I visited this place while I was in the city center, located in the Maruzen Building in Nihonbashi. The "Hayashi Rice" here is a famous local dish in Nihonbashi, with a strong fan base. Originally, it was a simple shop on the rooftop of the old building before it was rebuilt, serving light meals and drinks. The origin of Hayashi Rice is said to be attributed to the founder of Maruzen, who was a food enthusiast and came up with the idea of combining rice and side dishes in one plate. The restaurant now offers various versions of Hayashi Rice, such as "Hayashi Omelette Rice" and "Hamburger Hayashi Rice", along with lunch sets that include salad and a drink. I chose the "Special Recommended Hayashi Set" which came with a ham salad, a cake of choice, and a drink. The salad was refreshing with a flavorful dressing, and the Hayashi Rice was served elegantly on a square plate with two types of sauce. The premium version had a rich flavor with a hint of sweetness and acidity. The lemon cake was a unique and well-made dessert. The overall experience was pleasant, with a nostalgic taste and a relaxed atmosphere. The total bill was reasonable, and the service staff were polite and attentive. This hidden gem is a great place to relax and enjoy a leisurely meal.

I visited this restaurant without knowing that it is the birthplace of Hayashi Rice! The service was great and the food was delicious! I tried the two-color sauce omelette rice with Hayashi and curry sauce. The Hayashi was delicious as expected from its birthplace, but I was especially impressed by the curry! While I recommend the Hayashi Rice, personally I prefer the curry!

Visited on a Sunday afternoon. Located inside a prominent Maruzen building in Nihonbashi. Maruzen is known for the novel "Lemon" by Kajii Motojirō, where a lemon is delicately placed on top of a book at Maruzen, resembling a bomb. The Maruzen Cafe offers desserts inspired by this lemon. Surprisingly, the founder of Maruzen, Arata Yashiki, is said to be the creator of Hayashi Rice. Maruzen is more than just a bookstore. The spacious and elegant cafe has a calm atmosphere with many seats, attracting sophisticated customers shopping in Nihonbashi. The clientele is generally older rather than young. I ordered the Hayashi Omurice, which is served with rice and egg on top, making it different from the usual chicken rice. The portion of Hayashi Omurice is simple and not too large. For an additional cost, you can add a salad or soup set. They also offer curry as a side dish. Nearby, there is Taimeiken famous for its omurice, but it always has long lines, so this hidden gem is recommended. *Various credit cards are accepted for payment.

I was having trouble finding a seat at the crowded dining floors in Takashimaya, but I was drawn in by the word "origin of Hayashi Rice" and the delicious-looking photos. It's a hidden gem on weekends. I tried the Premium Hayashi Omu and it was absolutely delicious. I will definitely visit again when I go shopping in Nihonbashi.

When it comes to taking a break in Nihonbashi, Maruzen Cafe is the place to go. Located on the third floor of the bookstore, it's a hidden gem. It's also close to Tokyo Station, making it perfect for adjusting your schedule. Today, I ordered the special Maruzen lemonade. It's a refreshing drink made with frozen lemon fruit, carbonation, and a hint of sweetness. It's sure to refresh your tired body. This place is said to be the birthplace of Hayashi rice, so lunch is also recommended. Thank you for the meal!

This is a cafe located on the 3rd floor of Maruzen in Nihonbashi. I ordered the recommended Hayashi Rice (^ ^) It was a bit tangy, but I could eat it up quickly! The atmosphere inside the cafe was calm, and I was able to relax while reading.

Beef Premium Hayashi Rice with extra large portion. It was my first visit since the grand opening. When I ordered the large portion, they brought two gravy boats (sauce pots) which made me laugh. When I cook at home, I always choose curry, so specialty shops like this make me happy as I don't eat Hayashi Rice very often.

