Eat
Rice balls, and a very serious sake list.
It looks like a snack shop from the street. It isn't. Come in for dinner.
What this place actually is
A small Japanese bar that happens to make excellent rice balls.
Most people find us because of the onigiri sign outside — and then discover the shelf behind the counter. We pour local Niigata sake, craft beer from breweries down the road, plum and yuzu liqueur, and we'll happily talk you through all of it until you find one you love. Guests tell us the sake is the reason they came back. We agree.
14:00–22:00 · Food L.O. 21:00 · Drink L.O. 21:30. Open daily during winter.
The menu
Simple, but the real thing.
Prices are per item and include tax. The full menu is in English at the table.
Food
- Onigiri
- Hand-shaped Japanese rice balls, several fillings. Tuna mayo is the one people write home about.
- Miso soup
- Made fresh. The right thing after a cold day.
- Small plates
- Edamame, gyoza, pickles, seasonal dishes to go with a drink.
- Instant ramen
- A wall of Japan's regional instant ramen, cooked properly. Guests call it the most ridiculous selection they've seen — in a good way.
Drink
- Sake
- The main event. Local Niigata breweries, tasting flights available. Ask and we'll pick for you.
- Local craft beer
- From breweries within the prefecture. Flights available.
- Umeshu & yuzushu
- Plum and yuzu liqueur — the easy way in if sake isn't your thing.
- Wine & soft drinks
- Plus non-alcoholic options for drivers and kids.
Dietary needs
Options for different diets.
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available. Please ask our staff.
Please give us notice where you can. Cross-contamination in a small kitchen is something we'd rather discuss with you than gloss over.
The room
One long table, and a wall you're allowed to draw on.
There's a counter, a few tables, and a five-meter shared table down the middle that we don't take reservations for. On a good night it fills with people from six countries who arrived separately. There are markers by the wall. Most of what's on it was drawn by someone on vacation.
If talking to strangers isn't your idea of a good time, that's fine too — there's a card on every table with everything you might want to ask, so you never have to work out how to start.
Booking
Do I need to book?
Coming with a group? Contact us in advance and we'll see what we can arrange.
What we'll ask for
- Your name
- Date and time
- Number of people
- How many adults and how many children
- Any dietary needs
Children counted separately isn't us being fussy — it changes how we arrange the seating.
- Opening hours
- 14:00–22:00 · Food L.O. 21:00 · Drink L.O. 21:30. Open daily during winter.
- Closing days
- Open daily during winter.
- Seating
- Counter, tables and a shared table. For groups, please inquire.
- Typical spend
- ¥1,000 – ¥2,000 per person
- Payment
- Cashless: card payments only.
- Children
- Welcome, all evening.
FAQ
Restaurant
Do I need to book a table?
Coming with a group? Contact us in advance and we'll see what we can arrange.
Can we come as a group?
Coming with a group? Contact us in advance and we'll see what we can arrange.
Can you do vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free?
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available. Please ask our staff.
Are children welcome?
Very. All evening, no cut-off time. Tell us how many children when you book so we can arrange the seating properly.
How much should I expect to spend?
Around ¥1,000 to ¥2,000 per person for food, more if you work your way through the sake list — which we'd encourage.
Do you offer private hire?
No. NINJA does not accept private bookings. We want to keep the restaurant open and welcoming to all guests.
Tell us when you're coming.
A message is enough. Table, car, bags, or just a question about Myoko — we'll take it from there.
