Tsuvai Herutsuen

Take off your shoes at the entrance and step into a homely space with a few counter and table seats. It has the welcoming feel of being invited into someone’s home. Tucked into a lane in Hatsudai, Shibuya’s Honmachi neighbourhood, Tsuvai Herutsuen is a Western-style restaurant that has drawn regulars over the years with dishes prepared without sparing the time or effort.

The restaurant’s signature is omurice. Softly cooked egg wraps rice prepared in a risotto style, with the tang and sweetness of tomato. House-made ketchup simmered over several days, along with handmade sauces such as basil and demi-glace, layer the dish with a gentle savoury depth. It is a much-loved take on a classic Western-style dish, with a character all its own.

Dinner brings omurice alongside other Western-style fare, including vegetable soup and meat dishes, to enjoy at an unhurried pace with red wine or beer. The evening service, with its limited seating, is by reservation. There is something special about waiting for each carefully prepared dish while listening to conversation across the counter. Afterwards, ordering coffee is a pleasant way to linger over the quiet afterglow.