📜 Restaurant Details
Ichibō is located in the Nishi district of Edobori and is one of Osaka's top traditional kaiseki restaurants. Established in 1850 (Kaei 3), it began as a tempura shop founded by the first owner who originally ran an oil shop. With a history spanning over 180 years and five generations of inheritance, it has hosted numerous prominent figures from both Japan and abroad, including world-class dignitaries.
From the moment you step into this premier Osaka restaurant, you can feel an extraordinary experience that takes you away from the everyday. First, you walk past the stone wall and enter through a grand door topped with a tiled roof. At the entrance, the female owner and waitresses greet the guests. Their warm and natural smiles immediately alleviate any nervousness, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The owner enthusiastically invites guests to take their seats, stating, "Our hospitality at Ichibō is to allow guests to dine comfortably and joyfully, without being overly concerned about tradition and formality."
Once inside, each group of guests is attended to by a dedicated female hostess. Initially, guests are taken to a waiting room where they can enjoy tea at a specially crafted table made from Yakusugi cedar. After a brief rest, they move to the guest room. The guest room features a tatami-style sunken table, and each group has its own private dining area. Here, guests are first served the first half of the tempura kaiseki meal, which includes appetizers such as seasonal side dishes and sashimi. Guests can enjoy the flavors of this long-established restaurant while admiring the garden view or the room's furnishings.
Next, the hostess will guide the guests to another room, moving to a private tempura room equipped with a frying station, where they can enjoy tempura freshly fried by a dedicated chef. With each new group of guests, the safflower oil is replaced, ensuring that the tempura is made with the freshest and highest quality seasonal ingredients, making it a delicacy that leaves every diner in awe.
