I work in the service industry, so I don't eat garlic during the week. But on weekends, I sometimes crave for gyoza. I prefer gyoza with thin skin, like the ones from MenMen. To satisfy my craving, I went to the MenMen Minami Senba Honten, the birthplace of garlic gyoza. According to Mits, MenMen, a gyoza chain originating from Osaka, was founded in 1953 by the artist Yasuo Furuta. The couple who opened the first MenMen shop here borrowed a cook from a gyoza shop they had in Tokyo after returning from Manchuria. That's how the first MenMen shop was opened here, making it the birthplace of MenMen. It was Furuta's idea to use garlic instead of the expensive chives in the gyoza, a practice not common in China. This innovation led to great success, changing the history of gyoza in Japan. Luckily, it was Gyoza Service Day, offering a discount of 100 yen per serving. MenMen claims to have been the first to make pan-fried gyoza in Japan, but technically, they were the first to make gyoza with garlic. The cutlery is simple, and regulars seem to prefer sitting at the counter on the first floor. I always sit at the counter since I'm dining alone. I started with two servings of gyoza, which were discounted to 520 yen due to the promotion. The gyoza were perfectly cooked by someone with over 10 years of experience. The thin skin allowed me to fully enjoy the delicious filling. For dessert, I ordered the off-menu Black Fried Rice for 670 yen. It had a soy sauce flavor and was relatively light, which I appreciated. The Black Fried Rice was delicious, with a nice portion size and served with soup. The restaurant overall seemed a step above the regular MenMen, so it's worth dining here for the same price. The location is also very convenient, just off the south side of Bic Camera. Enjoying gyoza here, reflect on the history of gyoza in Japan. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

It is located about a 3-4 minute walk northeast from Nankai Namba Station North Exit. When you enter the shop, you will be guided to the counter seats on the 1st floor. Here, I had pan-fried dumplings and fried rice. Shortly after, the fried rice and dumplings were brought to us. The fried rice contained crab, egg, and green onions. The rice was moist, with a gentle saltiness and the flavor of crab. The pan-fried dumplings were served with 7 pieces per portion. The skin was crispy on one side. The filling consisted of minced meat, vegetables, and garlic. The texture of the skin, the taste of the filling, and the garlic complemented the rice and beer. I look forward to visiting again and trying various dumplings and side dishes. Thank you for the delicious meal.

It had been a while since I last went out for lunch, so I decided to try a restaurant. I was in the mood for fried rice, so I searched on Tabelog and found a place that looked good. The lunch set had a nice variety and was good value for money. I was seated on the second floor, which was a bit narrow and steep due to the old building. The fried rice and dumplings set I ordered arrived quickly. The fried rice was lighter than I expected, which would go well with noodles. There was a bit less crab in the dish than I thought. The dumplings were small and easy to eat, with a consistent flavor but lacking a bit of uniqueness. Overall, I thought it was a good value for lunch or a beer set, as the service was quick and the food was decent. Thank you for the meal.

I ordered a beer set (beer, gyoza, and one other dish) and mapo tofu rice bowl at the same time. First, the beer came, then I thought the gyoza would come next, but instead, it was the mapo tofu rice bowl... isn't that wrong? The one dish (shrimp chili and eggs) and mapo tofu rice bowl were okay, but the gyoza was not great. Also, the garlic fried rice my companion ordered had good flavor but was a bit soggy. I won't be going back.

I went to have lunch in Namba with my friend for the first time. It's a Chinese restaurant that has been around for a long time, and there was already a line before opening. We waited for about 2 minutes and then entered as soon as it opened. Everything we ordered was delicious. I want to try all the lunch menu items. It was full as soon as it opened! Is it better to go right at opening? I will definitely go again~

