Ajinoya Main Store

I visited Ajinoya Main Store, probably the okonomiyaki restaurant in Osaka with the longest lines. I’d been here once years before starting this blog, and I have fond memories of the owner treating me exceptionally well. Recalling that memory, I headed to the shop one weekend just before opening time, hoping to enjoy delicious okonomiyaki again. So, what was it actually like when I went…?

Just like years ago, it’s incredibly popular… On a certain weekend lunchtime, how long was the line and how crowded was Ajinoya Main Store?

I arrived at Ajinoya Main Store 45 minutes before opening time. Naturally, there was no line yet, but four customers were already seated on stools waiting outside. I joined them and observed the scene until opening. Around 30 minutes before opening, customers suddenly started gathering in large numbers. In no time, the line exceeded 20 people, and the end of the queue became invisible from the storefront. Well, the restaurant has 50 seats inside, including 7 L-shaped counter seats, so around 20 people could probably be seated all at once right after opening.

By the way, this is what the line looked like when I finished my meal and left the shop. I didn’t count exactly, but I’m sure there were at least 30 people waiting. Considering the shop has a relatively large number of seats inside, if you joined the line at this point, you’d probably face a wait of over 30 minutes. However, there is a way to drastically cut this wait time, though it costs a bit more. I’ll introduce that method later in the article, so please keep reading to the end…

The taste and volume haven’t changed from my memories years ago… How did I find Ajinoya’s most popular menu item, the Ajinoya Mix?

So, let me introduce what I ordered that day at Ajinoya Main Store: their most popular menu item, the Ajinoya Mix (price: ¥1,680 including tax). After waiting about 10 minutes after entering, a piping hot, freshly made okonomiyaki arrived right before my eyes…

It’s hard to convey in pictures, but it’s about 15-20cm in diameter and roughly 3cm thick… Compared to Yukari‘s Fromage-style okonomiyaki in the same price range, the volume is overwhelmingly superior. By the way, just before it’s finished, the staff will ask if it’s okay to add sauce, mustard, bonito flakes, and green seaweed. If there’s anything you don’t like, let the staff know at this point.

Now, let’s get to the tasting… First, what hits the palate is the okonomiyaki sauce blended with the generous layer of mustard on top. The sweet sauce is elevated by the mustard’s sharp kick, creating a uniquely rich yet never overwhelming flavor. Meanwhile, the bottom of the okonomiyaki is perfectly charred from slow cooking on the griddle. Biting into it releases a wave of toasty aroma from that crispy crust.

The main body itself is probably about 3cm thick. At Ajinoya, they seem to have a policy of not pressing down on the okonomiyaki with a spatula while cooking. Thanks to this, the batter stays fluffy, and the cabbage retains its crisp, crunchy texture. And within that, there’s a rich variety of ingredients like minced pork, squid, octopus, shrimp… The taste and generous portion size were exactly as I remembered from years ago. Completely satisfied, I finished every last bite and left the restaurant.

Ajinoya Main Store Other Menu Examples (Prices Include Tax)

• Special Mix Okonomiyaki: ¥3,150
• Fresh Tomato and Cheese Okonomiyaki: ¥1,500
• Ajinoya Special Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki: ¥1,380
• Mochi Cheese Okonomiyaki: ¥1,380
• Pork Kimchi Yakisoba (Small): ¥1,400
• Beef Yakisoba (Small) 1300 yen
• Squid and Pork Yakisoba (Small) 1080 yen

TableCheck can also reduce wait times… Access to Ajinoya Main Store is a 3-minute walk from the nearest station, Osaka Metro Midosuji Line Namba Station.

At Ajinoya Main Store, TableCheck can help reduce your wait time. While a separate fee of ¥660 per person applies (in addition to your food and drink bill), letting them know your arrival time allows you to skip to the front of the line during that time slot. Please note, however, that this system does not reserve seats and is limited to groups of up to 4 people. If you’re short on time for waiting, consider using this system.

Now, here are the restaurant details…