Mr. Young Men

Just up Teramachi Street from Shijo Street in Kyoto, there’s a restaurant called Mr. Young Men. It’s a historic okonomiyaki restaurant that opened in 1976. When I passed by, I noticed a signboard advertising a menu item that caught my eye, and I was so curious to try it that I decided to go right in. What was that menu item? I’ll tell you all about it in a moment, but first…

It has an American-style interior, but the atmosphere is as laid-back as a local diner… Mr. Young Men is a place like this…

First, let me give you a quick introduction to Mr. Young Men. If you have any connection to Kyoto, you’ve probably seen this place at least once—it’s that easy to spot. This year marks the restaurant’s 50th anniversary, and its exterior already exudes a sense of history, or rather, a nice retro vibe.

When stepping inside, there’s a small kitchen right in front of you, where an older woman was quietly and diligently grilling okonomiyaki all by herself. To the left of that is a compact dining area; I counted the seats by eye, and there are a total of 20 table seats. The interior has a red-brick, American-style vibe, but it has a relaxed atmosphere where you can unwind without feeling stressed, just like a neighborhood diner. It’s a bit cramped, so it’s difficult to enter with a stroller or large luggage, but I think it’s a very convenient spot to pop into for a quick break while you’re out shopping.

Okonomiyaki, yakisoba, and rice balls—it was a total carb fest… So, how was Mr. Young Men’s signature lunch menu, the Young Men Lunch?

Well then, let me introduce you to Mr. Young Men’s signature lunch menu, which caught my eye when I visited the store. This time, I ordered the Young Men Lunch (price: 1,280 yen, tax included). It seems to be the restaurant’s No. 1 best-selling item, having been featured on TV and in magazines…

About 15 minutes after placing my order, the Young Men Lunch was brought to my table. It looked like this. The griddle held okonomiyaki and yakisoba, and on the side were two rice balls, miso soup, and pickles. It’s the classic Osaka style of pairing “flour-based dishes” with rice, making for a lunch that’s truly a carb-fest.

So, first up is this okonomiyaki… It doesn’t have many ingredients in it itself, making it a classic Osaka-style okonomiyaki that feels like “the quintessential flour-based dish.” However, there’s pork and cabbage cooking in one corner of the griddle, so while the ingredients and batter are separated, it’s not completely devoid of fillings. The batter is fluffy; if I had to describe it in one word, it’s a classic Japanese-style pancake. If I had to nitpick, I’d say I wish they’d added some aonori and mayonnaise…

As for the yakisoba, the thick noodles have a chewy texture. The sauce was a bit on the light side, though. Since there wasn’t any mayonnaise for the okonomiyaki either, I wondered if I could change up the flavor at all. So I looked around the shop…

In the corner of the dining area, there was a full set of condiments, including mayonnaise and sauce. That put my mind at ease. They didn’t have any aonori, but I adjusted the flavor with these and polished it off in one go. In addition to this okonomiyaki and yakisoba, the meal also came with rice balls and miso soup (the rice balls were filled with plum paste and bonito flakes), so the portion size was definitely satisfying. For a grown man with a big appetite, I think this is a lunch I can recommend for its value…

Other Menu Items at Mr. Young Men (Prices include tax)

• Yakisoba Set (Yakisoba + Rice Ball, Miso Soup) 1,180 yen
• Okonomiyaki Set (Okonomiyaki + Rice Ball, Miso Soup) 1,180 yen
• Yan Yan Yaki (Pork) 930 yen
• Tom Tom Yaki (Squid) 930 yen
• Chiruchiru-yaki (Shrimp) 930 yen
• Shrimp and Beef Mixed Yakisoba (Beef, Squid, Shrimp) 1,980 yen
• Mixed Kimchi Yakisoba (Pork, Squid Tentacles, Shrimp) 1,500 yen

It’s great that they’re open all day… Mr. Young Men is just a 2-minute walk from the nearest station, Kyoto Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line.

Speaking of Mr. Young Men, it’s actually quite nice that they’re open all day. Plus, they’re basically open every day. Even if you miss lunch, you can always come here and eat your fill. It’s an area with lots of tourists, but you can really tell that it’s been cherished by the locals and has been in business for 50 years. I really hope a place like this keeps going strong for years to come…

Now, here are the details about the restaurant…