Kiji

A popular and authentic hole in a wall Okonomiyaki restaurant in Osaka, you can even hear and feel the train sound and rumble, plus the smokiness and tight/narrow seating, the vibe is totally there.

How about the food? It is so good we ate 2 nights in a row for our dinner, and they are also awarded Michelin Bib Gourmand among many others.

Pork & Egg Okonomiyaki (¥680)

Since we are in Osaka, it is the Osaka style Okonomiyaki. We actually also ate at a famous Hiroshima Okonomiyaki restaurant during our trip, which we will also do up the post later!

Kiji has many different ingredients (pork, beef, shrimp, squid, potato, corn, spring onion, etc) to choose from for your Okonomiyaki, but we opt for the most traditional pairing Buta-tama (Pork and Egg) for our first try at this restaurant.

On the first impression, it is a nice, evenly, and thick Okonomiyaki topped with mayonnaise and okonomiyaki sauce and garnishes.

Texture: It is fluffy/airy even though it is thick, and multiple layers of texture: like crunchiness from the cabbage and firm juiciness from the pork.

Taste: Nice balance of sweet and savoury, and very satisfying.

Rating: 3.25/5

While we were waiting for ours to come, I am observing the chef making the Okonomiyaki. I could see his love and dedication in every step of making the Okonomiyaki, and just to list 2 observations: trying to make it as uniformly in size and height, also gently padding down the Okonomiyaki after flipping it.

Which is like a heaven and earth comparison to another popular Okonomiyaki restaurant we ate at Namba, that I honestly feel is overhyped and I don’t even want to waste my time to write up a post on that restaurant.

Modanyaki - Medium (¥830)

First time eating a Modanyaki and I love it! In short, it is a hybrid between Okonomiyaki and Yakisoba, you have the noodles but also the meat and egg too!

This is our favourite out of the 3 different types in Kiji!

To me, it is like a complete dish and one can eat it easily (not too filling).

Sweet and savoury mayonnaise and okonomiyaki sauce
Nice firm texture noodles (not dry nor soggy) with sliced pork, cabbage and spring onions
And an egg on the top

And yes, I ordered the Modanyaki 2 nights in a row.

Rating: 3.5/5

Yakisoba - Medium (¥680)

Pardon the different lighting and white balance, as this was taken during our second visit and we are seated at the tables rather than counter seats. Which we ordered Yakisoba and Modanyaki that night.

The vanilla Yakisoba at the restaurant, grilled noodles with sliced pork, cabbage and spring onions

Texture: Nice firm texture noodles (not dry nor soggy)

Taste: Subtle sweetness plus the grilled meat and noodle taste

Overall, a vanilla Yakisoba dish cook to a great standard.

Rating: 3.25/5

English Menu Kiji — **English Menu**
Kiji

Japanese Menu Kiji — **Japanese Menu**
Kiji

The chef working on Yakisoba Kiji — **The chef working on Yakisoba**
Kiji

The chef working on Okonomiyaki Kiji — **The chef working on Okonomiyaki**
Kiji

Preparing the base of the Okonomiyaki Kiji — **Preparing the base of the Okonomiyaki**
Kiji

Adding the meat ingredients Kiji — **Adding the meat ingredients**
Kiji

Flipping over and gently pressing down uniformly Kiji — **Flipping over and gently pressing down uniformly**
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Final product before the sauce and garnishes, you can spot a perilla leaf in it Kiji — **Final product before the sauce and garnishes, you can spot a perilla leaf in it**
Kiji

Final product before the sauce and garnishes Kiji — **Final product before the sauce and garnishes**
Kiji

Preparing the Modanyaki Kiji — **Preparing the Modanyaki**
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Table seatings Kiji — **Table seatings**
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Number of awards and listing Kiji — **Number of awards and listing**
Kiji

I am guessing a caricature drawing of the 2 main chefs Kiji — **I am guessing a caricature drawing of the 2 main chefs**
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Entry to the restaurant on the second floor Kiji — **Entry to the restaurant on the second floor**
Kiji

Overall

We really like this restaurant, good consistent quality and chefs cooking with passion.

On top of that, it has a very value pricing, filling quantity, and located centrally in Osaka Station.

Waiting time during peak dinner hours are not too long (30-45 minutes) in Japan standard. If you come during off peak timing, you might not even encounter a queue.

To end off, a value-priced authentic hole in a wall Okonomiyaki restaurant.

No excuse not to try it if you are in Osaka.

Lighted Signboard Kiji — **Lighted Signboard**
Kiji

Use their yellow signboard as the landmark, it will help in locating this restaurant (at least for us).

During our first visit, we went a few rounds in the Shokudogai (means restaurant street) before locating the restaurant, as it is quite a maze with lots of restaurants in a compact space.

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Address: 大阪府大阪市北区角田町 9-20 新梅田食道街 2F

Opening Hours: 11.30am-9.30pm Monday to Saturday, close on Sunday.

Payment Method: Cash

Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/en/osaka/A2701/A270101/27000297/

(Last visited: November 2019)

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Kiji (Main Store) - Authentic hole in a wall Okonomiyaki restaurant in Osaka