bowl

One visitor went in expecting a rice-bowl restaurant and was pleasantly surprised to find pasta and appetisers on offer too—a story that captures the breadth of the menu. Lunch might bring a daily set meal, pasta or a rice bowl topped with fish, and one visitor recalled a choice of 4 daily lunch options. The hamachi and sugi rice bowl served on one visit stood out for the pleasantly chewy texture of the fish. On another day, roast beef rice came with marinated salmon, salad and tomato soup. Whether you’re in the mood for meat or fish, there’s a range of lunch dishes to suit.

The pasta is worth a look, too. One visitor followed a recommendation and ordered the Bolognese, finding that the minced-meat-and-tomato sauce clung well to the noodles, whose chewy texture was another highlight. Other options include minced-meat ragù, a tomato sauce packed with vegetables, and a cream sauce with toasted nori. Another visitor remembered a lunch of pasta with nori and milt in a cream sauce, served with thick, chewy noodles that brought together the textures of seaweed, milt and crushed nuts. Alongside the regular menu, daily dishes offer a chance to try something different on a return visit.

In the evening, you can start with a small plate of appetisers and add another dish as you go. The daily assorted appetisers are available in portions for 1–2 or 3–4 people. Other choices include pâté de campagne, smoked chicken liver and mushroom ajillo. For the steamed mussels in wine, the menu offers the option of adding risotto afterwards—a tempting way to turn a single dish into the end of a meal. Drinks include wine and cocktails, as well as beers with tasting notes: Wheat is a fruity wheat beer; Xale is a pale ale described as having a refreshing bitterness; and Black is a stout with chocolate notes. To finish, there are desserts such as affogato and gâteau au chocolat, while coffee and café latte are available for those who prefer a non-alcoholic drink. There’s more than one way to round out a meal here.

bowl in Showa-cho has counter seating, and its dining options suit both solo meals and groups. Whether you’re stopping by for a lunchtime set meal or pasta, or taking your time over appetisers and drinks in the evening, there’s pleasure in choosing what you feel like eating.