Japan｜Highly recommend the walk-in izakaya in Shinsaibashi, Osaka! Nihonshu Restaurant Utsutsuyo

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Back in Osaka after eight years, the city might be ordinary, but the food is absolutely stunning! When I checked into the hotel that evening, I wanted to find a nearby Michelin restaurant with great value, "Nihonshu Restaurant Utsutsuyo." Without a reservation, I was refused entry when I tried to walk in. Just as I was disappointedly leaving, I noticed a warm yellow light glowing from a nearby izakaya, with shadows flickering behind wooden lattice windows—just like the cozy corner shops often seen in Japanese dramas!

The moment I pushed open the door, the aroma of soy sauce and sake mixed with the steam from oden greeted me. The staff’s greeting of "おかえり" (Welcome back) instantly made me feel like a local Osaka resident returning home late at night.

I thought I was just settling for a quick meal, but after the first bite, I wished I could spin around in the restaurant to celebrate! I immediately promised the owner I would come back before I left!

The restaurant offers only two set courses: the saki course and the mini course, priced at 7,000 yen and 4,000 yen respectively. Each person must order at least one drink (menu shown in the last photo).

1️⃣ Sashimi platter: The fatty tuna melts like silk, the vinegar-marinated mackerel shines with a pearly glow, and every slice of fish tastes so fresh it feels like it’s breathing the ocean. The chewy texture is simply irresistible!

2️⃣ Oden platter: The radish soaks up the kelp broth, and with a gentle poke of the chopsticks, amber-colored broth slowly flows out. The biggest surprise is the mochi-filled fried tofu pouch—biting into the tofu skin releases the aroma of glutinous rice and bonito, warm and comforting like swallowing a sip of spring hot springs.

3️⃣ Six kinds of tempura: The pickled plum tempura completely defies expectations—the sourness is perfectly sealed inside the crispy batter, bursting with freshness when bitten; the wagyu sukiyaki-flavored tempura dipped in egg liquid tastes just like rich sukiyaki; the tiger prawn is so crispy you can eat the shell, with sweetness exploding in your mouth.

4️⃣ Tempura chazuke: Leftover tempura crumbs are soaked in tuna broth, sprinkled with roasted tea powder and seaweed strips. The rice absorbs the broth, blending crispiness and softness on the tongue. This perfect finishing dish fills you with pure happiness!

Highly recommend friends visiting Osaka for the first time to add this izakaya to their must-eat list! Here, you can not only taste authentic deliciousness but also experience those ordinary yet touching dining moments like in "Kodoku no Gurume" (The Solitary Gourmet)!

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Post by 夏天-1 | Jun 11, 2025