I didn't want to go out because of the rain, but I was hungry. Luckily, there is a direct connection between Shinsaibashi Station and Daimaru! I casually entered and found a beautiful food court. I chose the 880 yen kitsune udon from Imai. Kitsune udon can often be too sweet to finish, but Imai's version was different. The broth was flavorful without being overpowering, making it easy to finish. The food court seemed newly opened and was very clean. After finishing my meal, I returned my tray at the designated area where the staff kindly took it.

"Kitsune Udon for 880 yen including tax. When it comes to Dotombori Imai, they are known for being the originator of kitsune (fried tofu) udon. This restaurant is famous in Osaka for their udon. I have never been to the main store in Dotombori, but today I tried Imai's kitsune udon for the first time at the Daimaru Shinsaibashi store's food court. The flavor of the fried tofu is truly original and delicious, as expected from the originator. It was my first time trying Imai's kitsune udon and it was fantastic!"

I ordered the fox udon in regular and small sizes. You can eat right away in the food court without waiting in line. The main store is always crowded, but here you can enjoy the same taste without the wait. The fried tofu had a delicious sweetness from the broth, so I bought some to take home as well!

Dotonbori Imai is proud of its dashi. It's great news that they have a branch in the food court of Shinsaibashi Daimaru. The udon was too soft, making supermarket udon taste better. This time, I ordered the oyakodon, which was just average. It cost 1200 yen. It would have been better if they used tastier eggs!

I had Kitsune Udon at Dotonbori Imai in Osaka, Shinsaibashi. The Kitsune Udon came with a fluffy piece of fried tofu on top. It had a refined taste and was delicious! 880 yen (November 14, 2022). Dotonbori Imai, Daimaru Shinsaibashi Store, 1-7-1 Shinsaibashi-suji, Chuo-ku, Osaka.

I tried Imai Udon, which is rumored to be delicious for the first time. It has a softness typical of Osaka udon without any sharp edges. The noodles don't have much firmness though (lol). The broth and duck meat were delicious, so I want to try it at the main store next time. The atmosphere at the department store basement doesn't do it justice.

☆Wife and I went on a casual lunch trip! (Osaka City, Shinsaibashi Daimaru)‼️⇒ Food hall at Shinsaibashi Daimaru B2! Came to eat "Fukahire Simmered Rice Bowl" and devoured it, but wife still felt unsatisfied and discovered this while strolling around! Ordered this item here: Parking available. 2 hours free with receipts over 3,000 yen. $ Order! * "Oyakodon" 1,200 yen (tax included)… 3.2: Surprised! Big chunks of chicken inside. First, taste the pure flavor without breaking the yolk in the middle. Surprisingly, it's not just the broth that seeps in, but the seasoning itself is strong. It becomes just right when you break the yolk and mix it while eating. Enjoy it to the end with the shop's special "shichimi togarashi" (seven-spice chili pepper). 〆 "Summary": At the main store, we had the "Kobadon," which felt a bit lighter with a stronger dashi flavor, but that's just personal preference♪ Price range is still a concern. How do they set prices for each dish? ♪ Thank you for always "liking," "saving the shop," and "following." I truly appreciate it. Feel free to leave comments, questions, etc. It would make me very happy♪ ・ I hope everyone continues to support us in the future. Thank you very much.

I visited at 11:05 for lunch. It is located in the food court on the B2F of Daimaru Shinsaibashi store. I arrived early at 10:40 because there was a ¥200 discount ticket for purchases over ¥1000 at Daimaru. However, the eat-in section opens at 11:00, so I looked at the products and decided to buy shichimi spice. I ordered one kitsune udon and one premium shichimi in a can. After paying, I was given a bell. I waited at my seat until the bell rang, then went to get my udon. They did not stamp my stamp card from Imai, it seems like they are not a participating store.

