Founded in 1910 as Osaka’s first yoshoku (西洋料理 / Western food) restaurant, Jiyuken Namba Honten (自由軒・難波本店) is now one of Osaka’s most famous Japanese curry restaurants that serves retro Japanese curry rice.
The storefront of Jiyuken Namba Honten.
Food models (食品サンプル) at the entrance of Jiyuken Namba Honten.
In the garish neighborhood of Namba, which appeared in a Keanu Reeves film, John Wick: Chapter 4, Jiyuken Namba Honten stands out as loud as its reputation. Inside the restaurant was surprisingly homey and retro. Middle-aged mother-like waiters welcomed me, which totally made me feel at home.
Inside Jiyuken Namba Honten.
Jiyuken Namba Honten’s speciality, Meibutsu curry (名物カレー). 750 yen / $5.70.
Meibutsu Haishi Rice (名物ハイシライス). 700 yen / $5.30. It tasted like rich, ketchup-y beef stew.
Jiyuken Namba Honten’s specialty, Meibutsu curry (名物カレー), tasted like a straightforward Japanese curry with a notable cumin flavor. I added their special Worcestershire sauce to the Meibutsu curry as instructed on a wall. It was good.
The instruction on the special Worcestershire.
Jiyuken Namba Honten’s menus.
Jiyuken Namba Honten (自由軒・難波本店) | 3-1-34 Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 〒542-0076, Japan
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