Osaka Minoo - After visiting the Minoo Falls and Katsuo-ji Temple this day, we returned to the city to eat here. This hidden Kyoto-style restaurant is located in a narrow alley and offers dishes such as hot pot, Western food, and yudofu (hot tofu). The menu is extensive, with so many pages that it feels overwhelming, leading to a long decision-making process—haha!

Upon entering the shop, the owner enthusiastically introduced us to every item on the menu and then gave us a huge cup of iced water. The three of us hesitated for a long time before finally ordering the following dishes:

📍 Fugu Karaage and Bamboo Basket Assorted Dishes Set with Yudofu ¥2,590
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
Deep-fried pufferfish served with six kinds of side dishes + upgraded to include 'Yudofu'
🔹 I had never tried deep-fried pufferfish, so I thought I’d give it a shot. The flavor is very unique; the meat is firmer and not oily at all, and with a squeeze of lemon, it adds another layer of flavor!
🔹 The side dishes include bonito with bamboo shoots, sweet marinated nuts with sakura shrimp, lotus root, two types of pickled vegetables, and mayonnaise noodles (?)
🔹 Each meal comes with pickled vegetables, miso soup, dessert, and sweet rice cakes.
🔹 For the yudofu, the broth isn’t very flavorful at first, but you can add the bonito flakes and chopped green onions provided alongside. A drizzle of soy sauce enhances it. This tofu is incredibly delicious, very fragrant with a rich soybean taste, and has a solid texture without being watery at all—so rich and satisfying!

📍 Sukiyaki-style Beef and Tofu Set with Udon and Egg ¥1,590
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
Sukiyaki beef and tofu set with udon topped with egg
🔹 The udon my friend ordered is stewed with soy sauce and beef, very flavorful. There was also a big piece of tofu that is fragrant and well-seasoned, with a different flavor.
🔹 The accompanying egg is a raw egg, with the yolk perfect for dipping the udon in.
🔹 Side dishes included shiitake mushrooms with wood ear mushrooms, and a serving of oden with a tasty white radish!

📍 Hanakikyo Origin Beef Soup Individual Hot Pot Set ¥1,390
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
Beef soup originating from Hanakikyo - individual hot pot meal
🔹 The beef soup is very sweet and fresh, again served with a piece of tofu, which despite being less flavorful than the yudofu, has a richer flavor from the meat juices!
🔹 The side dishes are basically similar to the previous dish.

▶️ Environment
🔹 The restaurant has a decent space, with a total of 30 seats; it’s comfortable and the tables are quite large!
🔹 The ambiance reflects the owner's dedication to running this little shop, showcasing a craftsman spirit.
🔹 The lighting is slightly dim.
🔹 Various alcoholic drinks are available.
🔹 Free parking is offered; you can ask the shop before you arrive. (We only discovered it later and had parked in a nearby paid parking lot—sad!)

▶️ Overall Rating
🔹 The side dishes and yudofu were very satisfying. Honestly, the deep-fried pufferfish was just okay; it had a unique texture but didn’t have a standout flavor.
🔹 The white rice was incredible, perfectly cooked—not too hard or too wet; each bite had a sweet fragrance.
🔹 I felt this place specializes in Kyoto’s tofu dishes (Sagano), and if you like tofu, you definitely have to come and try it!

🔹 Note: Due to a rice shortage in Japan, there’s an extra charge for rice dishes, which was an additional ¥100 per person. Therefore, our total for three people, including the meal price of ¥5,570, was an additional ¥300, making the final bill ¥5,870.
🔹 Cash payment only! Upon entering to dine, the owner will inform you first.