We first got to try Osaka Ohsho here in Manila, when they opened their first branch in SM Mega Fashion Hall. When we took a trip to Osaka, we were invited to try out Osaka Ohsho there also. The branch we visited was located in Dotonbori, a food and shopping street in the heart of Osaka.
You won’t miss the Osaka Ohsho store there because of the gigantic gyoza display in front of it.
The front of the multilevel store is dominated by a takeout stand for gyoza. The take out gyoza is priced at ¥200 (P75) is cheaper by ¥10 or P3.75 per 6 pieces than dine in prices. They also have some other food items for take out.
Go inside the store a bit and you can see the chefs busy assembling gyoza upon gyoza and cooking it in their special equipment. There are a few small tables for people to eat behind the counter.
We proceeded to the 2nd floor to meet our host from Osaka Ohsho when we chanced upon this cool looking delivery bike on display.
The 2nd and 3rd floors are looks virtually the same. There are bar type seats for the single diners and small tables for groups of 2 or more. There also a chef in charge of cooking the gyozas and pouring the beer on tap (bi-ru!).
Our host did most of the ordering with the server noting them down in this pad like device, all in Japanese of course. We just added a few things we wanted to try from browsing the menu.
We were surprised to find out that they only serve one kind of gyoza in Osaka Ohsho Japan, the original. Even the original is a little bit different in terms of ingredients compared to what we have here, there’s a bit more ginger in it. Looking through the other items on their menu, we noticed that there are lots of Chinese food in it. We found out that Osaka Ohsho is known as a Chuka restaurant or Japanese Chinese restaurant.
We started with a plate of their signature Gyoza (¥210/6 pcs. or P78). Each one was perfectly cooked, look at that beautiful bit of seared bottom than had a slight crunch. I think I liked this version more than the international one.
Japanese Style Fried Chicken/Chicken Karaage (¥690 or P256/6 pcs.). Crisp and juicy with a beautiful golden brown hue.
The Gyoza in Hot and Sour Soup (¥390 or P145) was an interesting dish. The gyoza are cooked in the soup so the whole thing is softer but it has spicy and sour elements from the soup.
Chahan/Fried Rice (¥420 or P156). You can get the a small size rice as part of a set or get this regular sized one ala carte. Good match for the gyozas.
Mabo Tofu Fuwatoro Tenshin (¥590 or P220). This was where I first tried this dish and have successfully lobbied to have it added to the Osaka Ohsho Philippines menu. Saucy, spicy and comforting, perfect for the chilly weather in Osaka when we had this resulting in me eating way too much rice.
This large dish is called the Dotonbori Pan Fried Noodle (¥630 or P235). There’s pan fried noodles underneath an egg omelette covered with takoyaki toppings (bonito flakes, sauce and mayo). I liked the taste but I was already too full from the mabo tofu rice.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs (¥560 or P208) were pretty enjoyable but by this this we were getting really really full.
Lauren wanted some ramen so she tried their version of Tonkotsu Ramen (¥590 or P220). She loved it so much she was clamoring for a return meal to have the same ramen.
I suggest you check out Osaka Ohsho if you visit Japan, the different gyoza is reason enough to give it a try. Taking a picture of those gigantic gyoza is just bonus.
Osaka Ohsho Dotonbori
1-6-13 Dotombori, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0071 , Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Contact No.: (816) 6213-0400
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super delicious food in Japan!