On September 4, 2023, I visited Takoya Dotombori Kukuru at Daimaru Shinsaibashi Store in Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan. Originally planning to have lunch at a café, I stumbled upon the lively food court in the basement of Daimaru and decided to have a food court lunch with my companion. I noticed Akashiyaki, a dish I had never tried before, and decided to order it. Unlike takoyaki, Akashiyaki has a soft surface and came with a dipping sauce and condiments. It was my first time trying Akashiyaki, and I found it to be delicious. While I only ordered Akashiyaki this time, I regret not trying takoyaki as well. I remember seeing frozen Akashiyaki at Kobe Airport's souvenir shop, so I made a mental note to buy some before leaving. Overall, it was a great dining experience. Thank you for the meal.

I ordered 6 pieces of takoyaki and ginger ale. The takoyaki had a creamy filling with a strong dashi flavor. The sauce was generously drizzled on top, creating a delicious combination of punchy sauce and fluffy dashi. The batter was soft enough to just hold its shape when lifted with chopsticks. I usually eat takoyaki at Gindaco, but a friend from Osaka recommended Kukuru, a chain restaurant in Tokyo. The atmosphere at the food court in the department store was not the best, but it was conveniently located near Shinsaibashi Station, making it perfect for a quick meal. I happened to stop by before heading to Itami Airport, so it was a lucky find. The dishes were self-served and returned to a communal dish return shelf. When I entered with my suitcase, the staff asked where I was from, and they were quite surprised when I said Sapporo. It's true that Sapporo residents may not visit department stores like this, especially in Shinsaibashi. Thank you for the meal!

2023/06/10・#Today'sSnack・I had a snack time at the store "Takoya Dotombori Kukuru Daimaru Shinsaibashi Store" in Daimaru Shinsaibashi♪・☻Akashiyaki Half & Half・I couldn't decide between takoyaki and Akashiyaki, so I chose Akashiyaki☺︎・Half & half with 4 pieces of regular Akashiyaki and green onion Akashiyaki each・I wonder if it's okay without green onions in the Akashiyaki☺︎・・There are many different stores in the food court at Daimaru Shinsaibashi, it's fun♪・Thank you for the meal☺︎・・#GaaSnackTime #GaaTakoyaki #GaaAkashiyaki #TakoyaDotomboriKukuruDaimaruShinsaibashiStore

There is a chain of takoyaki restaurants called Kukuru-san with stores nationwide. I had the opportunity to stay at a hotel in Shinsaibashi, and I thought that when in Osaka, you have to have takoyaki. So, I visited the store inside Daimaru nearby. It was like a food court, and I sat at the counter in the corner reserved for Kukuru. Most of the customers were foreigners. I went around 7:30 pm, and they were already sold out of takomeshi (takoyaki with rice). I decided to splurge and ordered a 10-piece set for about 1200 yen. It's around 120 yen per piece, which is quite reasonable. The taste was consistent! It was creamy and delicious. I would love to eat it again. I wish they would open a store near my house.

I went to the B2F floor of Daimaru Shinsaibashi store and had some Akashiyaki from Kukuru. I bought 8 pieces for 979 yen. I also had a beer for 528 yen. They gave me a buzzer that would ring when my order was ready, so I waited at my table while snacking on the food I already had. It was convenient. After about 10 minutes, I got my order. The Akashiyaki was hot and served in cute octopus-shaped containers with steaming hot broth. It was a bit too powdery for my taste, but that might vary from person to person. The only downside was that the beer was served in a plastic cup, which was a bit disappointing. We joked that it was like drinking orange juice. Overall, it was a fun experience.

I often pass by the main store of Dotombori, but this was my first time trying takoyaki at "Kukuru"! The photo shows the Aizu-style takoyaki, but I also had the regular one. It was a bit soft, but very delicious. Thank you for the meal! (っ˘ڡ˘ς)

I don't have many chances to visit Osaka, it's been about 10 years since my last visit. I couldn't forget the taste of the takoyaki I had in the past (^O^) I ordered a pack of 8, and they were so delicious with a melty texture that I could eat them all in one go! Takoyaki in Nagoya feels more like a lump of flour, and the ones in Osaka are definitely different and delicious! Although this shop had fewer flavor options, the taste was satisfying enough for me. I even bought some more to eat before boarding the Shinkansen at Shin-Osaka station, that's how much I enjoyed them, haha.

