Daru Shokudo

In the Dojima Underground Shopping Arcade, which runs from Umeda in Osaka toward Higobashi, there’s a restaurant called Daru Shokudo that specializes in meat dishes. When I first heard the name, I thought, “Is this a Nepalese curry place?” But in reality, it’s a versatile meat restaurant where you can find something to satisfy your craving for meat that day—from a super-heavyweight dish like a 1-kilogram beef steak to down-to-earth fried rice and pasta. They have a massive dish called the “Dojima Mountain Curry” that’s guaranteed to look great on social media, so I headed there specifically to try it. So, how did it actually turn out when I went there…

Meat and alcohol in a wild, pirate-ship-like atmosphere… Daru Shokudo is a place like this…

I arrived at Daru Shokudo around 1:00 p.m. that day. By then, the place was almost full, but I managed to squeeze into one of the few remaining seats. The restaurant has a total of 39 seats. You might end up sharing a table with other customers, so it’s best to know that going in.

The interior has a wild, pirate-ship-inspired vibe, with a ship’s steering wheel, world maps, and lots of empty liquor bottles decorating the walls. As you can imagine from the decor, Daru Shokudo was created so you can enjoy “meat and alcohol” at reasonable prices. In that sense, it might actually be better to visit in the evening, like an izakaya. Well, having work and not being able to drink during lunchtime is a downside, but at least you can enjoy the meat to your heart’s content…

There’s no denying it makes quite an impression visually… but how did Daru Shokudo’s signature dish, the Mountain Curry Chicken, actually taste when I tried it?

So, let me introduce the Mountain Curry—the restaurant’s signature dish—which I ordered at Daru Shokudo that day. This Mountain Curry comes in three sizes, and you can choose between chicken and pork cutlets as toppings. This time, I went with size L and the chicken cutlet.

After waiting a little over 10 minutes from the time I placed my order, the Mountain Curry Chicken (L) was brought to my table, and this is what it looked like. Just looking at the chicken cutlets piled high on top of the rice, it’s immediately clear that the name “Mountain” is no exaggeration. With this many chicken cutlets to eat, even the biggest meat lovers out there are sure to be satisfied.

So, I counted those chicken cutlets—there were a total of 10 pieces. That’s easily more than one chicken breast, and maybe even two. The breading is on the thick side, but the meat is also nice and thick. The quality is on par with the chicken cutlets you’d get at a typical set-meal restaurant.

And the curry sauce generously poured over these chicken cutlets is incredibly spicy. I’d say it’s probably one of the spiciest curries in Ohori’s history… But it’s not just the heat from chili peppers—the flavors and pleasant aromas of various other spices really hit you hard, too. That’s why it’s also one of the most impactful spice curries in Osaka.

The only downside was the rice serving as the base. It’s been artificially pressed into a dome shape, so there are no gaps between the grains, and the curry sauce doesn’t soak in. As a result—and this might be a bit of an exaggeration—the texture feels like you’re eating Japanese rice cakes topped with curry. Honestly, as a curry rice dish, this is a bit of a letdown… though, of course, they’d have to do it this way to build that mountain of chicken cutlet on top of the rice.

So, in about 10 minutes, I finished Daru Shokudo’s signature dish, the Mountain Curry Chicken (L). I was very satisfied with the portion size, but as a curry rice dish, personally, I felt it was a bit… lacking. I wish they’d put a little more thought into how the rice and cutlet are arranged… It might reduce the visual impact of the height a bit, but I think that approach would definitely make it tastier as a curry rice dish.

Other Menu Items at Daru Shokudo (Prices include tax)

• Beef Wild Rib Steak Set Meal (300g) 2,900 yen
• Braised Beef Brisket Steak (M size, 300g) 2,200 yen
• Sizzling Teppan-Grilled Beef Set Meal (M size, 300g) 1,780 yen
• Daru Shokudo’s Tonkatsu Set Meal (Medium portion, 300g) 1,580 yen
• Pork Teriyaki Set Meal (M size, 300g) 1,500 yen
• Roast Beef Bowl (Regular) 1,280 yen
• Black Curry Rice (Regular) 1,180 yen

Mountain Curry is also available for takeout… To get to Daru Shokudo, it’s a short walk from the nearest station, Nishi-Umeda Station on the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line.

Daru Shokudo also has a takeout counter, so you can get Mountain Curry to go. Since it’s takeout, whether you can pile the chicken or pork cutlet high enough to create a “mountain” depends entirely on your own skills. However, in exchange, the rice might be served hot and fluffy rather than squished flat. Since you can always cook rice at home if needed, I personally think there’s a good chance you’ll find that the takeout actually tastes better!

Now, here are the restaurant details…