morio0629
Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture. Opening in January '24. A general menu that suits Japanese tastes. If you make a reservation about three days in advance, they can prepare dishes not listed on the menu by specifying the main dish, appetizer, ingredients (pork, fish, etc.), and seasoning. I visited with two friends on a Tuesday night in November before 7 PM. There is parking in front of the store. The restaurant is called "Makoto," written as 真誠. The parking sign is placed above the name of the previous store, so if you look closely, you can find it.
**Store Interior**
Due to bad weather, there were no other customers. The manager was alone. All seats are non-smoking. There was no music, and the space is a single room with chairs and sofas.
**Order Summary (Prices include tax)**
- **Water Dumplings (6 pieces, 500 yen)**: The manager recommended trying these without any dipping sauce, and indeed they were delicious. The juicy filling had a good balance, and the rich seasoning was addictive. The manager mentioned that Chinese people generally eat water dumplings, so they aren't very familiar with fried dumplings.
- **Regular Rice (200 yen)**: They asked if I wanted a regular or large size, with a large for an extra 50 yen.
- **Fried Noodles (Chinese-style seasoning, 850 yen)**: The noodles were thick and straight, providing a good bite. Accompanied by shiitake mushrooms, cabbage, squid, and carrots, the sweet and savory broth was delicious. The manager noted that salt and garlic flavors have become popular lately.
- **Half Fried Rice (450 yen)**: Simple ingredients like green onions, eggs, and carrots, with a milder flavor yet good aroma. Those who prefer stronger seasonings might want to choose something else.
- **Fried Chicken (3 pieces, 400 yen)**: The crust was crispy and firm, while the inside was juicy. They used chicken thighs full of flavor.
- **Mu Shu Pork (650 yen)**: Contains shiitake mushrooms, pork, and bok choy, with a rich sweet and savory flavor that pairs well with rice.
- **Sesame Balls (2 pieces, 250 yen)**: I took these home. They packaged them in a cup inside a bag. The sesame paste filling was rich and delicious.
The total for two people was 3,350 yen, about 1,600 yen each. I paid with PayPay. Feeling full, and not having any alcohol, the overall cost felt reasonable for a typical meal. A little before finishing, I chatted with the staff and learned about popular reservation-only dishes favored by local regulars, such as "Steamed Fish," "Chinese-style Braised Spare Ribs with Kuzu Noodles," and "Steamed Chicken with Scallion Sauce." They are also working hard to post various dishes on Instagram for reference.
In China, people eat lamb instead of beef, and lamb shabu-shabu is popular. It tends to get crowded during the day, but it's usually quiet at night, so feel free to call for inquiries. Though it can be a bit pricier, they accommodate one portion and will prepare according to specific requests about the number of portions. I look forward to requesting authentic Chinese cuisine. Thank you for the meal! (*^^*)
*Current rating: 3.07 from 11 reviews.*