banmai

There is a cute little organic restaurant called Banmai about 10 minutes walking distance from our place. Underneath the restaurant, they also have a little store which sells organic fruits, veggies and other organic products.

Because it is nearby, we've always had it in the back of our minds to go, but never have, until today.

Their lunch costs 1260 yen (about US $13), you might think this is quite pricy, but for organic vegetables, I think it is about the going rate.

They have two entrees to choose from and two types of rice to choose from.

Satoshi chose their karei (flounder), it comes with a kobachi (small bowl) of aburage (fried tofu) covered with a veggie ankake (thick) sauce, a nice plate of gomaae horenso (spinach dressed with sesame seed), tsukemono (pickles), miso soup (soup made from soy bean paste), grapes and renkon gohan (lotus root cooked with veggies and rice).

I ordered their satoimo croquettes (taro) and the azuki, black rice mixed with genmai (adzuki beans, black rice and brown rice). Usually croquettes are deep fried, but these were baked, not oily and very filling.

I was surprised at how crowded they were for a weekday. Everything was tasty and didn't make you feel like you were only eating veggies. The menu changes daily and according to what veggies they harvest. I can't wait to go back.

Sidenote: around our area, you can often find rice fields/veggie patches, actually they take turns with what is planted throughout the year. This field of rice is just about ready for harvesting. It is kind of neat to still be able to find some nature between the tall buildings and condos.

Banmai (UPDATE: 2024 name changed to Kurumido)
3-15-5A Hachizuka
Ikeda, Osaka
Phone: 072.761.0064
Open everyday
Lunch served M-F 11:30-14:00, Sa-Su 11:30-14:30
Dinner from 18:00-21:00