Tabelog ratingOkonomiyaki Kiji Umeda sukaibiru ten (お好み焼 きじ 梅田スカイビル店) is a perpetually busy restaurant serving Osaka-style okonomiyaki from the basement of the landmark Umeda Sky Building. It's located in the Takimi Koji alley, a re-creation of a retro Showa-era street, and the lively atmosphere is part of the appeal. The main draw is watching the chefs work at the long iron teppan griddle right in front of you.
The restaurant is particularly famous for its unique modan-yaki, a dish where yakisoba noodles are mixed with egg and dashi before being grilled into a savory pancake. Reviewers consistently praise this dish, which was recently reported at around ¥1,200, along with the fluffy batter and well-balanced sweet-and-savory sauce used across the menu. Other popular items include the pork okonomiyaki (buta-tama, ≈¥950–¥1,050) and the rich beef-tendon version (suji-tama, ≈¥1,400). A typical meal costs ¥1,000–2,000 for lunch and ¥2,000–3,000 for dinner.
While the food is highly regarded for its quality and value, international visitors should be cautious. Multiple independent reviews report significant issues with billing, including being charged for more expensive items, extra portions being added to the bill, or not receiving a receipt. Service can also be brusque, with language barriers sometimes leading to confusion.
- Getting There: The restaurant is on the B1F floor of the Umeda Sky Building, a 9-minute walk from JR Osaka Station and Umeda subway station.
- Booking: Walk-in only; reservations are not accepted. Queues are normal, but staff often take your order while you wait to ensure faster service once you are seated.
- Payment: Cash only. Credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments are not accepted.
- Billing & Language: The menu is in Japanese only. Due to frequent reports of overcharging from other visitors, it is strongly advised to confirm the price of each dish when ordering, check your bill carefully, and insist on a receipt.
- Seating: There are 22 counter seats facing the hot grill. The space is small, often crowded, and can get warm.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
