Are you curious about Onigiri Gorichan, a specialty Japanese rice balls shop? This place is so popular that there’s a line every day, and it’s been trending on social media. But is it really worth the hype?
In this article, we’ll dive into Onigiri Gorichan. From the taste and prices to the overall dining experience, we’ll give you honest reviews. Read on to find out if Onigiri Gon-chan is worth the trip!
What is Onigiri Gorichan
Onigiri Gorichan is a specialty rice ball shop originating from Osaka. It is especially known for its large rice balls and wide variety of over 40 different fillings.
Onigiri Gorichan Namba Store’s walls are adorned with autographs from many famous people, showcasing its popularity.
Basic information
In this section, you can find the basic information about Onigiri Gorichan. Make sure to use it as a reference before visiting the shop.
Location
Onigiri Gorichan has two locations in Osaka and one in Kobe. Please find your near Onigiri Gorichan from the map below:
Onigiri Gorichan Nakazakicho
1-5-20 Nakazaki-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Onigiri Gorichan Namba
3-5-28 Minamisenba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Fuji Building Minamisenba 1st Floor
Onigiri Gorichan Kobe Sannomiya
2 Chome-4-15 Motomachidori, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo
Operation hours
The store may close early if they run out of rice for their rice balls, so it’s a good idea to visit early. Please refer to the following hours of operation before visiting:
| Onigiri Gorichan Nakazakicho | Onigiri Gorichan Namba | Onigiri Gorichan Kobe Sannomiya |
| 11:00AM~8:00PM | 11:00AM~8:00PM *Closed on Tuesday | 11:00AM~8:00PM *Closed on Tuesday |
Menu
The menu consists mainly of over 40 types of rice balls, along with 3 types of miso soup and drinks. The menu is available in English and Korean.
Reservation
Onigiri Gorichan is a popular shop, so you will often have to wait in line to get in. (When I visited, I waited for about 15 minutes.)
Onigiri Gorichan does not accept reservations for dining in. However, you can make reservations for to go if you prefer to enjoy your onigiri on the go. Please note that takeout reservations are only available by phone and in Japanese.
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Honest review
I went to Onigiri Gorichan Namba to provide honest reviews from a traveler’s perspective, covering aspects such as taste, traveler-friendly, price, and more.
Use this guide when considering a visit to Onigiri Gorichan Namba.
Traveler friendly
Namba is a popular tourist spot, and Onigiri Gorichan Namba attracts many travelers. The menu is available in both English and Korean, and some staff members can speak English. Additionally, the notices and instructions inside the shop are also in English, making it very traveler-friendly.
Food review
This time, I ordered the top three most popular rice balls at Onigiri Gorichan, along with a bowl of seaweed miso soup. Let’s see how this specialty shop measures up.
Negitoro (green onions and tuna + Egg yolk in soy sauce : 500 JPY (3.48 USD)
Negitoro is finely minced tuna mixed with chopped green onions. While it’s delicious, there was nothing particularly special about it. It’s a standard negitoro that Japanese people often eat.
Egg yolk in soy sauce + Minced meat : 500 JPY (3.82 USD)
This rice ball is incredibly delicious. The sweet and savory minced meat combined with the soy sauce-seasoned egg yolk creates a wonderful harmony. While those not accustomed to eating raw egg yolk might find it unusual, I highly recommend giving it a try. This is a dish that many people will find delightful.
Salted salmon roe and salmon : 700 JPY (4.87 USD)
This rice ball is the most popular item on the menu. Sujiko, which is salted salmon roe, is commonly used in pasta and rice ball. The moment you take a bite, the flavor of the sujiko spreads in your mouth, perfectly matching the savory taste and richness of the salmon, creating an extremely delicious experience.
Aosa (seaweed miso soup) : 300 JPY ( 2.09 USD)
Aosa is a miso soup packed with seaweed. Eating onigiri often makes you crave miso soup. The combination is excellent, so be sure to give it a try.
Price
This time, the total bill was 2000 JPY (13.83 USD). As a Japanese person, I feel that 2000 JPY for three onigiri and a miso soup is a bit pricey. However, considering it’s a popular shop offering high-quality onigiri, it might be understandable.
Overall evaluation
Onigiri Gorichan’s rice balls are very large, packed with plenty of fillings, and have high-quality flavors, making them extremely satisfying. Although I have a big appetite, three rice balls were enough to fill me up.
However, the price seems a bit high. As a Japanese person, I can’t help but compare it to the price of onigiri I’m used to. For travelers, onigiri offers a fresh and unique experience, so from that perspective, the price might be reasonable.
The recommendation score : 8.5 out of 10
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