The night before, I had a conversation with the master of the bar "Ren" in Nishitenma about delicious food, and he introduced me to a restaurant called "Wakasaku" run by the owner of a renowned Japanese restaurant called "Shofukuro." I visited the restaurant for lunch with my partner. It is located on the underground second floor of the "Osaka Station Building," where there are standing bars and affordable lunch eateries. It is a unique lunch kaiseki restaurant. While it is a high-end restaurant with reservations required at night, it is popular among businessmen for serving truly delicious fish lunch sets during the day. When I saw the menu written on the blackboard, I was surprised! The "Noto Nodoguro Set Meal" costs 8,600 yen!!! This was shocking :( The other "Ama-dai Wakasa-yaki Set Meal" costs 5,000 yen!!! Despite being located in a "station building" known for its affordability, this high-priced lunch is popular, so it must be incredibly delicious. Alright, I'm determined to try it! I live to eat delicious food after all! The "Gindara and Benizake Set Meal" costs 4,000 yen, and the "Saba Shioyaki Set Meal" costs 3,600 yen. It's still quite luxurious. The restaurant is a cozy stand-up kaiseki style. The gentle lady owner's warm hospitality is soothing. The refined master (more fitting than calling him a head chef) explains the dishes meticulously. These two seem to get along well, and they even showed me their wedding photos ♥️ The Saba Shio Set Meal I had was made with Yura mackerel. As a mackerel lover, I was shocked by its thickness! Recently, domestic mackerel is quite expensive, with many sushi restaurants using Korean imports. The savory aroma of the mackerel being grilled right in front of me was delightful! While waiting, I enjoyed the simmered hijiki as an appetizer. The master's storytelling is compelling, and everyone is captivated by his narrative. It feels like a social gathering in the adult-like underground second floor of the station building! The mackerel was perfectly fatty and delicious, and it was served with the master's selected silver rice and TKG. There were four types of pickles and the specialty Wakasaku pork miso soup! (made with Kagoshima black pork) It was a treat to enjoy this adult lunch set meal. It was delicious! I'm glad I chose this adult dining experience ♥️

The price may be a bit high, but they serve very good quality fish! The nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) is large, fatty, and absolutely delicious. Not only the fish, but also the homemade pickles and miso soup are excellent. As a fish lover, I would love to visit this place again.

The restaurant was featured on TV and I had been wanting to go for a while. They have a wide variety of dishes, with prices ranging around 3000 yen per person. However, the dish my wife ordered ended up being 4000 yen, and my dish, a tuna bowl from Oma with Shiga's Koshihikari rice, plus an extra egg, cost 6000 yen. The chef seemed to take pride in his cooking, especially when using fresh ingredients like the tuna from the market. The food was delicious and the chef even prioritized our order over others, which made the experience even better.

I visited without an appointment around 12:30 on Saturday. There were two other customers already seated, and three seats were reserved for those with reservations. Although they were not planning to accept any more customers for lunch, they kindly allowed me in since I was alone. The lunch options for the day were simmered flounder (3200 yen), mackerel (5000 yen), and sea bream and blackthroat seaperch (8600 yen). The sea bream and blackthroat seaperch were sold out. I thought the prices were quite high for lunch, but you get a whole fish for each dish. Regardless of the fish chosen, the side dishes were the same. I chose the simmered flounder, which was very tender and had a delicate fat content, making it delicious. The owner mentioned that they pay attention to detail in all aspects, including the eggs for the rice bowl and the pork in the miso soup. The owner was very talkative and mentioned that he has appeared on television. I would like to try the grilled fish next time. The restaurant is small, so it's probably best to make a reservation even for lunch. Thank you for the meal!

Lunch on this day was aimed at a restaurant closed on Sundays and holidays, sneaking around Osaka city. The target chosen was Wakazakura in B2 of Osaka Station Front Building. The head chef of this restaurant is known as the "underground famous chef" and has appeared in various media outlets. Inside the restaurant, there are surprising levels of photos of famous people and signed autographs displayed! However, regardless of how many media appearances or famous people visit, the most important thing is whether the food is delicious when you try it yourself. With a determined attitude of not being swayed by all that hype, I carefully examined the menu. Oh boy, what's this?! The cheapest mackerel salt-grilled set meal is 3600 yen, and the most expensive grilled nodoguro is a whopping 8600 yen for lunch. That's too expensive for a lunch set! However, even though there are many restaurants in the station building that offer relatively reasonable lunches, Wakazakura manages to go against the flow and thrive, so there must be a reason for it! I can't shake off this feeling of unease until I try it out, so I decided to order the silver cod and red salmon salt-grilled set meals. The silver cod cost 4000 yen, while my partner's mackerel set cost 3600 yen. On this day, there was talk of a once-in-a-decade heavy rain, so the restaurant was empty when we arrived right after opening. So, while the fish was being grilled, the head chef talked endlessly about today's ingredients, past famous visitors, and various other things. The atmosphere was cozy with the head chef and his wife, who had a gentle demeanor, and watching them made me feel like I was turning into grilled fish. Finally, the fish was ready! In addition to the main salt-grilled fish, the meal included hot rice, pork soup made with Kagoshima black pork, simmered hijiki, and pickles. By the way, it seems rice is free for refills. I dug in eagerly, starting with the silver cod... Wow, the flesh was plump and the salt seasoning was perfect! It's usually common to add vinegar citrus or grated radish, but the flavor was so good that I mostly ate it as it is. The red salmon was also perfectly seasoned. The pork soup was delicious too, and the simmered hijiki was just okay. I couldn't resist and had two extra servings of rice with the grilled fish as the side dish, and for the third serving, I had a Tamago Kake Gohan (raw egg over rice), which was also delicious. Overall, it was a satisfying lunch from start to finish. By the time we finished eating, a couple of high-status reservation guests arrived and immediately ordered a sea bream. Before grilling, I managed to take a photo of it with the chef's kind permission. However, even VIP guests seemed hesitant to order the nodoguro, which was priced at 8000 yen. Well, it's understandable that they wouldn't want to spend that much on a lunch set. Nevertheless, the set meal we had, which cost under 5000 yen, is definitely worth trying out! Honestly, if I earned more, I would definitely consider trying out the more expensive options. But for now, the set meal within my budget was more than satisfying. If you have the chance, I highly recommend trying it out!

