Peter D.
Yelp
If you are looking for a clean, tasty Japanese lunch in a bright, unadorned space, you've come to the right spot. I feel like I could eat Rice & Miso's simple fare every day and be a healthy man.*
They specialize in onigiri, and these brown rice balls flavored with tuna and mayo, or grassfed beef, or the original scallion miso paste will hit that spot if you have a craving. All are well constructed and served inside a sheet of nori, almost like a taco. I like to add a few sprays of tamari soy, but you do you.
Personally, if I want a $4 snack in the hood I'm more of an actual taco (or empanada guy), so I prefer the more balanced meal and better value of the bento boxes.**
The chicken option (tofu is the other choice that I've never made) comes with two onigiri, two osozai, excellent miso soup, and a few small pieces of shio koji marinated chicken. There's a hint of lemon, and they are perfectly tender and hugely flavorful, especially with the red yuzu kosho*** that offers a nice splash of color and spice.
The osozai (sides) are what make the meal, though. Every one of these little salads has hit the spot so far. The gomaae, the curried cauliflower, the squash...get something fermented and you're going to like it.
To be clear: this is everyday food. It may not blow you away, but it certainly feels like I'm taking care of my mind and body when I sit in Rice & Miso's minimalist space, listening to jazz and eating some fairly healthy fare.
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*I must say though, I often eat out because I can get food cooked with more butter and salt than I have the stones to make at home. This is not that place.
**If there's one thing I don't love about this little shop, it's the very odd decision not to serve the bento boxes until 12 noon. You open at 11:30 am and there are like five things on the menu. Why not serve them all when you open, instead of waiting a half hour? Or just open at noon with the full menu?
***The owner of Rice & Miso tells me that this sauce is often green, but they prefer red because of the color contrast. I just know it tastes delicious.