Looking for a Quick and Tasty Japanese Food Option in Auckland? Try Onigiri Café Plat in Auckland, New Zealand!
We recently discovered this charming café on a street corner in Auckland. According to their Instagram, they had their grand opening in July 2024. Omusubi Cafe Plat : Instagram↓
●What is an Omusubi?
Never heard of the word omusubi ? Simply put, an omusubi is a rice ball, a popular Japanese fast food.
It’s also known as an onigiri. Usually triangular, it consists of fluffy rice seasoned with a hint of salt, wrapped around fillings like meat or fish(salmon or tuna).
The fillings vary between families and shops, but traditional options in Japanese households include pickled plum, salmon and Komb (seaweed).
At convenience stores, you can find creative varieties like tuna mayo, beef short ribs, mentaiko (spicy cod roe) and even cheese!
Basically, any filling you like will work. With its convenient, handheld shape, an omusubi or onigiri is a perfect Japanese fast food allowing you to enjoy rice and fillings together on the go.
●Omusubi Café Plat in Auckland - Japanese soul food : Handmade Rice Balls
This charming café is located on Vulcan Lane in Auckland's CBD. https://g.co/kgs/9MHFAyv
Upon entering, you'll immediately spot the showcase of omusubi lined up, with each rice ball displayed so you can see the fillings, making it easy to choose the favorite one!
Each omusubi is slightly larger than the typical size in Japan.
All rice balls are priced at $5, which we found to be very affordable.
They also offer a Bento Box combo, allowing you to select any three items from the rice balls or hot snacks, paired with a miso soup for just $15—a great way to enjoy authentic Japanese soul food at a reasonable price.
Once you’ve chosen your fillings, they’ll wrap your omusubi with a sheet of seaweed if you like, keeping your hands mess-free from rice or fillings.
This time, we chose the Spicy Fish Roe, Grilled Salmon, and Red Perilla with Kombu.
●Hot Snacks - Side Menu for Japanese Bento
In addition to omusubi, there are also hot snack options available.
You can enjoy side dishes like edamame, vegetable tempura, and veggie croquettes, making it a great choice for vegetarians.
On the wall, they displayed the rice bags they use. It's Akita Komachi, a brand known to all Japanese people as a guaranteed delicious rice.
●Café Menu - Auckland's Best Japanese Matcha Latte
Don't forget that Omusubi Café Plat is a café! Their drink menu is also reasonably priced, and their signature offerings seem to be matcha latte and hojicha latte.
This time, we ordered the matcha latte and to our surprise, the owner prepared authentic matcha right in front of us!
When it comes to Japanese matcha, there's a meticulous process that involves using tea utensils to whisk powdered matcha with hot water.
This is similar to making a matcha espresso, where the proper temperature, strength, and amount of water are carefully adjusted.
This extra effort is the secret to achieving a truly delicious and rich flavor.
Their matcha latte is made following this traditional Japanese method, and I was blown away the moment I took my first sip!
It was the best matcha latte I've ever had, not just in Auckland but in all of New Zealand.
●Take Away Omusubi and Enjoy Japanese Soul Food at Home
We took home three omusubi and enjoyed them at home. Each filling was generous, and we were thoroughly satisfied!
It’s considerate that they don’t wrap the seaweed around the rice balls for takeout, preventing it from getting soggy; instead, they provide it on the side.
We are definitely planning to return to enjoy the best matcha latte in Auckland along with their various omusubi.
If you’re looking for authentic Japanese soul food, specifically omusubi or onigiri, along with traditional matcha latte, I highly recommend Omusubi Café Plat in Auckland!
Omusubi Cafe Plat:
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