"Zo-Ya", Authentic Osaka Okonomiyaki Mentioned in the Michelin Bib Gourmand!

It is located right next to the exit from Tamade Station on the Yotsuhashi Subway line. Since there is no sign indicating it's an okonomiyaki shop, those who don't know may not understand what Zo-Ya is, but the customers never stop coming to this popular restaurant.

This time, the first floor seats were already occupied, so I went up to the second floor, where the seats soon filled up, too. That shows how popular it is!
Instead of grilling it yourself, the okonomiyaki is cooked by the chef and brought to your table, which has a "teppan" (iron plate) on top.

There are three types of sauce: salty, sweet and "muddy".
The muddy sauce is made of the rich and spicy sludge that develops when making sauce. It is added in small amounts to give body to yakisoba and okonomiyaki.

I was wondering whether to use chopsticks to take the seaweed and bonito flakes, but when I asked the staff, they said I could grab them with my bare hands.
I was a little surprised, so I decided to use my chopsticks...
Sensitive people may not be able to use their bare hands.

The menu is divided into three parts: okonomiyaki, yakisoba and tamagoyaki, a rolled egg omelet with a choice of ingredients wrapped inside. You can choose from squid, pork and shrimp.

By the way, it takes at least 15 minutes to cook okonomiyaki, so I recommend ordering the yakisoba and rolled egg, which are quick to make, at the same time!

Draft Beer is the Best Match!
I think okonomiyaki and draft beer is the best match!

While waiting for the okonomiyaki to cook, I ordered the quickly-made yakisoba.

Sprinkle as much dried seaweed and bonito flakes as you like, and it's done!
It smells so good!

The squid is cut into big pieces, the perfect size for its exquisite chewiness!
The fresh crunchiness of the cabbage is also pleasing!

The noodles are thick and springy in texture.

First, I ate it with the sweet sauce, then I added a little of the muddy sauce to enjoy the change in taste. With such a deep flavor, I could eat this delicious dish forever!

Don't forget about the pork! Covering the entire okonomiyaki pancake, slices of pork loin and pork rib meat are cooked to a crisp!
It is topped with mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup.

Just add the toppings that you like, and your okonomiyaki pancake is done!
As the bonito flakes dance above the okonomiyaki, they appear to be alive.

Its soft yet light and crispy texture is a testament to the chef's skills.

The crispy fried pork is so fragrant, and the slightly sweet cabbage is very tasty!

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside.
This is the taste of Osaka!