On a rare occasion when my friend from Okayama and I were both off on the same day, we decided to visit a super popular restaurant that serves amazing mapo tofu in Osaka. We arrived 15 minutes before opening, but even after the first round of seating, we couldn't get in. The restaurant, which is operated by just one person, had an incredibly fast turnover rate. We managed to be seated by 11:45 and finished our meal by 12:00, thanks to the efficient service tailored to working people with limited lunch breaks. The chef's creativity was evident in the appetizers, which included spiced chicken, bamboo shoots, and tomato syrup with cheese, all of which were delicious and showcased the high quality of the restaurant's cuisine. The star of the show was the super mapo tofu with plenty of Japanese beef, which we hadn't had in about a year. The dish had evolved significantly, with a more refined flavor profile and a lighter oiliness that enhanced its palatability and post-meal satisfaction. The minced meat, doubanjiang, and fermented black beans were finely tuned for better texture, while the beef and creamy tofu were complemented by just the right level of spiciness, numbing Sichuan peppercorns, and a strong aroma. The restaurant's evolution in perfecting its mapo tofu was truly impressive, and I was blown away by the impact of the changes. Since I couldn't visit last year, I hope to find the right timing to return for dinner this year.

Today's special lunch is Matsutake cold Jajangmyeon. I found this a few days ago and decided to visit. There's plenty of Matsutake mushrooms, along with minced chicken meat and various other toppings on the noodles. Previous special lunches were quite impactful with their spiciness and oiliness, but this cold Jajangmyeon is quite refreshing. The combination of Matsutake mushrooms, minced chicken, and citrus juice gives it a unique flavor. It's different from what I've had before, but I was satisfied with the volume of Matsutake, the taste of the minced meat, and the overall dish including the soup and noodles.

4th visit. Located about a 5-minute walk south of Higobashi. Arrived early for lunch, so no waiting in line. - Mapo tofu set meal (1400 yen): Comes with appetizers first, which seem to change each time. Delicious and spicy. The Mapo tofu has a strong Sichuan pepper kick at first, then the spiciness subsides into a tangy flavor. The ground meat is a bit chunky and pairs perfectly with the rice. The more you eat, the more addictive it becomes. Bon appétit!

I came to a Chinese restaurant about a five-minute walk south of Higo-bashi Station. This is my third time here. Today, they had a special menu, so there was quite a line. I had the Uni Cold Noodles (2,700 yen), which was a special menu item. It had a lot of sea urchin on top. It was delicious. The noodles were pink in color. Maybe shrimp? The soup had a strong shrimp flavor. It also had beef or some kind of meat, crab meat, shrimp, and charred green onions. I interpreted it as trying to capture the taste of the sea, and it was so delicious that I was surprised. They really pay attention to their cooking and have a great passion for it, which I always admire. Thank you for the meal.

I came across a special sea urchin cold noodles priced at 2700 yen on Instagram and decided to visit the restaurant again. The dish was filled with plenty of high-quality sea urchin without any overpowering taste. The noodles were pink in color, and I wondered what they were made of. When the dish was served, I was told that there were various toppings underneath and to mix them according to my preference. After mixing, I found crab flavor, shrimp, charred green onions, and various other ingredients. It was delicious when mixed, but I slightly regret not savoring just the sea urchin and noodles first before mixing. I didn't want to miss any bit of sea urchin, so I even drank all the soup. It was truly a special lunch. By the way, the next special lunch was teased on Instagram - Matsutake mushroom cold Jajangmyeon. I'll definitely keep that in mind.

Hundred famous restaurants. It was delicious. Highly recommended. Luckily, I got to try the cold noodles with Shanghai crab. The appetizers were surprisingly delicious, each dish meticulously prepared. The dishes were thoughtfully crafted, with each small plate containing a unique and well-prepared dish, similar to the assortment of Japanese dishes. For example, in Sichuan cuisine, chili peppers are usually removed before eating, but here they were fried and prepared in a way that made them easy to eat. The Shanghai crab was neatly peeled and the meat was easy to eat, all for just 2500 yen, which was a great deal. I wanted to ask for more crab, but refrained from doing so as I didn't want to take away from other customers. The chili oil was more focused on fragrance rather than spiciness, making it suitable even for those who don't like very spicy food. The bottom of the bowl contained ingredients for flavor variation, providing a rich and multi-layered taste experience. The use of citrus peels and other ingredients added depth to the flavors. What surprised me the most was the kitchen. The fact that they were able to create and serve such high-quality Chinese cuisine with this kitchen equipment is truly remarkable. Normally, people say that equipment and tools are important, but the chef must understand what is absolutely necessary and what is not, and put effort into it, otherwise it wouldn't work. I was very curious about what kind of work and effort went into creating the dishes in this kitchen. I imagine the preparation time must be extensive. On the way back after the meal, I checked their website for the first time and was amazed to find out that for dinner, you can order domestic bear paws with prior consultation. Also, I noticed that they follow a restaurant called "Chuka Jigen" in Fukuoka on Instagram, which I should have asked about during the meal. Last time I visited Osaka, I couldn't enter without researching in advance. This time, I was fortunate to revisit. I arrived 10 minutes before opening and there was already a line, but I managed to get in on the first round. Those planning to visit should do their homework in advance on Instagram or other platforms. As someone who doesn't live in Osaka, the dinner visit is quite challenging, but I was inspired to gather a group and revisit for a private dinner. ------------------ Thank you for reading until the end. Please consider "saving," "liking," and "following." This post is a reprint of a blog article. ↓ Here is the original blog. There are over 1000 Hiroshima gourmet spots! More photos and information are available here. Please take a look. → http://syokuki.com Here is the Instagram link → https://www.instagram.com/syokuki.com.hiro/ Here is the Twitter link → https://twitter.com/syokuki_com Here is the Facebook link → https://www.facebook.com/syokuki

