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Obanzai Mama

For Kyoto home-style ‘grandma food’ and make-your-own bento boxes.

Emma Breheny

Assorted dishes at Obanzai Mama.
1 / 8Assorted dishes at Obanzai Mama.Supplied
Kingfish coller nitsuke.
2 / 8Kingfish coller nitsuke.Supplied
You can create your own bento box with items from the cabinet.
3 / 8You can create your own bento box with items from the cabinet.Supplied
Wagyu wrapped with asparagus and carrot.
4 / 8Wagyu wrapped with asparagus and carrot.Supplied
Inside the Fitzroy shop.
5 / 8Inside the Fitzroy shop.Supplied
A selection of dishes available to make your own bento box.
6 / 8A selection of dishes available to make your own bento box.Supplied
Grandma’s bento.
7 / 8Grandma’s bento.Supplied
Crispy fish.
8 / 8Crispy fish.Supplied

Japanese$

Fitzroy’s Obanzai Mama is a deli for Kyoto home-style dishes or what owner Tomoya Kawasaki refer to as “grandma food”, with a focus on build-your-own sets of nutritious, simple food, most of it vegetarian. The affordability of its dishes is a big part of the venue’s popularity at a time when many Australians are budget-conscious.

It also has a cabinet packed with vegetable dishes (perhaps pumpkin simmered in soy, sake and mirin), many based on recipes from Kawasaki’s mother and grandmother. Bento boxes, onigiri and egg sandwiches are also on offer, as are takeaway options.

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Emma BrehenyEmma BrehenyEmma is Good Food’s Melbourne eating out and restaurant editor and editor of The Age Good Food Guide.

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Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/goodfood/melbourne-eating-out/try-kyoto-home-style-grandma-food-at-obanzai-mama-20250716-p5mfcu.html