Chitose — Restaurant in Osaka

I visited on a Sunday for lunch. They open at 11.30 and I came at 11.20, thinking I'm clever for being early. Nope. There was already a long queue in front of me. As always, I learn my lessons the hard way.

While we wait, the staff distributed the menu and took our order. I got in at 12.30 and my order (their most recommended menu, the pork-mix okonomiyaki) was already served on my table. I apprectiate the efficiency.

It was a little different from all the the okonomiyaki I've known before, but a pleasant surprise nonetheless. The sauce was on the sweeter side, and there were pineapple chunks in the batter that actually works together with the rest of the ingredients. Portion size was quite big and they were generous with the pork and seafood toppings, but I was able to finish everything. I especially like the crispy, almost-burnt edges to the point that I'm grateful that I came alone, I could've ended friendships fighting for it.

The grill aroma lingers on hair and clothes long after the meal, so you might want to consider visiting at the end of day instead. I don't mind the souvenir, although at the risk of accidentally making some commuters on the metro train hungry simply by standing next to me.

Key takeaway: I guess when you're exceptionally prodigious at work, people will let you do whatever you want. Including re-engineering an...

Arrived at 12.30PM, there were already 9 people in front of us so we queued for 50 minutes. Seats 4 on the counter, and two tables capable of seating 4 each for a total of 12. We only saw tourists eating here, and the waitress is Chinese. There are two chefs, both appeared to be strangely hesitant while cooking as if it were their first day, consulting a piece of paper every few seconds and constantly putting toppings on the wrong item, then picking bits off and putting them on another dish, moving at a very relaxed, glacial pace. It was a very strange contrast to other places where the chefs move with a smooth, practiced efficiency and flair.

Delicious okonomiyaki, and the yakisoba looks awesome. Skip the modanyaki, the yakisoba noodles in there aren't cooked the same way as their yakisoba dish - it's just okonomiyaki with some noodles added in. Skip the butter scallops too, they were okay but not that good. Highly recommend the seafood mix version of the okonomiyaki, you get 3 scallops and 3-4 oysters as well as some prawn and squid. It's a super generous amount of seafood for only 1400 yen! Also recommend any dish with pork, the thin slices of pork are excellent.

Overall I would recommend coming early to skip the queue, otherwise it's not super worth the queue - you can try one of the many okonomiyaki places...

Saw this shop on a TV show, touting it as the no1 rated okonomiyaki in all Japan (Tripadvisor). While some foreign travellers may say the meal is cheap, I think they are comparing it to touristy places n not regular neighborhood joints. I shall say that it is a fair price. As for the taste, it is indeed good but if one is to say that it taste the best, simply means u havent been dining around much in Japan. Having said that, I can understand why foreigners rave about this place hidden away in a alley of an old shopping street where foreigners coming through are likely here either for this or checking out Tobita Shinchi. The food is prepared in full view and u can take plenty of photos/videos. The chef and waitress( she is an ex flight stewardess who grew up in this neighborhood) both speaks good English, and they have menus in English. It is a small cosy setting which travellers without any Japanese language ability will feel at ease. While making payment, the waitress will exchange pleasantries and offer a small souvenir. I will recommend this place if you do not like to eat at large joints which can be noisy with many customers n having the smell of so much cooking at...