Ogimachi Udon Asuro

Although relatively new, opening in March 2019, Ogimachi Udon Asuro has already won a Michelin Bib Gourmand and become a very popular restaurant. Perhaps this rapid progress is not so surprising, since the owner of the restaurant was trained at two of Osaka’s most famous udon restaurants, Takeuchi Udon Restaurant in Nakatsu and Udon-ya Kisuke in Nakazaki-cho.

Naturally, I was also curious about such a popular and talented udon shop, so I went to Ogimachi Udon-ya Asurou one weekend, aiming for the opening time. I walked southward from Tenroku side of Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, which is lined with many other attractive stores, and turned right at Yorimachi-suji Street….

As you would expect from a popular restaurant, be prepared for a bit of a wait… How to get in line at Ogimachi Udon Asuro

I arrived at Ogimachi Udon Asuro at around 10:30 in the morning, 30 minutes before opening time. At this point, there were no customers ahead of me, and I was safely in pole position.

As you can see, there is a notice posted at the storefront about how to get in line. According to this, the first two people in line are supposed to wait inside the store, but in fact, they can line up from position (3) outside the store for the time before the store opens. Since waiting for a representative is not allowed, be careful not to cause trouble with other customers when you visit the restaurant with more than one person.

On this particular day, the restaurant was kind enough to open 15 minutes before the official opening time, so I was able to enter the restaurant within 15 minutes. At this point, there were six people in line at the store, including me. If I came to the store at this time of the day, I would have a good chance of getting the first round. On the other hand, by the time I left the restaurant at around 11:00, the restaurant was already full (Ogimachi Udon Asuro has a total of 16 seats) and there was a line outside.

How was the limited quantity menu “Toriten Curry Udon” at Ogimachi Udon Asuro?

This time I ordered Toriten Curry Udon, a limited quantity menu item (priced at 1100 yen including tax) at Ogimachi Udon Asuro. I read online reviews that udon noodles with bukkake and udon noodles with curry were split in popularity, so I had a hard time deciding between bukkake and curry udon this time. But it is human nature to be tempted to choose when the menu says “limited quantity”…you understand this feeling, don’t you?

After a few minutes of waiting, the Toriten Curry Udon noodles arrived in front of me. At a glance, it looks quite voluminous, doesn’t it? Toppings include chopped green onions, egg yolk, and three pieces of toriten (toriten tempura)…and yes, the restaurant’s recommended topping, tai chikuwa-ten (priced at 180 yen including tax), is also added as an option this time. And with a bowl of white rice included…even an old man with poor fuel economy should feel satisfied with all this.

Let’s start with the dashi broth… The dashi curry is thick and has a moderate flavor of soy sauce broth. The spices are softly fragrant in your nose as the Japanese soup stock spreads in your mouth, but the spiciness is kept fairly low, so I think the taste is rather easily accepted by a wide range of people.

The noodles are about the thickness of thick noodles in ramen. Compared to typical Sanuki udon, it is quite thin. Also, when you try it, it is quite soft, and if you are expecting the firmness of Sanuki udon, you will be quite disappointed. However, the noodles are not completely weak like Tonoda Shokudo‘s Kyo Udon, but have a bounce at the end when you bite through, a characteristic similar to that of the handmade udon noodles at Rakuraku, a restaurant in Katano that won first place in the national food log. The bounce is also quite gentle, so even people with weak teeth or small children may find it easy to eat.

Now, let’s move on to the toppings. First is the store’s recommended topping, tai chikuwa-ten. It has a fluffy texture, and when you bite into it, the aroma of sea bream wafts from your mouth to your nose… At 180 yen per piece, it is more expensive than regular chikuwa-ten, but this is one that you can add two or three more pieces if you have enough in your wallet. If you don’t mind sea bream or chikuwa, you should definitely give it a try.

The chicken tempura that follows is breast meat, but it is moist and fully soaked up the curry broth. The soy sauce sauce is well soaked into the inside of the chicken, and it is quite tasty even if you eat it as it is, but since it comes with rice…

Curry oyakodon (rice topped with chicken and eggs). I couldn’t get enough of it! The curry broth by itself works well as a roux, and the egg yolk can be mashed to add a rich, rich flavor, and you can even enjoy the chicken tempura that is full of flavor… as expected from a Michelin-listed restaurant! I can’t wait to repeat the experience. This is a place I will definitely repeat. If you are ever in the Tenma area and looking for a lunch, please consider the curry udon at Ogimachi Udon Asuro as one of your options.

Other menu items at Ogimachi Udon Asuro (prices include tax)

• Hiyakake (hiyakake) 750 yen
• Nama-joyu (fresh oil) 750 yen
• Kama-age (fish cake) 750 yen
• Kamatama 850 yen
• Chicken tempura, sea bream chikuwa tempura and hot egg bukkake 1,050 yen
• Meat udon 1100 yen
• Meat udon with hot egg and bukkake 1150 yen

Safe to bring children! Access to Ogimachi Udon Asuro is a 2-minute walk from the nearest station, Ogimachi Station on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line.分

One of the strengths of Ogimachi Udon Asuro is that it is friendly to customers with children. The restaurant is equipped with baby chairs and plastic tableware, and all the waitstaff, except the owner, are women with a calm atmosphere and friendly service that leaves a good impression. Due to the space, it may be difficult to bring a baby stroller into the restaurant, but if we can manage that, we will be able to spend a meal with a small child without feeling excessively stressed. It would be a good place to stop by for lunch after letting the kids play at Kids Plaza Osaka.

Now, here are the details of the restaurant. Check here for restaurant data…

It is also a 5-minute walk from Tenma Station on the JR Loop Line.

P.S. If you are looking for delicious udon in Osaka, please drop by this article below…