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  4. I ate at one of Tokyo's cheapest Michelin-awarded restaurants where my 3-course lunch cost $6.50

I ate at one of Tokyo's cheapest Michelin-awarded restaurants where my 3-course lunch cost $6.50

I ate at one of Tokyo's cheapest Michelin-awarded restaurants where my 3-course lunch cost $6.50
The author ate at an award-winning onigiri restaurant in Tokyo where her meal cost $6.50.Monica Humphries/Insider
  • I ate at Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku, a Tokyo restaurant with a Michelin Bib Gourmand Award.
  • There was a 1.5-hour wait, but the food was worth the wait.

I was visiting Tokyo for less than two weeks, and in a city with more than 135,000 restaurants, picking a place for every meal felt like a crucial decision.

I was visiting Tokyo for less than two weeks, and in a city with more than 135,000 restaurants, picking a place for every meal felt like a crucial decision.
The author eats food from a stand at a food market in Tokyo.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I wanted to eat incredible food, but I also had a tight budget. So I turned to a list of Tokyo's cheapest Michelin restaurants.

I wanted to eat incredible food, but I also had a tight budget. So I turned to a list of Tokyo
Michelin plate is seen on the restaurant in Krakow, Poland.      Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Getty Images

And that's where I found Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku.

And that
The exterior of Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Although not Michelin-starred, the restaurant has earned Michelin's Bib Gourmand Award, which means it's one of the guide's "best value for money restaurants." Essentially, the restaurant is cheap and tasty — exactly what I was looking for.

Although not Michelin-starred, the restaurant has earned Michelin
A view of the onigiri restaurant and nearby buildings.      Monica Humphries/Insider

It's also known as Tokyo's oldest onigiri restaurant. According to its website, it's been serving onigiri since 1954.

It
The restaurant's chef makes onigiri.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The restaurant describes onigiri as rice balls wrapped in seaweed and stuffed with fillings like salted fish, pickled vegetables, and dried shrimp.

The restaurant describes onigiri as rice balls wrapped in seaweed and stuffed with fillings like salted fish, pickled vegetables, and dried shrimp.
Onigiri on a cutting board.      Studio Omg/EyeEm/Getty Images

So on day three of my trip, I headed to the restaurant in Asakusa, a popular neighborhood in northeast Tokyo.

So on day three of my trip, I headed to the restaurant in Asakusa, a popular neighborhood in northeast Tokyo.
The restaurant is in a shopping area in Tokyo's Asakusa neighborhood.      Monica Humphries/Insider

With its affordable price and award-winning status, I expected a crowd, and since it was already 12:30 p.m., I figured my odds of getting a seat were slim.

With its affordable price and award-winning status, I expected a crowd, and since it was already 12:30 p.m., I figured my odds of getting a seat were slim.
A few people stand outside the restaurant in Tokyo.      Monica Humphries/Insider

As I walked down the street — there wasn't a line in sight. Instead, a few people were mingling outside the restaurant's simple facade.

As I walked down the street — there wasn
People wait outside Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I popped my head inside the restaurant, and a host carrying a clipboard greeted me. I braced for bad news. But instead, he took my name, asked me how many onigiri I planned to order, and told me to come back in an hour and a half.

I popped my head inside the restaurant, and a host carrying a clipboard greeted me. I braced for bad news. But instead, he took my name, asked me how many onigiri I planned to order, and told me to come back in an hour and a half.
The restaurant's menu.      Monica Humphries/Insider

"Don't be late," he instructed me as I walked away. With 90 minutes to explore, I headed to the Sensō-ji temple, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, according to Go Tokyo.

"Don
The exterior of Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Source: Go Tokyo

I wandered through outdoor malls with restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops.

I wandered through outdoor malls with restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops.
A Tokyo street.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I was thankful the restaurant had a reservation system instead of a line. I’ve read countless stories of people standing for hours in Tokyo to get their hands on steaming ramen or a trendy dessert.

I was thankful the restaurant had a reservation system instead of a line. I’ve read countless stories of people standing for hours in Tokyo to get their hands on steaming ramen or a trendy dessert.
People wait in line at a restaurant in Tokyo.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The time flew by. As I headed back to the restaurant, I anticipated the delicious meal ahead. Prior to visiting the restaurant, my experience with onigiri was limited to 7-Eleven.

The time flew by. As I headed back to the restaurant, I anticipated the delicious meal ahead. Prior to visiting the restaurant, my experience with onigiri was limited to 7-Eleven.
A 7-Eleven in Tokyo.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The convenience stores across Tokyo have a selection of affordable snacks, including onigiri. I had grabbed one a few days prior and easily devoured the rice ball.

The convenience stores across Tokyo have a selection of affordable snacks, including onigiri. I had grabbed one a few days prior and easily devoured the rice ball.
Onigiri from 7-Eleven.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I knew the Michelin-awarded Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku would be a different experience — even if the prices weren't much more than 7-Eleven.

I knew the Michelin-awarded Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku would be a different experience — even if the prices weren
The exterior of Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku.      Monica Humphries/Insider

As I approached the restaurant, I noticed a new sign posted on the front door: "Sorry ... sold out"

As I approached the restaurant, I noticed a new sign posted on the front door: "Sorry ... sold out"
A sign states that the restaurant has sold out of onigiri.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I was thrilled I had snatched a reservation, and after waiting a few minutes outside, the host from earlier ushered me to a table.

