Okonomiyakisakaba Hanamarutei Semba

I live near Hiroshima and okonomiyaki is their claim to fame. I know Osaka is famous for it as well, so I had to try it here in Osaka to compare. I don't think I ate enough to fairly compare, but I came to this restaurant and was very pleased! I loved the atmosphere here, felt very traditional. I ca...me earlier in the evening, it was empty, I sat upstairs and the tables appear at floor level, but there is space for your feet. There is a hot surface in front of you, for the okonomiyaki to keep it warm. I ordered one with beef and cheese and it was fantastic, probably the best I've had so far. Overall, I was very happy with my visit here and recommend it!

Visited December 2019

I had read that when in Osaka you must try okonomiyaki so we asked the staff at the St. Regis Osaka, (where we were staying) where we could experience it. They sent us to Hanamarutel, a couple blocks away. It has an unassuming entry and we didn’t notice it the first time we walked by it. Upon ent...ering you remove your shoes. This was our first experience with this in Japan. We were also the only non-Japanese in the restaurant which was packed! Seated next to us were a group of Japanese businessmen who were drinking and having a wonderful time. We ordered 2 okinomiyakis, one with pork and one with shrimp and squid. I wasn’t sure that we could finish both but we did. They were absolutely delicious, yet light and not too filling and my mouth still waters when I think of them. Our meal, including draught beer, which perfectly complimented the food, was around $30. We would go back to Osaka just to eat at this restaurant! Note: This restaurant is very popular so reservations are recommended. Not much English spoken but they do have an English menu. Also if you are going to an okonomiyaki restaurant, you will be sitting in front of a hot cooking surface. Wear light clothes because the cooking surface can be quite warm!!

Visited April 2016