kuroda
Tsuruhashi Station, a major terminal in Kansai where the JR Osaka Loop Line and Kintetsu Line intersect. The area around this station is filled with casual dining establishments, with a particularly high number of yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) restaurants, creating a savory aroma on the station platform. Two years ago (2020), a Tokyo-based restaurant called "Yakiniku Like" that specializes in solo dining opened in the Ratchi area on the Kintetsu side, rapidly expanding nationwide. This establishment made a bold move by entering the yakiniku paradise of Tsuruhashi. While transferring from the Kintetsu Line to the JR Osaka Loop Line and passing through the outer loop side concourse, I noticed this "Yakiniku Like" restaurant. Feeling a bit hungry, I decided to give this newcomer a try. The interior of the restaurant mainly consists of counter seats for solo diners, but there are also tables for four people. As a solo diner, I was naturally guided to a counter seat. In front of me, there was a dedicated smokeless roaster. Each seat is equipped with a touch panel for menu search and ordering. The menu mainly consists of sets that include various types of meat such as kalbi and loin, along with rice, salad, soup, and kimchi. It's quite diverse. I selected the "Master Kalbi & Harami Set" (150g for 1,150 yen) and the "Choregi Salad" (190 yen) through the touch panel. I also ordered a draft beer (Happy Hour for 290 yen). Since I was having beer, I opted for a small serving of rice which was free of charge for a large portion. Ordering through the touch panel was easy and convenient. I've noticed more and more restaurants adopting this system lately, and I've become quite accustomed to it. It's nice to be able to take your time and order without feeling rushed. Each seat has a faucet for cold water, and six types of sauces and seasonings are set between the seats. Chopsticks and wet towels are stored in drawers under the counter. There is a curious recess in the counter. Soon, the set arrived along with the draft beer. The tray of the set fits neatly into the aforementioned recess. Ah, I see how it works now. It's all very systematic. The Master Kalbi is thickly cut and marinated, while the Harami is thinly sliced and also marinated. I grabbed them with tongs and placed them on the roaster to cook. While waiting for them to cook, I started with the salad. I poured the Choregi dressing from the small packet provided over the lettuce and cucumber for a refreshing taste. This helps prevent a rapid increase in blood sugar (although I was already drinking beer...). The sauces include two types of soy sauce-based dips (rich and light), burnt miso dip, grated garlic, lemon juice, and gochujang, offering a variety of options. I chose the soy sauce dip. Since the Master Kalbi is thick, I cooked it slowly. When dipped in the sauce and eaten, the meat juices overflowed. The tenderness and quality of the meat seemed good. The Harami is easy to tear apart as it is thinly sliced, so you need to be careful not to overcook it. The taste was decent, but the portion was a bit small. It seemed like the quality of the sauce covered for it. The seaweed soup was delicious, and the kimchi was decent. Considering the content and price, the cost-performance ratio was good. However, in Tsuruhashi where renowned yakiniku restaurants are abundant, there are plenty of cheap and delicious options outside the station. The significance of this restaurant's existence is probably that you can easily enjoy yakiniku while waiting for a transfer, even if you are dining alone.