gozeera
It's not nikuman, it's butaman. The difference in name is explained at the end of the text. This is a rare shop in Namba, with only one store. It is located near Grand Kagetsu. Established in 1946, the same year as 551 started selling butaman. While it is a popular shop that rivals 551, it sticks to having only one store. It may not have the nationwide recognition of 551, so it is sometimes called the connoisseur's butaman (many people in Osaka may not even know about it). Butaman costs 210 yen. The dough is fluffy and soft, unlike the chewy texture of 551. The filling consists of pork and, of course, onions! The crunchy onions add sweetness to the filling, becoming the main flavor. The taste is gentle and light, with hints of green onions and ginger. If you're tired of 551 or prefer a light flavor, you should try Nimi. On the other hand, if you prefer a chewy texture, rich pork flavor, intense seasoning, and a strong smell (especially after drinking on the Shinkansen), then 551 is for you. In any case, since they are close by, why not try both and compare them! I bought both and ate them outside (I was so embarrassed). Thank you for the meal! (≧д≦)ゝ!
[551]
Size: Large (smaller than Nimi)
Dough: Chewy and firm
Filling: Plenty of pork, large cuts of pork, strong pork flavor, intense seasoning
Overall rating: 3.8
[Nimi]
Size: Huge (larger than 551)
Dough: Fluffy and soft
Filling: Plenty of onions, large and crunchy, strong sweetness of onions, light flavor compared to 551
Overall rating: 3.9
[Difference between nikuman and butaman]
In the Kansai region, meat is associated with beef culture (Matsusaka beef, Kobe beef, Tajima beef, Omi beef, beef tendons in oden, beef in nikujaga, beef cutlets, etc.), so when people hear "meat," they think of beef. That's why it's called butaman. Not only in Osaka, but also in Kobe, places like Roshoki, Ikkannyu, and Shikoro are also known for butaman. There is also a cultural aspect to this. Historically, the Kansai region was known for cattle farming, leading to the prosperity of beef culture. Additionally, Kobe had a foreign settlement, so Western meat-eating culture was introduced early on. Furthermore, the branding power of 551 plays a role. They heavily advertised their "butaman" on TV commercials. However, in the 1990s when convenience stores expanded nationwide, brands like Nakamuraya and Imuraya also sold nikuman, so even people in Kansai sometimes say "nikuman"! When thinking about this, I wondered whether Chinatown in Kobe sells butaman, and found out that the famous Chinese buns in Nagasaki, Momotaro, are also butaman, as well as Edo Kiyoshi in Yokohama. In regions with Chinatowns, there is a culture of eating various meats like lamb and frog in China, so they may use the term butaman to distinguish it.