Watashino

At Watashino, lunch is about more than choosing a main dish: seasonal vegetables also feature across the table. One visitor’s kakiage set meal—a mixed-tempura fritter served with rice—came with okra, water spinach, pickles, miso soup and vegetable sides. They found that each side offered a different flavour and texture, allowing the ingredients to speak for themselves. This kind of lunch may suit diners who like to work through a range of vegetable dishes alongside their main, rather than focusing on a boldly flavoured centrepiece.

Seasonal spring rolls and cream croquettes are among the dishes visitors have enjoyed. One person recalled the wood ear mushroom spring roll as having a texture unlike anything they had tried before. Other menu options mentioned include turnip-and-beet kaburamushi, a steamed turnip dish, and potato spring rolls. If the ingredient combinations appeal, it may be worth asking what is available when you visit.

For a lunch centred on fried dishes, visitors have reported trying the pike conger and corn kakiage rice-bowl set, the fried pike conger set meal and the mixed-fry set meal. The rice-bowl set was served with a good selection of small dishes and sides. Diners who tried the fried pike conger and mixed-fry set meals separately remembered the generous main portions, miso soup with myoga ginger, and rice made with white corn. Even among fried dishes, there is a choice between a seasonal rice bowl and a set meal built around fried items.

A vegan carrot cake and coffee are also listed as menu options. Visitors have mentioned enjoying cheesecake and pear cake, too, making the sweets worth considering after lunch.

One visitor notes that opening days are irregular and seating is limited. Check Instagram for opening information before setting out, and contact the restaurant in advance if there is a particular dish you hope to try.