Creo-ru versus Hanadako - Osaka, Japan

Original takoyaki at Creo-ru

Just like okonomiyaki, another Osaka food that one must try is takoyaki (たこ焼き). Takoyaki is octopus ball made off mixture of flour, tempura scraps, green onion, pickled ginger, etc.

There are so many restaurants, shops and stalls serving takoyaki in Osaka. Each of them has their own secret recipes and distinction. My plan was to try a few places but unfortunately we were only there for two full days. So we managed to only try 2 shops.



Creo-ru - Dotonbori/Namba area
This restaurant serves both takoyaki and okonomiyaki. So you could actually go there and get both at the same time. But we were there only for takoyaki since that seemed to be their specialty.

Most people buy takoyaki and eat standing on the side. But Creo-ru actually has a seating area though it could get pretty crowded and filled up. When we were there though it was quiet so we placed our order and then brought it up ourselves to the second storey seating area. We got a spot overlooking the street so it was a perfect people watching area. Drinks were available there for purchase.

Ponzu sauce takoyaki -better than original

Outside of Creo-ru

We got two different takoyaki - the original and one with ponzu and mayonaise. The original came with bonito shaving and the ponzu came with the ponzu mayo sauce and green onion topping. We liked the ponzu mayo better. But we both noticed that the takoyaki themselves were pretty soft and mushy inside. Later on I read some bloggers mentioned that Osaka style takoyaki was supposed to be soft on the outside.

Rating :

Creo-ru
Japan, 〒542-0071 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Chuo Ward, Dotonbori, 1 Chome−６−４
Hours: 11AM–12AM
Phone: +81 6-6212-9195


Hanadako - Umeda area
We first heard about this mentioned by a YouTuber - Tabieats. I googled it and found out more information about it. Another blogger Kitsune from Kitsune Journal gave a more details information on the location.

Photo from Ninjawifi.us - the negimayo takoyaki

Here is the direction taken from Kitsune Journal that will make it easier for you to find it. Find the Midosuji South Gate exit (御堂筋南口) of JR Osaka station. Cross the road towards Hankyu Department store. But do not enter, instead look to the left of the entrance and you will face the entrance of Shin Umeda Shokudougai. The first store on the right after you enter is Hanadako. Please see the photo of the entrance.

Now let's talk about the takoyaki here. They serve 2 types of takoyaki - the original and the negimayo. We didn't try the original but I found the picture of both styles on Ninjawifi. Check out the photos below.

I did take photos here but I didn't realize that the photos I took were not clear until later that night. What a bummer.

Photo from Ninjawifi.us - original side by side with negimayo

If you didn't specify the order then you would get the original. But we ordered the negimayo because that was the one mentioned on the video we watched. The negimayo takoyaki came piled up with tons of thinly sliced green onion and swirl of mayonaise. Don't let the green onion scares you because the green onion used was lightly dehydrated so it wasn't spicy nor strong flavor anymore. Both me and hubby love green onion so we liked the combo here along with the takoyaki. We found the takoyaki here more firm compared to Creo-ru. And to top it off, the octopus inside was bigger than Creo-ru.

Photo from Kitsune-journal.com : entrance to Shin-Umeda Shokudogai - first store on the right is Hanadako

rating :

Hanadako
Shin-Umeda Shokudogai 9-26 Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka
（大阪市北区角田町9-26 新梅田食堂街)