despite its modest size, the shop is constantly buzzing with customers, and it’s not uncommon to see a line forming outside. That anticipation, combined with the aroma of freshly cooked rice, instantly sets the stage for something special. Generous and Flavorful Onigiri What sets Bongo apart from ordinary convenience store rice balls is the sheer quality and craftsmanship. Each onigiri is made to order, served warm, and generously sized—substantially larger than the typical variety. The rice is perfectly cooked, each grain plump and distinct, while the nori (seaweed) is thick and aromatic, wrapping everything together in a satisfying bite. The fillings are where Bongo truly shines. The menu boasts an incredible variety, ranging from classics like salted salmon, mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and kombu (kelp), to more adventurous options such as natto, fried chicken, or even cheese-and-egg salad. Watching the skilled staff behind the counter shape each rice ball with practiced hands is almost as enjoyable as eating them. Every bite delivers a comforting balance of warm rice, savory filling, and crisp nori. Local Vibes Although Bongo is popular among tourists, it has retained a strong local charm. Seating is primarily at the counter, allowing guests to watch the onigiri masters at work. The interaction feels casual and down-to-earth, with staff often chatting with regulars and first-timers alike. The friendly, unpretentious atmosphere adds to the experience, making it feel less like dining at a restaurant and more like being welcomed into a neighborhood tradition. A Taste of Ōtsuka For decades, Bongo has been considered a culinary landmark in Ōtsuka. Many locals regard its onigiri as the taste of home—a simple yet comforting meal that fits seamlessly into daily life. Whether it’s grabbing a rice ball before work in the morning or enjoying one late at night on the way home, Bongo’s offerings are woven into the rhythm of the community. Overall Impression If Tokyo’s upscale dining scene represents the city’s glamorous side, then Onigiri Bongo in Ōtsuka showcases its heart and soul. The food is straightforward but made with remarkable care, resulting in flavors that are both nostalgic and deeply satisfying. For visitors, eating at Bongo isn’t just about enjoying delicious onigiri—it’s also about experiencing a piece of Tokyo’s everyday culture. Whether you’re a first-time traveler seeking authentic Japanese comfort food or a returning guest craving something familiar, Bongo delivers an unforgettable taste of local life, one rice ball at a time.

Very delicious, good portion good price good taste and also good service! With English and Chinese menu too. Highly recommended! Not far from the station, easy find this store.

This place was so good and worth the wait. You wait outside if it's busy - we got there 15 mins before opening on a weekday and there was a line. Luckily we were the first few in line so didn't wait too too long but it was closer to an hour wait. It was chilly that day and the workers got us hot tea to drink while waiting. They also take your order outside. They have an English menu available but you can also find it online to save time. There are so many options to choose from. The onigiri themselves are HUGE. We each got a set that comes with 2 onigiri, a miso soup, and a refillable hot tea all for 800yen. Service was amazing. Everyone was so nice and attentive. They only allow pictures inside and no videos.

Finally tried the famous onigiris! Their serving sizes are huge. We didn't have to experience any sort of wait, since we ordered it for delivery via UberEats. The best ones here were the onigiris with the soy-marinated egg yolks! Those and the tuna ones were my fav. It's definitely on the pricier side compared to other spots in that area. I didn't find anything too unique from this spot, apart from the onigiris with the egg yolks too. However, they were still delicious and I'd still recommend them!

Everything you want out of onigiri, but turn it up to 11 The staff is so nice and accommodating, and luckily on a weekday the line was non-existent at lunchtime The list of onigiri can be overwhelming but luckily they have multiple language menus to explain what each one is I opted for a good mix so I got salted egg yolk, squid with spicy roe, chicken karaage, and the short neck clam and each bite was better than the last The onigiri is stacked with a large mound of rice, and stuffed that each bite had filling coming out (in the best way) Insane, worth the wait, this puts the 7-11/Family mart onigiri to shame and I can't wait to try other flavors

I give Onigir Bongo not because of quality or service but in due to the wait time and what customers are willing to endure. Every day we were in Tokyo the line was really long all day and night. Sad that we could not get a chance to visit them.

Onigiri to me, without any relation to resemblance, is like potato chips. I can't have just one and I get random cravings for them. Onigiro Bongo is a place that completely satisfies this craving and is also a fine location to fall into a food coma. Unlike your standard onigiri, the portions are much larger and the fillings are very generous so for each bite, you won't get just nori and rice. This is a famous venue so expect a long wait. I waited about 1.5 hours and upon entering, I understood why. Like most places in Japan, there's maybe only about ~12 seats at the bar where you'll find one person making the all the onigiri orders. The other staff are doing the other prep work for the onigiris so it's like a very small production line. They work fairly quickly so once inside, you don't wait very long to receive your order. I tried a variety of onigiris and they were all fantastic. The menu is extensive with a lot to choose from. But with limited stomach space, I went for the minced ground beef & egg yolk, salmon with mayo, and the salted roe and salmon. All were very delicious! One thing to note tho is the salted roe is JUST that. Salty...very salty. But the rice and salmon did help balance that out. The wait is all entirely outdoors so be prepared for whatever weather is forecasted. When I went, it was very hot and sunny but occasionally, the staff checked on the line and provided cold green tea to everyone waiting. And as you get closer, there are umbrellas available which the staff handed out to shade us from the sun.

