October 1st 2024.
I recently had the opportunity to try out Manma's premium onigiri in Shinjuku. As someone who has been a fan of Japanese convenience store onigiri for a while now, I couldn't help but notice the significant increase in prices over the years. What used to be a bargain at 120 yen, is now considered cheap as most onigiri are now priced at 160 yen or higher.
However, nothing could have prepared me for the shock of finding a single rice ball priced at a whopping 2,000 yen! And the most surprising part? This onigiri is not some exclusive, gourmet item only available at high-end restaurants in Ginza. It is sold at Manma, a humble onigiri specialty shop located near SoraNews24 HQ in Shinjuku.
I was definitely curious to see what made this onigiri worth more than 10 times the average price. It turns out, Manma is actually the rebranded version of Bongo, a small chain known for making some of the best onigiri in town. So when I saw their Special 20-year Miso Onigiri on the menu, I decided to splurge and keep an open mind before giving it a try.
For those unfamiliar, miso is a paste made by fermenting soybeans for about six months. But for this premium onigiri, Manma uses a special type of miso that takes a whopping 20 years to make. As soon as I unwrapped the plastic packaging, the aroma of miso hit me. It was so strong that I could smell it even before taking a bite.
Unlike most onigiri that are wrapped in seaweed, the Special 20-year Miso Onigiri has a deep brown, almost black color from the miso it is covered in. I was curious to see if there was a special miso filling inside, but to my surprise, there was nothing but rice and miso.
This only heightened my expectations for the taste, as it was clear that Manma/Bongo were confident in the quality of their ingredients. As I took a bite, I expected the rich sweetness and saltiness of miso to hit me, but it was much more complex. The initial sourness was followed by a gradual umami flavor that was both unique and delicious. However, I can see how this sophisticated flavor might not be for everyone.
But then again, a 2,000-yen onigiri is not for everyone either. And while it may not become a part of my daily diet, I have to admit that it was a luxury I was happy to splurge on this time. Who knows, maybe one day I'll even find them at Manma's sister shop in Haneda Airport.
For those interested, Manma is located at Shinjuku Sanchome and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Trust me, it's worth a visit, especially for the unique and delicious onigiri. And if you want to stay updated on all the latest articles from SoraNews24, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
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