Japanese Omakase Restaurant YOSAKURA — Restaurant in Osaka

This is a fairly new place that shows a lot of potential and promise. Traditional Japanese food that dares to find nuance and go beyond. After living in Japan for nearly a year, this has been seriously one of my favorite meals I have ever had in my life. This is my review of Yosakura, Osaka.

•Food: When I walked by I thought the food was going to be pretty similar to those of most traditional restaurants in the area. But the chef, the curated ingredients and the presentation was truly a cut above the rest. The way how the eel is perfectly grilled skin and soft interior, the way how the chicken of the yakitori was moist. The rice had a good texture to it. I can not stress enough how I had the best sukiyaki I have ever had in my life with the additional egg that added a great creamy texture. The way they present the meals also made it almost too pretty to eat.

Rating: ★★★★★

Service: Since the restaurant is new, that would also mean that the staff is full of young and energetic people that are eager to know about theor guests. At first I was unsure whether to be formal due to the quality of the food or more casual since they are always up for a chat! This is a huge plus. If you do not speak Japanese, the staff tries their best to use English and there is no signs of stopping and expecting to make it easier for foreign tourists to have a meal.

Rating: ★★★★★

•Atmosphere: The aesthetics are clean. A nice blend between modern Japanese minimalism with wooden textures for warmth. It feels modern in a city with a lot of history and current day-urban aesthetics. A great view for people that want to observe the craft of the individuals that make the food. A spacious toilet (which unfortunately has only but ONE toilet!) The only thing that I want to comment on was the music choice. What first sounded calming, felt repetitive after 30 minutes. Since it is a new restaurant, I do want to forgive them for this and suggest that the staff curates a playlist to keep the energy within the restaurant lively and fresh.

Rating:★★★★

•Overall: This new restaurant is full of amazing and good ideas to transform and perfect the traditional Japanese cuisine. For those who want to spend more on quality food, I wholeheartedly recommend this experience to anyone interested who enjoys traditional Japanese cuisine.

I rate Yosakura with five out...

Japanese Omakase Restaurant YOSAKURA

During our previous visit to Japan, we had the exquisite pleasure of dining at YOSAKURA, a Japanese omakase restaurant that elevates traditional dining into a true art form. Located in a quiet yet accessible neighborhood, YOSAKURA offers an intimate and serene setting perfect for savoring the chef’s carefully crafted seasonal tasting menus.

From the moment we entered, the ambiance reflected a minimalist elegance—warm wood tones, subtle lighting, and an open sushi counter where diners can watch the chef’s masterful preparation up close. The atmosphere was peaceful, allowing us to fully appreciate the artistry and precision of each dish.

The omakase experience at YOSAKURA is a journey through the finest seasonal ingredients, skillfully prepared with respect for tradition and a creative flair. Each course was a revelation—from impeccably fresh sashimi to delicately grilled fish, artfully arranged vegetable dishes, and perfectly balanced rice preparations. The chef’s attention to detail was evident in every bite, with textures and flavors layered to delight the palate.

Service was impeccable and personal. The chef and staff took time to explain each dish, the sourcing of ingredients, and the inspiration behind the menu. Their passion and expertise enhanced the entire experience, making it feel both exclusive and welcoming.

For photographers, YOSAKURA offers an array of visually stunning dishes that highlight the elegance of Japanese cuisine. The presentation is refined and minimalist, allowing the natural beauty of the ingredients to shine. The intimate setting also provides excellent opportunities for capturing the artistry of omakase dining.

We enjoyed our previous dining experience immensely and look forward to returning in december 2025.

Japanese Omakase Restaurant YOSAKURA will be featured in our upcoming Photolator Guide to Japan, recognized as one of the finest destinations for travelers and photographers seeking an authentic and elevated...

Interior is nice, servers speak English well and are very nice, but food was not good. Music was also too loud and obnoxious, it didn't match the gentle ambiance.

Had the Osaka Course -

Bamboo shoot appetizer was quite interesting. It was served three ways, and I've never eaten bamboo those ways. Was looking forward to the rest of the course.

First comes the sushi. The rice for the three nigiri was not fresh. It was lukewarm, close to cold, and the texture made it feel like leftover rice. Salmon, Tuna, and Shrimp are served. My piece of Tuna was falling apart, and so were the Tuna my friends were having. Took one bite and we all looked at each other with the same thought.

Sukiyaki - Sauce was not clean, had some scum from the meat cooking in it. Tasted bland.

Tonkatsu was very oily. The paper that it was served on top of was drenched in oil. The fried panko was separating from the pork. Entire dish smelled like old oil.

Unagi rice bowl was ok. Nice char on the unagi, but it was dry compared to other unagi bowls and skewers we had in Japan which were lightly charred on the outside, soft and juicy on the inside.

Ramen - not much to say here. Ramen anywhere else in Japan is better. Tasted like instant ramen.

Matcha dessert was a drink that you had to whisk yourself. Mixing the matcha was cute but the drink itself is just fine.

Overall - Servers were really nice, interior was quite nice besides the loud music, but food sucked. We spent 3 weeks in Japan between Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, and the food of this place ranked equally low amongst our group. A real...