Takekurabe Okonomiyaki
Table of Contents
Introduction #
- Name of Store: Takekurabe
- Address: 〒542-0076 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Namba, 3 Chome−2−14 2階
- Languages: Japanese & English
- Opening Hours (On Google): 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
My Experience #
Takakurabe is located near Dotonbori on the 2nd floor. Over the course of our Japan trip in Oct 2024. we visited Takekurabe a total of 2 times.
The store contains vegetarian options (the plain flavors of the various foods), which does not contain any meat. For more information, you can ask the store clerk as they understand english.
The store has a bar table which seats approximately 11 people and a table on the side that seats 4. The total seating capacity of the are is around 15 people. The 11 seats at the bar has a metal plate in front of them which keeps the food warm after it is finished.
The Chef prepares the food in a separate area before the food is bought to the table in front of us.
We went there for a total of 3 times and ordered slightly different food for the 1st 2 times.
1st Trip #
During our first trip, we ordered the following
- Plain Okonomiyaki + Cheese Topping
- Pork Okonomiyaki + Cheese Topping
- Cola
We had to queue of approximately 10 minutes before there was a seat available for us.
2nd Trip #
During our 2nd trip back to Takekurabe, we ordered a slightly different set of things based on what we saw the others ate on our 1st trip.
We got luckier this time and only had to wait around 5 minutes before we got a seat. However, at the time of entering the store, a long queue had already formed behind us.
3rd Trip #
During out third trip back, we ordered similar to our 1st trip so we will combine the review together with the one for the first trip.
Plain Okonomiyaki #
This plain Okonomiyaki is in no ways plain. The sauce is sourer than the typical Okonomiyaki sauce and it is cooked in a thicker size than usual. The cooking time of the okonomiyaki is also longer which resulted in a crispier exterior and provides a unique crunch to the already delicious okonomiyaki. However, this increased the tastiness of the Okonomiyaki.
The overall rating is 8/10.
Pork Okonomiyaki #
The pork okonomiyaki is delicious and of a similar standard to other tasty okonomiyaki found in Osaka. There were 3 pork slices in a triangular structure when they cooked the pork okonomiyaki. The other ingredients are similar to the ones found within the plain okonomiyaki.
The overall rating is a 8/10.
Modanyaki #
Before we move into reviewing the Modanyaki, let us explain what a Modanyaki is.
A Modanyaki is a modern take on the classic okonomiyaki. It has noodles on top of the already cooked okonomiyaki.
The noodles is cooked until it has a crispy texture. When you bite into the Modanyaki, it has a soft okonomiyaki feel mixed in with the crunchiness of the fried noodles.
It is a mix between an Okonomiyaki and a Yakisoba.
Plain Modanyaki #
At 1st glance, it may seem that the Mondanyaki is a good mix having an Okonomiyaki and a Yakisoba. However, the addition of the noodles to the plain Modanyaki reduces the taste of the noodles and make the dish seems more drier than both the Okonomiyaki and the Yakisoba. This made the dish harder to finish.
Overall, the Plain Modanyaki was a 6/10.
Pork Modanyaki #
It feels exactly like a Pork Okonomiyaki with crispy noodles on top. Compared to the plain Modanyaki, this dish less dry due to the presence of the pork strips. As someone who values the texture of the food in combination to its taste. I loved the addition of the fried noodles. It adds an additional layer of texture on top of the already great Okonomiyaki taste.
Overall, the Pork Modanyaki was a 8.5/10
Egg Roll #
We ordered the cheese egg roll. It reminds me of a tamagoyaki back in Singapore. The exterior is made of the tamago with the cheese inside. This gave it a delightful texture with the egg on the outside and the cheese on the inside.
However, the taste of the cheese overpowered the taste of the egg and took over the whole dish.
As someone who loves the egginess of eggs, this dish gets a 7/10.
Cola #
The Coke in the shop is serve from a glass bottle together with a tall cup full of ice. 1 Coke bottle will completely fill up the tall glass. The coke tastes like any other coke in a glass.