Kappo restaurant located in Osaka Station Building. When it comes to station buildings, the image is usually of a place where you can eat and drink affordably both during the day and at night. For lunch, cheap restaurants usually offer meals for around 500 yen, or maybe between 750-1,000 yen. Wakasakura is a hidden gem within the station building, a place where regular visitors of the station building would probably go every day. Yes, it's a well-known Japanese cuisine restaurant in a place where people pass by daily. I highly recommend splurging a bit and visiting this place at least once. It may be pricier compared to other shops in the station building, but considering the quality and experience, it's very reasonable. If possible, I would love to visit this place every day. Last time, I had the throat blackthroat seaperch set meal. This time, I had the grilled mackerel set meal. It was delicious. Grilled mackerel, dried daikon, egg miso soup, pickles - everything was prepared perfectly. <Egg over rice notes> 1. Sprinkle soy sauce around the rice first 2. Don't mix the egg too much 3. Pour 2 over 1 On that day, the throat blackthroat seaperch set meal was 5,400 yen. The mackerel set meal was around 3,500 yen? The breakdown might be a bit off. It was 12,400 yen for 3 people.

Had lunch at Wakazakura, a traditional Japanese restaurant in Umeda. I was in the mood for some delicious grilled fish, so I decided to try this place for the first time. The menu outside listed lunch sets with options like grilled cherry blossom sea bream with wood sorrel for 3500 yen, grilled mackerel with salt for 3400 yen, and grilled nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) for 6800 yen. Although the prices were on the higher side, I was curious and ordered the cherry blossom sea bream and mackerel. Since the counter was fully booked due to reservations, we were seated in a private room. The owner mentioned that this was the same spot where a famous politician had sat, which was kind of amusing. We were served two small appetizers, tofu, and hijiki seaweed, with the hijiki being complimentary. The grilled fish arrived, and both the cherry blossom sea bream and mackerel were absolutely delicious. The cherry blossom sea bream had a perfect char on the outside, while the mackerel had a crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat. The bamboo shoot rice was exceptional, and the miso soup with black pork was also very tasty. Overall, I found the quality of the grilled fish to be worth the price, and the owner's friendly demeanor and passion for fish made the dining experience enjoyable. I would recommend this place to anyone who loves grilled fish and is looking for a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.

A close friend recommended a fantastic lunch spot in Osaka called Wakasakura. It is located on the 2nd floor below Osaka Station. There are many affordable dining options around, with grilled fish set meals starting at 800 yen nearby. Wakasakura, however, stands out with its unique pricing. For lunch sets, they offer: - Grilled whole blackthroat seaperch from Shimane for 6,200 yen - Grilled horse mackerel from Wakayama for 3,200 yen - Grilled salted red salmon from Nemuro for 2,900 yen - Grilled 14kg cold amberjack from Himi for 3,400 yen (Comes with appetizers, white rice, miso soup, and raw egg) I chose the red salmon, while my friend opted for the blackthroat seaperch and horse mackerel sets. We also added some tuna sashimi, which was highly recommended. The blackthroat seaperch was outstanding and incredibly delicious. The owner is originally from Shiga Prefecture, and the cramped counter is decorated with autographs from famous people like Spielberg and Sophie Marceau. Although the prices are on the higher side, the quality certainly matches. This place may not be recommended for those who are concerned about cost performance. Personally, I prefer spending 8,000 yen on a delicious meal rather than having 800 yen lunches 10 times. I work to enjoy the food I love. I was so impressed that I've already decided to visit again. Reservations are a must, as they close early on some days. Thank you very much for reading until the end. Your support through follows, likes, and saving the restaurant is truly appreciated. Please also check out my Instagram account for more content. Thank you!

