Half a year has passed since I last saw Ooga-san. Sushi Ooga is still going strong in Kansai! This time, I had nigiri sushi with a focus on Yamazaki's tuna. The sushi rice was carefully prepared and delicious. The tuna was especially tasty. Even the simple job of preparing the kohada was delicious. The appetizers were also as delicious as ever. They are more like high-quality Japanese cuisine than just appetizers. The tomato dessert at the end was also incredibly delicious.

This is a restaurant that is quite difficult to get a reservation at. However, this time there was a cancellation and I was able to make a reservation. I have been trying to visit this place for a few years now, and finally, I was able to dine here for the first time. The restaurant has a nice appearance in a standalone house. It truly lives up to its reputation as a famous restaurant. It is very convenient to have a parking lot available. Inside, the atmosphere is impressive, making you feel like you are in Kyoto. Now, onto the food. We had a variety of dishes including crab vinegar, flounder sashimi, turban shell sashimi, salmon roe bowl, grilled eel, etc. The sushi selection was also extensive, with different types of fish and rolls. The rice was larger than what you typically find in sushi restaurants these days, and I personally felt that the saltiness of the rice was a bit strong and the amount of vinegar was a bit less. If I am able to secure a reservation again, I would like to revisit, but I heard that they are fully booked for the rest of the year. I will try my luck on the cancellation list without getting my hopes up. Thank you for the meal.

Sakai's super popular restaurant, which boasts the top rating in the sushi department on Tabelog in Osaka, is a place where new reservations are rarely available and it is almost impossible to visit unless there are cancellations. However, I had the opportunity to visit during lunchtime when the restaurant was reserved exclusively. The restaurant is located in a residential area just a short walk from the Sumiyoshi Station on the Hankai Tram, with a magnificent traditional Japanese house setting. Across the street, there is the long-established restaurant "Yasuke". The interior of the restaurant is a serene space with only a counter, and the menu consists of courses only, with the option to add more dishes. The dishes I had included: jelly-covered swimming crab, delicious sea bream sashimi, crunchy giant clam sashimi, salmon roe mini bowl, grilled eel, refreshing mozuku seaweed, savory chawanmushi with plenty of ginkgo nuts and karasumi, red tuna sushi, fatty tuna sushi, uni sushi, etc. The course ended with a delicious Shine Muscat. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere was pleasant. Every dish was delicious, but the standout was the additional order of "all tuna rolls", which was mind-blowing with its incredible taste and aroma. It was a truly luxurious and delightful dining experience. I highly recommend this restaurant if you ever have the chance to visit.

Sushi Ooga in Sakai City's Shukuin is a super famous sushi restaurant♪ Many of you may already know about it, right? I could never get a reservation there on my own, but thanks to a super gourmet friend, I was able to go there (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵) How grateful I am (*´Д｀*) Every piece of sushi was incredibly delicious♪ The quality was so high that only "delicious" comes to mind. It was a bit pricey for a salaryman like me, but it was a very valuable experience (meal)♪ I will post about each dish on my feed later (*´꒳`*) Thank you to everyone who accompanied me♪ It was a feast♫ Located at 1-2-7 Omachi Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. 2 minutes from Shukuin Station‍♂️, 10 minutes from Sakai Station‍♂️⭐️Reservation required.

"Sushi Ooga in Sakai/Osaka, the most popular restaurant in Osaka. Menu includes: Crab Jellied with Crab, Sea Bream Sashimi, Turban Shell Sashimi, Small Bowl of Salmon Roe, Grilled Eel, Mozuku Seaweed, Chawanmushi (Steamed Egg Custard), Tuna Red Meat, Tuna Back Toro, Squid, Alfonsino, Shishamo Smelt, Gizzard Shad, Tuna Medium Toro, Tuna Big Toro, Uni from Yura, Conger Eel, Negitoro Hand Roll, Tamago (Egg), Thick Roll, Soup, Tuna Roll (additional), Dessert Shine Muscat."

Thank you for taking care of us this month. We had a gathering with two first-time visitors. We started with the delicious ikura donburi, followed by red tuna, medium fatty tuna, and premium fatty tuna. We also enjoyed rare dishes such as small scabbard fish, Akami from Yura, conger eel wrapped in dried gourd, and negitoro roll. We ate a variety of dishes and left feeling satisfied. Thank you again, and we look forward to visiting again next time.

