Jiyuken

Since 1910, Jiyuken in Namba has been serving up its wildly popular old-school curry rice with a twist: you don’t get to mix the curry into the rice. If you’re not keen on curry, don’t worry - they have other options too!

[Jiyuken- image © Florentyna Leow]

Curry rice is traditionally served with sauce poured on top of piping hot rice. But sometimes even something as obvious and natural as that can be modified. Jiyuken, a restaurant in the Namba district, has been serving their famous plates of curry rice since 1910. What sets them apart from the rest is that the curry is already mixed into the rice when it arrives in front of you. Apparently, it stems from a time without electric cookers: the founder mixed rice with hot curry to keep it warm. Luckily, this took off with diners!

[Jiyuken- image © Florentyna Leow]

They’re especially famous for the curry rice with a raw egg on top, which you stir into the rice when it arrives, along with an optional dash of Worcestershire sauce. Know that you might want a little more protein on the side - like an extra order of tonkatsu. Otherwise, this is a dish that’s strictly for carb-lovers, since the curry itself is mostly sauce, with a few pieces of onion and tiny slivers of beef. It’s worth trying at least once; it was even featured on Anthony Bourdain’s show No Reservations - which is a pretty worthwhile endorsement!

That Jiyuken is so famous for their curry belies the fact that there’s plenty else on the menu. For instance, there’s hashed beef with rice, fried chicken, ham salad, and potato salad. They even serve some kushikatsu - the Osakan speciality of battered, deep-fried skewers! The omurice, or tomato rice wrapped in an omelette, is a tasty, child-friendly option.

For more Osaka curry rice choices, see our Best Curry Rice In Osaka page.

English name:
Jiyuken

Japanese name:
自由軒

English address:
3-1-34 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, 542-0076

Japanese address:
〒542-0076 大阪市中央区難波3-1-34

Opening hours:
11:30am-9pm
Closed Monday, or the following Tuesday when Monday is a national holiday

Price:

Non-smoking section:
Completely Non-Smoking

Reservations:
No Reservations

Nearest Transport:
Subway and Train: 2-minute walk from exit 11 of Namba Station.

Telephone:
+81-6-6631-5564

Website: Official website (Japanese)

Customer Reviews:
Read customer reviews of Jiyuken on TripAdvisor.

Near To Here:
Jiyuken is located in Osaka’s Minami district. See our complete list of things to do in Osaka’s Minami district, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

More Restaurant Recommendations:
See more curry rice restaurants in Osaka or see all our recommended restaurants in Osaka.

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