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The Story

About This Place

Most Japanese spots in Thao Dien chase the izakaya or ramen format. Musubitei takes a narrower, more specific path: a menu built almost entirely around onigiri, the hand-pressed rice balls that anchor Japanese convenience stores and morning routines. The kitchen runs from 7 AM daily, making it one of the few places in the neighborhood designed for an actual Japanese-style breakfast rather than a brunch approximation.

The rice ball lineup covers the full range from austere to rich. On the restrained end, salted omusubi and kombu seaweed onigiri offer the clean, subtly seasoned profile that defines the form at its most traditional. Moving toward indulgent, spicy mentaiko (明太子) cod roe and ikura salmon roe versions deliver the kind of briny intensity that rewards the ingredient cost. A yuzu salted tuna flakes ball adds citrus brightness to the mix, and a Nanko plum onigiri brings the sour-sweet tang of umeboshi without using the word.

Side dishes round out the menu without overcomplicating it. Crab cream croquettes — deep-fried, creamy, Japanese-style — are the kind of item that justifies a visit on their own. Tamagoyaki rolled omelet and karaage fried chicken cover the standard accompaniments. The stir-fried salted mustard greens with cod roe and the tuna-and-cod-roe salad suggest a kitchen comfortable with roe-forward Japanese flavor profiles beyond the rice ball format.

With 56 Google reviews and a 4.1 rating, Musubitei draws a crowd that seems to know exactly what it came for. The address on Quốc Hương puts it within easy reach of the expat residential core of Thao Dien, and the all-day hours through 11 PM mean it functions as a quick meal option well past the lunch window.

mentaiko (spicy cod roe) onigirisalmon roe rice ballscrab cream croquettetamagoyaki rolled omeletyuzu salted tuna flakes onigiri
casualcompactjapanese convenience-stylerelaxedlow-key
Menu Highlights

What to order at MUSUBITEI

  • Salmon Roe Rice Ball at MUSUBITEI

    Salmon Roe Rice Ball

    96k VND

    Salmon roe on rice, fresh and flavorful delight.

  • Salmon and Salmon Roe (Pacific Salmon Nigiri) Grilled Rice Ball with Salmon and Salmon Roe at MUSUBITEI

    Salmon and Salmon Roe (Pacific Salmon Nigiri) Grilled Rice Ball with Salmon and Salmon Roe

    96k VND

    Delicious rice ball with fresh salmon and red caviar.

  • Pork and Fried Egg with Poek (Tapioca Dumpling) at MUSUBITEI

    Pork and Fried Egg with Poek (Tapioca Dumpling)

    78k VND

    Tender pork, crispy golden fried egg, harmoniously blended with rich flavor.

  • Miso Soup with Pork(豚汁)Pork Soup at MUSUBITEI

    Miso Soup with Pork(豚汁)Pork Soup

    78k VND

    Nước dùng đậm đà với rau củ tươi ngon và thịt mềm.

  • Fried Chicken 3PCS at MUSUBITEI

    Fried Chicken 3PCS

    67k VND

    Crispy fried chicken, savory and flavorful, perfect for a delightful snack.

Full menu below · prices in VND.

Reviews

4.1(57)
Toki Nguyen
Toki Nguyen
3 weeks ago

The onigiri, aka omusubi, here was delicious. not overly salty and a very decent size! i did the wrong thing and though itd be small so i ordered a few omusubis and extra other dishes i can happily say i was very full and very satisfied! the oden was surprisingly delicious! it had a lovely flavour to it, rich and deep i didn't need to make any booking. seating is indoors with aircon. would recommend for anyone craving the omusubis (onigiris) in the area

Kara Age
Kara Age
11 months ago

Omusubi, Japanese rice ball, is a focused menu here. I felt it was authentic Japanese Omusubi. If I would tell about my presence, the rice was a bit too steamed. However, all ingredients including rice, seafoods, seaweed and vegetables and pork in Ton-Jiru were professionally prepared. Surprised that such a well organized Japanese restaurant is available in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ak
Ak
7 months ago

I had my lunch delivered from here. The rice balls are decent, but they could put more stuffing inside given the price. The best thing was their 豚汁. They could just be a 豚汁 restaurant and it was just that good.

Jude Kuo
Jude Kuo
4 months ago

I basically never been to the store, only order on the grab, but so far it is the only authentic onigiri, and 豚汁in the town!!!! Best for breakfast , or light lunch. will be best if they can have 梅干しおにぎり ^^.

Loyal and Royalty
Loyal and Royalty
2 months ago

Let me add furikake or tobiko on other onigiri (why there's no options)! And where's the crunchy seaweed? It's just not right without it. Fix this and I'll take my review down.

Visit Tips

Visiting MUSUBITEI

  • Breakfast available: Opens by 7 AM — a viable breakfast stop in Thao Dien.

  • Menu starts from: 24k VND, based on 30 priced items on the public menu.

  • Reservations: Call +84 28 6283 0616 to book — recommended for weekend dining.

  • Best for: japanese breakfast, quick solo lunch, takeaway, light bites.

  • Delivery: Listed on GrabFood.

gallery

Photos

11

Food

Seaweed-wrapped Sushi

Seaweed-wrapped Sushi

Sushi Rolls

Sushi Rolls

The image shows a meal consisting of sushi wrapped in seaweed and placed on a wooden block alongside a bowl of soup with visible ingredients such as v

The image shows a meal consisting of sushi wrapped in seaweed and placed on a wooden block alongside a bowl of soup with visible ingredients such as v

Other

MUSUBITEI photo 1 in Thao Dien
MUSUBITEI photo 2 in Thao Dien
MUSUBITEI photo 3 in Thao Dien
MUSUBITEI photo 4 in Thao Dien
MUSUBITEI photo 5 in Thao Dien
MUSUBITEI photo 8 in Thao Dien
MUSUBITEI photo 9 in Thao Dien
MUSUBITEI photo 11 in Thao Dien
Common Questions

Frequently Asked

Is Musubitei open for breakfast?
Musubitei opens at 7 AM daily, making it one of the few Thao Dien spots designed for a genuine Japanese-style breakfast rather than a brunch approximation.
What's the best dish at Musubitei?
The crab cream croquettes and spicy mentaiko (明太子) cod roe rice ball draw consistent attention — the croquettes are described as justifying a visit on their own.
Does Musubitei have vegetarian options?
Kombu seaweed and salted omusubi rice balls offer plant-based choices with a traditional, clean flavor profile. Most other items contain fish roe, chicken, or crab.
Is Musubitei good for solo dining?
The counter-style onigiri format and quick-meal menu make Musubitei well-suited for solo diners; all-day hours until 11 PM add flexibility beyond the breakfast window.
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