Chibo Sonezaki

For the best okonomiyaki in Japan, head to Osaka. And for the best okonomiyaki in Osaka, head to any Chibo branch. Opening its first store in 1973, the Chibo brand has been serving okonomiyaki for over 50 years. Its age does not lie: Chibo belongs to the world’s first okonomiyaki chain of restaurants because of its commitment to inventing — and constantly reinventing — the concept of okonomiyaki to a growing audience. Whether it’s a lively teppanyaki performance or a more intimate, date-worthy ambiance, each Chibo location has its own personality and menu to match. Chibo Sonezaki, located by Umeda Station in Osaka — the birthplace of okonomiyaki — takes this vision to heart. The branch takes a more approachable road to okonomiyaki, welcoming everyone for a family night out, business lunch or date night. Counter seats arranged around an open kitchen allow visitors to watch as professional chefs prepare tempting dishes, while soft mood lighting encourages a relaxed atmosphere. Chibo has perfected its recipe for the city’s beloved savory cabbage pancakes. To achieve the fluffy texture, which has become a famous characteristic of the restaurant, all okonomiyaki batter is blended daily in-store by experienced staff. The ingredients, including fresh cabbage, eggs, batter, and premium pork, are carefully selected and balanced to create an exquisite dish. The result is a fluffy okonomiyaki with the perfect harmony of sweetness, chewiness, and umami. While the okonomiyaki steals the show, the menu also features crowd favorites like tonpeiyaki, a savory dish of chopped pork wrapped in a soft, runny egg and drizzled with Chibo’s signature sweet sauce and mayonnaise. The Chibo-yaki, an okonomiyaki with a shrimp head peeking out for a fun visual twist, is another must-try dish that adds flair to the meal.