Nestled along the Chuo Line, Nishi-Ogikubo brims with character, its nostalgic streets lined with eclectic shops and hidden culinary treasures. One such gem, Shumai Rumba, caught my eye with its retro storefront, proudly displaying a pro-wrestling lucha libre-themed "help wanted" poster. Any establishment bold enough to flaunt wrestling memorabilia is bound to deliver an experience worth remembering.
DIIING! DIIING! DIIING!
Stepping through the sliding wooden door, I was met with a warm smile and the intoxicating aroma of steamed shumai. The ambiance transported me to the Showa era—a time I never lived through, yet felt deeply connected to in this space. The interior is a carefully curated love letter to vintage Japan, lined with city-pop records, antique mailboxes, and rice boxes. A personal favorite? A still-functional black rotary phone, though I wasn’t lucky enough to hear it ring—maybe next time.
These nostalgic touches are the handiwork of Masatoshi Amada, who, as he puts it, simply "loves old things." He opened Shumai Rumba in September 2020, during the height of the pandemic—a leap of faith that has since paid off, with lines often forming outside the door.
At the counter, I took in the scene: a man sat reading a Philip K. Dick novel, beer in hand, as his order was prepared with precision—timed to ensure the shumai arrived fresh and piping hot. A Giant Baba sticker adorned a vintage turn-dial TV, while a parody of A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders album cover graced the bathroom wall. Every detail enhanced the shop’s old-school charm.
As for the food? The shumai is the undisputed champion, the main eventer of flavor. Each bite delivered a figurative "big boot" to the competition, while the mapo tofu hit like a superkick—spicy, bold, and unforgettable. The pickled vegetables were some of the best I’ve ever had, and the ramen demanded to be slurped to the last drop. This was a meal worthy of a rematch.
The shumai menu keeps it simple but masterful: Meat, Sansho, Shrimp, and Crab shumai, each crafted to pair perfectly with beer. Seated at the counter, I had a front-row seat to the culinary artistry that unfolds in this retro pop culture wrestling haven.
Whether you’re here for the nostalgia, the atmosphere, or the championship-tier shumai, Shumai Rumba delivers on all fronts. I’ll be back for another round.
Additional Details:
Location: Shumai Rumba is located at 3-8-19 Nishiogi-Minami, Suginami-ku, Tokyo, just a four-minute walk from Nishi-Ogikubo Station's south exit.
Operating Hours: The establishment operates from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Wednesdays through Sundays, and from 5:00 PM to midnight on Tuesdays. It is closed on Mondays.
Reservations: Reservations are accepted for evening hours.
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