Osaka's unique sushi has evolved into something truly unique! From long-established box sushi restaurants to high-end restaurants that are difficult to book, hidden gems with the best value for money, and even vegan options!
2025.03.14
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Sushi, one of Japan's most iconic dishes, has evolved throughout its long history and has developed into its own unique culture. Frankie, an American influencer, visits some unique sushi restaurants in Osaka to immerse himself in the profound world of sushi.
The history of sushi is said to have begun with "Nare-zushi," a fermented food from Southeast Asia, which was introduced to Japan during the Nara period. The prototype of modern-day nigiri sushi was born in Tokyo in the late Edo period, where it became popular as a fast food for the common people, with fresh ingredients made in front of customers.
Meanwhile, in Osaka, which has flourished as a food capital, "box sushi" using luxury ingredients such as sea bream and conger eel was born in the early Meiji period as a spin-off of "pressed sushi" using common fish such as mackerel and horse mackerel, which has been popular since the Muromachi period. Furthermore, "mushi sushi" which is chirashi sushi placed in a bamboo steamer and steamed, has evolved in its own unique way.
This time, we will introduce seven restaurants that are unique not only in taste but also in appearance and concept, from the birthplace of box sushi, to sushi rolls with beautiful cross-sections, the latest in photogenic sushi, and a restaurant in Osaka that is full of warmth and over-the-top service.
＼Today’s Guide／
Frankie
An influencer originally from the United States, she currently resides in the Kansai region and promotes the charms of Japan through social media such as Instagram and YouTube. Instagram
01. Yoshino Sushi
A famous restaurant with a history dating back to the end of the Edo period, and the birthplace of boxed sushi
Yoshino Sushi in Senba is a long-established restaurant founded at the end of the Edo period. The "box sushi" that is said to have been invented by the third-generation owner, Torazo Hashimoto, during the Meiji period became popular as sushi to eat between performances. Even today, they continue to serve box sushi using traditional cooking methods. While it is primarily a takeaway service, you can eat your purchases in the eat-in space on the second floor.
Yoshino soroe (1 serving) (2,730 yen including tax)
Yoshino soroe that Franky chose this time is a dish that condenses the charm of Yoshino sushi. It brings together popular dishes such as boxed sushi, thin rolls of conger eel grilled in a secret sauce, sushi rolls of small sea bream, and a fukusa (cloth wrapping cloth) made of shredded grilled conger eel and shiitake mushroom wrapped in thin omelet, and is sure to whet your appetite just by looking at it.
The exquisite boxed sushi makes you give a thumbs up
Franky says he has tried box sushi before, but the taste at the restaurant where it originated is exceptional. The slightly sweet rice and thinly rolled toppings ensure that the flavor lasts for a long time, giving it a different flavor from Edomae sushi.
Currently, the store is only open for sales, but customers can eat and drink in the eat-in area.
The standard box sushi comes in 6 pieces (1,988 yen including tax) and 8 pieces (2,592 yen including tax).
Steamed sushi (from 1,080 yen including tax) is made with rice mixed with grilled conger eel and shiitake mushrooms and topped with shredded egg. It is also known as nuku sushi, and warming it in the microwave or steamer brings out even more of its flavor.
Utensils used to prepare boxed sushi
In the eat-in space, the equipment used to make box sushi is on display and you can actually touch it. According to Takuji Hashimoto, the seventh-generation owner, there are no longer any craftsmen who can make these wooden frames, so they are currently considering what to do when the current equipment reaches its limit.
With Takuji Hashimoto, the seventh-generation owner
Box sushi looks very beautiful, and I thought the phrase "8.5cm of kaiseki" to describe it was very nice. The cooking method using a wooden frame is also unique, and I would like to try more types of box sushi. It's compact and easy to eat, so I recommend it to foreign tourists who are new to sushi.
Yoshino Sushi
3-4-14 Awajicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Business hours: 10:00 - 14:00 Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays Phone number: 06-6231-7181
02. Sushi Shizuku Nishitenma
A work of art you can only eat here! A super popular restaurant that is difficult to book
Next, we visited Sushi Shizuku Nishitenma in Nishitenma. It is a sister restaurant of Sushi Shizuku in Shinsaibashi, and opened in July 2023 to alleviate the situation at the main store, which has a one-year waiting list for reservations. However, the reservation slots, which are accepted every three months, are apparently filled up in an instant every time.