Hello! It's RamenWalking❗️ Today is Chinese food day~ I went to Bullet in Higobashi and had their "Mapo Tofu". I arrived at 12:10 and was seated immediately with no wait. The lunch menu changes daily, and I finally got to try the Mapo Tofu that I've been wanting to eat. I ordered the Mapo Tofu for 1,400 yen. The Mapo Tofu looked beautiful with the combination of spicy oil and sprinkled Sichuan pepper around the tofu. The unique numbing spiciness of Mapo Tofu was delightful. It wasn't too spicy at first but had a pleasant tingling sensation afterwards. The rotation between the spiciness and the white rice made the dish even more enjoyable. The side dish that came first was sprinkled with chili pepper, hinting at its spiciness, but the ingredients were actually fruity and delicious. The egg soup had a gentle flavor that contrasted well with the spiciness of the Mapo Tofu. The side dishes were also excellent! I finished my meal soon after. Thank you, Bullet! Today's step count: 14,627 steps. Calories burned: 549 kcal.

Second visit. Located a few minutes south of Higobashi, this renowned restaurant allows me to finally taste their mapo tofu. Mapo Tofu Set Meal (1400 yen) - Enveloped in the aroma of high-quality Sichuan pepper, it arrives. Using various high-quality ingredients (organic vegetables) such as tofu, leeks, and scallions, they blend in the mouth to create a mysterious harmony. Each ingredient is truly delicious. Compared to mapo tofu from other restaurants known for being delicious, this one has a different aftertaste. Maybe it's the Sichuan pepper or something else, but there was a hint of acidity. The appetizers served, including vegetables, meat, and pickled vegetables, were incredibly tasty. Finally, they even served lychee, which was sweet, large, and delicious. With such dedication to quality ingredients, the price is a steal. Thank you for the meal.

I ordered the menu ☆ shrimp chili appetizer, shrimp chili, rice, soup with side soup, all were delicious. The store opened at 11:30, I lined up 20 minutes before, but one person arrived 5 minutes before opening. Two of us entered as soon as the store opened. This time, the only menu available was shrimp chili. Thank you for the meal! Thank you, Bullet-san, for the delicious food!

I heard that there is a Chinese restaurant in Higo Bridge that serves delicious mapo tofu, so I visited. On this day, it wasn't mapo tofu but tantanmen, and I was very satisfied. The appetizers were sophisticated and had an ethnic flair, and the soupless tantanmen had the perfect seasoning. The coriander was just right, and it felt like a carefully researched taste. It was really delicious, thank you for the meal!

Osaka / Higobashi [Bullet] / A lunch of exquisite numbing tantan noodles with no soup starting from the appetizer / I visited around 12:30 on a weekday! The restaurant was empty and we were seated right away. The menu we ordered: - Tantan noodles with no soup ¥1,600 (comes with appetizer and soup) I was surprised that the tantan noodles were priced at 1,600 yen! The appetizer was amazing - a small plate filled with items like beef tripe, chicken, octopus, quail, and more, all delicious. The tantan noodles had a color similar to mapo tofu, but when you eat it, the numbing sensation is strong and authentic! It was just the right amount of spiciness to enjoy. I heard that the mapo tofu and shrimp chili are also popular, so I'm interested in trying them next time. I want to go back again~.. - There are only 8 seats at the counter. The atmosphere is quiet, perfect for eating in silence. Cash only, payment is required upfront!

Super Mapo Tofu Address: 1-9-13 NEXAS HIGOBASHI 1F, Edobori, Nishi-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Phone number Business hours: [Mon-Fri] 11:30-15:00 (LO 14:30), 18:00-23:00 (Reservation only) For more details, please visit the website. For reservations, the above hours are not applicable. Feel free to contact us. Open on Sundays Closed on Saturdays and Sundays Private party reservations only [Total food budget of 44,000 yen or more] Open on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (by appointment)

Amazing... that's all I can say. I was really indecisive about going into the restaurant, but I'm glad I did. It was a refreshing lunchtime experience. I need to check Instagram every day. I want to go back next time I have the chance. I wonder if they only take reservations for dinner. Ah, now I'm craving it again.

