Have you ever heard of a combination of spices and Japanese sake? ✧•────What I Ate↓↓↓────•✧ ★Chef's Choice Course ¥6,600 ★Japanese Sake 1 cup ¥660 Course contents: - Spanish mackerel marinated in nam pla - Spice-grilled mackerel - Salmon tartare - Okra and mountain yam salad with curry base - Jellyfish - Japan's thinnest mozuku seaweed - Herbal soup - Dry keema of kettle-boiled whitebait - Cod cheeks - Buns and keema curry - Mapo tofu (drinkable) Instead of salt, they use nam pla to avoid making you thirsty and tired. And the marriage of spices and Japanese sake is probably only done here. Have you heard of anything else like this? Please share any memorable experiences you have had. 2nd dish: Spice-grilled mackerel with watermelon! Watermelon in a dish was a first for me. The mackerel's fat blends with the napa cabbage, eliminating the acidity, and the watermelon adds sweetness. You can feel the texture of the cabbage and the aroma of the mackerel lingering in your nose, a new culinary experience. 3rd dish: Salmon tartare - it's basically just tartare! But it's so delicious. This dish was born from customers saying the tartare was so good that they would be happy with just that. The owner seems to enjoy making tartare as well. 11th dish: Buns and keema curry! Ground meat, green onions, and garlic sprouts, which are already flavorful and spicy on their own, are sandwiched between soft buns. Delicious and bouncy. 12th dish: Drinkable mapo tofu - the name itself is wonderful. Mapo tofu as a drink! It was incredibly delicious, with rice at the bottom, a perfect match. Each dish was full of creativity, offering new textures and flavors that expanded my culinary horizons. I could feel the owner's love and dedication to the food, making it a truly special experience. ✧•───Restaurant Features↓↓↓───•✧ ★During the day, it's a curry restaurant. Labyrinth is the only restaurant that has won the Osaka Curry Division at the Best Restaurant Awards on Tabelog for 3 consecutive years! ★The owner is very knowledgeable! They not only explain each dish but also share various food-related knowledge, making it a great learning experience. For example: - There is no dry sake in Japanese sake. - In a sake shop, "yawaragi" is used instead of water as a chaser. ★At night, it's by reservation only. If you want to make a reservation for the evening, please check with the restaurant.

"Labyrinths" @ Nishiohashi / Osaka One of the main events of this Kansai whirlwind expedition was actually "Labyrinths." Celebrating its 13th year in business, it is a legendary pioneer in the Osaka spice curry scene. After a gap of about 6 years due to a serious leg injury followed by the prolonged effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted to experience the "labyrinth" once again. I sent an Instagram message expressing my desire to visit the restaurant during my trip to Osaka from Saturday to Monday, and to my surprise, the owner, Mr. Taniguchi, replied with a kind invitation to come for lunch on Monday. On the day of the visit, feeling nervous, I entered the restaurant in Nishiohashi. Upon opening the door, I was greeted by the smiles of Mr. and Mrs. Taniguchi, saying "long time no see," and in that moment, the blank 6 years were instantly connected, making me so happy that I almost wanted to cry. This time, thanks to Mr. Taniguchi's thoughtful gesture, I was treated to a special Labyrinths spice cuisine course with four dishes in small portions. - Labyrinths SP Chef's Choice Course Lunch - "Agaricus Mushroom Herbal Mini Soup" - "Onion Pickles" - "Rooibos Tea" Starting with the lunchtime starter set, the Agaricus mushroom herbal soup serves as the broth base for Labyrinths' spice cuisine, offering a unique depth of flavor and richness that cannot be achieved with just salt. Then, I delved into the maze of four spice dishes... - "Kettle-fried Shirasu Dry Keema Curry": A new menu item that was introduced during my 6-year absence. The combination of the sea flavor and saltiness of Shirasu with the spices creates an unexpectedly delightful dish. - "Shrimp Masala": A special curry prepared by Mr. Taniguchi specifically for that day, offering a unique and unexplored curry experience filled with the gentle and distinct flavor of shrimp. - "Negi (Green Onion)-filled Meat Keema Curry": A signature dish of Labyrinths that has been a popular favorite since its inception. The meaty keema with spices and plenty of green onions, when paired with rice, creates a blissful experience. - "Beverage Mapo Tofu (Head)": Another popular menu item since the beginning. This dish, as the name suggests, is a "beverage" where the spices gently and sharply penetrate the throat, creating a unique fusion of Mapo Tofu and curry in an innovative way. During this visit, I was able to enjoy a delicious meal and experience the nostalgic yet fresh atmosphere of Labyrinths. I am grateful for the kind hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Taniguchi. Thank you for the feast. I look forward to visiting the "labyrinth" again soon.