Franky is mesmerized by the splendid techniques of head chef Daisuke Kawashita and captures them on camera.
The sushi course is priced at 25,000 yen (tax included) per person, and the contents are left to the chef's discretion. True to the restaurant's message that "we aim to create something that can only be found here," each dish is imbued with originality and ingenuity that updates the typical image of sushi. You can watch the cooking process from the counter, and you'll find yourself captivated by the chef's skill as the dishes are prepared one after the other.
This time, we've picked out some classic and popular dishes from the course menu. Each sushi is prepared with special salt and soy sauce to match the topping, and the unique texture and artistic visuals will completely overturn your general idea of sushi.
The fatty tuna is made from wild bluefin tuna from Kesennuma, and is topped with seasoned negitoro (stir-fry tuna) hidden between the rice and topping, accented with the aroma of tuna bonito flakes and special salt.
Two pieces of flounder are layered on top of each other to create a beautiful appearance reminiscent of a Nishikigoi carp. Wild flounder caught in Akashi is used, and between the topping and rice is a piece of soy-marinated flounder tail made with a special soy sauce.
The mackerel sushi roll is made with marinated mackerel from the Bungo Channel and rice, sandwiched with shredded pickled ginger, shredded shiso leaves, sesame seeds, green onions, and broccoli sprouts, allowing you to enjoy multiple layers of texture.
Soft-textured whitefish milt is hidden under the sauce. Sun-dried salt and bamboo charcoal salt add a granular texture and a fragrant aroma.
Finally, the balls of rice are dipped into the shirako sauce, giving it a risotto-like flavor. The rich shirako sauce and the sour and sweet rice are a perfect match.
Sushi Shizuku Nishitenma is a place where you can experience sushi of a different dimension in a superb space. Although it is difficult to make a reservation, it is the perfect place to spend a special moment, such as a meal with someone special.
There are many types of salt used for sushi.
The quiet and calm atmosphere is perfect for enjoying sushi at your own pace. Each sushi was packed with complex and unique ideas, and it was fun to hear about the ingredients and preparation. The mackerel sushi roll in particular had a variety of flavors filling my mouth with just one bite, making it a special experience in my sushi journey.
Sushi Shizuku Nishitenma
Sento Building 1F, 2-3-15 Nishitenma, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
A vibrantly colored sushi restaurant with a captivating atmosphere and exquisite seafood
Located in a multi-tenant building in Americamura, SHIN NIPPON is a sushi restaurant produced by FARPLANE, Osaka's leading fetish bar, and opened in August 2024. The interior, with its oriental atmosphere and vibrant colors, is unique yet comfortable.
Chef Sakuta has 18 years of experience as a chef and has experience working overseas.
Although "SHIN NIPPON" has an unusual style, it is extremely particular about taste and service, and you can enjoy authentic seafood dishes. The menu, which is proudly prepared by the long-serving head chef, Yuji Sakuda, is offered in three courses: "Hisui (10,000 yen including tax)," "Fuji (13,000 yen including tax)," and "Kinran (20,000 yen including tax)." This time, we chose the Fuji course.
The nigiri sushi on this day included red sea bream konbu-jime, yam bonito, medium-fatty tuna, angel shrimp, boiled conger eel, and fatty taku.
The nigiri sushi is all delicate and the chef is very skilled at bringing out the best in the ingredients. The temari sushi, served in a red basket with autumn leaves, is so cute that most customers take pictures of it before eating.
The appetizers for the day were horse mackerel nare-ro, yuba and Iwate shrimp, rape blossoms and golden-eyed snapper carpaccio, and a luxurious lineup of sashimi: sweet shrimp from Fukui, flounder from Awaji, and medium-fatty tuna.
The smoke rising from the cloche creates a sense of excitement.
The grilled kinki marinated in sake lees is a delight to look at, with flames added to the dish, and it is rich in fat, with a meltingly delicious flavor that fills your mouth.
The crispy texture of the white tilefish pine cone fried in the broth creates an exquisite harmony with the umami that is released by dipping it in the broth. Enjoy the flavor of the broth and the crispy texture.
The food at "SHIN NIPPON" is not only delicious, but also full of entertainment value, such as its gorgeousness and playful presentation when serving, and the ingenuity that is presented one after another is like an attraction. The exotic flavors also make you feel like you are dining in another world.