Location: 3rd floor of the Maruzen Tokyu Building. A cafe restaurant located in a corner of the Maruzen bookstore. When you get off the escalator, there is a signboard for guidance. It was not crowded as it was before 5 pm on a weekday. The signature menu here is the "Original Hayashi Rice," devised by the founder of Maruzen bookstore, Mr. Hayashi Yutoku. It is said to be the origin of Hayashi Rice. I ordered the "Hayashi Rice with Hamburger" (1,600 yen). The dish arrived in less than 10 minutes. The Hayashi sauce had a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, with a gentle and elegant taste. I don't eat Hayashi Rice often, probably only 2-3 times in my life, but this was quite delicious. The hamburger was probably pre-made, with a soft texture. It wasn't my preference, but at least I got my protein intake. I also ordered the "Plain Waffle" (680 yen) with an "Iced Coffee" (450 yen). The freshly baked waffle with whipped cream and plenty of maple syrup was delicious. Even after eating the Hayashi Rice, I had room for dessert. Both the Hayashi Rice and the Waffle were very tasty, but the slightly high prices might be the reason for the place being empty. It's worth visiting not only as a stop during a bookstore visit but also as a destination on its own. Next time, I'll try the "Hayashi and Curry Two-color Omelette Rice" (1,620 yen).

Hayashi Rice served at the cafe located inside the Maruzen main store, a major bookstore chain. There are various theories about the origin of this unique Japanese dish, with some saying it originated at restaurants like Ginza Renga-tei or Ueno Seiyoken, while others claim it was created by the founder of Maruzen, Mr. Hayashi. The cafe's Hayashi Rice has a demi-glace sauce similar to stew, with a bittersweet flavor profile likely coming from caramelized onions. It's not the typical ketchup-based version but a slightly more upscale Western dish. Located right in the heart of Nihonbashi, the cafe has a calm atmosphere reminiscent of department store cafes, making it a great place to relax.

President of Sheriroze Co., Ltd., human resources educator, and director of the Etiquette Beauty School, Toshihide Igaki here. I came to Tokyo Station for a meeting about employee training with K Corporation, a leading cosmetics company in Japan that I have had a long-standing relationship with. Tokyo Station and Nihonbashi are within walking distance. Near K Corporation's headquarters, there is Maruzen, where I had lunch with someone from the HR department. I learned for the first time from the HR person that it is the birthplace of Hayashi Rice. The interior of the restaurant is themed with wood and white colors, and the seating is comfortable with ample space. There are various types of Hayashi Rice, and I chose the version with warm vegetables on top, while the HR person chose the version with omelette rice. The rice was firm and shaped like an old-fashioned rugby ball, beautifully presented. The key Hayashi Rice sauce had a rich flavor and a pleasant thickness. It mixed well with the rice and was delicious. If you go to a cafe in a bookstore, don't underestimate it! This is authentic Hayashi Rice in a comfortable space, and it helped soothe the summer heat. Thank you for the meal.

I visited Maruzen's bookstore around 12:30 for lunch. Although I had been to Maruzen's bookstore many times, it was my first visit to the cafe on the 3rd floor. Jazz music was playing inside the store, creating an elegant atmosphere that felt a bit out of place. I ordered the famous Hayashi Omelette Rice for 1,480 yen. One word to describe the taste: gentle. The sauce for the Hayashi and the salad dressing were not too sharp. The inside of the omelette rice was just rice, but the sauce made it delicious. If it were a bit cheaper and had a larger portion, I would come more often, but overall, I enjoyed my meal today.

Maruzen Nihonbashi Main Store has a long history. In the current situation where many bookstores are closing, it seems unchanged for at least 33 years since I became a working adult. The layout may have changed several times during that time, but I can't recall it. About 10 years ago, when I lived in Nihonbashi, I used to stop by often to buy a few books while shopping or taking a walk. I still visit occasionally. I hope it will continue like this forever. During lunch with a colleague, I suddenly remembered and asked, "How about Hayashi Rice at Maruzen?" He agreed, saying, "That sounds good. It's been a while since I had Hayashi Rice." When I asked if he knew that it originated there, he said, "Yes," so we both headed there. It was our second visit. We had visited once about 10 years ago with my wife. We went up to the 3rd floor on the escalator and sat down at a large table near the entrance after informing them that there were two of us. I had forgotten the atmosphere of this restaurant cafe space. After looking at the menu for a while and hesitating a bit, I thought I should eat some vegetables and ordered "Colorful Vegetable Hayashi Rice." It cost around 1,800 yen. It's not cheap, but it's not expensive either. There were nearby businessmen among the customers, but it felt more like people who came to look for or buy books here were leisurely having a meal. Some people were reading the books they had just bought. It can be said that it is a place for such purposes. There were quite a variety of vegetables, not in large pieces but neatly cut. In terms of ingredients for Hayashi Rice, beef and onions are essential, and there is not much room for other vegetables compared to the kaleidoscope of curry rice. The amount of Hayashi felt slightly insufficient compared to the amount of rice, but this may also depend on how you eat it. It is a specialty of Maruzen, which has been around for 140 years. Maruzen in Kyoto is famous for Kajii Motojiro's "Lemon." In Tokyo, it is Hayashi Rice. Here in Tokyo, you can also enjoy "Lemon" as a cake. I hope both of these specialties will continue to be enjoyed in the future.