I entered the restaurant at the opening time of 11:00, with 2 people ahead of me. I ordered the famous "Maze Two Special Combo Set" (special Negi-covered Keema Curry + drink Ma Po Tofu set) for 1,200 yen. The Keema Curry didn't look like curry at first, but later on, I could feel the spicy curry flavor and it turned out to be incredibly delicious. The Ma Po Tofu also had a unique spicy flavor and was also delicious. Some regular customers ordered "Keema Curry, Special, Large portion", so I decided to try that next time and left the restaurant with that in mind.

I visited after a long time. The combo set for 1200 yen❣️ is such a great deal! It comes with two signature dishes for this price! The shrimp keema requires a reservation, but you can also reserve a table, so you can always enjoy it, which is a plus. It seems they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. I was able to get in without waiting on a weekday, which was nice. In the past, there were long waits or temporary closures, making it hard to eat here, but now it's more accessible. Also, the fact that there is a great value set available and the service is done by young and pretty staff instead of the older lady who used to serve before, makes it highly recommended. You should definitely give it a try.

I ordered the Special Keema Curry with plenty of green onions and a set with Mapo Tofu to drink! I thought they would come out all at once, but they brought out the Keema first and then the Mapo Tofu according to my eating pace. I eat slowly, so I appreciate their consideration. When I ate the Keema curry, I was pleasantly surprised by how gentle the flavor was. The umami was enhanced, and I enjoyed the minced meat, green onions, and garlic sprouts.

I ordered the greedy set with two famous dishes, and oh boy, I was being too greedy haha. Even though it was a half size, the Keema Curry alone was satisfyingly filling. On top of that, I had the Mapo Tofu to drink. They also gave me rice, so I was full. I was satisfied with being able to eat two famous dishes, but the soup and onion pickles were also quite addictive.

Labyrinth's famous duo set for 1200 yen. I had been avoiding this popular restaurant, but since there was no line, I decided to give it a try. The Keema Curry is well-known, but I ordered the beginner set with a drink and Mapo Tofu. While you can't change the rice and ingredients in the Keema Curry, you can get a refill of rice for the Mapo Tofu to adjust the portion. The Keema Curry is indeed as others say, not your typical curry but more meaty with green onions as an accent. The Mapo Tofu, as indicated by "drink" in the menu, has finely chopped tofu and mild spiciness, which you can drink. However, feeling a bit hungry, I had an extra serving of rice while enjoying the Mapo Tofu. Thank you for the meal.

【2022 Curry Top 100 Restaurants】Located a 7-minute walk from Honmachi Station on the Osaka Midosuji Line, this restaurant is known for its signature "Negi-mire no Niku Keema Curry" and "Mapo Tofu Don" that are often seen on Instagram. The restaurant has a slightly high hurdle with irregular daytime opening hours and reservation-only policy at night. I confirmed the opening hours by phone before visiting this time, and was able to enter smoothly. My order this time was the "Negi-mire no Niku Keema Curry Special (1100 yen)." Although there was also a mix of the signature "Mapo Tofu Don," this was the clear choice for me! First, the "Herbal Soup" is served. It has a light soy sauce flavor that soothes and stimulates the appetite, very delicious. Now, onto the "Keema Curry"!! The beautiful presentation is impressive. I mix it all up and take a bite... "Oh! Surprisingly refreshing! Is this really curry?" The spring onions and garlic sprouts do a great job of adding a refreshing touch. Later, the curry flavor comes through nicely. This new sensation Keema Curry was particularly good on hot summer days. Hmm, this is addictive. I want to try other menu items... I'll definitely be back ⭐️ Thank you for the meal ✨ I'll be back again ⭐️⭐️