Located in a back alley off the bustling shopping streets of Namba and Sennichimae in Osaka, you'll find MenMen Minamisenndemmote, the main store of a long-established Chinese restaurant group founded in 1953. You can easily spot it from afar with its huge lantern hanging outside. Rumored to be the birthplace of grilled dumplings, MenMen offers a unique taste with its super thin skin and a filling made not only with pork but also with lamb. Their signature dish, Genghis Khan, is also worth a try for those who enjoy the distinct flavor of lamb.Visited in July 2023 for lunch, feeling like a lunch refugee. MenMen? Oh, I remember this place from when I was around 20 years old. It's been a while since my last visit. As you walk through Sennichimae shopping street, you can't miss the huge lantern of MenMen hanging in the back alley. When you think of MenMen, you think of dumplings and Genghis Khan, right?Genghis Khan Set Meal - 750 yenLunch Set: One serving of dumplings + 300 yenThe food arrived quicker than I expected. The dumplings had a slightly sweet grilled taste. The skin was so thin that it tore easily when I tried to separate them. The unique feature of these dumplings is that they contain lamb meat, giving them a juicy and slightly unique taste. The other specialty, Genghis Khan, had a strong lamb aroma. If you're not a fan, you might want to avoid it. However, the rich seasoning goes well with rice. Lastly, a gentle egg soup to refresh. The salad with Chinese cabbage and fried chicken pieces was a nice touch. Considering the generous portion, the price of 750 yen (add 300 yen for dumplings) is quite reasonable. It felt nostalgic and I had a good time. Thank you for the meal.

Namba Walk was full, so I moved to the main store. I briefly thought about getting a set, but ended up ordering a single dish. I got the mapo tofu rice bowl and chicken thread-cut soup (total 1230 yen). The mapo tofu rice bowl had a good amount of food. The soup had a spicy kick from the pepper. It was a bit busy at the counter seats on the first floor, but that's just part of the experience. Thank you for the meal.

It's been about 10 years since I last visited this soy sauce ramen, fried rice, and gyoza restaurant! Nowadays, clean and good customer service is common, so it's a bit nostalgic that this place has remained the same, which can be good or bad, but the classic dishes are still delicious! We were able to easily get a table at 9 p.m. I would like to try some of their side dishes next time. Thank you for the meal!

The day ended with a visit to Minmin in Sennichimae. It was a support visit to a restaurant that is managing to stay open despite the pandemic. We went to the long-established Chinese restaurant "Minmin Minami Sennichimae Main Store" in Sennichimae and had some "gyoza" (dumplings) and "harumaki" (spring rolls). "First things first, gyoza and beer!" This day, the restaurant we wanted to go to was closed. So, we wandered around Minami and remembered this place, "Minmin." It was actually my first time at the "Minmin Sennichimae Main Store." I used to frequent the old store in Umeda. This place is the original store of "Minmin," which opened in 1953. The gyoza here is delicious without a doubt. The dumplings are quite large with thin skin, and they were so tasty that we finished two servings in no time. And the spring rolls that I wanted to try! They were the perfect accompaniment to beer. The gyoza and spring rolls at Minmin were incredibly delicious!

Located on the south side of Namba's Bic Camera, I decided to visit this shop after a long day of drinking. I was in the mood for anything - noodles, rice, dumplings - I didn't really care. I was quite drunk. I visited around 7:30 PM on a holiday. The counter seats on the first floor were about half full. I quickly decided on ordering the "Szechuan-style ramen for 800 yen and Dewar's highball for 330 yen" after seeing the menu. The Dewar's highball was a limited-time offer at 330 yen, so I ordered it without thinking. I took a sip of the Dewar's highball that arrived first, and after a short wait, the Szechuan-style ramen was served. It looked really good and piping hot. I took a sip of the soup and it was extremely hot. The soup was thick and had tofu in it, which was soft and delicious. The noodles were thin and straight, coated in the flavorful soup. The balance of sourness and spiciness was well done and it was quite tasty. The spiciness might be too much for those who are not used to it, so be careful. I ate while cooling my mouth with the highball. I finished it all in my drunken state. It was delicious. I didn't have room for dumplings this time, but I definitely want to try them next time. Looking forward to it. Thank you for the meal.

This is a shop I visit occasionally. I usually go during lunchtime when it's crowded, but this time I went a little later so there was some breathing room. I sat at the counter, looked at the menu, and ordered the tanmen and gyoza. The tanmen arrived. The soup had a delicious salty flavor, just the right amount of saltiness. The noodles were straight noodles, with Chinese cabbage, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, and pork. Overall, it was a light tanmen, but very tasty. The gyoza came with 7 pieces per serving. They were a little soft in texture, but still delicious.

After watching the new comedy, I wanted to try the yakimeshi, but that would be too much carbs. So on my day off, I ended up ordering yakisoba, gyoza set, and beer instead. The gyoza could use a bit more garlic flavor, but the yakisoba was delicious with a salty taste. However, the counter seat I was given was next to the trash can and the table was dirty. But overall, the taste was okay.

