Satoshi had the day off on Friday, so we went to Umeda. He had some errands to run, so I wandered around to kill some time. As I was wandering, I came upon a tiny restaurant that served curry udon.
This restaurant had their menu outside and also some articles from various magazines that they were featured in.
There is one foodie magazine in Kansai that "if you can be featured there, you can make it anywhere", or so to speak...this restaurant happened to be featured in it, so I knew it had to be good.
After Satoshi was done with his errands, we met up and I took him to the restaurant. It was peak lunch hour and it was packed!
I've never lunched alongside of salarymen (businessmen) until today, but you could feel the tension in the air as everyone was trying to eat before their lunch hour was over. There was very little chatter and no lingering, just eat and go!
It was elbow to elbow!Everyone wore a paper bib--wouldn't want any curry splatters on your Armani suits.
I ordered the nami curry udon teishoku (regular curry udon meal). This came with a bowl of rice with a raw egg on top! In Kansai, you usually get rice alongside of noodles (talk about carbo loading--Satoshi ate my bowl of rice.) The curry starts off a bit sweet then the fire kicks in.My nose was running and mouth was burning, but it was addictingly delicious.
Satoshi had the daily special--menchi katsu curry udon (hamburger cutlet curry udon). One large deep fried hamburger, cut into 4 pieces.I really liked this curry udon, the soup was thick, not watery like the soup usually eaten with udon.
If you live in Japan, this place is actually a chain, hopefully you can find a restaurant near you.
Tokumasa
Osaka #4 Station Bldg (Osaka Daiyon Building) B2
Phone:06.6347.1903
Open 11:00-19:00, no smoking during lunchtime (11:00-14:00)
There are only 19 seats at this place, so go early to get yours.
That looks so good right about now! I would love a good bowl of ramen. :) I had someone ask on my blog what the big wooden spoon is used for, do you know? I know I use it to collect noodles to slurp off of...and of course to drink up some delicious broth. do you know if there is a specific use for it?
ReplyDeletelook absolutely delicious. with 19 seats only, better not go there during lunch hour lest we deprive any of the salarymen their favourite lunch hangout :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenny, the big wooden spoon is used as you said, to slurp the noodles off of and drink the broth :)
ReplyDeleteI totally felt like I was intruding, Lina :)
Take care you two.
Kat
Wow Kat, when I read the part about the salarymen, I thought how so very different it is here, where I am sure there are businessmen who take a leisure lunch. My husband actually gets 45 minutes but they have a cafeteria. The idea of tension while eating though...so sad.
ReplyDeleteGreat-looking meal. I LOVE heat in my food. You make me jealous!
I've heard of some places where you need to stand up and eat, Rowena, your husband is very lucky to have a cafeteria.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
Mmmm, katsu curry udon! I used to be so addicted to it. Satoshi's looks soo good!
ReplyDelete-myra
Addicting stuff, Myra :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
Actually I don't know but how much lunchtime do salarymen get in mainland Japan? We don't have that in Okinawa in my areas.
ReplyDeleteOur Japanese workers on base get 45 minutes, but the Americans take an hour. The workers quickly polish off their bentos and then take a 30 minute nap!
I think most get an hour, Nate, though I've heard some only get 30 minutes. A nap sounds like something I would do :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
oh my its my husband's favorite!! too bad i dont know how to cook japanese style curry :-(
ReplyDeleteI'm not too sure how to make Japanese style curry either, Dhanggit, but a lot of times the Japanese recipes call for the pre-made roux.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat