In the Edo bakufu, the Gosanke (the three privileged branches of the Tokugawa family) in Edo would entertain the roju (member of shogun's council of elders) and other prominent council members and hatamoto (direct retainers of the bakufu), and in a similar way, the Machibugyo (town magistrate) would entertain yoriki (police sergeant) and others at the official residence and these were considered oban.
江戸幕府においては、年始に江戸在府の御三家が老中以下の幕閣や有力旗本を饗応し、同じく町奉行が役宅で与力らを饗応することを椀飯と称した。