A sophisticated Japanese lunch featuring rice as the star, to be enjoyed in Kyobashi. The signature “Kini Naru Gozen” set meal

A while back, I was taken to “Kini Naru Shoku Kyobashi” for a company welcome lunch. I remember being so impressed—I thought, “What a sophisticated and stylish restaurant!” Back then, I was so nervous that all I remember is that “it was really stylish and the rice was delicious” (laughs), so I decided to go back this time to savor the meal at a leisurely pace!

Although I was tempted by the “Tai-meshi Set Meal,” which generously features sea bream from Uwajima, I decided I wanted to savor that memorable “Ki ni Naru Set Meal (1,800 yen, tax included)” one more time, so I ordered it. As someone from Niigata, I’m delighted to see this set meal made with Koshihikari rice from Sado Island.

This is a generous set meal featuring plain Sado Koshihikari rice, served with an assortment of appetizers, sashimi, bonito flakes, pickled egg yolk, and a dashi-based egg sauce. It’s the restaurant’s signature meal, offering two ways to enjoy it in one sitting—you can eat it as is, or pour the dashi-based egg sauce over the rice to enjoy it ocha-zuke-style.

First, I enjoy the glossy, steaming rice alongside spicy wasabi-seasoned nori, thick slices of sea bream and octopus sashimi, and an array of elaborate appetizers (including vinegared dishes, simmered dishes, grilled items, and fried foods).There were so many side dishes that I polished off my first heaping bowl of rice in the blink of an eye!

I panicked, thinking, “But I still have the bonito flakes, pickled egg yolk, and dashi egg sauce left!” but there was no need to worry. Thankfully, refills on rice are free with this set meal. Last time, of course, I didn’t have the stomach for a second helping, and I don’t even remember how I ate the pickled egg yolk. Maybe I just drank it all down (lol). Determined to savor every bite this time, I asked for a second helping.

Another full serving of rice arrived. I was already pretty full, but… I topped the rice with a pickled egg yolk and bonito flakes, poured the creamy dashi-egg sauce over it, and ate it like ochazuke.The rich marinated egg yolk and the gentle broth blended together perfectly, and it went down so smoothly that before I knew it, I’d polished off my second bowl of rice! I even had time to leisurely savor the dessert (warabi mochi that day), leaving both my stomach and my heart completely satisfied!

The open and relaxed atmosphere inside makes it the perfect spot for a welcome lunch or a treat for yourself. I was struck by how many adults came in alone to enjoy a leisurely lunch once the peak hours had passed.It gets crowded at lunchtime, so I recommend making a reservation in advance!

I was also really intrigued by the “Yonaki Tai Soba” on the dinner menu, so I’d definitely like to visit for dinner next time!