Oms/B

With my Groupon ending soon, I headed over to Oms/B one day for lunch. I like Japanese rice balls (onigiri) and wanted to try a new place. I've read about Oms/B on Midtown Lunch a few times with mixed reviews. I was still willing to give it go with my own palate.

I arrived at the small storefront with people already in line. However, it  moved pretty quickly so I was happy. Although I had some packaged meals in mind, I realized that they were set meals with specific rice balls. Not happy with the option, I ordered a la carte.

I started with the seaweed salad ($2) which was just okay. I didn't expect anything more or less. It was just what I wanted and was very happy with it. Does anyone know where I can get this in bulk? Or how I can make it at home? I really do like seaweed salad a whole lot.

And now the rice balls. Starting from the top and going clockwise: shrimp tempura ($2), spicy tuna ($2), tofu (??), eel ($2.75).

Gorgeous football rice ($3.75), salmon roe ($2.25), spicy scallop ($2.95), and croquette ($2.25).

In general, I wasn't too impressed by the riceballs. They were just okay. Some were definitely better than others but overall, nothing to rave about. I did happen to eat all 8 of the rice balls and felt really full after. But all in the name of blogging, right?

If that wasn't enough, I also ordered some edamame ($2) which was pretty bad. They precook it and store it in enclosed plastic containers. This let to extra steaming and a bad spoiled funk. You know when you leave something wet in a bag for too long? Yeah, same here. I took one bite and spit it right now. Not recommended.

And lastly, a cup of miso soup ($2.80) which wasn't very good either. It wasn't rancid like the soy beans but it was just pretty watery and void of much miso flavor.

Oms/B didn't really do it for me. The rice withing the riceballs weren't right. The filling was mediocre. But worst of all, the edamame and miso soup did me in. I won't be going back.

Oms/B
156 East 45th Street
New York, NY 10017-3115
(212) 922-9788
riceball-omsb.com