Kamameshi Shizuka Kouen-ten

Kamameshi is rice cooked and served in the individual iron pot it was made in, and Shizuka in Nara has been making it with seasonal toppings for long enough to build a loyal following. The rice absorbs the flavors of whatever sits above it during cooking: autumn mushrooms, spring mountain vegetables, or crab depending on the time of year. The pot arrives still hissing, and the crust at the bottom is scraped last into the broth for a final course. Queues form at peak lunch times, so arriving slightly before or after the midday rush helps.