Monthly Archives: April 2018

Address:大阪府大阪市西成区花園南 1-9-31 Osaka-shi Nishinari-ku Hanazono 1-9-13

Tel: 06-6657-0225

Open: Wednesday to Sunday. 11;00-19:30. Open on National Holidays. Closed Mon, Tues

Nearest Station; Hanazono Station Exit 3-B (5 minutes) Nankai Tengachaya West Exit 10 minutes

Type: Takoyaki, Ikayaki

Founded: 1958

Beer: Asahi Super Dry Can ¥300 yen with set.

On my second visit to Hanazono, I was fortunate enough to be taken to a landmark and institution by three locals who grew up in the area. Ichifuku has been serving takoyaki and ikayaki to hungry residents since 1958. Takoyaki and Ikayaki can be considered Osaka soul food and you don’t last sixty years unless you make the best. Takoyaki has evolved over the years and some places add things like cheese but Ichifuku keeps it simple, and former residents of the area from all over Japan often come back to enjoy the same taste they remember from childhood. Ichifuku recommends eating their takoyaki with two spoonfuls of ponzu vinegar and sprinkling them with Shichi-mi tōgarashi (七味唐辛子, seven-flavor chili pepper),

Ichifuku is primarily a takeout place. The staff will ask customers if they are in a hurry so they can prepare them quicker than usual. If you choose to eat at the counter (10 seats) you can watch them make your food at a much slower pace, and watching them mix the batter and turning them quickly on the takoyaki grill so they don’t burn never gets old. The ikayaki press looks like the sort of contraption found at an old laundry used to take wrinkles out of disheveled trousers. One of the best thing about Ichifuku is that the location keeps hoards of tourists away and you can experience eating takoyaki as a local. If it were in Namba or Umeda it would be as packed as say, Wanaka (also excellent!) and the lines would be around the block.

Ichifuku is also known for their many sets and combos that will suit people who just want to have a snack and others who feeling like splurging on a full meal with cold beer, soup and a couple of tasty side dishes. There is even an option for vegetarians*. You can order the Tako-nashi set (¥400), 14 pieces loaded with ginger and scallions instead of octopus. *The set is not advertised as being vegetarian. I will confirm it on my next visit.

I am going to translate as much of the menu as I can below.

Takoyaki: 7 (¥320), 10 (¥440) , 15 (¥650) I think they had prices listed for 5, 8, and 20 too.

Takoyaki Drink Set: 7 takoyaki plus soft drink: cola, cider, orange soda, oolong tea (¥420)

Takoyaki Beer Set: 7 takoyaki plus can of Asahi Super Dry (¥620)

Takoyaki Soup: Contains 6 takoyaki (¥400)

Takoyaki Negi Nose: Takoyaki topped with scallions 7 (¥360) 10 (¥480)

Takoyaki Negi Nose Beer Set: Takoyaki topped with scallions + Can of Asahi Super Dry Beer 7 (¥660), 10 (¥780)

Takoyaki Healthy Set: 7 Takoyaki, Toroten (心太 gelidium jelly –made into thin strips and eaten with vinegar) and two spoonfuls of black honey. (¥520)

Osumashi Set: 7 Takoyaki and osumashi soup (¥420)

Tako-nashi Set: 14 pieces loaded with ginger and scallions instead of octopus (¥400),

Suyaki: Squid grilled in vineger (ponzu?) No eggs. (¥270)

Ikayaki Tamago: (squid omelet) (¥320)

Ikayaki Tamago W: Same as above. Think W stands for Wide. (¥370)

Kyabe Tamago Squid cabbage and eggs omelet (¥420)

Kyabe Tamago W: Same as above but wide? Will confirm. (¥520)

Ikasupe Think this stands for Ika special. Must confirm (¥520)

Beer Set: Add ¥300 for can of Asahi Super Dry

Soft Serve Ice Cream ¥150

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DESTINATION HANAZONO (Part I)

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Tamayu Ramen Tengaiten (タマユラメン天外天)

AKA 博多ラーメン天外天

Address: 大阪府大阪市西成区松1-2-13 Osaka-shi Nishinari-ku Matsu 1-2-13

Open: Everyday from 11;30-14:00, 18:00-05:00)

Nearest Station; Hanazono Station Exit 3-B (5 minutes) Nankai Tengachaya West Exit 6 minutes

Type: Chinese Restaurant

Founded: ?

Beer: Asahi Super Dry Medium Bottle: 500 yen

I decided to set off in search of the legendary Osaka Ramen (大阪らーめん), a located favorite that is famous for 200 yen ramen. The price was 100 yen for many years. I have been going to Osaka Hanten大阪飯店, another local favorite near Kishinosato Station that is also famous for it’s delicious 200 yen ramen. I found out that the master of Osaka Hanten served as an apprentice at Osaka Ramen for several years before deciding to open his own place in the mid eighties. The owner of Osaka Ramen is getting up there in years so his restaurant is only open sporadically. I could have called ahead, or at least written down the address, but sometimes it is more fun to just explore, especially in the age of smart phones with precise GPS that can pinpoint any location.

I got off at Tengachaya Station and walked towards Kita Tengachaya Station on the Hankai Line (Tram). Osaka Ramen is actually one stop down, near Matsuda Station, a short walk away but I didn’t know that at the time and started walking back to the other side of Tengachaya Station. I wandered around aimlessly for about 20 minutes and came across a ramen shop that advertised Nagasaki Chanpon called Tamayu Tengaiten（タマユラメン天外天 The Italian style tomato ramen with cream cheese caught my eye and I was getting hungry. Decided to go in. The place was about to close for the afternoon, but I managed to get my order in. There was only one guy doing all the cooking, probably a good sign. I don’t want my ramen prepared by some part-time high school kid whose heart is not into it.

The tomato ramen was good but it did not fill me up for 750 yen. I realized that I should have gotten the set for a couple of hundred yen more or at least ordered a side of gyoza like I usually do. Decided to walk back towards Tengachaya Station and stumbled upon the entrance to Hanazono Street, which is located between Tengachaya and Haginochaya Station. The entire street has a very Showa 80s vibe. I realized that I had never been in this area between. I walk a bit up the block and there it was…Osaka Ramen. But it was closed.