On a day when I was repeatedly turned down while trying to explore new lunch options in Kita-Shinchi, I decided to take a chance and peek into Umi Fujika, the main store in Kita-Shinchi. Luckily, I managed to just make it in and be seated. The female owner uses seasonal ingredients to create delicious dishes and serves them with great sake, always bringing smiles to the customers' faces. They have also recently opened a second store on the basement floor of the third building, showing their momentum. The restaurant is located on Dojima Kamidori, just east of Dojima Avanza. From the northeast corner of Dojima Avanza, head east and it will be on your left in the Canon Plaza Building on the second floor. Be sure not to miss the small standing sign in front of the building. Inside the restaurant, there is a small counter seat on the left side after entering, and private rooms in the back. I was guided to a private room for two people in the back, which had a sunken hearth for a comfortable dining experience. The walls between rooms are made of sliding doors, so some noise leakage is unavoidable. Before entering, make sure to check the lunch menu on the standing sign. You can choose between a meat or fish main dish for the daily set meal. On this particular day, the options were a pork and eggplant simmered dish for the meat main, and a tuna cutlet with tartar sauce for the fish main. I went with the fish lunch. The meal included MTKG (fish miso on rice), two types of small side dishes, a side dish made from fish bones, and sashimi. The meal was delicious and well-prepared, with every part of the fish cooked to perfection. The fish bone side dish was particularly impressive, showcasing the delicious meat around the bones. The meal was completed with the main dish of tuna cutlet with tartar sauce, which was crispy and delicious. I didn't even need to put it on the rice to thoroughly enjoy it. The restaurant also offers reasonable prices for their evening menu, with a variety of dishes that go well with sake and shochu, so I look forward to visiting for dinner next time. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

I could feel the owner's commitment in each dish on the menu. The selection of alcohol was also good, and I enjoyed it very much. I would like to visit again. I regret not taking photos of the first 4 dishes at the beginning of the course...

I visited this restaurant with a senior colleague. It's located in the middle of Osaka Kita-Shinchi, which is a bit hard to find. It's on the 2nd floor of a certain building. It's a traditional Japanese-style izakaya with private rooms, and I was surprised by how delicious everything was from the appetizers. There are a lot of seafood dishes, but the shirako, grilled dishes, and namero were all well arranged. The sashimi was not only served with wasabi, but also with salt and shichimi pepper, offering various ways to enjoy it which was very interesting. Maybe because I didn't have high expectations, but everything was delicious. I definitely want to come back. They also have a wide selection of sake from all over the country, and I got properly drunk. Thank you for the meal! :)

The course comes with all-you-can-drink option with a wide variety of sake and other types of alcohol that make it seem like the drink options are not limited at all. Of course, they also offer non-alcoholic drinks. The dishes are all rich in flavor, complementing the drinks perfectly. It makes you want more alcohol. The only downside was that the sea urchin at the end had a strong smell.

Each dish served was exquisite and delightful. The all-you-can-drink system was also top-notch! So many high-quality brands available. And for a little extra, you can enjoy even more types of alcohol. The all-you-can-drink system was like something out of a certain job-hunting website's commercial, which was a pleasant surprise. I was satisfied with the taste, system, and price. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

Visited with 3 friends on a regular weekday night. I searched on Tabelog for a good restaurant with private rooms since it had been a while since I last saw my friends. "Kaiteika" seemed like a good choice, so I made a reservation for a weekday night. They had a counter and about four private rooms. We opted for the 5800 yen per person course with all-you-can-drink. The food was not really to my liking, I was hoping for some delicious fish dishes. Unfortunately, the dishes did not quite hit the mark. Overall, it was a nice evening of conversation with friends. Thank you for the meal.

Lunch for 1000 yen I came back again, this time on a rainy day with few customers, so the food was served almost all at once. I really like the fish miso and fried crab. The pork karaage and horse mackerel fry with tartar sauce were also delicious. By the time I finished the main dish, I was already full. The fried crab was so tasty that I think it's okay to not have fried food until the main dish. This was my second visit, so the excitement was not as strong as before, but I was still very satisfied. It was amazing as always.