Happened to be staying caddy corner to Bongo, which is apparently the most famous onigiri place in Tokyo, and noticed one afternoon that the line looked unusually short. After having read that people often wait two, three, sometimes even four hours for these onigiri, we thought we'd give it a shot. We ended up only waiting an hour, which seems like a lucky break. At the time of this writing there were 57 different varieties of onigiri on the menu. I ordered three of the "top ten" onigiri and could only finish two. They're huge... and bursting with umami flavor. Watching the owner and her staff whip the rice balls up is incredible and you'll be tempted to film the whole thing on your phone until the miso soup comes and the guy working in front of you reminds you that it's best to drink your soup before it gets cold. If you don't finish an onigiri they will pack it up for you and it should stay good for a few hours. If you're willing to brave the potentially long wait, these large, delicious onigiri will really expand your perception of what a rice ball can be, and also expand your belly. Highly recommended.

I waited 2 hours for this onigiri in the summer heat and I honestly do not think it was worth it. At the end of the day, it's a piece of lightly salted seaweed wrapping around a generous portion of rice and you can add any filling! For ¥900, it's not bad and this comes with tofu miso soup. I maybe would wait 15-30min and this would be good. But waiting 2 hours was way too much. I got their marinated egg yolk and mentaiko squid. It was very very filled. I was so full by the end of this. It was okay honestly. As a tourist, maybe you'd want to try this once!

Don't come when you're hungry! Came around 3:30pm on a Monday and had to wait almost 4 hours. There are 9 seats available inside, so it was almost 7:30pm by the time we were seated. You order your food outside when you're at the front of the line. It was nice that around 6-7pm, they started giving out hot tea to the customers waiting at the front. They make each onigiri by hand so it does take some time(20min) before you get your food. Even though they take your order while you're outside, they only start making it after you're seated to keep your food as fresh as possible, and to keep the seaweed from getting soggy. You also get to watch them make the onigiri in front of you. We ordered curry, egg yolk soaked in soy sauce, cream cheese with salted salmon roe, egg yolk and meat soboro, and salted salmon roe and sake. Surprisingly, the cream cheese with salmon roe was my favorite by far. All the workers were very friendly, and reminded you that you can get unlimited free refills for your hot tea and miso soup. When they saw your bowl or cup empty, they check in to ask if you wanted more. Would I come and wait in line again? No, but it was a nice experience watching them make our food. I will be calling in to go next time!

Calling in advance a week ahead helped us beat the 3 hour line. Just say "O kai mochi shi tai-n desu" for takeout. You can combine options together

Worth the 2 hour wait! Go early, we got in line at 9:30 am (shop does not open until 11:30) and we were 5th in line. Everything was delicious, we got the mentaiko cream cheese, cheese, beef tendon, mayo salmon, spicy mentaiko, tuna mayo, ikura, and soy marinated egg yolk. I highly recommend the mentaiko with cream cheese, egg yolk, and the tuna or salmon mayo classics. Spot is right across from the train station and is really hard to miss.

I had heard about this place and was quite excited. I love jellyfish and uni so I had ordered the onigiri with combination of both. Unfortunately first few bites were pungent. Maybe it was me, or maybe it wasn't. For what it is worth my husband love all his onigiris. Not sure if I would wait an hr for onigiri again.

Waited in line for over an hour to eat at this small place seating maybe a dozen diners at a time. If you enjoy onigiri, then you will definitely enjoy Bongo. There was a single onigiri maker behind the counter and he was so skillful in what me does. Each onigiri formed to the exact triangular proportion adjusted for the fillings and nori wrapping. The way he makes the onigiris is just mesmerizing. If you don't want the nori, he can make it naked. There's about 50 different fillings you can choose from. The other staff members serve the customers with everything else. A wet hand towel and tea to start you off with. If you're in line, grab a menu, pen and paper they provide and jot down your order (by number if off the English menu). Miso soup and ocha is freely refillable. Expect to spend about ¥1,000 for a set of 3 onigiris and miso soup. Highly recommend this place if in the Otsuka Station area and looking for an enjoyable and filling snack/meal. Open until midnight.

Waited for 2.5 hours in the cold. My friends and I all got the Salmon and Salmon Roe onigiri since it was one of their bestsellers and a few other choices. Most of the onigiri's were flat out TOO salty. The pork kimchi was good. They gave free tea and the people were really nice. Good service

Relaxed and friendly shop in laid-back Otsuka featuring onigiri rice balls with a variety of stuffings. Lunchtime deal of 2 (or 3) onigiri + miso soup for 570 and 820 yen, respectively. It's a filling meal; even with two of the rice balls for a late lunch I only needed a light dinner. So it's a good place to stop for lunch while doing a daylong walk through Tokyo. Shop interior is friendly, and there's an open counter where the ingredients are displayed and you can watch the chefs at work.

Onigiri Bongo, おにぎりぼんご is worth checking out when in Tokyo if you love onigiri (Japanese rice ball) as much as we do. Located in Otsuka, just a station away from Ikebukuro, it is known for its made to order onigiri and the menu is a few pages! We arrived 45 mins prior to opening and there was already a line up. We were early enough to get in on the first seating. It was quite fascinating seeing the ladies behind the counter work their way through the orders. We ordered salted cod roe, cured egg, uni, salmon roe, salmon flake, curry onigiri and the sets come with miso. Within 30 mins, they had already refilled their rice bucket twice. Will I go back again next visit? Absolutely because I am a big believer that good food doesn't need to be complicated. .

This place was great! I went with my girlfriend for a late afternoon lunch and the staff there was all smiles and happy to help. One of them even looked up an English phrase on his phone so he could communicate with us. The food itself is filling if you get a variety of onigiri and chow down. The miso soup was also very tasty. Definitely a must eat if you're in the area. Good food and reasonably priced. English menu is available.

Nice rice balls, relaxed decor, very friendly and helpful staff. They have a menu in English.