Harmonious Blend of Robust Seasoning and Gentle Sweetness in Authentic Kanto-Style Oden
Nestled in Nihonbashi, Otako Honten stands as a living testament to resilience, having risen from the ashes of the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923. Its distinction lies in the captivating allure of its oden—a culinary symphony anchored in the enchanting Kanto-style broth, a harmonious blend of sweetness and savory richness. This broth, crafted from bonito flakes, kombu, sugar, and soy sauce, matures over time, evolving into a clandestine elixir that impeccably enhances various oden variations.
As winter blankets Japan, oden emerges as a cultural icon, offering a soul-comforting embrace through ingredients steeped in tradition. Behind the counter, a mesmerizing display unfolds—a square pot adorned with an array of oden varieties, creating a visual feast for the senses. While classics like eggs and daikon radishes hold their esteemed place, Otako Honten surprises with an expansive selection, including Shinodamaki—a roll that wraps meat, vegetables, tofu, and kamaboko (firm fish cake) in fried tofu—and the irresistible Chikuwabu, a tube-shaped steamed wheat dough.
Among the stars of the menu is the renowned “Tomeshi,” a masterpiece where soy-seasoned tea rice cradles a velvety block of tofu, transcending simplicity to achieve sublime perfection. The tofu, a creation of Tofu no Futaba since 1907 in Ningyocho, Tokyo, exudes a profound and unforgettable flavor.
Otako Honten beckons conveniently close to JR Tokyo Station’s Yaesu exit and Nihonbashi Station on the Tokyo Metro—an open invitation to savor the charm of spontaneous and casual visits.
- Name: Nihonbashi Otako Honten
- Address: 2-2-3 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Phone: +81-(0)50-5492-2962
- Hours: 15:30 – 21:30
- Closed On: Sundays
- Number of Seats: 90
- Budget: – JPY5,000
- Payment Options: Cash Only
