While traveling in Japan, the thought of trying food similar to what is eaten in a Japanese home crosses one’s mind. Fortunately, after some research, I found a well-known home-style restaurant in the vicinity of Dotonbori in Osaka.
Although there’s a place near Dotonbori called “Uraya,” I visited a restaurant named “Yayoiken,” located near Nipponbashi Station.
“Yayoiken – A 24-hour Japanese Home-style Restaurant”
Yayoiken operates 24 hours a day. Being open not only during late hours but also early in the morning, it’s a place where people can have breakfast.
On the day of my visit, it was evening, so I had a simple dinner.
“A Restaurant to Experience Japanese Home-style Cuisine”
A typical Japanese home-style meal usually consists of rice, miso soup, and pickled vegetables, akin to Japanese-style kimchi. Additionally, it includes a main dish, such as fish or pork.
At Yayoiken, I could see they were offering set menus that could be considered Japanese home-style dishes. There were various options, and I chose a menu that included both meat and fish.
“Purchasing Tickets from the Vending Machine”
Similar to many other typical restaurants in Japan, ordering at Yayoiken involves purchasing tickets from a vending machine. After buying the ticket, you can choose a seat, and a waiter will come to provide water and confirm your order. Subsequently, the ordered dish is served.
Looking around, I noticed the culture of dining alone is prevalent in Japan. Apart from me, there were many others enjoying a meal by themselves.
The price was around 1,000 yen, which is approximately 10,000 won. While adding a few more dishes to the basic set may increase the cost, 1,000 yen was sufficient for a solo meal.
If you want to experience food reminiscent of what’s eaten in a Japanese home, it’s a great place to visit.
Note that Yayoiken is a franchise restaurant found all over Japan, so you can enjoy a similar menu at other locations, not just near Nipponbashi.
“Japan Osaka Nipponbashi, Yayoiken”
- Address: 1 Chome-5-13 Nipponbashi, Chūō-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 542-0073, Japan
- Phone: +81 6-6214-7351
- Website: Yayoiken
- Business Hours: 24 hours