It's been years since I last visited, so it was nice to come back. I ordered the regular Negi Mame Meat Keema, which was delicious even after all this time. It's not your typical curry keema, but it's still very tasty. The pickles served with it were also a great addition.

I went to Labyrinthe for the first time for dinner. We were invited for a private party starting at 7:00 pm. The course menu is 6,600 yen and the sake pairing is only 660 yen for a glass. It's cheap! The course is based on medicinal herbs = labyrinth dishes. Payment is cash only. The menu includes: - Spanish mackerel marinated in nam pla - Pickled herring and fermented Chinese cabbage salad - Labyrinthe-style smoked salmon tartare - Okra and grated yam in curry base - World's largest jellyfish head - Vinegar made from the sprouts of the thinnest mozuku in Japan - Medicinal herb soup - Dried keema of boiled whitebait - Butter-grilled cod cheeks - Shukumei-style white curry - Dried keema - Beverage: Mapo tofu The unique dishes were enjoyable. The owner's attention to detail is amazing. Everything was incredibly delicious. They use only fermented oil instead of salt, so you don't get tired of eating. It's nice to see such consideration. They also offer rare Japanese sake, which sake lovers will appreciate. And it's cheap! They might accept reservations for private parties, so it's worth inquiring at the restaurant. Their curry for lunch is also delicious.

I heard rumors about a restaurant called "Labyrinth" in the Yotsubashi area of Osaka, so I decided to visit "Labyrinths" in Shinmachi, a creative cuisine restaurant with the description "Curry & Spice Creative Cuisine" displayed at the entrance. The menu seemed to have a unique twist, and the dishes looked interesting. I visited on a weekday afternoon and was the last customer to arrive, but luckily they still had the curry dish I wanted, which was the Meat Keema. The dish was quickly prepared and served on a plate with rice, topped with a generous amount of meat keema and green onions. The curry powder added a nice touch to the overall flavor. The meat keema had a strong and balanced taste, although it lacked a bit of punch. The set included a mini herbal soup, Orion pickles, and Rooibos tea, which complemented the meal well. The friendly service and cozy atmosphere added to the overall experience, making it a place worth visiting again.

I often see this place on Instagram and it was my first visit. The atmosphere was like a bar. The taste was unique, unlike anything I've had before. It was like fried rice? Dry curry? It's hard to describe, but it must be a taste you can only experience here. The service wasn't great, not very friendly. It was disappointing considering I was looking forward to it.

It was a moment where I could deeply understand the umami flavor. The combination of ingredients and medicinal herbs resulted in dishes that I had never tasted before. It was truly a maze... a labyrinth. The balance between spices and sake complemented each other perfectly. And they recommended the best sake to go with the dishes. It was a moment of discovering new dishes. ✨

Arrived at 12:10 on Saturday with no wait. The restaurant has only 10 counter seats and there were 2 customers inside. I ordered the Negi-mare Curry for 1,100 yen, which came with Agaricus mushroom herbal mini soup, onion pickles, and rooibos tea. I waited for 3 minutes. The curry had a subtle flavor, with the meat, leeks, and garlic sprouts all having a mild seasoning. However, when mixed together, the spices' umami and depth came out. The rice portion was small. The curry was undeniably good, but it was a new taste and texture for me.