Chef Sakuta and Cleo from FARPLANE, who is in charge of customer service
At first, I was overwhelmed by the alluring atmosphere, but the soft lighting and the beautiful paintings on the walls put me at ease and I was soon able to relax. The food was visually stunning, and the use of smoke and fire was like an illusion and was fun. Cleo's purple hair was stylish and cool.
Shin Nippon
Opus One 4F, 2-1-18 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Order fatty tuna nigiri and get sukiyaki? A seafood izakaya that offers over-the-top service
Located directly across from JR Taisho Station, Kuroshio is known as one of the most "excessive service establishments" in Osaka, and is an izakaya with many fans both in Japan and overseas.
First, I ordered the restaurant's specialty, the Fatty Tuna Nigiri (880 yen including tax). As the name suggests, the flavors range from melt-in-your-mouth tender to a firm, satisfying taste that is sure to delight tuna lovers.
This great value menu allows you to eat rare parts of tuna, including the tentacles, cheeks, chin, and back of the eyes, all in one dish.
Afterwards, a small pot of sukiyaki was brought to the table with a loud "Here's your complimentary dish!" At Kuroshio, if you order fatty tuna nigiri, tuna nakaochi, or grilled fatty tuna jaw, sukiyaki is automatically included, a service that disregards profitability.
The sukiyaki is so carefully prepared that it's hard to believe it's a complimentary dish. If you're not a big eater, you'll definitely be full by this point.Abe had aspired to become a baseball player, but before he knew it, he was the owner of an izakaya.
And this is the owner, Takayuki Abe. If you think you've seen him somewhere before, you're right. He's the model for the wasabi art served with the fatty tuna nigiri and the portraits painted on the eggs that come with sukiyaki, and as you can see, he livens up the restaurant with his cheerful personality.
And on the counter appears the extremely voluminous Tekkamaki Special, which costs just 660 yen (tax included), putting your concept of price in a completely different dimension.
When you enter the store, the first service you receive is a free gift of candy.
Roulette time suddenly begins
I got some snacks. I don't think I'll need to buy any snacks for a while.
Kamameshi is served to groups of three or more.
If you order any of the three tuna dishes, sukiyaki will be included.
There were other freebies one after another... By the way, after that, we were given a cafe au lait as a complimentary drink.
Frankie, a cat lover, gives Satsuki a treat
The store's mascot, Satsuki-chan, is always on the lookout, charming cat lovers. If she's in a good mood, she might even sit next to you!
Kuroshio is a restaurant that offers such exceptional service, perhaps even in the world. Not only is the food delicious, but you'll also have an incredibly entertaining time and create unforgettable memories.
With the owner, Mr. Abe. Satsuki-chan is also secretly in the photo.
I was laughing from the moment I entered the restaurant until I finished eating. I've been in Japan for eight years, but this is the first time I've experienced such generous service at a restaurant. It was also fun when the owner sang a song he wrote at the end.
Kuroshio
Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Taisho Ward, Sanzenya Nishi 1-17-2
Business hours: 17:00-23:00 Closed: Wednesdays Phone number: 06-6553-7999
There are many more! Sushi restaurants with unique ingredients and store layouts
05. Shidashi no Tanuki
This impressive tanuki roll is 12cm in diameter, so it's impossible to eat it all in one bite.
The specialty of "Shidashi no Tanuki" in Hamadera, Sakai City, is the "Tanuki Roll" (2,800 yen including tax), a huge sushi roll measuring approximately 12 cm in diameter, and is a luxurious dish filled with 18 different ingredients, including tuna, egg, shrimp, and cucumber. For those who cannot finish it all by themselves, a half-size (1,480 yen including tax) is also available. Except during peak seasons, you can also purchase it in-store by making a reservation by phone on the day.
This is the store on the first floor. The second and third floors are tatami rooms.
This restaurant specializes in catering for ceremonial occasions and banquets. While it primarily offers catering and takeout, it is also possible to dine in the restaurant's banquet hall (reservations required) for groups of 15 or more. The private banquet halls on the second and third floors are ideal for group dining. High chairs and tables are provided to reduce strain on the feet and knees, so even those who are not comfortable sitting upright can rest assured.
For first-time visitors, this giant raccoon is a good landmark.
"Shidashi no Tanuki" has been loved by the people of Sakai for over 60 years. If you want to experience the power of tanuki rolls, be sure to make the effort to visit.