Located on the B2 floor of Daimaru Shinsaibashi store, this restaurant is apparently known for its udon. I didn't know that, but I ordered the duck udon. In addition to udon, they also had dishes like oyakodon. The duck udon had a delicious soup with a strong presence of the original broth while mixing in the flavor and fat of the duck. The udon itself was very soft, which my mother told me is a characteristic of Osaka udon. The duck meat was a bit firm, but it was tasty when combined with the soup. The addition of green onions made it feel complete as an udon dish. Nowadays, Sanuki udon has become popular nationwide for its firm texture, but I suddenly felt nostalgic for this completely soft udon that I used to eat a lot in the past. The combination of soft udon with green onions and sweet fried tofu... They also sold udon sets that you can cook at home, and there were customers coming in continuously. It may be a bit pricey for udon, but despite being in a food court, it had a sense of luxury and it was nice to be able to easily enjoy the taste of a famous restaurant.

♡【Dotombori Imai Shinsaibashi Store】♡ Longed-for Kitsune Udon ♥ ♡Kitsune Udon ￥810♡ Established in Showa 21, this Osaka Udon shop in the heart of Osaka Minami has been loved by many. Now you can enjoy it at Daimaru department store ෆ⸒⸒⸜( ˶'ᵕ'˶)⸝‪ The broth is made fresh daily, as they believe freshness is key and do not pre-make it. They take pride in using Hokkaido natural kelp, Kyushu bonito flakes, and dried cuttlefish in their broth (ᐢ ܸ. .ܸ ᐢ)՞ ՞ The Kitsune Udon comes with two thick slices of fried tofu and green onions floating on top (ˊ꒳ˋ*) The smooth noodles have a great texture and are easy to slurp ( •̀֊•́ ) ̖́- The sweet fried tofu absorbs the delicious broth and melts in your mouth (՞˶ᵒ̴̶̷᷄꒳ᵒ̴̶̷᷅ ˶՞) It's delicious! ♡ Shop Name: Dotombori Imai Shinsaibashi Store Reservation: Not available Access: 148m from Shinsaibashi Station Business Hours: 10:00-23:00 Closed: ? ♡#DotomboriImai #Udon #OsakaLunch #ShinsaibashiLunch

After eating ice cream at the Daimaru Shinsaibashi food court, I felt like having something a little warm, so I walked around the Shinsaibashi Daimaru food court (lol). I stumbled upon Imai, a udon shop, and got excited so I decided to have it after a long time. When it comes to Imai, it has to be kitsune udon. The sweet, flavorful broth soaked into the two pieces of fried tofu is just delicious. The udon noodles are soft and the broth has a sweet, comforting taste. It's just so tasty. They also have products that you can make at home, and I saw many people buying them while enjoying their meal. I decided in my heart to buy some as souvenirs next time.

I once went to a restaurant to eat Kitsune Udon with a large piece of fried tofu in it. The restaurant is located in the basement of Daimaru in Shinsaibashi. I heard from a friend that they serve Warabi Mochi for eating in, so I visited during a less crowded time in the evening. They guided me to a slightly high-class counter seat and even served hot tea. It was much better treatment than I had imagined. The warm tea was so delicious, especially because it was cold outside. The second basement floor is usually a food court where you eat what you buy, and you can self-serve water. But I highly recommend the Warabi Mochi and tea (served) during times other than mealtime, especially when it's cold. Just note that during lunchtime or busy hours, you may not be able to get a counter seat for just the Warabi Mochi. On this day, I returned home feeling very satisfied.

