Tuesday, October 02, 2007

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
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

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks delicious. I've heard that organic and even vegetarian cuisine is becoming more and more popular in Japan - is that true? I'm looking forward to trying shojin cuisine in a few days (and kaiseki of course, which we get done to perfection in Umu in Mayfair here in London - albeit for the price of your house!).

K and S said...

Yes Planethalder, microbiotics is becoming popular here. I hope you enjoy shojin cuisine, it is quite different.

Take care and enjoy your stay in Japan.
Kat

ilingc said...

Hi Kat,

The croquettes looks delicious. The rice with your meal looks interesting. What does it taste like?

Rowena said...

I just had to do the math in my head....and really, that organic lunch would be considered cheap in Italy! Just over 9 US dollars to be exact!! I wish I lived near to places like that. The croquettes sounded great (did you say taro??) Yesssssssss!

K and S said...

yup taro, Rowena! They are a little smaller than the taro we know in Hawaii, but still delicious.

Take care.
Kat

K and S said...

Hi Ilingc,

The rice was a bit stickier than what I'm used to but it tasted like rice with beans in it. They also had roasted sesame seeds on top, so that gave it a toasty flavor.

Take care.
Kat

Jann said...

So close to your home and you are just trying this place out? Hope you get back often~it looks like a terrific plce to go to!

K and S said...

I know Jann! We kept saying, "oh it is close by, we can go any time", we're glad we went and plan to go again.

Take care.
Kat