Introduction
If you want to taste authentic Osaka okonomiyaki, you cannot miss the famous restaurant “Kiji”. Located in Shin-Umeda Shokudo Gai, this long-established restaurant has been loved by many locals and tourists since its establishment. Kiji offers the essence of okonomiyaki with its old-fashioned recipes and traditional cooking methods.
The restaurant is filled with the savory aroma of okonomiyaki cooking on the teppan, allowing diners to enjoy their food right in front of them. The menu includes a wide variety of dishes, from simple pork balls to special suji balls, modern yaki, and more. Each dish is characterized by its crispy outside and fluffy inside, and the flavor of the ingredients fills the mouth.
Kiji’s okonomiyaki is characterized by the perfect balance of special sauce and mayonnaise, and once you try it, you will never forget the taste. If you visit Osaka, be sure to experience authentic okonomiyaki at this famous restaurant.
Recommended Menu
Pork Okonomiyaki
Kiji’s pork balls are a staple of okonomiyaki. The surface is crispy and savory, while the inside is fluffy. Flour, chopped green onion, red ginger, and cabbage are kneaded into the dough, and the ingredients are finely chopped to make it easy to eat. In particular, the shiso leaves placed under the pork give off a refreshing aroma, and one bite will fill your mouth with its flavor. The price is also reasonable, at 680 yen.
Kiji’s Modern-yaki
Kiji’s Modern-yaki is an original menu item, priced at 1100 yen (tax included). It features a generous portion of yakisoba noodles baked in a dashi broth and egg mixture. The style of wrapping the yakisoba with just an egg, without using any dough, gives it a fluffy texture and exquisite flavor. It is also filled with plenty of cabbage, which adds a crunchy texture to the dish.
Yaki Soba
Yakisoba is another popular menu item at Kiji. Priced at 940 yen (tax included), it is a hearty dish with plenty of ingredients such as cabbage and pork. The sweet and spicy aroma of the sauce whets the appetite, and the noodles are characterized by their moist texture. Exquisitely grilled with professional skill, the yakisoba is a dish that you will enjoy to the very last bite.
Today’s Recommended Yaki
Today’s Recommended Yaki, with ingredients that change daily, is one of the most popular lunch menu items, and is offered at 988 yen (tax included), allowing customers to enjoy a special menu item that is only available that day. Check the ingredient information posted at the restaurant and enjoy a new flavor every time.
These recommended menus are all special delicacies that can only be enjoyed at Kiji. When you visit Osaka, be sure to enjoy these okonomiyaki at Kiji.
How to experience and enjoy
How to enjoy in the restaurant
At Kiji, you can enjoy your meal while watching the okonomiyaki being cooked on the griddle in front of you. The restaurant is mostly counter seating, so you can enjoy the sight and smell of the food as it is being grilled up close. The sound and aroma of the food being grilled on the teppan whets your appetite and makes your mealtime even more enjoyable.
Popular Modern-yaki
Modern yaki is especially popular at Kiji. The fluffy egg, cabbage, and yakisoba noodles in a rich broth combine to create an exquisite harmony. One of the best parts of waiting for your dish to be served is watching the staff’s skillful cooking while you wait for your modern-yaki to be cooked.
Take Out and Enjoy
Even if you are short on time or the restaurant is crowded, you can still enjoy the taste of Kiji. One way to enjoy okonomiyaki is to take out and enjoy it while strolling through the streets of Osaka. The take-out packages are also ingeniously designed so that you can enjoy the taste of freshly made okonomiyaki at home or in a hotel.
Tips for Avoiding Lines
Because Kijiji is so popular, lines can form, especially on weekends and during lunchtime. To avoid lines, we recommend visiting early in the day. Also, by aiming for weekday afternoon or off-peak hours, you can enter the restaurant relatively smoothly. Even if the wait is long, one way to enjoy waiting is to enjoy the Osaka cityscape.
Enjoy the local atmosphere
Kiji” is a restaurant loved by locals. The walls of the restaurant are decorated with messages and photos left by tourists and local customers, giving the restaurant a warm atmosphere. When visiting as a tourist, you can enjoy your meal while fully appreciating the local culture and atmosphere.
The okonomiyaki experience at Kiji in Osaka is more than just a meal; it is a wonderful time to enjoy the sights, smells, and local atmosphere. We encourage you to try different ways to enjoy the experience.
Manners
Manners in the restaurant
When enjoying a meal at Kijiji, please observe the following manners to ensure a pleasant dining experience with other customers. Converse quietly in the restaurant and try not to disturb others. Especially at the counter, you should be considerate of each other since your shoulders may touch the person next to you. Also, when leaving your seat, organize your belongings so that the next customer can use the restaurant comfortably.
Take-out manners
When using take-out, you should also be considerate of your surroundings. When eating out, be careful not to spill food while walking and be sure to dispose of garbage in designated areas. Also, when eating in public places, please be mindful not to disturb the people around you.
Manners while waiting in line
Because Kijiji is a popular restaurant, there may be a long line of customers waiting in line. It is important to maintain an appropriate distance from other customers while waiting and to keep your turn. If using a smartphone, keep the volume low or use earphones and be considerate of those around you. It is important to be considerate of each other, especially during busy times.
Basic Manners at Meals
It is also important to respect Japanese food culture and observe basic dining etiquette. When using chopsticks, there are manners unique to Japan, such as not stabbing the food and lifting the bowl. It is also common to say “Gochisoso-sama desu” (“Thank you for the food”) after finishing eating to express gratitude.