Located south of Higobashi, this Chinese restaurant was a bit hard to find at first, but I managed to find it on my second try. I arrived early during the daytime and was able to get in without waiting in line. I tried the Curry Shrimp Chili for 1800 yen, which was the daily special. The meal started with some appetizers like preserved egg, bamboo shoots, bonito, and quail. The dish was a bit spicy but delicious. The Curry Shrimp Chili had large shrimp and a flavorful curry taste with a hint of sweetness. It paired perfectly with the rice. I wanted to have seconds. The soup also had vegetables in it, which was nice. Overall, each dish was carefully prepared and I enjoyed each bite. I would like to try the mapo tofu next time. Thank you for the meal.

Around 11:40, when I went to the restaurant, it was already full and I had to wait in line for about 20 minutes. They offer a lunch special for a little over 1000 yen where you can enjoy a musical Chinese dish. Highly recommended. The tantanmen noodles I ordered, with just the right amount of spiciness and a large serving, was satisfying and I finished it without getting tired of it.

I found the shrimp chili lunch on Instagram for the first time and decided to visit. It was advertised as shrimp chili every Wednesday, but when I went on Thursday, it was still shrimp chili. There were mostly noodles and mapo tofu on the menu, so I was curious to see what it would be like. The appetizers were still delicious as always. And then came the shrimp chili. It had plenty of plump shrimp and was quite spicy, but the spiciness was different from mapo tofu. It had a curry flavor as well, and it was a unique shrimp chili. While I usually prefer the mapo tofu and noodles at this restaurant, this high-quality shrimp chili was also delicious and unique to this place.

I checked on SNS, but on this day, I only had mapo tofu. This place is a bit pricey for a solo lunch, so I came at a time when it would be less crowded. It was a late lunch and raining, so I thought I could make it. Surprisingly, there was no one there when I entered. I told the owner that I only wanted the mapo tofu. It seemed like I had to pay in advance. I asked if they accepted PayPay, but it was cash only. It cost 1400 yen. A plate of appetizers was served, and then I waited for the mapo tofu. I could see the flames in the kitchen where the mapo tofu was being prepared. It was quickly plated and brought out to me. There was also rice and soup. The mapo tofu looked delicious. It had a strong umami flavor from the meat and fermented seasonings. The chili oil around the edges wasn't too spicy. The green onions were cooked just right. Sichuan pepper was generously sprinkled on top, giving a numbing sensation that I enjoy. The tofu was soft. It was rich, spicy, and tasty. I needed more rice to balance out the spiciness, but it seemed like additional servings would cost extra. It was getting spicy, so I finally tried the appetizers. There was steamed chicken, boiled shrimp, pickled tomatoes, tea eggs, jellyfish, and pickled purple cabbage. The sweet tomatoes were refreshing. The soup was too spicy for me to taste properly. It was a white cabbage and beef egg drop soup. The mapo tofu was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

I found a fugu shirako mapo tofu lunch on Instagram and decided to visit. I've been visiting places with interesting lunch menus, but I realized I've been having a lot of noodles lately, so it's been a while since I had mapo tofu. I wonder if it's sesame fugu because of the season? When the dish was served, the owner told me that the shirako is light, so please mix it as you eat. It's definitely lighter compared to cod shirako. But it goes well with the mapo tofu. It's delicious after all, and it's been a while since I had it, but I feel like the mapo tofu itself is even more delicious now. Oh, and of course, the appetizers are still amazing as always.

I visited a Chinese restaurant in Osaka, near Higobashi, for the first time. The restaurant had an open kitchen, creating a lively atmosphere. I arrived 10 minutes before opening on a Friday and managed to get a seat at the counter. I ordered the mapo tofu set meal, which was prepared right in front of me. The food was delicious and the overall experience was great. However, the tofu was lukewarm, which may have been due to the busy atmosphere or intentional.

Every time a hundred stores are newly updated... I think there is a tendency for cheap stores to be replaced. Anyway, it's impossible to conquer the genres with expensive stores, so let's casually explore cheap stores within a reasonable range. The other day, I went to this restaurant that was sold out by early afternoon. I rode a shared bicycle from JR Kitashinchi Station and arrived at around 12:00. I thought it might be full, but it was about 30% full. I was directed to sit at the counter seat in the front and back. Today, they only had mapo tofu lunch, and I was asked to pay in advance with cash, which was 1400 yen. The food was served in about 6 minutes. The mapo tofu was spicy but not to the point of being inedible. It was quite mellow. Maybe it was the green tea powder. Overall, it wasn't bad. The rice was normal, the soup was okay, and the side dish was mediocre. I think I'll go to a convenience store.

Today, I decided to challenge myself with Mapo Tofu at the restaurant "Bullet"! When I arrived, I saw the lunch menu had "Curry Shrimp Chili" written on it... a delightful surprise! I sat at the counter, paid in advance, and was served a plate of appetizers, including delicious steamed chicken and sweet vinegar-pickled cherry tomatoes. The carefully fried shrimp mixed with the chili sauce, and finally, the beaten eggs were added to create a dish with plump shrimp and flavorful sauce. It might be my favorite shrimp chili dish ever! It was so delicious and satisfying. I enjoyed every bite. Thank you for the wonderful meal!