Today's lunch, I felt like having a traditional Japanese set meal with white rice and miso soup, so I headed to Kitashinchi. I searched on my phone and found a place to go, but unfortunately, it seemed to be closed due to the pandemic. I was wondering what to do when I noticed the menu board of this place. Oh, this is the restaurant that my reviewer friend highly praised. They have resumed their lunch service! What luck! I immediately entered the restaurant. 1. Ambiance, Atmosphere, Interior Kitashinchi is the nearest station, but it is within walking distance from Yodoyabashi Station as well. It's located on the second floor of a small mixed-use building in an inconvenient location. When visiting for the first time, I think relying on the menu board outside is a good idea. There is a sign for "Isoryori Sakaba Kaidoka" outside the shop, with many handwritten menus posted. Surprisingly, it has a casual appearance. Inside the restaurant, it is dimly lit, giving a nighttime atmosphere even during the day. From the counter seats, you can see the female owner working silently on the cooking. There are many handwritten slogans posted, giving a mysterious atmosphere. But overall, the place is not uncomfortable. 2. Food The lunch menu offers a choice between a fish dish and a meat dish. On this day, I chose the meat dish "Simmered Beef Tendon." After a while, a round tray with rice, miso soup, onsen tamago, and three small side dishes was served along with sashimi. The side dishes included "Fish Miso" which goes perfectly with white rice, "Beef Tataki" with a moist texture and strong umami flavor, and "Horse Mackerel Namero" with a hint of miso flavor and tofu. All of them seemed to have been carefully prepared. The sashimi included four types: Globefish, Tsubasu, Yokowa, and Sea Bream, each with a firm texture and strong umami flavor. Next was the main dish, the "Simmered Beef Tendon," which was tender and braised to perfection with a slightly sweet and savory seasoning. The crunch and aroma of the green onions were a nice touch. The portion was generous, and the white rice went well with it. And as if that wasn't enough, they also served freshly fried "Amberjack Fin Karaage." The skin was crispy, and the flesh was juicy. The sweet and savory sauce paired well with the amberjack's fat! Both the fish and meat, especially the bone parts, were incredibly delicious. Finally, I enjoyed a second serving of white rice with onsen tamago and fish miso, and finished my meal feeling satisfied. 3. Staff Service There was a single female staff member managing the hall. She greeted us, guided us to our seats, and provided polite assistance with our belongings and coats. In the kitchen, the owner was working efficiently. Despite being busy with cooking, the owner also handled serving and customer service, impressing me with her soft and feminine demeanor, making me feel comfortable while enjoying my meal. 4. Value for Money With a variety of richly packed side dishes and freshly cooked rice, as well as meticulously brewed hot miso soup, each dish had been carefully prepared and seasoned, showcasing the owner's dedication to selecting fresh ingredients and cooking methods. The restaurant atmosphere may be a bit unique, but the staff's attitude was good, and overall, I think the value for money is good. 5. Other Observations The dishes went well with white rice, but they are definitely dishes that go well with sake. I would like to visit in the evening next time.

Lunch - a restaurant I had been wanting to go to for 1000 yen. Finally, I was able to visit when they were open (I have moved the rice in the photo for convenience). The beef tataki with ponzu sauce, onsen egg, and rice makes a delicious bowl. The horse mackerel namero tofu fish miso is a great accompaniment to rice. The deep-fried fish bones were surprisingly tasty. The sweet and savory sauce on the meat and fish dishes was excellent. The portions were generous and filling, with plenty of rice. It was great to also receive warm tea.

I hadn't been able to visit during the pandemic, but I finally went with my colleagues from work. The restaurant still offers delicious seafood dishes with creative presentations, which was reassuring. Plus, it's located in a new area, offers all-you-can-drink, and at this price point, it's definitely great value for money. It's also nice that you can enjoy various types of sake for an additional fee. I definitely want to visit again...

