Maryland summers can be oppressively hot and humid, making venturing outdoors absolutely miserable if you don’t have a plan for keeping cool. While you could (and should) consider spending a day at one of our state’s finest swimming holes to combat the withering weather, you’re bound to be in the mood for any number of icy sweet treats which can handle the job after a long day of swimming. Luckily, Tamari, a Japanese cafe in Rockville, has us covered. An afternoon spent in the tiny, unassuming dining room is the perfect way to recharge from a day of adventuring and enjoy one of Japan’s favorite ways to beat the heat right here in Maryland!
Tamari’s storefront takes up one small corner of a shopping strip in Rockville, but they pack some enormous authentic flavor into this package.
Hugh Taylor
Right at the front, Tamari displays some gorgeous shokuhin sampuru, the classic model food samples restaurants all across Tokyo use to give customers an idea of what to expect from their meals.
Hugh Taylor
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The dining room is quite small and can fill up pretty quickly on the weekends, but even if it is full when you arrive, you’re sure to find something on the menu that is absolutely worth the wait.
There’s nothing quite like the Japanese way of preparing hamburger steak, known as hambagu. It’s a staple of bento lunch boxes in Japan, reportedly dating back to the Meiji Era. It’s a juicy, delicious, filling meal that’s ideal after spending a day outside.
Hugh Taylor
Tamari offers some of Maryland’s best kakigori, known as “shave ice”. This frozen delight dates back to the 7th century. The red bean topping may seem strange to many Americans at first, but the sugary sweet texture is an incredible compliment to the green tea-flavored ice.
Hugh Taylor
Another classic Japanese sweet offered here is the ichigo daifuku - strawberry mochi. The fresh strawberries are wrapped in a layer of soft, sweet red bean paste, then in light and chewy mochi. They melt in your mouth and are one of my favorite dessert items bar-none.
Hugh Taylor
Be sure to check out Tamari’s Facebook page for hours and updates to their fantastic menu. And for more frozen delights to make this Maryland summer go by just a bit quicker, look no further than our list of the state’s ten best snowball stands! What are some of your favorite ways to while away the muggy summer evenings? Let us know below!
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