Lao Hu En

There used to be a popular Chinese restaurant called “Ohako” in Tenjinbashisuji 6-chome, Osaka. Even though it was a Chinese restaurant, its signature dishes were, for some reason, pork miso soup and sake lees soup. Apparently, so many customers flocked there specifically for these dishes that lines would form outside the restaurant from early in the morning.

That renowned restaurant, Ohako, closed its doors in April 2023 to much regret, and many fans were said to be saddened, thinking, “I’ll never be able to eat that pork miso soup again”… But there’s good news. A restaurant that carries on the legacy of Ohako’s pork miso soup and sake lees soup is still in business in Kamishinjo. That restaurant is…

The son of the owner of Ohako opened this place in July 2024… Here’s what Lao Hu En is like

There’s a place called Lao Hu En right outside the south exit of Hankyu Railway’s Kamishinjo Station. It opened in July 2024, one year after Ohako closed, and like Ohako, it’s a super rare spot that’s open in the morning. And get this—the owner of this place is the son of the Ohako owner. Just knowing that makes it easy to imagine that the tonjiru and kasujiru here perfectly carry on the taste of Ohako, right? Now, on a certain winter day, I arrived at Lao Hu En just before opening time to find about 10 customers already waiting. The moment the doors opened, the crowd surged inside, and in no time at all, all 16 seats—including those taken by customers who arrived after me—were filled. Wow, what incredible energy first thing in the morning! Seeing this scene, my anticipation for the pork soup I was about to eat skyrocketed…

A signature dish that was a huge hit even at its predecessor, Ohako… How does Lao Hu En’s Pork Miso Soup set meal actually stack up?

So, let me introduce the restaurant’s signature dish—the Pork Miso Soup set meal—which I ordered at Lao Hu En that day. This time, I asked for a large portion of the pork miso soup, and the price, including tax, came to 600 + 200 yen…

Just 1–2 minutes after placing my order, the Pork Miso Soup set meal was brought right to my table. The large portion of pork soup was truly impressive. It came in a bowl so big it wouldn’t have been out of place as a ramen bowl, filled to the brim.

As for the ingredients in this tonjiru, besides pork, there were cabbage, carrots, and bean sprouts—four types in total, I think? It’s packed with plenty of both meat and vegetables; this has gone beyond the realm of miso soup and could almost be called a hot pot dish. The cabbage was cooked just right—not too soft, retaining a bit of crunch. On the other hand, the broth was a bit on the salty side. Since it’s based on Chinese soup, the flavor doesn’t feel 100% Japanese, and I get the sense it could easily be used as the broth for miso ramen.

As I enjoyed the comforting pork miso soup, I found myself thinking, “If I can get this pork soup at this price, I’d definitely want to come back…” However, toward the end, the saltiness started to feel a bit strong, so I used the shichimi pepper on the table to adjust the flavor slightly and finished every last drop. You get plenty of vegetables and meat, so you’re guaranteed to feel full.

If that’s not enough, you can add whatever you like from the small bowls placed at the back of the restaurant (Note: Additional charge applies). I think it’s a great idea to warm up with Lao Hu En’s Pork Miso Soup set meal before heading to work, especially on a cold winter morning.

Open as a neighborhood Chinese restaurant for lunch… Lao Hu En is just a 1-minute walk from Kamishinjo Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line, the nearest station.

Lao Hu En operates as a typical neighborhood Chinese restaurant during the day. Here’s what the lunch menu looks like…

With set meals, noodles, and rice bowls, it seems to cover most of the major Chinese dishes. Not only are most items priced under 1,000 yen (tax included), but you can also get unlimited refills on rice (Note: Set meals only) and soup… Seeing this has me looking forward to visiting for lunch.

Now, here are the restaurant details…す…

P.S. If you are looking for delicious Chinese restaurants in Osaka, please stop by this article below…