Tawaraya

At Tawaraya, an okonomiyaki and teppanyaki restaurant in Muko, Kyoto Prefecture, sizzling sounds rise from the hotplates at the counter and tables, accompanied by the inviting aromas of food cooked fresh right before you. The signature okonomiyaki features a batter given a pleasant lightness by grated mountain yam. Options range from the classic pork okonomiyaki to a mixed version loaded with pork, beef, and squid. Negiyaki, an aromatic scallion pancake highlighting the savoury char of soy sauce, is another enduring favourite among regulars.

Slow-Simmered Suji-Pon and a Varied Teppan Grill Menu

While waiting for okonomiyaki to cook through, diners frequently start with suji-ponzu, tender beef tendon simmered until meltingly soft and served in citrusy ponzu sauce. It makes a refreshing first course alongside kimchi, which shifts with the seasons. The teppanyaki selection is broad: cuts of meat such as beef loin, beef tongue, techan intestine, and ponzu-dressed tonpeiyaki egg-and-pork wraps are cooked on the griddle alongside seafood staples like scallops and butter-sautéed oysters.

From Evening Drinks to Satisfying Noodles

Open from 17:00 in the evening until late, Tawaraya is well suited for relaxed drinks over draft beer, highballs, diverse chuhai, or makgeolli. As the meal progresses, guests can customize their okonomiyaki with toppings like aburakasu fried beef offal, cheese, or extra green onions, or round out dinner with noodle dishes such as pork-and-squid yakisoba and offal-rich horumon udon. The counter works well for solo dining, while tables and raised tatami seating accommodate casual dinners around the grill.