Lunch at the food court. I visited a shop in Dotonbori a long time ago, but I have no memory of the taste. I had shippoku udon and three onigiri. The udon had a gentle flavor and was delicious, but the price was high, so I felt a bit unsatisfied. (^_^;)

I still had some time until the evening shinkansen, so I decided to head to Daimaru Shinsaibashi store. Due to the pandemic, there were limited chairs inside, but there were a few resting spots which were perfect for my mother to take a break. I went around shopping while my mother rested. I stumbled upon a branch of "Dotonbori Imai," one of the famous shops in Naniwa, on the 2nd basement floor. The main store is relatively close, but carrying a suitcase and walking was inconvenient, and my mother didn't want to walk anymore. So, I went down to the 2nd basement floor to the "Shinsaibashi Food Hall." Among the 15 or so open kitchen style shops, there was "Dotonbori Imai Daimaru Shinsaibashi store" with a bright white curtain in the middle. There were 5 counter seats (currently 3 seats due to social distancing). If the seats were full, you could take your tray and eat at the tables in the food hall. I sat at the counter and ordered "kitsune udon" (830 yen) for myself and "small udon" (500 yen) for my mother. The highly anticipated kitsune udon was about to arrive. The majestic kitsune udon arrived with two large pieces of fried tofu soaked in sweet and savory broth, topped with plenty of green onions. I took a sip of the udon broth first. It was a bit spicy for me, but this broth is the symbol of "Dashi no Imai" and has been preserved as the "traditional taste" since its founding in 1946. The smooth and slippery udon noodles paired perfectly with the flavorful broth. I indulged in the crispy fried tofu and the richness of the broth. I couldn't help but get lost in the deliciousness. After finishing the meal, I noticed a lady next to me enjoying "chestnut rice" (surprised). Next to her was a small kitsune udon, rolled omelette, simmered dish, grilled dish, and dressed dish in a small eight-piece assortment! I found out later that it was the "Lunch Plate" (1,800 yen) exclusive to the Daimaru Shinsaibashi store. The rice dish changes according to the season. I was so disappointed that I didn't know about it and couldn't order it. It was a fantastic deal with the kitsune udon, chestnut rice, and a mini eight-piece assortment for 1,800 yen. It seems like a great place to enjoy the same taste as the main store, and they also sell souvenir items. The convenience is quite good, especially with the "Lunch Plate" option available! It was a delightful dining experience.

For a quick lunch break, I had the Wagyu beef sukiyaki udon. The meat was delicious and warming. When I don't have much time, it's great to be able to quickly enjoy tasty udon at the Daimaru Shinsaibashi store. The same taste is maintained across different branches, so it's reassuring. When I want to satisfy my hunger, I usually go for the set meal.

It was around 11 o'clock on Sunday, but the streets of Shinsaibashi were noticeably less crowded than usual. For lunch, I decided to eat at the food court in the basement of Daimaru Shinsaibashi. It was around 11:30 on Sunday and there were quite a few customers eating at various shops. The food court can accommodate about 350 seats in total, but I think only about 30-40% were occupied. Due to the pandemic, the counter seats at the shops were not being used. I had planned to eat kitsune udon from the beginning, and I stuck to my choice. It was a bit pricey at 830 yen. In Osaka, the broth is essential for udon. The sweet and savory flavor of the fried tofu soaked into the broth perfectly, and the thick fried tofu was a delight. The udon noodles had a good chewy texture, and although it had been 11 years since I last ate at the main store, my memory matched my experience. I haven't eaten udon much since coming to Osaka recently, but udon is definitely better than soba in Osaka. Thank you for the meal. The blog post is here: http://asap.blog.jp/archives/41236653.html

I finally visited the food court in the newly renovated Daimaru Shinsaibashi store in Osaka. I chose to eat at Dotonbori Imai for a late-night meal. I decided on duck udon, which came with a small packet of sansho pepper. The udon noodles were not as firm as I expected, possibly because they were served hot. The duck broth was rich and flavorful, with plenty of fat but still light. The duck meat was a bit tough, but overall the dish was delicious even without the sansho pepper.

