Cafe Rich

When midday calls for genuine comfort, an unpretentious tray of Japanese-Western dishes hits the spot. Positioned along the street in Otowa, Bunkyo Ward, Cafe Rich puts together a lineup of familiar set meals rooted in vintage diner traditions. Meat choices range from pork ginger and pork sauté to breaded pork cutlets, while seafood options feature deep-fried horse mackerel and breaded oysters. Plumply cooked hamburg steaks, teriyaki chicken, and chicken finished with salted scallion sauce bring robust seasonings that complement bowl after bowl of steamed white rice.

Every lunch set pairs the main dish with rice, miso soup, and salad, sweetened further by the inclusion of free-flow drinks. Finishing the meal with a quiet coffee or tea offers a welcome moment to pause before heading back into the afternoon. Diners place their orders at the counter before taking a seat, and takeaway lunchboxes are also on offer for meals on the go.

The dining room opens up toward the back into a calm, homelike space decorated with framed paintings, creating an easy atmosphere for solo diners looking to eat without distraction. It remains a handy stop whenever an uncomplicated, comforting plate of yoshoku is what the day requires.