I am in Osaka. In Osaka, there is Minami, Namba, and Sennichimae. Behind the old Big Camera, previously Platan, even further back in time, there was a shop down a street on the south side of Sennichidepartment. I visited this place after a very, very long time, probably about 40 years. Back then, it was a dark alley and as a child, I remember being quite scared as my parents brought me here. Now, it has become much brighter and more welcoming. The large lantern outside felt smaller compared to the past, but maybe it just seemed bigger to me as a child 40 years ago? It was bigger and dirtier back then, kind of greasy and grimy. The exterior of the shop also seemed more modern now. Anyway, I pushed open the door and entered, finding only counter seats on the first floor, with a sign leading to the second floor. Climbing the narrow and steep staircase next to the entrance, I reached the second floor. It was a spacious area with tables packed tightly, giving a vibe of a meeting room. The shop was operating with dividers from the COVID situation still in place. I ordered a beer and a variety of dishes – gyoza, karaage, shrimp tempura, sweet and sour pork, and fried rice. The shop was full of customers and quite noisy and lively. It was a bit of a challenge to place orders due to the noise, but the beer was served promptly. The food was also served quickly. The gyoza had thin skin and a vegetable-heavy filling, which I enjoyed. I liked the sweet and sour pork and shrimp tempura. The chicken karaage was voluminous but the meat wasn't to my liking, not very juicy. The fried rice was delicious. The spring rolls had a strong flavor, and although there was no mustard on the table, the staff brought it upon request. However, I was surprised by the amount they brought. Some staff members seemed like non-native Japanese speakers, but overall, there were no issues with ordering. There were compartments under the table for storing belongings. The seating was cramped, especially for larger individuals, and the chairs were stuck to the sticky floor. Well, maybe this is part of the charm of a local Chinese restaurant? Although this is a chain Chinese restaurant, the prices were slightly higher compared to a certain famous chain nationwide. But since I enjoyed the gyoza, I might come back on a day with the number 3 in it, maybe they still have a half-price gyoza promotion on those days?

This time, I visited Men Men Minami Namba Chuo Day Main Store in Namba Chuo Day. Days with the number 3 are discount days for gyoza, so I went to Men Men. It has been about a year since I last visited here. I ordered Akahoshi gyoza, two servings of gyoza, and Genghis Khan bowl. This time, the timing of the grilling was just right, the gyoza was served, and then the Genghis Khan bowl. The taste was as great as ever, crunchy and satisfying. It was a reliable dish. Thank you for the meal.

The small-sized regular dumplings are really delicious. I like this size the best. I was on a diet before my health check-up, but I couldn't resist eating them. I'll try my best for another week. I wanted to drink beer, but I managed to resist it. Good for me. But the mapo tofu was really hot, it was a big event in my mouth!

Located in Chuo Ward, Osaka. It is south of Namba Center Street shopping arcade, across from Maruhan. Established in 1953, operated by Min Min Honpo Co., Ltd. Central kitchen in Yodogawa Ward. The restaurant has a kitchen and counter seats on the 1st floor. Climbing a steep staircase leads to numerous table seats on the 2nd floor. There is even a 3rd floor. Interestingly, the restaurant was almost full as soon as it opened. Lunch menu available on weekdays and weekends/holidays. Options include dishes at the same price, slightly higher, and more. - Liver and Garlic Chive Stir-fry Set (700 yen): Liver and garlic chive stir-fry, rice, soup. The stir-fry includes pork liver, bean sprouts, and garlic chives with a tangy seasoning that enhances appetite. The egg soup has a gentle flavor made from chicken broth and vegetables. The rice portion can be ordered as less, and the rice is 100% Koshihikari from Niigata. - Fried Rice and Gyoza Set (850 yen): Fried rice, gyoza, soup. The gyoza is made with pork, mutton, lamb, cabbage, and leeks, mixed with garlic, ginger, and peanut oil among 17 ingredients. The fried rice is delicious despite being a bit oily, with eggs and leeks as main ingredients. - Five-Ingredient Yakisoba (850 yen): Ordered separately. Contains pork, shrimp, squid, egg, cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, bean sprouts, and bell peppers. The yakisoba is made with flat noodles, possibly homemade egg noodles, and has a light seasoning of salt and soy sauce. The restaurant offers good quality and value, similar to a popular Chinese restaurant like Osho. I would like to try other menu items as well. This is a place to enjoy gyoza and drinks, finishing off with soup!

