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If you are visiting Japan’s Kitchen, okonomiyaki should be on your foodie list of what to eat in Osaka! We share our experience and pictures from our meal at Okonomiyaki Mizuno restaurant!
Not only did we have to try this popular Japanese dish in Osaka, but we wanted to see it cooked table-side! As Okonomiyaki Mizuno has lasted for three generations in Dotonbori, we knew we wanted to try okonomiyaki for the first time here!
Also, be sure to try many delicious local dishes and famous restaurants in “Japan’s Kitchen”! Osaka truly is a dream destination for foodies, and rightly so! Check out our article “What to Eat in Osaka With Limited Time” for more tips!
Worried about missing out on foods and sights in Osaka? Consider guided tours – click here to explore popular Viator Osaka Food Tours and check out the two walking tours below with hundreds of reviews!
What is Okonomiyaki?
Okonomiyaki is a savory dish made from a batter mixed with ingredients such as meat, seafood, and other toppings. The pancake-like dish is grilled on both sides, usually with metal griddle spatulas.
The name of the dish is comprised from two Japanese words, “okonomi” which essentially means “how or what you like”, and “yaki” which means “grilled”.
Many restaurants grill the okonomiyaki in front you. And there are restaurants where customers can cook the okonomiyaki themselves on a grill built into the table. For us, we knew we wanted to leave the cooking to the experts!
It is a popular street food and dish served in restaurants in Japan, as well as other Asian countries.
Okonomiyaki Mizuno – the restaurant
Okonomiyaki Mizuno is a famous Osaka restaurant known for serving authentic and traditional okonomiyaki.
“Established in 1945 Mixing, Combining, and Frying Over 70 Years”
-printed in the Okonomiyaki Mizuno menu
Since we stayed at the Cross Hotel Osaka, we were steps away from the Dotonbori district. Read our review of Cross Hotel Osaka here – the location was perfect for our first time in Osaka, and is a five-minute walk, approximately 400 meters, from Okonomiyaki Mizuno restaurant.
Also, please note that reservations are not available at Okonomiyaki Mizuno. Therefore, be prepared to wait if you want to dine here. The restaurant is very popular and has been listed in the Michelin Guide of Osaka restaurants, awarded “Bib Gourmand”, many times.
There is a designated waiting area in front of the restaurant. The wait was about forty-five minutes on a Friday night. In fact, the line was even closed off by an employee so that more people could not join.
While waiting in line, a menu, also available in English, was passed along. Staff then took your order while outside before being seated in the restaurant.
The interior of the restaurant is very casual. Likewise, diners were casually dressed.
On the main floor, there is counter seating where customers watch their meals prepared in front of them. We sat for a few minutes on the main floor as we waited to be seated.
There is also seating with separate booths on the upper floor, which is where we sat. The table has a grill built into it where our meal was cooked in front of us.
What We Ordered at Okonomiyaki Mizuno
Individual okonomiyaki and set menus are available at Okonomiyaki Mizuno.
We ordered a set menu for two people, “Ichioshi Combination”, which included “mini” versions, relative to regular serving size, of their most popular dish “yamaimo-yaki”, and “mix modan-yaki”:
- mini yamaimo-yaki: includes pork and scallops
- mini modan-yaki: includes six types of ingredients topped with soba
When we visited, this set menu for two people costs 2,400 yen.
Our server gathered the ingredients and grilled our meal in front of us.
Firstly, our server prepared the yamaimo-yaki. He started off by cooking the scallops and pork belly on the grill.
Then, he then added the batter and other toppings. The batter of this signature dish, “yamaimo-yaki”, is made using Japanese yams and no flour. Lastly, this dish was finished off with brown sauce and mayonnaise.
The second okonomiyaki, “mix modan-yaki”, was then prepared as the first one was almost finished cooking. This dish included soba for a different texture. In the end, it was also finished off with brown sauce, mayonnaise, as well as seaweed powder.
Although each okonomiyaki was labelled as “mini” in the set menu for two, the meal was more than enough for the two of us. And, we can see why this is a popular Japanese street food! It is quickly prepared, very rich and tasty, and filling!
Also, since the restaurant is small and grilled food is cooked in front of you, be prepared to leave with your clothes smelling like food! However, you are in Osaka! Most people are there to enjoy the awesome food culture and delicious cuisine that surrounds you there!
Okonomiyaki Mizuno: Conclusion
Although okonomiyaki is found throughout Japan, we had to try this famous street food in Osaka. And Okonomiyaki Mizuno prides itself on serving this authentic Japanese dish to customers for over 70 years in Dotonbori.
Overall, despite the wait outside, trying okonomiyaki for the first time at Mizuno was a memorable foodie experience in Osaka! We are happy we were able to try this tasty, traditional Japanese soul food at Okonomiyaki Mizuno!
Happy travels and food adventures! Enjoy Osaka!
Website for Okonomiyaki Mizuno: https://mizuno.gorp.jp/
Tour Information:
Osaka Popular Tours
Explore Osaka popular tours from Viator here, or explore the tours below with hundreds of positive reviews:
Hotel Information:
Osaka Hotel Accommodations
During our time in Osaka, we had an excellent stay at Cross Hotel Osaka – read our article and review here! The four-star hotel is in an ideal location to explore Osaka’s food and entertainment district!
Also, for other accommodations in Osaka, explore Booking.com for hotels, reviews, and pricing:
Our meal described in this article was self-funded. The views and opinions expressed in this article are from personal experience(s). Our content and this article is informational only, not facts, and cannot be construed as professional advice. We always give our honest opinions on topics, experiences or products, made in good faith. Any product or service claims, made by the product or service, should be verified with the manufacturer or provider in question. There may be potential errors on our website, for example due to changes and unintentional mistakes. Thank you.
For more articles, be sure to take a look at Nurture Happiness Today‘s other features on travel, food, and inspiration for happiness:
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- Nurture Happiness Today FOODIE
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