If Tokyo was a feast for the eyes, I would say that Osaka was a feast for the tummy based on my own experience. It all started with the
best okonomiyaki I ever tasted in Dohton Bori. And the craving for the Japanese pancake continues until today…
We had just arrived in Osaka from Tokyo via the Shinkansen.
We had settled into the Hotel Vista Grande located right at the heart of the
Shinsaibashi and it was 9 p.m. Just within walking distance were a lot of neon
lights, Japanese characters, pachinko slots and a row of very inviting Japanese
restaurants. We decided to take our chance on the big raccoon and enter the
shady-looking DOHTONBORI.
We were told to go up the second floor and we found
ourselves in these two bamboo booths with a teppan grill on the table in front
of us!
I wasn’t a fan of the veggie pancakes and I had no idea we
were ordering it. The things on the menu looked like Korean bibimbap to me and
I was glad that they did all the pointing.
For appetizers, they ordered Japanese salad, this cold tofu (280 yen) and
the addicting edamame (280 yen).
the addicting edamame (280 yen).
Then came the teppan style cooking that I was familiar with.
The server cooked this beef-veggie plate (850 yen) with two metal spatulas in
front of us.
Look for this on the menu.
It had ramen and a lot of bean sprouts.
It had ramen and a lot of bean sprouts.
For the next dish, he mixed this paste with veggies, egg and
bacon into this goo and left it there to cook.
Here's a closer look at this okonomiyaki from Osaka at its 1/4-cooked stage! It does take a while to cook so better order more than one or wait longer for more.
He brushed a generous amount of red sauce and squeezed lots of Japanese mayonnaise.
Then he pointed us to jarfuls of bonito flakes (katsuobushi) and seaweed flakes (aonori) to place on top of it as we like.
I asked for more of that delicious okonomiyaki red sauce. The rest of the bonito flakes, mayo and seaweed are all available and unlimited on the table =)
Here's a closer look at this okonomiyaki from Osaka at its 1/4-cooked stage! It does take a while to cook so better order more than one or wait longer for more.
It began to look like a pancake when he turned it over to cook the other side.
He brushed a generous amount of red sauce and squeezed lots of Japanese mayonnaise.
Then he pointed us to jarfuls of bonito flakes (katsuobushi) and seaweed flakes (aonori) to place on top of it as we like.
I asked for more of that delicious okonomiyaki red sauce. The rest of the bonito flakes, mayo and seaweed are all available and unlimited on the table =)
This was the best okonomiyaki ever (800 yen)! It's the one in the middle there.
You can cook
it on your own too (though I would rather leave it to the experts hehe). After
all, okonomiyaki = cooked the way you like it (“okonomi” means “as you like it”
and “yaki” means “grilled”). I like it the way the busy Dohton Bori guy cooked it (he's probably not as busy when you arrive after dinner time). I can't even make it this pretty haha.
For drinks, try Calpis.
For dessert, you can have their pudding (330 yen).
For drinks, try Calpis.
When in Osaka, look for the raccoon!
Oh, don’t confuse this Dohton Bori with Dotonbori Street (also it is also near, this food street is in Namba, Shinsaibashi). This restaurant is near the giant crab sign and takoyaki stands. It is located directly across this Dragon Gate Pachinko & Slot.
