Da Lù Fēng

One day at lunchtime, I suddenly thought, “Come to think of it, I haven’t tried any new Chinese restaurants lately…” So I searched online and ended up visiting a place called “Chinese Country Cuisine Restaurant: Da Lù Fēng.” Apparently, the head chef here is from China, has won numerous awards in various competitions, and even holds a Chinese “High-Level Chef” certification. As a foodie, there’s no way I wouldn’t want to try food made by someone like that. It also seems to have been recognized as one of Tabelog’s Top 100 Restaurants, so I thought, “I’ll just give it a try,” and headed over to the restaurant…

With private rooms and round tables, it looks like a great spot for families or small gatherings… This is what “Chinese Country Cuisine Restaurant: Da Lù Fēng” is like…

Chinese Country Cuisine Restaurant: Da Lù Fēng is located just before the intersection with the Keihan National Highway, as you head south along Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street from the Tenroku area. The exterior is made of stone, and rather than looking like a Chinese restaurant, it gives off a more European vibe… At first glance, it doesn’t look like a Chinese restaurant at all, and perhaps because it was right after opening time, there wasn’t even a line—the usual sign of a popular spot—so I didn’t notice the place and walked right past it the first time. In any case, the fact that the restaurant wasn’t crowded was lucky for me, and I was able to walk right in with zero wait time.

But as soon as I stepped inside, the interior was unmistakably Chinese, with an atmosphere reminiscent of a slightly upscale Chinese family home. The restaurant is a two-story building with a total of 72 seats. The first floor is mainly table seating, while the second floor features private rooms and round tables—a layout that seems well-suited for families and small gatherings. The server who attended to us that day appeared to be Chinese as well, and she was so attentive that I was convinced I’d found a “hidden gem” even before I began ordering…

Honestly, 1,100 yen (tax included) for this… How did the Mapo Tofu Set—the most popular dish at Chinese Country Cuisine Restaurant: Da Lù Fēng—actually turn out?

So, let me introduce the Mapo Tofu Set—the most popular dish—that I ordered that day at Chinese Country Cuisine Restaurant: Da Lù Fēng. About 10 minutes after ordering, the Mapo Tofu Set was brought to my table, and this is what it looked like…

In addition to the main dish of Mapo Tofu, the set comes with rice, soup, a salad, and two small side dishes—all for 1,100 yen (tax included). However, the almond tofu is the only item charged separately; for an additional 150 yen, you can add it as a dessert.

Well then, let’s dive right into tasting the Mapo Tofu… A large chili pepper lies prominently in the center of the earthenware pot, hinting at the heat even before you take a bite. But my first impression wasn’t so much the heat as it was a tingling sensation. But it didn’t stop at just a numbing sensation—the unique, refreshing kick of Sichuan pepper also spread throughout my mouth. Plus, the special chili oil—made with over 20 kinds of spices—has a toasty aroma, creating an incredibly stimulating flavor. Served piping hot in a clay pot, sweat starts pouring down my forehead as I keep eating.

Of course, you can’t have mapo tofu without rice. Happily, this mapo tofu lunch comes with unlimited rice refills. The portion of mapo tofu itself is by no means small, and with a side dish and soup included, the price is 1,100 yen (tax included)… This mapo tofu set at Chinese Country Cuisine Restaurant: Da Lù Fēng is, to put it very mildly, an absolute steal. If a place like this were near my workplace, I’d definitely become a regular…

Examples of Other Dishes Available on the Chinese Country Cuisine Restaurant: Da Lù Fēng (Prices include tax)

• Wagyu Beef with Green Peppers and Onions: 3,000 yen
• Shrimp in Chili Sauce: 1,650 yen
• Tohoku-Style Sweet and Sour Pork: 1,650 yen
• Saliva Chicken: 1,280 yen
• Fried Chicken: 1,210 yen
• La Zu Noodles: 1,100 yen
• Lettuce and XO Sauce Fried Rice: 1,100 yen

Offering Full-Course Chinese Menus… Chinese Country Cuisine Restaurant: Da Lù Fēng is a 0-minute walk from the nearest station, Osaka Metro Minamimorimachi Station.

At Chinese Country Cuisine Restaurant: Da Lù Fēng, they offer not only reasonably priced lunches but also full-course Chinese menus. According to the restaurant’s website, there are three full-course menu options priced at 5,000 yen, 7,000 yen, and 9,000 yen. The top-tier course even includes dishes made with ultra-luxury ingredients like shark fin steak. You can also add an all-you-can-drink option to these courses for an additional fee. With everything taken care of, you can enjoy your banquet to the fullest without worrying about the details. It’s much easier on the wallet than eating a full-course Chinese meal in Umeda, and it’s definitely worth knowing about this place for those times when you want to splurge a little.

Now, here are the restaurant details…

P.S. If you’re looking for delicious Chinese food in Osaka, be sure to check out this article as well…