Today's lunch was at "Azuma Mama's Freshly Made Kitchen" behind NGK. It used to be a popular cafeteria where various side dishes were displayed in a showcase and customers would serve themselves, but I don't remember much about it. Now, it has transformed into a stylish little shop with a red counter, where you can order from three daily lunch specials. I chose the "grilled fish" option, specifically the mackerel. The main mackerel was thick and flavorful with just the right amount of salt, and the side dishes of fried eggplant, bamboo shoots, and vegetable stew were delicious. This would make a great accompaniment to sake. The pickles, including cucumber, Chinese cabbage, and pickled radish, along with the mentaiko (spicy cod roe), were a nice touch. The rice was tasty, and the miso soup with tofu and seaweed had a rich and delicious broth. The menu offers other tempting options, so I will definitely be visiting again. Thank you for the meal!

I had been wanting to go to this restaurant ever since it was recommended by a comedian on a TV show. Finally, I was able to have lunch there and it was a stylish and cozy place. I ordered the grilled fish set meal (grilled mackerel) at the counter and enjoyed it very much. The side dishes and the grilled mackerel were delicious, and the rice was fluffy and tasty. The mackerel was juicy and flavorful, and it was a satisfying lunch. I felt like having a beer, but I had to resist since I was still working.

I visited "Azuma Mama's Fresh Kitchen," which was renovated about 3 years ago behind Namba Grand Kagetsu. Before the renovation, it was a well-known old-fashioned diner called "Azuma Shokudo," which had been in business for about 40 years. The talented Azuma Mama, who was also active at Azuma Shokudo, is now at the forefront, still serving delicious home-cooked meals. Due to its proximity to NGK, many Yoshimoto comedians have been frequent visitors since the days of Azuma Shokudo. I ordered the Tomato Sauce Hamburg Lunch for 930 yen, and it was served in a hot iron pot that was visually appealing and fragrant. The dish was colorful with tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, and other vibrant vegetables, which not only looked healthy but also delightful. The flavors of each ingredient were well absorbed in the tomato sauce, creating a rich taste. The hamburger was hearty yet tender and cooked to perfection, exuding a warm and comforting vibe. The accompanying mentaiko (seasoned cod roe) and pickles were also delicious and added a nice touch. The homemade miso soup was comforting and tasty as well. The restaurant also operates as an izakaya at night, offering reasonably priced delicious home-cooked meals and drinks. This is a highly recommended "izakaya" lunch gem. I highly recommend you to visit this place.

This is one of the restaurants loved by Yoshimoto comedians in Minami Namba. It used to have an old-fashioned atmosphere, but it has been completely renovated. The entrance is through a passage in the building, on the left. The interior of the restaurant only has a counter. - Plain chu-hai (380 yen) - Black edamame (250 yen) - Salmon salt-grilled. The saltiness is just right. The food is delicious, but it was a bit lonely to hear a "ding!" sound before it was served.

I used to visit Azuma Shokudo many times in the past, but this was my first visit since it was renovated. It has changed completely. Personally, I prefer the old-fashioned public cafeteria style. You can choose your favorite side dishes while saying, "Rice and miso soup, please!" The old Azuma Shokudo was like that. There were people enjoying salt-grilled dishes and simmered dishes with their drinks, and above all, the Showa era atmosphere was nostalgic and comforting for an old guy like me. The newly renovated restaurant is very clean and stylish. The interior has only counter seats, and it is run by three women, including the mama-san. When you sit at the counter, you are close to the kitchen! You can see everything clearly. The mama-san seems to have many fans as she chats with what seems like regular customers. The menu features dishes served in skillet pots, and the main dish comes in that pot. I ordered the Azuma special mama curry with freshly made hamburger set for 1,050 yen. It came with fluffy rice cooked in a pot, miso soup, and pickles. The vegetable curry with pumpkin, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, etc., was poured over the hamburger. I had imagined it would be homemade. I wonder how the other dishes are? Thank you for the meal.

The fried chicken and grilled mackerel that were featured on TV looked delicious, so I decided to try them. I visited the restaurant around 6 pm on a weekend, and they were open for business all day. When I ordered the fried chicken, it came with salad and shrimp tempura, while the grilled mackerel came with potato salad. If you order rice, you also get unlimited servings of spicy cod roe, making it feel like a complete meal. I felt that visiting for lunch was more appealing than coming at night. Both the fried chicken and grilled mackerel were delicious. I would love to come back for lunch next time. Thank you for the delicious meal!