I was thrilled I had snatched a reservation, and after waiting a few minutes outside, the host from earlier ushered me to a table.
The exterior of the onigiri restaurant.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The restaurant was small. There were two tables and a bar where the chef was making onigiri. Together, 16 people could fit in the space.

The restaurant was small. There were two tables and a bar where the chef was making onigiri. Together, 16 people could fit in the space.
The interior of Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku.      Monica Humphries/Insider

At the bar, a glass case displayed all the onigiri fillings.

At the bar, a glass case displayed all the onigiri fillings.
A glass case showcases the onigiri fillings.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I was handed a menu that was as small as the size of the restaurant. The restaurant only sold miso soup and onigiri, and customers had a choice between 18 fillings.

I was handed a menu that was as small as the size of the restaurant. The restaurant only sold miso soup and onigiri, and customers had a choice between 18 fillings.
An image of the restaurant's menu.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I was dining during lunch, where a set menu includes two or three onigiri, a side of Japanese pickled radish, and miso soup. For two onigiri, it costs $5.90 (814 yen); for three, it's $8 (1,100 yen) without tax.

I was dining during lunch, where a set menu includes two or three onigiri, a side of Japanese pickled radish, and miso soup. For two onigiri, it costs $5.90 (814 yen); for three, it
The restaurant has a set menu for lunch.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I ordered two onigiri and debated which fillings to try My options ranged from sake, or grilled salmon, to shirasu, which is boiled whitebait fish. Ultimately, I chose fillings that I hadn't tasted before: ueboshi, which is Japenese ume plum that was pickled in salt, and tarako, or salted cod roe.

I ordered two onigiri and debated which fillings to try My options ranged from sake, or grilled salmon, to shirasu, which is boiled whitebait fish. Ultimately, I chose fillings that I hadn
The author eats onigiri.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Within minutes of placing my order, a bamboo basket with my first onigiri was placed on my table. The onigiri is served one at a time so the seaweed can stay fresh and crisp, I learned.

Within minutes of placing my order, a bamboo basket with my first onigiri was placed on my table. The onigiri is served one at a time so the seaweed can stay fresh and crisp, I learned.
An onigiri and pickled radish in a basket.      Monica Humphries/Insider

It was the salted cod roe. After a few bits of rice and seaweed, the salty fish eggs hit my mouth. The flavors and textures were balanced and delicious. The seaweed was crisp, the rice was moist, and the roe wasn't overpowering.

It was the salted cod roe. After a few bits of rice and seaweed, the salty fish eggs hit my mouth. The flavors and textures were balanced and delicious. The seaweed was crisp, the rice was moist, and the roe wasn
The interior of the salted cod onigiri.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Before I could finish the first onigiri, I was handed my cup of miso, and shortly after that came my sour plum onigiri.

Before I could finish the first onigiri, I was handed my cup of miso, and shortly after that came my sour plum onigiri.
A second onigiri was added to the author's basket before she finished the first.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The miso was piping hot and had a strong umami flavor. It had a savory flavor that perfectly matched the rice balls.

The miso was piping hot and had a strong umami flavor. It had a savory flavor that perfectly matched the rice balls.
The miso at Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku in Tokyo.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Before devouring the plum, I ate a takuan, or Japanese pickled radish. Similar to pickled ginger, the radish was a palate cleanser before diving into my next onigiri.

Before devouring the plum, I ate a takuan, or Japanese pickled radish. Similar to pickled ginger, the radish was a palate cleanser before diving into my next onigiri.
The pickled radish.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The Japanese ume plum onigiri had a balance of sweet and tart flavors and a texture similar to dried prunes. I thought the flavors were fascinating, and the sour plum was unlike anything I've tasted before in a rice dish.

The Japanese ume plum onigiri had a balance of sweet and tart flavors and a texture similar to dried prunes. I thought the flavors were fascinating, and the sour plum was unlike anything I
The interior of the sour plum onigiri.      Monica Humphries/Insider

As I finished my lunch, I chatted with Yosuke Miura, the third-generation owner-chef. He told me I was one of his last lunch customers — the restaurant had sold out of onigiri.

As I finished my lunch, I chatted with Yosuke Miura, the third-generation owner-chef. He told me I was one of his last lunch customers — the restaurant had sold out of onigiri.
The author's finished meal.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I celebrated snagging a reservation, and then I celebrated some more when my check arrived. Including tax, the three-course meal was about $6.50 (891 yen).

I celebrated snagging a reservation, and then I celebrated some more when my check arrived. Including tax, the three-course meal was about $6.50 (891 yen).
The author's check for the onigiri meal.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I left the restaurant alongside Miura, who had a break before customers started arriving for the restaurant's dinner service. Full from the rice, fish eggs, and seaweed, I headed back into the neighborhood to explore some more.

I left the restaurant alongside Miura, who had a break before customers started arriving for the restaurant
Insider's author stands outside the restaurant.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I was shocked such quality foods could come at an affordable price and left convinced that every minute of waiting was worth it.

I was shocked such quality foods could come at an affordable price and left convinced that every minute of waiting was worth it.
The onigiri.      Monica Humphries/Insider

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