Kouga-ryu Amerika-mura Head Shop

Kouga-ryu, one of the most popular takoyaki restaurants in Osaka, has been in business since 1974 right in front of Triangle Park (official name: Mitsu Park), the symbol of America-mura in Osaka. Koga-ryu has been featured in numerous TV programs and on YouTube, and has won the Michelin Bib Gourmand award three years in a row. In addition to the main store in Amemura, there are currently 11 other stores in the Kansai region, including USJ, Higashi Osaka, Yamato Koriyama, and Tenri. You may have heard of the restaurant at least once, as it is so famous that it could be called “the best in Osaka.

I wanted to try such Koga-style takoyaki for the first time in a long time, so I went to the restaurant one weekend around opening time. No, really, how many years has it been since I’ve been there? It’s like people in Tokyo don’t go to Tokyo Tower… Putting such excuses aside, let’s enjoy Kouga’s takoyaki for the first time in a long time…

Kouga-ryu America-mura Head Shop is equipped with an eat-in space on the second floor, so you can enjoy Takoyaki even on rainy days…

I arrived at the Kouga-ryu America-mura Head Shop at around 10:30 a.m., the store was already open and there was a crowd in front of the store, so the store probably opened a little early that day. There were about 5-6 customers ahead of us in line at the storefront. The wait time was only a few minutes because the kitchen staff had already started cooking takoyaki all at once.

After purchasing takoyaki at the counter on the first floor, take the elevator on your left to the eat-in space on the second floor. Whether you are alone or with small children, you can enjoy eating freshly made, hot takoyaki without hesitation. The space is cozy, but since it is takoyaki, everyone finishes eating quickly, and if there are no seats, you can also eat standing up, so the turnover is quite good and it was not so crowded. Above all, the eat-in space is great because it creates a sense of security that you can have freshly made takoyaki without getting wet, even on a rainy day.

The birthplace of “shaded mayonnaise”… Two items on the takoyaki menu I ordered at the Kouga-ryu America-mura Head Shop!

Let me introduce the two takoyaki dishes I ordered at the Kouga-ryu America-mura Head Shop this time. Check here to see the images…

The one in the front with dried bonito flakes is the “Oudou no Sauce Mayo” and the one in the back with a sprinkle of pepper is the “Black Pepper Salt Mayo”. Both are covered with a thin line of mayonnaise in the shape of a net, and it is said that this “shaded mayonnaise” actually originated at the Kouga-ryu Americamura flagship store. Does this mean that this netted mayonnaise has a long history? I am personally very interested in the history of the style transition from the original takoyaki at Aizuya…

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Oudou no Sauce Mayo

The size is about one size smaller than Hanadako, a popular takoyaki restaurant in Umeda… The surface of the takoyaki is not crispy when you prick it with a toothpick, but it is firm enough to be cooked and strong enough not to be easily broken. It is not crispy on the surface. It’s not crispy on the surface, but it is firm and strong enough not to be easily torn off.

However, when you pierce through the skin, you will find a thick, soupy liquid batter and relatively large pieces of octopus. The sauce and mayonnaise were not too harsh, so it was nice to be able to enjoy the dough’s soupiness.

Black Pepper Salt Mayo

The Black Pepper Salt Mayo, on the other hand, leaves the crust crispier than the sauce. The taste is more refreshing, and the aroma of the black pepper in your mouth is unmistakable. It makes me want to drink beer.

This Black Pepper Salt Mayo is also good with a squeeze of the lemon that comes with it. The stimulation of the black pepper and the sourness of the lemon go surprisingly well together. The lemon juice makes the skin a little moist, which may help prevent thirst as you continue eating. The claim is “America-mura’s big breakthrough! It is certainly a flavor that could be a breakout hit.

This is how I enjoyed the two takoyaki dishes at Kouga-ryu America-mura Head Shop for the first time in several years. There are many good takoyaki restaurants in Minami, especially in Namba, but I think it is well worth the trip all the way from Namba. Hikakin, for example, went all the way from Tokyo to Ame-mura many times and recommended it on YouTube… If you are in Osaka, you have no excuse not to try the takoyaki here.

All takoyaki menu of Kouga-ryu America-mura Head Shop (10 pieces, prices include tax)

• No. 1 in popularity since its establishment! Oudou no Sause Mayo
• Our special Tosa Soy Sauce! Shoyu mayo 550 yen
• Lightly seasoned with yuzu ponzu! Negipon 650 yen
• Our signature sauce and plenty of green onions! Negi Sauce 650 yen
• A big hit in America Village! Black Pepper Salt Mayo 600 yen

I recommend that you take out takoyaki and enjoy them at Triangle Park… To get to the Kouga-ryu America-mura Head Shop, a 5-minute walk from the nearest station, Yotsubashi Station on the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line.

Kouga-ryu America-mura Head Shop of course offers takoyaki to-go as well. Like other takoyaki stores, it is originally a take-out store, and that is the more natural way to use it. If the weather is nice, it is much better to eat at Triangle Park in front of the restaurant than to eat in like I do. If you are ever in Amerika-mura, don’t forget to try Kouga-style takoyaki as one of the Amerika-mura’s gourmet foods.

Here are the details of the restaurant. Check here for store data…

From Shinsaibashi station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, it is a 7-minute walk.

P.S. If you are looking for delicious Japanese food in Osaka, please stop by this article…