Frequently asked questions
What people ask us most often at the counter.
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What is an onigiri?
An onigiri is a ball of Japanese rice pressed by hand, usually into a triangle, with a filling in the middle and a sheet of nori seaweed around it. The word comes from nigiru, to squeeze in your hand. You eat it with your fingers, like a sandwich.
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What does musubi mean?
Musubi (結び) means to tie, to connect. In Japan, omusubi is also the other name for onigiri. For us, the word says both: the dish, and the bond between the people who make it and the people who eat it.
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Who is behind Musubi?
Baptiste Givre and Megumi Uchida. Baptiste is a chef, trained at the hotel school in Thonon-les-Bains, with fifteen years in palace hotels and starred restaurants and as executive chef for private jets in Geneva. Megumi was born in Hokkaido, Japan. They opened Musubi at Jean-Talon Market in 2024, then Musubi Izakaya at Le Central in 2025.
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What is an izakaya?
An izakaya is a Japanese pub where you have a drink and share small plates. Musubi Izakaya is our counter at Le Central, 30 Sainte-Catherine Street West.
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Where can I find Musubi in Montréal?
In two places. At Jean-Talon Market, kiosk 234 (7070, avenue Henri-Julien), from May to October. And at Le Central, 30 Sainte-Catherine Street West, in the Quartier des Spectacles, all year round.
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Is the Jean-Talon Market counter open in winter?
No. The market counter is seasonal, from May to October. In winter, we serve you at Le Central, open all year.
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Where do your ingredients come from?
From Québec as much as we can: the market onigiri is filled with the best of what the market’s producers have. Everything is homemade, with no additives or preservatives.
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Do you have vegetarian or vegan options?
Yes. Vegan: the miso soup and the wasabi avocado and shiso onigiri. Vegetarian too: the meatless miso ramen, the vegetable gyoza and the vegetarian yakisoba.
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Do you have gluten-free options?
Yes: the wasabi avocado and shiso onigiri, the spicy tuna without fried onions, the salmon without soy sauce, and the miso soup. Just say so when you order.
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Can I order to go?
Yes, at both counters. Onigiri are made for it.
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How does the loyalty card work?
Ask for your card at the counter, at Jean-Talon Market or at Le Central. We stamp it on every visit and you get something each time: an extra, a non-alcoholic drink, an onigiri, a small karaage or a discount. On your 10th visit, your ramen is on us, served at Le Central. On our list? Show your sign-up at the counter to get your first stamp. A visit counts from $10 spent. An extra is a free add-on: an egg, a sauce or a miso soup. The 10% and 15% discounts apply to the bill of the visit they fall on, drinks included. The card has no cash value and doesn’t expire. Lost your card? Stamps can’t be replaced: you get a new card that starts from zero (with your first stamp if you’re on our list).
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Do I need to book?
No: at the market and at Le Central alike, you order at the counter. At Le Central you can also book a table online, for up to 8 people. For a bigger group, send a group request and we’ll book you a table at Le Central.
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Do you cater?
Yes, for office lunches and events. Fill in the form on the Catering page and we’ll send you a quote.
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Can catering include drinks?
Yes. Add Japanese cocktails, saké, local beer on tap or matcha; for an event, bar service is possible. Just say so in your quote request.
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Which payment methods do you take?
At Jean-Talon Market, every payment method. At Musubi Izakaya, at Le Central, all except American Express.