Hanaaruki

A main dish takes centre stage, accompanied by two sides. Hanaaruki’s “Today’s Meal” set also includes rice, miso soup and pickles. The rice is Koshihikari grown by farmers in Niigata, and you can choose white rice or brown rice with cowpeas. The set costs 650 yen, making it a satisfying choice for a lunch when you want a well-rounded meal.

One diner who visited for lunch enjoyed marinated horse mackerel, Thai yellow curry, simmered turnip, pickles and soup, choosing brown rice. Another report describes a “Today’s Meal” featuring marinated horse mackerel, an egg dish with rape blossoms and simmered vegetables. The main and side dishes vary from day to day, so the set might feature fish one day and a combination like curry another. Reviews also praised brown rice served with shiso seasoning. The menu lists an extra serving of rice for 200 yen.

Other set meals include fried chicken, ginger pork and pork fillet cutlet, each served with two sides. The menu states that its pork and chicken are domestically sourced. Choose the daily set or pick a main dish to suit your mood. Diners who ordered fish sets have commented on the well-seasoned miso-simmered fish and praised the careful preparation of the shime-saba (vinegared mackerel). These are comments on individual orders, but may offer a helpful reference when choosing a fish dish.

After your meal, organic coffee, tea and home-grown herbal tea are each 150 yen. The à la carte drinks include Miyama-roasted organic coffee and home-grown herbal tea (each 400 yen), as well as Nepalese-style milk tea, available in a large or small pot, for 400 yen. Payment is by cash only, so bear that in mind when planning your visit.