I wanted to eat lemon cake but it was sold out by 5 pm (⁠´⁠；⁠ω⁠；⁠｀⁠). Since it's a cafe inside a bookstore, I guess there are more people who prefer to relax with coffee and sweets rather than having a meal...? So, I had omurice instead - I went all out with curry and hashed beef sauce. The restaurant seems to focus more on the hashed beef rice, with a simple style of white rice topped with a half-cooked thin omelette. The hashed beef was delicious. It had a subtle sweetness and a mild bitterness. It was really well-balanced, I didn't even notice. The rich yet elegant brown sauce had a refreshing acidity in the aftertaste! It's delicious (๑´ڡ`๑). The curry was of the watery type. I think the base is beef broth. The prices felt a bit high, maybe because of the location (´・ω・｀).

If you visit Lemon Chiffon around 3 pm on weekdays, about 80-90% of the seats are filled. The limited-time menu was sold out, with only one Mont Blanc and Lemon Chiffon left. I was expecting a fluffy chiffon cake, but it was a dense type with a tangy lemon jam and rich whipped cream topping. It was a refreshing summer dessert that allows you to enjoy different flavors. Be careful as some seats may be directly under the air conditioning!

This cafe is said to be the birthplace of Hayashi Rice, also known as "Hayashirice" in kanji characters (it looks tough). It is located in Nihonbashi, on the 3rd floor above Maruzen bookstore. If you take the subway, it's directly connected to the exit so you won't get wet, and it's only a 5-minute walk from Tokyo Station, so it's very convenient. The cafe has counter seats and table seats, with a total of about 50 seats. You can't make reservations, but it's not often full. I chose the Hayashi Omurice set for lunch, which comes with salad, a drink of your choice, and a cake of your choice. Sometimes you just crave omelette rice and demiglace sauce, right? This menu is perfect for those times! The omelette rice arrives shining like gold, with the glossy Hayashi sauce, creating a beautiful contrast... I start eating from the edge. The egg is thin but has a nice creamy texture on the surface. The Hayashi sauce has a gentle richness from the pork, with a mild acidity and depth that is amazing...! The sliced nuts sprinkled on top provide a nice texture and aroma. By the way, the rice inside is not ketchup or butter rice, but plain white rice, which surprised me at first, but it makes sense when you think about savoring the Hayashi sauce. I'm satisfied. For dessert, I chose the "Lemon" cake, an original from Maruzen Cafe. At first glance, it looked like a lemon... but when I changed the angle, I noticed that a half lemon was used as a container. The mousse inside seemed to be made with lemon juice, and despite its appearance, it was light and refreshing! I also received a lemon sauce on the side, which was tangy and sweet, perfect for summer. The food menu is simple, with a choice of Hayashi or curry, but there are about 7 cake options to choose from. The cafe is a hidden gem, quiet and perfect for relaxing. Highly recommended.

I first visited this cafe on the rooftop of the former Maruzen Building around the year 2000. The red and white checkered tablecloths left a strong impression. It has been over 20 years since then, and both the Maruzen Building and this cafe have been modernized. The prices seem to have changed quite a bit as well. The taste of the rich Hayashi Rice has remained unchanged since the past. You can feel the dedication to being the original. This uniqueness makes it special and valuable. Unfortunately, I have not tried any other menu items, but I believe that they would also be good at this restaurant. Thank you for the meal.