This is a restaurant located on the second floor of the Cannon Building along Dojima Kamidori in Kita-Shinchi, Osaka. It is a kind of izakaya-style seafood restaurant. The restaurant used to be in a different location within Kita-Shinchi, but it moved to its current location four years ago. The restaurant has a few counter seats near the entrance, but the rest of the seating consists of private rooms and traditional tatami tables, providing a quiet and private dining experience. The emphasis on social distancing is also notable in this setup. As a seafood izakaya, the menu mainly features delicious fish dishes. They also offer a variety of drinks, including sake and shochu. The quality of the food and the overall dining experience make it a good value for money. The meal started with a serving of minced tuna, followed by a sashimi platter with various types of fish. The potato salad was creamy and flavorful, and the tempura shrimp with crab miso mayo was crispy and tasty, although slightly salty. Overall, the seafood dishes were delicious, and the drinks were enjoyable, making it a place worth revisiting for more culinary delights in the future.

My mother and I wanted to enjoy a delicious meal together, and since my daughter loves seafood, I booked a course at this restaurant that seemed perfect for her. As each dish was brought out, we exclaimed, "Looks delicious! So beautiful!" and enjoyed it immensely. The food kept coming, and we ended up feeling so full that I, being a big eater, had to finish my daughter's portion as well (laughs). I had mentioned beforehand that it was my daughter's birthday, and we were touched to find a handwritten message on our dessert. Thank you very much. It was my first time having dinner in Kita-Shinchi, and although I had visited this restaurant for lunch several times in the past, I felt comfortable entering without any pressure. Even on a regular day, I would like to come back when I crave delicious seafood dishes.

Well, I continued walking north from Sennichimae and finally arrived at Kitashinchi *\(^o^)/* Kitashinchi is like Ginza in Tokyo or Nishiki in Nagoya, a high-end area with luxury stores that doesn't really suit a commoner like me (lol). However, due to being a business district, there are many affordable lunch options available at lunchtime. There are many other unlisted stores as well, but I'll get to them later. The restaurant I came to visit this time is called Kaito, highly praised by a famous lunch reviewer in Osaka *\(^o^)/* By the way, I have received advice from that person for several other restaurants I visited in Kitashinchi. First, I checked the map on Tabelog and confirmed the building name, then excitedly climbed the stairs to the 2nd floor, only to find out that they weren't open yet (lol). It seems they open at 12:00, so I walked around Kitashinchi checking out other places until it was time to visit the restaurant again. After finishing taking photos of the exterior, I entered the restaurant and found that there was already one customer ahead of me. More customers arrived later, and they even had to turn some away. It seems like a popular place indeed. Inside the restaurant, I was seated at the counter. The lunch menu had only one option (tax included 1000 yen) and you could choose between meat or fish for the main dish. Of course, I chose the fish ( =^▽^)σ. There is a chef named Maeda who is said to be in charge of the restaurant, and all the writings outside and inside the restaurant were done by Maeda. I thought Maeda was a man, so when I saw only two women behind the counter, I thought he might be off today. Maybe the person cooking was actually Maeda, who knows. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to talk to him as he seemed busy. First, I started with rice and miso soup. The miso soup was made with white miso and had plenty of ingredients. There were two small dishes, beef harami and nameko. The beef harami was tender and delicious, and the combination of nameko and tofu was unusual. Additionally, there was a hot spring egg and miso. According to the explanation, you mix miso into the hot spring egg, pour it over the rice, and eat it. I just poured the hot spring egg over the rice separately from the miso, though (lol). Next, I had a sashimi platter with 5 kinds of fish: Tsubasu, Tai, Houbo, Tamori, and Itoyori. I was unfamiliar with the name Tamori, but it turns out it is a type of fish called Setodai, which is caught in the Seto Inland Sea. It is small and has sharp and hard bones. The sashimi experience was not exceptional, but considering the variety at this price point, I can't complain. Then, I had grilled sea bream collar, which was small but had plenty of meat. Finally, the main dish of fried tuna arrived *\(^o^)/* The fried tuna and soup had an elegant flavor. There was nothing particularly outstanding about the menu, but it's nice to have such a variety of dishes in Kitashinchi. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was quiet and calming, suitable for a date or business meeting. During lunchtime, you need to vacate your seat quickly for the next person, so next, I'll head to the station building.