I visited at 5:30 pm. It is located inside the food court on the B2F of Daimaru Shinsaibashi store. I wanted to have Akashiyaki, but ended up getting takoyaki with cinema tickets... Takoyaki M x 8 x 1. Sauce. Bonito flakes. Seaweed. Mayonnaise. No mayo. The takoyaki case is cute with a takoyaki design.

"This is something that I think would be fine to have at the beginning of the year." That's what I thought about the takoyaki I received this time, which could also be called THE Japanese-style takoyaki. There are several 'Kukuru' stores in Osaka, but this time I visited the one located in the Daimaru department store basement in Shinsaibashi. For most first-time visitors, the first thing that catches their eye is the impressive octopus lantern (I was one of those people). However, personally, I was more interested in something else. That's the "Mochinori Takoyaki" that I ordered this time. At 'Kukuru', there is a limited edition takoyaki called "Master's Takoyaki" that changes monthly, but on this day in December, they offered takoyaki with mochi added to the dough, topped with a soy sauce-based sauce and sprinkled with chopped nori. While takoyaki itself is a dish that originated in Japan, using mochi, soy sauce, and nori makes it more Japanese-style. Compared to the standard Worcestershire sauce-based takoyaki, I found that the soy sauce and mochi complemented the dashi-flavored dough of 'Kukuru's takoyaki very well. If you prefer a light and refined Japanese-style dashi flavor like Akashiyaki, I recommend considering trying this "Mochinori Takoyaki" if you have the chance."

The menu at the restaurant offers both takoyaki and Akashiyaki, but I chose takoyaki. It came with sauce and mayonnaise by default, which I requested. The taste was not like typical Osaka takoyaki, but more like a savory flour-based dish with a strong flavor, combined with the usual sauce and mayonnaise taste. It was hot and easy to eat, so overall it was okay.

The food hall on the B2F of Daimaru Shinsaibashi Main Store is convenient for casual dining. Today, I visited "Takoya Dotonbori Kukuru" to satisfy my hunger. This popular takoyaki specialty shop has its main store in Dotonbori. The giant piglet "tako signboard" is impressive. Kukuru's freshly baked takoyaki, made by skilled craftsmen, is hot and delicious. The dashi-flavored batter has a fluffy and creamy texture, and the chewy large octopus is also tasty. The perfect level of grilling, truly amazing. I look forward to trying their Akashiyaki next time.

I found out that there is a food court in Daimaru at Shinsaibashi, so I decided to take a look. I discovered that they have a lot of food here, and even though I've been eating a lot, I can still eat takoyaki (lol). [Order details] Akashiyaki. This is my fourth meal today (lol). But I can still eat Akashiyaki without any problem. It's delicious! Eating to my heart's content is the best!

I visited because the eat-in option has resumed since the lifting of the COVID restrictions. Unfortunately, this time the takoyaki I ordered was lukewarm and a bit soggy. I remember it being crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside before. It would have been better if it was served hotter. Also, I felt like using paper plates for dine-in created unnecessary waste and wasn't very eco-friendly.

I enjoyed it very much with beer. ◎

It's neither good nor bad, but it's a nice place to enjoy Osaka quickly. However, if you're visiting for sightseeing, it's better to go to Dotonbori.

I went to Daimaru Main Building in Shinsaibashi because it has been renovated. I tried the takoyaki with 6 pieces, and the taste was still fluffy and creamy, with a good mix of sauce. One thing that caught my attention was that they used to serve it on a proper plate, but now it comes in a paper plate with an octopus design. It felt less like eating at the restaurant and more like a takeout, which was a bit disappointing.

Takoyaki and Akashiyaki =========== This restaurant serves delicious takoyaki and Akashiyaki.