I had a very rich and flavorful Hayashi rice curry and classic Omurice, making me feel like I was experiencing the epitome of Western cuisine. It may not be a place that catches your eye immediately, but overall the food was delicious and I recommend trying it out if you're in the area. It's also a good place to stop by for a meal in between reading sessions. Highly recommended.

The towering Coffee Jelly Maison Series is in full swing. Today, I'm in Nihonbashi. This is definitely the busiest spot. The warmth here is enough to surprise even the cherry blossoms on Sakura Street, so I decided to try the Coffee Jelly Soft Serve. Oh, the amount is still incredible as always. The rich soft serve is shareable level of richness. The bitterness of the jelly underneath is just mild. It's quite a hefty portion, so it's not something to eat lightly as a post-meal dessert. You'll need some serious mental readiness to face the intense sweetness.

[3.5 rating] Visited a shop located inside Maruzen, just a few minutes walk from Nihonbashi Station in Chuo Ward. Arrived in the evening. About 80% of the customers were elderly. The shop had a counter and a few tables for two. The music playing was a bit loud, creating a lively atmosphere. I ordered the matcha cheesecake for 700 yen and a drink set for 450 yen (tax included). Positive points: The service was polite. Being located inside Maruzen gave it a somewhat hidden gem vibe. The matcha cheesecake had a good balance of matcha bitterness and cheesecake sweetness, with a moist and smooth texture. The iced coffee had a nice bitterness to it as well. One minor downside was that, due to the spacious interior, the staff seemed a bit inattentive. Thank you for the meal.

Next year's calendar was being searched for at Maruzen in Nihonbashi. Maruzen is a well-known place among those who dabble in literature or are knowledgeable about gourmet food. In terms of literature, it is known as the setting for the novel "Lemon" by the writer Kajii Motojiro, who died at the young age of 31. Kajii was quite eccentric, always carrying a lemon fruit with him and giving it to people on various occasions. The novel was based on his own experiences and written while he was pessimistic about his future due to his chronic illness of pulmonary tuberculosis. He likened the lemon to a bomb, leaving it on the bookshelf at his favorite Maruzen store and imagining the store exploding, which is quite an indescribable and strange work. In terms of gourmet food, the founder of Maruzen, Arimasa Hayashi, was known for entertaining his friends at home and serving dishes that became popular, leading to the dish being called "Hayashi Rice" because it was made by Hayashi. The origin of Hayashi Rice is also claimed by other restaurants such as "Ueno Seiyoken" and Ginza's "Renga-tei," so the authenticity is uncertain. However, going on a mystery tour to try out these different claims can be quite enjoyable. Now, at Maruzen on the 3rd floor, there is a cafe restaurant tucked away. It is not widely known that such a prestigious bookstore with a rich history has a cafe inside, as evidenced by the empty seats visible through the gaps whenever you visit. I deliberately skipped breakfast and visited during the early hours when no one was around. I ordered the Pork Hayashi set with a Lemon Cake. By the way, the setting for "Lemon" was Maruzen in Kyoto. While waiting with a hint of lemon-scented water, the salad appetizer had a carrot-like dressing. The original Hayashi Rice was quite impressive, but the Demi-glace sauce was more on the sweet side, almost like the curry from "Kitchen Nanhai." The balance of richness and umami was good, but it lacked a modern touch and felt somewhat classical. The dish mainly consisted of mushrooms, with a subtle hint of melting onions. You have to be mindful of the sauce-to-rice ratio while eating, and I wondered if it would have been better to have the sauce served separately like in a gravy boat. The Lemon Cake, named after the fruit itself, had a lemon-flavored mousse topping on a hollowed-out lemon fruit, held in place by whipped cream. A separate sweet lemon-flavored syrup was provided. When I tried a wafer dipped in lemon mousse, I felt like I had slipped back to the Showa era for some reason. It had a nostalgic touch to it. The price may not be justified by the portion size, but as a visit to the original restaurant (regardless of authenticity), it was quite interesting. The management is not by Maruzen but by a local chain originating from Hachioji, "Cafe de Crie" series. It was not the Pocca-owned "Cafe de Crie." Now, after quickly reading "Lemon" that I had tucked away in my bag, it might be time to leave.