Matsuya - Osaka, Japan

We didn't really pay attention to this restaurant until the third day we were in Osaka. It's located just across from the East entrance of Shin Osaka station so we passed by it like twice a day. When we started looking at the menu then we realized that their price for the breakfast package was pretty decent - around 500 yen (about US$4.5). I have been wondering what a Japanese traditional breakfast tasted like so it was perfect.

We tried it on our last day in Osaka on a rainy morning. As soon as we walked in we noticed a vending machine. By now we have used this type of vending machine quite a few times already. So first thing first was to change the language setting to English. Then pick your order and insert the cash. The total amount was shown on the right hand side bottom. Once the cash was inserted, the tickets would print and any change would come out from the bottom slot. Pretty simple.



We grabbed our tickets and walked in. A man greeted us and pointed us to an empty table. We sat side by side and the man came and collected our tickets. He also brought us two cups of cold water. There was a hot matcha drink counter if you'd prefer hot drink. Just help yourself. Next to it was the rice container in case someone needed additional rice.

Bottom : natto with sauce - Top : miso soup

Both of us ordered the grilled salmon with rice. I added an extra natto just because I have been curious about the taste. The breakfast combo came with a bowl of rice, a bowl of miso soup, pickle napa cabbage, some nori and green onion. My natto came in a small plastic container with a sachet of sauce inside.

Natto is fermented soy bean. It had quite a strong smell for some who are not used to it. But each brand of natto could have different smell due to different culture being used. Natto is supposed to be rich in protein, vitamin K and other minerals. But due to fermentation process, the natto had string like mozzarella so it was a bit tricky to eat.

Food ticket from vending machine - total price JPY900 (USD 8.23)

Matsuya - from outside

The grilled salmon was a small slice but well seasoned so it went well with rice. We enjoyed the breakfast and we had a chance to try another Matsuya later on in Tokyo.

Later on I found out that Matsuya's specialty is gyudon which is shredded beef cooked with onion served over a bowl of rice. So if you ever had a chance to check out Matsuya, maybe you should try the gyudon instead.

Matsuya (Shin Osaka station)
1 Chome-20-9 Higashinakajima, Higashiyodogawa Ward, 
Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 533-0033, Japan
+81 6 6160 6680