ゴージャ
Every time I come back to Osaka, I am reminded of the city's unique culture. Everywhere you look, you can see signs and curtains for okonomiyaki and takoyaki. According to data, Osaka has the highest number of takoyaki shops in the country. However, when it comes to okonomiyaki, Hiroshima is number one, and Osaka surprisingly ranks 10th. Well, that's because it's based on the number of shops per 100,000 people, but in terms of actual numbers, Osaka is still the capital of this culture. When it comes to okonomiyaki in Abeno, this place is my go-to spot. Honestly, it's not outstandingly delicious, but it's good for everyday use. It's been about 3 and a half years since I last visited during my Osaka assignment. I remember having drinks and food with someone back then. I arrived in Tennoji before 6 PM and passed through the bustling Q's Mall. The Marui shopping street is still deserted, with few bicycles parked outside and orange curtains swaying gently. I was confident that this place would be good. There was only one other customer, so it was not crowded. I ordered a shochu highball with lemon (410 yen) and kimchi (250 yen) first, and enjoyed some solo time. Looking at the menu, I noticed that the prices had gone up across the board. The Butatama, which used to be 420 yen, is now 500 yen. I wonder if it's because of the construction of Abeno Harukas? My wife once threatened me, saying, "If you're from Kansai, recommend a good okonomiyaki place!" and brought me here. At that time, she was impressed by the Butatama, which was 370 yen. But, in times like these, price increases are inevitable. I also ordered the Butatama and Yakimeshi (500 yen). The second-generation owner said, "We're fully booked today." If I had arrived a little later, it would have been a problem. Indeed, the two girls who came after me were allowed in for a limited time, while the walk-in customers who came later were all turned away. While my Butatama was being cooked, they finished the Yakimeshi on a separate griddle. I'm not saying this because I'm a fried rice enthusiast, but this one is really recommended. With plenty of onions and a hint of soy sauce fragrance, it tickles your nostrils, making it THE Yakimeshi. And then, the Butatama. It's light, so you can eat as much as you want. I thought about staying a bit longer, but the owner was overwhelmed, as he was the only one working. I remembered that there was a wife-like figure here, and she came. Since I didn't want to cause any trouble, I paid 1660 yen and said, "I'll come back again." That's the charm of Osaka. Being satisfied with this kind of price is the essence of Osaka. Now, let's go for a walk and explore the area around the back of Tennoji.