Okonomiyaki Sanpei — Restaurant in Osaka

This has got to be the best okonomiyaki I have ever eaten! So much so, that we treated ourselves again on our last night in Osaka.

A tiny place that’s limited to seating just about 14 people, expect some queuing outside.

Wouldn’t recommend the place if you’re a bigger group unless you’re okay to split up into pairs and get seats at different times from each other. There was a group of 8 behind us who left as they weren’t able to be accommodated together due to how small the place is.

The queue wasn’t too bad when we were there but took us about 30min to get in both times. When you’re at the front of the queue, you’re handed the menu to browse already, they have an English menu so that’s great!

Once in, we were seated around a bar with the chef preparing the okonomiyaki on the griddle in front of us.

The staff isn’t fluent in English but they speak and understand some, so we didn’t have any issues at all communicating. Seems like they’ve been getting a lot of tourists lately anyway due to some recent exposure on social media.

The first time we were there, I ordered the shrimp cheese and my friend ordered the pork kimchi. Both were heavenly!

The next time I decided to change it up whereas my friend stuck with the same, we both ordered the pork kimchi. I’ve got to say this one is probably THE BEST oko they have on the menu, no wonder my friend refused to try anything else XD

All in all, this place is a real gem and if you want to have some of the best okonomiyaki that Osaka’s known for,...

The chef/owner is very focused and serious but does an amazing job, especially once the place fills up. We were his first clients of the day which was good since we had two little kiddos with us. The beef tendon with a little bit of kimchi was very tasty and tender. The seafood pork belly okonomiyaki was simply amazing. The chef helpfully cut it into 6 pieces to accommodate the kids without us even thinking to ask for, vs. the typical quarters. The seafood soy sauce butter yakisoba the best we have had yet, with delicately soft squid, octopus, and a meaty shrimp that isn't the standard fare one-it cooks red instead of orange and was fairly sense, almost like langostine tails. We liked that the place was a bit odd the touristy trail, tucked away down the hallway off the front (E/W st.) of the corner building (look for the red lantern) after Google Maps gets you close (there is another okonomiyaki place around the corner on the N/S Street side). Seemed frequented by locals during lunch when we went which can be a good sign. Nothing was too salty there, despite the hefty dribbles of "sauce", so you could taste all the ingredient, especially the sweet vegetables. Two dishes others got that looked interesting was an steak rolled in egg, and their green onion okonomiyaki. We will have to visit the best places when we return to Tokyo to see if they can even compare, but we won't...

[American Tourist Review] English Menu: Available, by request English Speaking Staff: Somewhat Japanese Required: No

The restaurant was a bit hard to find since there are so many tiny restaurants surrounding. We went for dinner and was met with a pretty long line, taking maybe 30 to 45 minutes before being brought in for a counter seat.

An English menu was brought to us after the workers saw us Google Translating the full menu, and we were able to order after flagging down a staff member. Overall the staff seems to be available and happy to help when needed, but don't actively check up on you.

After ordering, the Okonomiyaki is cooked on demand, which is why there is usually a wait at these places, since the restaurant even warns it takes about 20 minutes or so before its finished. Being at a counter was cool as you can see it being made in front of you, and if you happen to be at one of the middle counter seats, they drop it off right onto the area in front of you.

We were on a side counter so they had to bring it to us. They do drop it off on the metal sheet so you can cut it while it's hot and put a slice on your own plate. A fun dish that definitely is very social and casual to eat! The restaurant is intimate and the staff was fairly young, making for a more relaxed and laid-back dinner.

Check was given upon request and was able to pay up front with cash after...