I dined at an affordable kaiseki restaurant right in the heart of Osaka, Asai Togei.
Japanese kaiseki dining is the pinnacle of Japanese food. It’s Japanese haute cuisine for lack of a better term. This multi-course meal has its origins from four separate cuisine influences: the imperial court, Buddhist temples, samurai warrior households and tea ceremonies.
What makes Asai Togei so unique is that its Head Chef Togei-san combines his Okinawan heritage with the delicate art of kaiseki cooking. He sources the freshest possible Okinawan produce and incorporates it into his daily menu.
Speaking of which, as a shodo (Japanese calligraphy) enthusiast, Togei-san meticulously handwrites the menus everyday; a process which takes 40 minutes. But it’s worth it. The resultant menus are gorgeous to look at with stunning, inky black brushstrokes against crisp white scrolls. Can’t read kanji? That’s no problem as they have English-speaking staff armed with pictures on their iPad to walk you through the menu.
The other thing that sets Asai Togei apart from other kaiseki restaurants is its slightly more casual approach. Perhaps it’s that laid-back Okinawan mindset? They also offer meals at a more reasonable price than some of the kaiseki restaurants of Tokyo or Kyoto. They offer lunch (rare for a kaiseki restaurant) starting from 3780 yen. All of this makes the dining experience ever the more accessible and less intimidating for kaiseki newbies like myself. I got the 8-course meal, worth 5400 yen (inc. tax).
If you are looking for traditional Japanese food at an affordable price in Osaka, Asai Togei should be at the top of your list.
LIN NYUNT 