Wakazakura, located in Osaka Station Front Building No. 1, is a unique lunch spot with a higher price range compared to other restaurants in the area. The lunch menu here features premium grilled fish sourced from all over Japan, prepared by the chef. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere with a few counter seats and a raised seating area. I ordered the grilled salted buri from the Tsugaru Strait, while my colleague ordered the grilled whole dojoguro from Shimane as part of a set meal. The chef grills the fish on skewers after the order is placed, so it takes some time (around 20 minutes in our case). The buri had a good amount of fat that melted in the mouth, while the dojoguro had a crispy skin and tender, elegant flesh with a different kind of delicious fat. The rice, miso soup, and side dishes were also made with high-quality ingredients and were all incredibly tasty. It was a luxurious lunch experience enjoying such delicious food. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

The grilled fish set meal is incredibly delicious. The size of the fish is impressive. The owner is talkative and provides homemade pickled plums and other side dishes. It is indeed delicious, but the price may not offer good value for money. If you are wealthy or looking for an extravagant grilled fish experience, make a reservation and give it a try.

The restaurant was featured on TV and I felt like eating there. The next day, I arrived around 11:30 AM and was able to enter the restaurant quickly. They serve grilled blackthroat seaperch, which is renowned for its delicious taste. The atmosphere is cozy and the owner is friendly. The food was amazing and I was impressed by the taste. I will definitely visit again.

The restaurant my friend took me to was a hit. I ordered the salt-grilled yellowtail set meal. The yellowtail was grilled right in front of me after I placed my order. A wonderful aroma fills the air. When I put my chopsticks through it, the surface is crispy and fragrant, while the inside is moist and packed with flavor, very delicious. The shiny white rice, hearty miso soup with plenty of ingredients, and red turnip pickles were all tasty. The lunch was a bit pricey, but the satisfaction level was even higher.

I was aiming for the buri toro from Himi, but it was sold out, so I had the Kagoshima eel grilled in Kansai style and made into an eel bowl. The eel was thick and juicy, not chewy. It was delicious.

I saw this on my friend's Instagram and thought it looked delicious, so I went to try it. They were grilling fish on skewers over a distant fire, and simply seasoning it with salt made it taste so amazing. I was impressed by how delicious it was. The cost was 3200 yen for Kanpachi Kamayaki, Buri Daikon, and Kasujiru. Whether you think it's expensive or cheap depends on your taste buds.

Located on B2F of Osaka Station Front Building 1, this restaurant initially caught my eye because I was looking for a different place that turned out to be closed. There were no signs indicating the closure, which was a bit unfriendly, so I decided to move on. However, I stumbled upon a promising restaurant while searching. They offered only four lunch options, all featuring natural fish and priced at 2000 yen or more. I decided to give it a try. The atmosphere inside was calm with just a counter. I ordered the Grilled Pacific Saury Set Meal for 2300 yen, opting for boneless fillet. The back of the fish had a beautiful green glow, a unique feature not found in other Pacific sauries. The owner grilled the fish right in front of us, engaging customers at the counter and sharing information about the fish and even some light-hearted stories about Kyoto, his hometown. The set meal included a variety of side dishes like tofu, pickled vegetables, and miso soup with plenty of clams and mitsuba leaves. The main dish, the grilled saury, was served on a wooden board with a slice of lemon. The skin was crispy, the flesh was tender, and it was cooked to perfection. The grated daikon radish on the side was a nice touch. The miso soup was flavorful with lots of clams and mitsuba leaves. The rice, from Gifu, was firm and delicious. I was recommended to try adding raw egg on top of the rice, which was complimentary. Both the rice and the egg were refillable. It was the best grilled fish set meal I've ever had. Luckily, they only open for lunch on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month.

Amazing! The deliciousness that anyone can understand, and the volume. It costs 3,700 yen per person, but the content is worth it. It was a fulfilling lunch. We had over 13kg of cold yellowtail from Toyama, aged for 3 days and grilled with salt. It was thick, about 250g, and very satisfying and delicious. The ingredients and processing, from rice to ponzu sauce, are carefully selected, and the owner, who is talkative, explains everything. He is said to be from a top-class restaurant in Kyoto, and there are photos and autographs of famous people like former Minister Ishiba, S. Spielberg, and A. Hepburn, making it a well-known hidden gem.

This is a small Japanese restaurant located in Umeda Building 1. I heard that the chef here is very skilled and the food is delicious. I visited "Wakasakura" for lunch for the first time. The lunch set menu has a reasonable price. After some consideration, I ordered the grilled fish set meal with horse mackerel. There seemed to be many regular customers based on the conversations I overheard in the restaurant. While watching the chef's cooking skills, my set meal was ready. I was surprised by the size of the horse mackerel! I started with the miso soup and then tried the horse mackerel. The flesh was juicy and delicious! The rice went well with it. I enjoyed a grilled fish that I couldn't find in other restaurants. I also saw Audrey Hepburn's autograph. Thank you for the meal! I would like to visit again.