Sushi Ooga is a high-end sushi restaurant located a 3-5 minute walk from the Suin Station. It boasts the top rating in Osaka Prefecture and has been selected as one of the top 100 sushi restaurants in the Sushi West rankings for 2021 and 2022. Additionally, it has been awarded the Silver and Bronze ratings on Tabelog for five consecutive years since 2019. While reservations can be challenging to secure, there are occasional cancellations, and reservations can be made through the reservation site. The atmosphere at the restaurant is elegant, with a serene counter setting and the master chef's graceful movements and serious expression adding to the high-end dining experience. I recently enjoyed the chef's omakase course at Sushi Ooga. The course started with a refreshing summer appetizer featuring octopus, jellyfish, zucchini, and plum jelly. The flavorsome Akashi sea bream was a standout, followed by the delicate Hokkaido shellfish paired perfectly with mild wasabi. The grilled corn with a crispy surface and a hint of mountain pepper and wasabi was delightful. The grilled eel with a perfect balance of texture and flavor, and dishes like okra with vinegar miso, shredded noodles, and Akita's junsa were all top-notch. The nigiri included a flavorful lean tuna, a perfectly balanced medium fatty tuna, a rich and succulent golden eye snapper, and a flavorful horse mackerel that added depth to the course. The medium fatty tuna was exceptionally satisfying, and the rich and velvety fatty tuna was a highlight. The sushi quality, rice temperature, and the sequence of the toppings were all impeccable, making each piece a culinary delight. The uni was fresh and sweet without any hint of fishiness, and the tender and flavorful conger eel was a delight. The negitoro roll, colorful eel and egg roll, and the light and fluffy egg omelet were all beautifully crafted. The meal ended with a refreshing plum wine-infused tomato dessert, perfectly complementing the sushi experience. While the price per person is over 50,000 yen, Sushi Ooga is a must-visit sushi restaurant for a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience. Thank you for the exquisite meal!

Visited "Sushi Ooga" near Sakai's Yadori Station after 3 months. This day, there were 3 groups of customers at the 8-seat counter (two groups of 2, one group of 4), each ordering drinks. Started with bottled beer and cheers with my partner! Then, the omakase course began: [Omakase Course] <Appetizers> - Octopus, jellyfish, potato stem with plum jelly - Sea bream from Akashi - Tsubugai from Hokkaido - Grilled corn - Grilled eel - Okra with grated yam, kudzu noodles, Akita water shield <Sushi> - Various types of tuna from Oma - Akami, chutoro, otoro - Alfonsino, golden eye snapper, horse mackerel, shinko - Chutoro negitoro roll - Egg, shiso leaf, dried gourd sushi - Soup - Pickled bettara radish - Tomato cooked in plum wine <Drinks> - Bottled beer - Sake: Eikofuji Sumire Roihibiki from Yamagata, Ooga from Fukuoka, Suminoe from Miyagi Appetizers had a refreshing texture with octopus, jellyfish, and plum jelly. The sea bream was chewy with a strong umami flavor. Grilled corn was sweet and crunchy, while the grilled eel was deliciously savory. The sushi, starting with early-season tuna from Oma, was amazing. The akami, chutoro, otoro, and negitoro were all delicious. The seasonal shinko was perfect with the rice. The special red sea urchin from Yuri was exceptionally sweet and rich, truly delicious. The meal was consistently delicious, and I'm already looking forward to the December visit for the peak season tuna.

This was my third visit to this restaurant, and every time I go I get excited. The small dishes and sushi were exceptionally delicious this time as well. I have already made a reservation for October, but it seems they are fully booked for the rest of the year. I am looking forward to the opening of their second branch in Higashiyama, Kyoto in April next year.

Octopus and jellyfish ☆ Red snapper sashimi ☆☆ Whelk ◎ Grilled corn ☆☆ Grilled eel with crispy skin and tender flesh Kuzu noodles ☆ Seaweed, okra fin underneath ☆ Oma back toro ☆ White sweetfish ☆☆ Flounder ☆☆ Golden eye snapper ☆ Medium fatty tuna ☆ Conger eel ☆

