Ajinoya
Namba's okonomiyaki institution, griddling since 1965.
Ajinoya has been making okonomiyaki on the same griddles in Namba since 1965, and the technique has only sharpened with time. The batter is mixed with nagaimo yam for lightness, the cabbage is shredded fine, and everything is cooked on a steel teppan right in front of you — though the staff do the work here, unlike some okonomiyaki shops. The signature is the pork and squid combination, finished with a layering of sauce, mayonnaise, bonito flakes, and aonori seaweed. The negiyaki — a thinner pancake heavy on green onions — is worth ordering as a contrast. Osaka's food culture is direct and generous, the opposite of Kyoto's refinement, and Ajinoya embodies that spirit. The portions are large, the prices are fair, and the griddle never stops.
Good to know
- Open since 1965 in Namba
- Staff cook the okonomiyaki for you
- Nagaimo yam batter for extra lightness
- Try the negiyaki as a lighter alternative
- Casual, lively atmosphere
Location
- 1-7-16 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0076
- Nearest station: Osaka Station / Shin-Osaka
- From Tokyo: ca 2 h 30 min med shinkansen
- Best time to visit: Lunch or dinner