I felt like having a donburi from the menu on Tabelog and decided to visit the restaurant. However, I couldn't find any donburi or set meals on the menu. I wondered if they don't offer them on weekends. I had to order rice separately, which made it a bit expensive. Maybe they should consider updating the menu on Tabelog. Perhaps their concept is to allow day drinking on weekends? The place is mostly run by three women, who seem to prepare most of the dishes and even make the sauces from scratch. There were many regular elderly customers who seemed to enjoy the cozy atmosphere. It felt like a girls' bar for older people. Everyone seemed to get along well and have a good time, enjoying drinks while also having lunch. The food was homely and homemade, which was nice. Overall, it seems like a place where you can relax and feel at home once you get used to it.

When eating alone, it's important to be undisturbed, free, and feel a sense of relief. This excerpt is from "The Lonely Gourmet," which has just started its long-awaited season 8. It has overturned the conventional idea that meals should be enjoyed with family or friends, showing that it's okay to dine alone. Today, I visited "Azuma Mama's Fresh Kitchen," located behind Namba Kagetsu in Sennichimae. The old-fashioned diner "Azuma Shokudo" had transformed without me noticing. Upon researching, I found out that it was renovated in April this year. I ordered the "Grilled Fish Set [Mackerel]" (880 yen) for lunch. The lunch menu offers a variety of enticing options, but I chose the classic salt-grilled mackerel. It comes with two side dishes and mentaiko, which is a nice touch. With unlimited rice refills, I could have easily eaten a bowl with just the mentaiko in the past. But now, I enjoyed it in moderation. The mackerel was plump with just the right amount of fat, and I carefully removed the small bones as I savored it. It paired well with grated daikon. I finished with a hot bowl of miso soup, feeling content. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal. The restaurant is run by women and plays the sound of birds instead of the usual music, which adds a stylish touch. A fulfilling meal, a quiet journey there and back, no regrets.

Hidden gem in Ura-Namba: Chicken thigh oil-drizzled chicken lunch set for 980 yen. It's rare to find oil-drizzled chicken in a lunch set, as tonkatsu and karaage are more common. The oil-drizzled chicken here is delicious! The rice was also very tasty. Thank you for the meal.

On April 1, 2019, the restaurant was renovated and reopened. It used to be a traditional Osaka-style eatery with dishes displayed in the window, but now it has been transformed into a trendy, stylish restaurant with a red color scheme. The chef, known as "Azuma Mama," who previously worked at the old "Azuma Shokudo" for many years, will now prepare home-style dishes such as oyakodon and grilled fish in front of the red counter. They take pride in their fluffy rice cooked in a traditional stove, and offer unlimited refills for both lunch and dinner. While the menu used to focus on Japanese cuisine, they are now venturing into meat dishes aimed towards younger customers. Some of their new menu items include steak sets, grilled fish sets, tempura sets, and more, all with the option for unlimited rice and miso soup. The menu is extensive and full of options, making it a tough choice on what to order. Enjoy a leisurely meal at this newly renovated restaurant!

It wasn't Namba Kagetsu, but the popular dining hall behind NGK has been renovated and turned into Azuma Mama's freshly made kitchen. The large structure remains the same, but the interior has been updated with a modern touch, mainly in red tones. Looking at the menu, they seem to have expanded their set meals. I sit at the counter and order the grilled fish set meal. You can choose from salmon, mackerel, or cutlassfish. I choose cutlassfish. Inside the counter, there are several IH stoves where they grill the fish. It's ready. The main cutlassfish, two side dishes, thick fried tofu with greens, pork simmered in sauce?, miso soup, and pickles. You can have seconds of rice. The cutlassfish was grilled very rare. Noteworthy is the pot of spicy cod roe. You can also have this. With such a strong lineup of side dishes, it's impossible not to be full with just one serving. Seconds, please!

I found a new restaurant while strolling around Namba. The exterior looked different from before, so I asked the mama-san and she said they had renovated. They offer free rice and mentaiko. I ended up eating too much even though I don't usually have lunch! I have to go back to see the beautiful ladies again. ♥️

The restaurant has been renovated and has become very stylish. For lunch, dishes like chicken and hamburgers are served on a skillet. I had the colorful vegetable and chicken lunch, and the vegetables, meat, and rice were all delicious and satisfying. It's located near NGK, so if you're lucky, you might even see a Yoshimoto entertainer!

Delicious.

This restaurant cooks dishes in a real iron pot right in front of you! The hamburgers and steaks have a slight crispy char that is just irresistible! I tried the all-you-can-drink option this time, so I'll definitely be back for lunch next time.