Today, you can enjoy a unique course meal that you can only taste here, with a Western twist. The tartar sauce on top of the snap peas is accented with Nara-pickled cucumber aged for 8 years. The basil octopus salad paired perfectly with CHILL GREEN shochu. The bamboo shoot and karasumi butter stir-fry, shirasu curry, cauliflower and shiitake curry, and Western-style curry sauce hamburger steak offered a variety of delicious options.

I regret expecting too much on my first visit. I came to eat curry but the lunch menu only had dry curry as an option. The dry curry had almost no curry flavor. I don't know if it's my taste buds or if that's just how the restaurant's seasoning is. As someone who went to eat curry, it was disappointing for me.

The fugu with garlic sauce was fluffy and the garlic didn't overpower the delicate flavor. The homemade karasumi and butter were a lovely combination. The wood ear and agaricus medicinal soup was so delicious, I was impressed. I also enjoyed the curry. I plan to come back again, looking forward to it!

Labyrinth [Top 100 Curry Restaurants: A Spectacular Curry-Flavored Fried Rice] 2023 Curry 085 Restaurant 110th Meal April 9, 2023 3536 Curries since 2017 ■ Aigake 1200 yen ▷ Onion Pickles ▷ Herbal Soup ▷ Spring Cabbage and Cauliflower Chana Masala ▷ Negi-Loaded Meat Keema Curry When I first looked at the menu, I was drawn to the Mapo Tofu Don, but when the owner told me that they rarely do Aigake, I was immediately intrigued. This is really something special. Labyrinth has unique features that you won't find in other restaurants. The Spring Cabbage and Cauliflower Chana Masala allows you to enjoy the different textures of cabbage, cauliflower, and chickpeas, which is absolutely delightful. The light spiciness and the slight shift in dimensions are quite clever, but I wonder if opinions on this differ. The Negi-Loaded Meat Keema Curry also impressively offers a variety of textures and flavors to enjoy. Mixing both towards the end allows you to experience a new change in taste. A magician of textures indeed. Delicious and satisfying. #GoggleMask #Labyrinth #TabelogCurryTop100 #TabelogCurryTop1002022 #Osaka #SpicyCurry

I visited the popular curry restaurant Labyrinths, located about a 3-minute walk from Yotsubashi Station in Osaka. When I visited just after opening, I was able to enter right away. There were 3 customers ahead of me. The interior of the restaurant is like a bar, with a locked door and only a counter. I ordered the special menu item, "Aigake," which was Gapaofu-style Chicken Keema Curry & the famous Negimamire Niku Keema. The appearance alone was amazing, but the taste was even more incredible. This is seriously delicious.

Today's curry at "Labyrinths" in Nishi-ku Shinmachi, I visited for the first time. This area is where I used to frequent a curry restaurant 17-18 years ago. I tried their most popular dish, the "Negi-mamire Niku Keema Curry Special". The difference between the regular and special is that the special includes garlic sprouts. It came with soup and onion pickles on the side. I started by eating it as is, then mixed it halfway through. I have a feeling I'll be hooked.

A popular curry restaurant in Osaka. It's a small place with only a counter, and the atmosphere is more like a bar than a typical curry shop. When I first looked at the menu, I got confused because the top items were beverages, mapo tofu donburi, and fiery mapo tofu donburi - is this a Chinese or a donburi place? Or a curry shop? It's not until the third item that you see curry on the menu, but it's still a bit puzzling. I was intrigued by the drink mapo tofu donburi, but I ended up ordering the specialty - the meat keema curry with lots of green onions. They told me to mix it well before eating, and when I looked at the dish, I was a bit skeptical - it looked kind of small. But surprisingly, it seemed to increase when I mixed it. The rice was served flat on the plate, making it look less, but it was just an illusion. Eating it made me ponder again. It's like a curry maze. This curry is like nothing I've ever had before. It's closer to a dish called green onion minced meat bowl, but it's still definitely curry. Truly a one-of-a-kind curry. This restaurant will make you ponder from various angles. Thank you for the meal.