Manners for taking pictures
When taking pictures of your meal, do not use a flash and be careful not to disturb other customers or staff. When your food is brought to you, be sure to finish taking pictures quickly and enjoy your food before it gets cold.
By observing these manners, your dining experience at Kijiji will be more pleasant and enjoyable. Please enjoy the delicious okonomiyaki to the fullest while respecting Japanese food culture.
Store
Main Branch (Shin-Umeda Shokudo Gai)
- Location: Shin-Umeda Shokudogai, 9-26 Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Access: Minutes walk from JR Osaka Station and Hankyu Umeda Station
- Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 11:30 – 21:30
- Closed: Sunday
- Features: Long-established since 1950, mainly counter seating
Umeda Sky Building Branch
- Location: Umeda Sky Building B1F Takimi-koji, 1-1-88 Oyodonaka, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Access**: 10 minutes walk from JR Osaka Station
- Opening hours: Lunch 11:00-15:00, Dinner 17:00-22:30
- Features: International atmosphere, popular with tourists
Shinagawa Branch
- Location: Atre Shinagawa 4F, 2-18-1 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Access: A few minutes walk from JR Shinagawa Station
- Open Hours: 11:00 – 23:00
- Features: Yakisoba and monjayaki available
Marunouchi Branch
- Location: Tokyo Station Hotel B1F, 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Access**: Walking distance from JR Tokyo Station
- Opening hours: Lunch 11:00-15:00, Dinner 17:00-23:00
- Features: Popular in the business district, crowded with business people during lunch time.
Each store offers authentic okonomiyaki, inheriting traditional recipes and techniques. We hope you will enjoy the taste of “Kiji” at each restaurant.
Reservations and queue management
Reservations
Kiji does not generally accept reservations. Therefore, it is important to plan your visit in advance. We recommend that you visit early, especially at the most popular restaurants, as lines often form.
How to avoid lines
Because Kijiji is extremely popular, lines can form. Take measures to avoid lines by referring to the following points.
Visit early
You can avoid lines by visiting early, just after the restaurant opens or before lunch time. The restaurant is often relatively empty, especially during the daytime and in the evening on weekdays.
Visit on weekdays
Weekends and holidays are crowded with tourists, but weekdays are relatively empty. In particular, Mondays through Thursdays during the daytime are the best times to avoid lines.
Using take-out
If you want to avoid the lines, one option is to use take-out. With take-out, you can shorten the wait time in the restaurant and enjoy your okonomiyaki at your leisure in a nearby park or tourist spot.
Using off-peak hours
Avoiding peak lunch and dinner hours can reduce waiting time. For example, between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. is often relatively empty.
Check real-time information
It is also effective to check information on crowds and wait times in advance on official websites and social media. By checking real-time information, you can visit at the best time.
How to spend a comfortable waiting time
If you cannot avoid waiting in line, you can make the most of your waiting time by visiting nearby tourist spots and cafes. Since Osaka has many sightseeing spots, you can adjust your time while enjoying sightseeing.
Please use these measures to enjoy an enjoyable dining experience at Kiji. By planning your visit, you can enjoy delicious okonomiyaki smoothly and comfortably.
Reviews and Ratings
Kiji” has received high praise on many review sites and social networking sites for its delicious food and quality of service. Below are some of the attractions of “Kiji” as seen through actual word-of-mouth.
Evaluation regarding taste
Kiji’s okonomiyaki is characterized by its exquisite texture, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Many reviewers have praised the dough’s softness and the ingredients as being in perfect balance. In particular, the “suji yaki” filled with beef tendon and the “kiji style modern yaki” wrapped in egg are popular items on the menu, and many repeat customers rave about them.
Evaluation of Service
The staff at Kiji is known for their friendly and approachable service. They provide tourists with easy-to-understand explanations, so first-time visitors can enjoy themselves without worry. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is also warm and welcoming, and the walls are decorated with messages and photos from customers who have visited, making the waiting time enjoyable.
Evaluation of Lines and Wait Times
Kijiji is extremely popular, especially on weekends and during lunch hours, when there is often a long line. However, if you aim for off-peak hours on weekdays, you can enter the restaurant relatively smoothly. Also, even if the wait is long, you can kill time at nearby cafes and tourist spots, which is also seen as a way to enjoy the restaurant.
Overall Evaluation
Overall, Kiji is highly rated for its taste, service, and atmosphere. The restaurant is loved by locals as well as tourists, and is definitely worth a stop when visiting Osaka.
We hope you enjoy your okonomiyaki experience at “Kiji” based on these ratings. You will surely have a satisfying meal and wonderful memories.
Summary
Kiji is the best place to enjoy authentic Osaka okonomiyaki, established in 1950 and loved by many locals and tourists ever since. You can enjoy the taste of Kiji’s okonomiyaki at the main restaurant located in Shin-Umeda Shokudo Gai, the Umeda Sky Building branch, the Shinagawa branch, the Marunouchi branch, and many other locations.
Kiji’s okonomiyaki is characterized by its exquisite texture, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The “suji-yaki” filled with beef tendon and the special “Kiji-style modern-yaki” are especially popular. The friendly staff and warm atmosphere of the restaurant also make visitors feel at ease.
Since there is often a long line, off-peak hours on weekdays and take-out are recommended. If there is a wait, you can still spend time enjoying the sights and sounds of the surrounding area.
All in all, Kiji is highly rated for its taste, service, and atmosphere, and is a great place to experience Osaka’s food culture in depth. When you visit Osaka, be sure to enjoy authentic okonomiyaki at Kiji. A wonderful culinary experience awaits you that will leave a lasting impression on your trip.