"Lunch where you can choose between meat and fish for 1000 yen: Meat: Braised pork or Fish: Salmon Karaage + Soup, Small side dishes (Beef tataki, Nameko) or Crab dish (Crab tempura), Onsen tamago, Rice, Fish miso, Sashimi platter (Mana gatsuo, Gure, Hobo, etc). When I visited around 1 pm, there were two groups waiting. It seems quite busy! I visited alone and was guided to a private room. The infection prevention measures were excellent. I was grateful. The staff's service was very pleasant. They took our order promptly and served the dishes quickly. In Kitashinchi, lunch menus usually lack explanations or are confusing, but here, the explanations were very detailed. They even tidied up our shoes without us noticing, showing their thorough care. Now, the food! For 1000 yen, it's unbelievable. This might be one of the best cost performances in Kitashinchi. At least for me, it's the No. 1 lunch spot in Kitashinchi (I loved Wamizakejin, but they raised their prices...). The crab karaage was new to me, and it was delicious! The crispy coating and fatty meat were a delight. The sashimi was also satisfying with rare fish varieties. And TKG (tamago kake gohan) is always good! The crab karaage is flavorful, so make sure to try it with the fish miso and onsen tamago on rice. It's consistently delicious. I enjoyed it so much that I will definitely come back. Highly recommended!"

I discovered another great cost-effective restaurant. You can choose between meat or fish. The meat is sweet and savory pork, while the fish is tempura of saury and sardine. I remember the restaurant was on the second floor of a building, with a counter seat where you can choose your meat for the set meal. The set meal comes with rice, soup, onsen egg, roast beef, cold tofu, and more. At first, I thought I had ordered meat, but then I saw a plate with five types of sashimi and grilled fish. The pork dish was like tonkatsu, not thinly sliced as I had expected. The grilled fish was a pleasant surprise, it was called "buri" and it was delicious, especially the crispy skin. I enjoyed both the meat and the fish, all for just a thousand yen, which was surprisingly cheap. The staff at the restaurant were kind and created a warm atmosphere.

Here is a top-rated lunch spot in Kitashinchi, featuring the talented chef Maeda-chan's unique style. The lunch menu offers a choice between meat or fish dishes, and on this day, I opted for the pork cutlet with curry sauce. The lunch set was impressively generous with a variety of side dishes including roast beef and a selection of fresh fish. The pork cutlet was crispy and delicious, complemented perfectly by the curry sauce. The roast beef was also flavorful and satisfying. All of this for just 1,000 yen is truly amazing value. This restaurant offers one of the best lunches in the Kitashinchi area, so let's keep it a hidden gem by not spreading the word too widely. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

It is located on Honmachi in Kitashinchi. They used to suspend lunch service, but it seems to have resumed. I had wanted to go because someone who writes a blog about Kitashinchi lunch had written about it, but I couldn't go because lunch was suspended. When I heard that it had resumed, I was finally able to go. It is a casual place in Kitashinchi. Luckily, there was space at the counter, so I was able to get in right away. Even after 1 pm, customers kept coming in constantly. If you have bad timing, you may have to wait for cleanup. Even after finishing eating and leaving, there were still people coming into the restaurant. Normally, at around 1 pm, many restaurants are empty, but not this one. You can choose between fish and meat. I'm not a fan of mackerel, so I chose meat. I had grilled chicken with yuzu pepper and oven-baked pork. It also came with sashimi, hot spring egg, beef tataki, namero (chopped fish), fish miso, fried fish collar, rice, and soup. It's absolutely unbelievable! How many dishes are there!? And all of this for only 1000 yen including tax!? Is this correct? Clearly, the amount of rice doesn't match. It's not that there's a small amount of rice. There's just a lot of side dishes. But if I were to get a refill at this amount, I would definitely be stuffed. The sashimi wasn't huge cuts, but there were five varieties. Salmon, yellowtail, mackerel, and I forgot the other two. At first, I thought there was a little lack of vegetables, but then I found a lot in the soup. It was a mystery whether it was miso soup or consomme. The fried fish collar was also hot and freshly fried, with a sweet and spicy flavor that made the rice go down smoothly. Something's definitely off. It was a lunch where all I could say was satisfaction. Thank you for the meal!!!