Osaka expedition lunch. The mystery of a foodie's strange determination to go there because the first store is located there, not because Kyoto also has it (lol). Established in 1953, back when pan-fried dumplings were still considered rare, they use 100% strong flour and distilled water only for the skin, a particular focus. The thin skin gives it a very smooth texture. The cabbage used is said to be the soul of the dumplings, so they have a dedicated farmer grow it for them. This time, I also had Genghis Khan rice bowl (photos 2, 3), sweet and sour pork (photo 4), and fried rice as the finale. I often order the Genghis Khan rice bowl at the Kyoto store personally, with its soy-based sweet sauce and harmony with onions creating an endless loop of rice. I visited during a late lunch hour to avoid the crowds, but the seating was almost full, showing the true strength of the first store. Thank you for the feast. #Grateful for life.. #Osaka Gourmet #Osaka Travel #Osaka Dinner #Osaka Lunch #Osaka Chinese #Osaka Sightseeing #Osaka Strolling #Osaka Tour #Dotonbori Gourmet #Osaka Town Chinese #Minmin #Kansai Gourmet #Osaka Food Tour #Osaka Gourmet Trip #Minmin #Connecting with people who like photography #Town Chinese #Minami Gourmet #Osaka Gourmet Tour #Chinese Cuisine #Dumplings #osakafood #osakadinner #osakalunch #osakatrip #osakajapan #dumplinglover

I have a special memory of visiting this restaurant 20 years ago for the first time, so I decided to end the day here on our anniversary. I have been coming here many times over the past 20 years, but the deliciousness never gets old. This time, I ordered gyoza, grilled pork, and yakisoba with vegetables. The gyoza was consistently delicious as always. Since this was our fourth stop of the day and we had plans to visit a bar lounge at the hotel later, we kept our meal light. Sometimes, when I bring my big-eating junior from Osaka, we order so many gyoza that I lose count, but on this day, we enjoyed reminiscing about 20 years ago while sipping our drinks. I will definitely be back next year.

I was doing some food hopping in the Namba area♪ I had been eating at various places since the morning, but after walking around several outdoor shops at Namba Parks, I started feeling a bit hungry haha. To satisfy my craving, I decided to go to a restaurant I wanted to visit. For the fourth stop, I chose "Gyoza-ya MinMin," a gyoza restaurant established in 1953. The main store is located behind Bic Camera, with a counter on the first floor and table seats on the second and third floors. It's a bit cramped with a total of 60 seats, and smoking is allowed. It seems like it's popular not only for meals but also for drinking sessions❣ So, we ordered a beer set (comes with gyoza for 2 people) for 1300 yen and a plain sour for 430 yen. The gyoza was served individually with a slight time difference. They were cooked just right, crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside! The garlic flavor was just right, and the juicy meat made the beer go down smoothly♡ By the way, I noticed that many people were ordering yakisoba, and it looked incredibly delicious. I hope to revisit someday and try it out. Thank you for the meal (*˘︶˘人)ﾃﾞｼﾀ

The pan-fried dumplings cost 390 yen for 2 servings, the half portion of fried chicken costs 430 yen, and a large bottle of beer costs 720 yen. The dumplings were not cooked thoroughly, lacking a crispy texture and instead had a soft, steamed-like consistency. The skins stuck together and were difficult to separate. Despite the uneven cooking and difficulty in eating, the dumplings were delicious, juicy, and full of flavor. The fried chicken was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with a simple seasoning of salt and pepper which I enjoyed. The fact that they offer Sapporo Black Label in a large bottle is a big plus for me.

The first floor has counter seats, while the second and third floors have table seats. Despite being a large restaurant, it was full on Sunday after 1 pm, but we were seated quickly due to the fast turnover. We ordered the Beer Set for 1 person at 1,380 yen, which included Sapporo beer, gyoza, and chicken karaage. We also added 3 extra orders of gyoza (1 order has 7 pieces for 390 yen), liver and leek stir-fry for 700 yen, fried rice for 670 yen, and enjoyed draft beer, highball, and aged liquor. The combination of delicious gyoza and beer never disappoints. We left the restaurant fully satisfied!

I visited the Namba area while strolling around and decided to have a light drink. It was lively since it was a holiday afternoon. Amidst many customers enjoying fried rice and set meals, I ordered the beer set (draft beer, gyoza, mapo tofu) for 1,280 yen. The gyoza and mapo tofu were delicious. It was a great deal. While having a meal would have been great, this time I thoroughly enjoyed plenty of beer and highballs.