In November 2019, I went to the new Shinsaibashi Daimaru with a friend. We decided to explore the food hall on the B2F and try different foods. While wandering around, we stopped by the takeout corner of Imai-san in Dotonbori and found my favorite dish, Odamaki-mushi! It's a regional dish from Osaka, similar to steamed udon in a bowl. I bought one for 1296 yen and took it home. I tried to heat it up in the microwave following the instructions, but it didn't turn out as good as the one served in the restaurant. Despite the mishap, the taste was amazing. The udon was chewy, and it was filled with various ingredients like fish cake, simmered chicken, shiitake mushrooms, gingko nuts, grilled conger eel, shrimp, lily bulbs, yuba, yuzu, and mitsuba. The broth was also very flavorful. It was a delicious meal! Next time, I'll make sure to enjoy the proper Odamaki-mushi at Imai-san's counter. (Lesson learned)

On November 16, 2019, I visited the food hall at Daimaru Shinsaibashi and enjoyed four dishes to fill my stomach. After that, I went shopping around the area. First, I was lured by a 20% increase sale and bought some coffee beans called "Emerald Mountain". Then, I visited the Dotonbori Imai store at Daimaru Shinsaibashi, where I had previously visited the main store in October and tried their seasonal "Chestnut Anmitsu Soba" and took out the "Kitsune Udon". This time, I bought the following items, all including tax: - Easy Nabe Yaki Udon: 1058 yen - Premium Shichimi (seven spice blend): 432 yen The "Easy Nabe Yaki Udon" came with a luxurious assortment of ingredients including dashi, noodles, seven spice blend, combined duck meat, kamaboko, shiitake mushroom simmered in a savory sauce, green onions, awa-fu (wheat gluten), and grilled anago (conger eel). I didn't know it came with the seven spice blend, so I also bought the canned "Premium Shichimi", but I realized later that it wasn't necessary. However, with the upcoming hot pot season, I'm sure I will make good use of it. The next day for lunch, I used a black Iga-yaki nabe (small) to challenge myself to make "Nabe Yaki Udon". I boiled the dashi and an equal amount of water in the black nabe, then simmered the noodles and combined duck meat. I added the ingredients, cracked a raw egg on top, covered it, and let it steam for a minute. Voila, the "Nabe Yaki Udon" was ready to be enjoyed! The dashi from Imai, made with Hokkaido kelp and Kyushu saba and urume bonito flakes, had a subtle yet rich flavor with a refined umami taste. The udon, with a soft texture and less chewy than usual, absorbed the broth well and tasted delicious. Mixing the egg yolk into the noodles enhanced the flavor even more, and the abundance of ingredients added their own deliciousness to the dish. "Nabe Yaki Udon" really warms you up from the inside out! Next, I found some "Horsehair Crab" at the fish store. Bon appétit!

Recently opened in the B2F of the main building of Daimaru Shinsaibashi, directly connected to Shinsaibashi Station on the Midosuji Line and Nagahori Tsurumi Ryokuchi Line, is a food court called "Shinsaibashi Food Hall" featuring a well-known udon restaurant. The original Daimaru Shinsaibashi store closed in 2015 for renovations and reopened in September 2019 with a larger scale and a total of 368 stores, including 41 new stores making their Kansai debut. The highlight is the newly opened food court on the B2F floor, with 13 restaurants and 350 seats, where local favorites like "Harie" and "Rokkaku To" are featured. The trend in food courts nowadays is to have dedicated seating areas for each restaurant, and this one is no exception. I ordered the An-kake Udon (715 yen) and enjoyed it at the dedicated counter seat. The dish was beautifully presented in a simple white bowl with brown sauce and grated ginger on top. The broth, made with Hokkaido kelp and Kyushu bonito, had a delicate yet flavorful taste. The noodles were soft with a nice chewy texture, typical of Osaka-style udon. The combination of the gentle sauce and the noodles was perfect, and it was a comforting meal that warmed me up on a chilly day. The original Imai store is located in the center of the Dotonbori Gokoza and has been serving udon to theater-goers for many years. Enjoying a refined bowl of udon in the elegant atmosphere of this department store, which beautifully captures the spirit of the architect Vorris, was a delightful experience.