One of the top cost-effective lunch spots in the northern part of Lunch Heaven is Kaifu Hana. It had been about 4 years since my last visit. I had tried to come several times before, but always ended up missing it due to their regular holidays. The owner, Maeda-chan, runs the place with great dedication and you can see her unique world right from outside the shop. Various words written in Maeda-chan's distinctive calligraphy are posted all over the place. Maeda-chan can be seen in the kitchen, wearing a headband and working diligently on the dishes. I always admire her hard work (even though this is only my second visit...). The nostalgic Western music playing in the background adds to the atmosphere, with even some Madonna songs in the mix. I sat at the counter right in front of Maeda-chan. For lunch that day, I chose: - Meat: Grilled pork belly for 1,000 yen - Fish: Steamed mackerel for 1,000 yen Both options come with sashimi, side dishes, soup, and fried fish collar. I went with the fish lunch. By the way, rice refills are free. Look at the photo of the food. Isn't it amazing? The steamed mackerel set has a huge portion! It feels like having three main dishes because of the amount of sashimi and fried fish collar included. The fried fish collar, made from amberjack, is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, perfectly paired with a sweet sauce. The sashimi included tai snapper, flathead grey mullet, black seabream, Japanese Spanish mackerel, and chicken grunt. They were all incredibly delicious. The steamed mackerel is steamed before being grilled, giving it a soft and fluffy texture. It was also incredibly delicious! The side dishes included minced fish, fish miso, beef tataki, and hot spring egg, all perfect for accompanying rice. I had seconds and ended up with a very full stomach. You need to be careful as the side dishes can easily amount to three bowls of rice worth. The cost-effectiveness here is amazing, and the food tastes great because Maeda-chan puts extra effort into cooking. Even though it had been 4 years since my last visit, it was still wonderful, so I think I will revisit soon. Thank you for the meal!

On March 12th, I had lunch at a restaurant located in Osaka Station City Third Building, about a 5-6 minute walk from the nearest station, Kitashinchi Station. I arrived around 12 o'clock and found that the restaurant was a bit tucked away in the building, so it was not crowded. It had a hidden gem vibe, which I personally liked. This time, I chose the seafood donburi (500 yen) that was displayed at the storefront. The seafood bowl was piled high with fatty tuna, yellowtail, and flying fish roe, and it came with a hearty miso soup. Since the restaurant specializes in serving fresh fish, the fish on top of the rice was glistening and looked very fresh. If you can have such a delicious meal for just one coin, I would definitely want to go back again! Thank you for the wonderful time enjoying the sweetness of the delicious fish.

This is a unique fisherman's restaurant in Kitashinchi. I came for lunch. It costs only 1000 yen including tax. I chose the fish option out of the two choices of meat or fish for the main dish. The meal included a miso soup with lots of vegetables, beef tataki, spinach ohitashi, onsen tamago, homemade fish miso made with fish bones and miso, and rice. The side dishes were all delicious and went well with the rice. The fish miso had just the right amount of saltiness and made good use of the entire fish. Next, I had a sashimi assortment with five types of fish including mackerel, sea bream, rockfish, goby, and black porgy. Each piece was large and satisfying. The simmered fish collar was flavorful. The main dish, fish fry with mackerel and sea bream served with homemade tartar sauce, was delicious. I was able to get a rice refill and the variety of side dishes made me full. I thought there wouldn't be any meat since it's a fish-focused lunch, so I was surprised by the beef tataki. It was a nice break from all the fish dishes. Overall, everything was homemade and the portion size was very satisfying. 2F Cannon Building, 1-2-10 Sonezaki Shinchi, Kita-ku, Osaka City.

I used it for a workplace drinking party. The taste was great, the presentation was nice, the variety of alcohol was good, and the atmosphere of the restaurant was great. The dishes were stylishly arranged and had a refined taste. They were new and fresh. The staff explained how to eat, the order, and the types of fish very politely. I would like to try it for lunch as well.