Umigokochi — Restaurant in Sakai

My husband and I had a fantastic time enjoying delicious anago kaiseki course for the celebration of our 25 years anniversary of our marriage. It was like a mindfulness retreat as we savored beautiful and delicious food that is so unique in Sakai, Osaka, Japan.

This is the best Japanese food restaurant in Osaka!!! We love it. We visit here every time we come to Japan. We especially love tempura (fried vegetables and eel) and sashimi. They are so yummy. Anago sushi (eel sushi) and Anafo ju that are unique in Sakai, are great too. It is conveniently located at the Sakai station (Nankai line) which you can get off on the way to Kyoto from Kansai airport. It was only 10 min away from Namba station.

Our children love Haniwa pudding too. The Haniwa pudding cups are great souvenirs. Their friends in the USA adore them as they know them from the animal crossing (Nintendo switch).

We use Haniwa cups for home party (see pictures). My daughter loves the Haniwa pudding and created the video about it:-)

Staff is friendly and...

Kaiseki - 7000 Yen for a 5 course meal

Were eating a 5 course “kensaki” meal; while 7,000 yen meal is a bit rich for my typical food court standard table fare, this was exquisite and is a fabulous splurge.

We arrive early (5PM) and get to watch the gentleman in white preparing the anago (fresh water ell) for the evening meals - he was previously the head chef at an upscale Japanese restaurant (it’s amazing to watch him work!).

The owner (chef with the torch) is preparing a sashmi dish with the anago; second course is anago folded into an egg (image here) along with anago skin, and the torched anago and salad - the anago and egg is my favorite!

Third was anago tempura (my second favorite); fourth is the main course anago in a bento box, soup, etc. Finally a pudding dish (photo w cups); it’s like crème bru le

In total, we start at 5 and finish at 7. Excellent food; excellent atmosphere. We sat at the bar and enjoy the show. It is a rare splurge, but...

In one month in Japan, this was the most fun I had at a restaurant BY MILES! Wonderful wonderful place. Full of locals having a good time. I sat opposite the owner/head chef, at the table facing the small open kitchen area, and enjoyed a joyous performance as he went about his business, rallied his troops and generally imbued the whole place with a great atmosphere. The tempura eel with rice and eggs was completely delicious and very filling. I also had bonito soup and a bit of vegetable tempura to finish. Sake too… and tea as a ‚given‘. And it all came to less than 1800 yen, which is frankly incredible. I would never choose to have ended up in Sakai, if I hadn‘t had to be here for a performance in the theatre. But if you DO end up here, for whatever reason, and you need your spirits lifted, find the little street with this restaurant on it...