Shidashi no Tanuki
2-256 Higashi Hamadera Funaocho, Nishi-ku, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture
Business hours: 9:00-18:00 Closed: Wednesdays Phone number: 072-265-0005
06. Sushi Matsumoto
A long-established shop in Higashi-Osaka where you can interact with sharks in a mini aquarium
Sushi Matsumoto in Higashi-Osaka City has a large fish tank between the counter seats and the tatami room seating, where diners can touch the swimming fish. According to Matsumoto Tsuyoshi, the third-generation owner of the restaurant, when his grandfather, the founder, expanded the restaurant, he dug a hole in the floor and created the fish tank. At first, fish for food were kept there, but now, pet fish such as leopard sharks, cat sharks, stingrays, and moray eels swim about happily in the tank.
The sight of the fish swimming all at once is a sight to beholdA cat shark pops its head out to get some affection. Its adorable appearance is captivating.
The ingredients are sourced from Tsuruhashi Market and carefully selected by discerning connoisseurs, ensuring guaranteed quality and freshness. You can enjoy seafood bowls topped with generous amounts of salmon, yellowtail, tuna, and other fish, as well as nigiri sushi of surprisingly large size, all at reasonable prices.
The conger eel (1,000 yen including tax) is served as a whole fish, and the fatty tuna (1,800 yen including tax) is so tender that you can tell just by looking at it.
If you order the Kaisendon (1,200 yen including tax) for lunch, miso soup will be added. There is also a special version with upgraded ingredients for 4,000 yen (including tax).
Matsumoto Tsuyoshi, the third generation owner, has brought about a change in the store's direction with his unique ideas.
She has appeared as a cosplay performer at various events, including Nipponbashi Street Festa.
In addition to the mini aquarium, Sushi Matsumoto also has original coloring books and toys for children, making it a family-friendly restaurant. In addition to working at the restaurant, Matsumoto is also active as a cosplay performer, appearing at various events on his days off. He sometimes wears a shark mask while serving customers at the restaurant, and is always thinking of new ways to entertain his customers.
Sushi Matsumoto
3-1-6 Dairen Higashi, Higashiosaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Business hours: 11:30-14:00, 17:00-21:00 Closed: Tuesdays (occasionally closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) Phone number: 06-6722-4174
07. Minamo Shojin Sushi
Vegan sushi roll (1,760 yen including tax)
Healthy and artistic vegan sushi
Located in the heart of Americamura, Shinsaibashi, Shojin Sushi Minamo features a stylish exterior and is the third branch of the popular Osaka vegan restaurant Paprika Shokudo, which will open in September 2024. There are many commercial facilities and theaters in the surrounding area, so it's a great place to stop by after shopping or a concert.
For those who want a hearty meal, we recommend the evening shojin sushi assortment set meal (2,580 yen including tax), which comes with steamed soy meat meatballs.
As the restaurant is run by a vegan restaurant, the sushi they serve is, of course, gluten-free and vegan. At first glance, it may appear to use fish or animal-derived ingredients, but all of the menu items are basically made with plant-based ingredients, and you'll be amazed at how ingeniously they manage to combine appetizing visuals with healthy food.
Other dishes on the menu include an egg-like dish made with tofu and pumpkin, a salmon-like dish made with soft steamed organic carrots, and shiitake mushrooms cooked in tamari soy sauce and vegan butter. I'm impressed by the ideas behind cooking dishes that look similar to regular sushi.
If you want to enjoy sushi but can't eat fish or animal products, or are concerned about calories and are health-conscious, be sure to try the vegan sushi at Shojin Sushi Minamo.
Minamo Shojin Sushi
Ace Building B1, 1-10-4 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Business hours: 12:00-15:00, 17:30-22:00 Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays Phone number: 06-4256-3662
Osaka sushi is created with unique ideas. Come experience the endless possibilities at our restaurants!
"There are many sushi restaurants in America, but eating in Japan is the best!" says Frankie. Having visited completely different types of sushi restaurants during this interview, he looked very satisfied and said, "I was able to discover another charm of Japanese food culture."
Japanese cuisine has become increasingly popular in recent years, with washoku being registered as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Among these, sushi, which is relatively easy to enjoy, can be said to be a national dish beloved by a wide range of people. Whether you're a resident or a tourist, we recommend visiting Osaka's sushi restaurants, which offer unique and entertaining dishes.
A person involved in this article
Text
Takaaki Ito
Photo
Ryohei Koga
Edit
Rie Tomimoto
Direction
NINGEN Editorial Department（NINGEN Inc.）
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