The location is Sakai City, Yadori. It's a residential area that is not visited often. The purpose of this day is one. There was an open spot on Instagram, so I decided to join immediately. One of the restaurants I wanted to visit is "Sushi Ooga." It is a very famous restaurant in Sakai, or rather, one of the top in Osaka. In front of the restaurant, there is a signboard with the name "Yasuke" written on it. This time, I participated in a private party, so it was held during lunchtime. First, let's start with the appetizers! - Octopus, jellyfish, and plum jelly: Delicate and beautiful like Japanese cuisine. The taste is refreshing with a hint of plum, perfect for refreshing on a hot summer day. - Akashi sea bream: Served with wasabi, salt, or soy sauce. I tried both salt and soy sauce as there were 2 pieces. Personally, I felt that it matched better with salt. It is moist and flavorful despite being white-fleshed. - Hokkaido tsubugai: Served with wasabi, it has a strong smell of the sea. The wasabi is freshly grated, so it is not bitter and complements the dish well. - Grilled corn: It came out like a cake with grilled corn. It tastes like eating grilled corn in a sweet potato style. It is quite sticky. However, I think the best way to enjoy corn is to bite into a sweet corn. - White grilled eel: I generally prefer grilled eel over white grilled eel. Even when I tried white grilled eel at a famous restaurant in Shizuoka, I still think eel is better. This white grilled eel has a crispy and fragrant exterior. - Okra grated with kudzu noodles: A dish that gives a cool feeling. It has a thick texture and a smooth mouthfeel. The kudzu noodles have a firm texture yet slide smoothly into the mouth. - Toro from Imizu: It looks vibrant with a good amount of marbling. It is beautiful. I closed my eyes and savored it, and it had a lingering flavor that I wanted to stay in my mouth. - Otoro: Even more amazing marbling. The vinegar rice didn't seem to change, but I wonder if the vinegar rice became a bit stronger. The sweetness of the toro harmonizes perfectly with the slightly stronger vinegar rice. - Red sea bream: Slightly grilled, giving it a fragrant smell. I wonder if it's roasted over straw or something similar. It has a moist texture with a hint of fragrance. - Golden eye snapper: Simply delicious. However, I still feel that this restaurant is more about red-fleshed fish than white-fleshed fish. - Horse mackerel: Compared to others, it was honestly not that great. - Chutoro: A vibrant piece with good marbling. Very beautiful. It had a strong umami flavor that lasted in the mouth for a long time. - Otoro: Even more amazing marbling. The vinegar rice didn't seem to change, but I wonder if the vinegar rice became a bit stronger. The sweetness of the toro harmonizes perfectly with the slightly stronger vinegar rice. - Red sea urchin from Yura: Soft and enveloped in sweetness. It has a long-lasting aftertaste. - Conger eel: Surprisingly, this conger eel was as good as the tuna. It seemed like they had brushed the eel with something. It was sweet. I wonder how they do it? - Rolled sushi: The last piece was also toro. Negitoro? It's not torotaku, but it's crunchy. Maybe they put in yamaimo or something? I should have asked. - Finally, finished with kanpyo, egg, thick omelet, and clear soup, and tomato cooked with plum wine. The tomato was also delicious. It had a grape-like taste. I had about 4 glasses of beer and sake, and it came to just over 50,000 yen. Quite expensive indeed. When I asked for a rare sake, they brought out a sake labeled "Sushi Ooga." It's their original! Apparently, they requested it from Daiga Shuzo in Fukuoka. By the way, the sake brewery is also called Daiga Shuzo.

I went to the very famous restaurant "Ooga". I arrived at 17:20 and the meal started at 17:30. First, I had Sapporo beer in a small bottle followed by octopus and jellyfish in a delicious sauce. It was so tasty and refreshing. The Thai dish from Akashi was also delicious with a nice balance of flavors. I skipped the shellfish and moved on to the hot corn dish. The corn was incredibly tasty and the thickness of the bread was perfect. The cold somen noodles with pickled vegetables were also very refreshing and tasty. Then, the sushi course started with 5 out of 12 pieces being tuna from the famous "Yamako" restaurant. The tuna was amazing, especially with the perfectly balanced rice. I was so impressed by the quality of the sushi rice. We also had sake, champagne, beer, and water for drinks. The total bill came to 204,000 yen, which was a bit of a shock. I felt like I lost in a battle of treating each other. I asked about making a reservation for next time, but it seems very difficult to get one as only those who know the head chef's personal phone number can make a reservation. Overall, the meal was incredibly delicious and satisfying. Thank you for the meal.

This month's offerings of hairy crab and fresh ginger jelly, Tai and octopus shellfish from Akashi, grilled trout with Denjo conger eel, grated okra with seaweed, and somen noodles. Also, tuna from Sakaiminato, humpback red snapper, golden eye snapper, horse mackerel, mackerel, medium fatty tuna, fatty tuna, sea eel, negitoro, and tamago. The sushi is always delicious. Thank you.

I am traveling around the country in search of truly delicious food. I love everything from high-end cuisine to casual dining. 【Area】Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture 【Genre】Sushi 【Awards】Tabelog Bronze Award 2023, Sushi WEST Top 100 Stores 2023 【Number of Visits】First visit 【Crowdedness】Reservation required 【Comment】The sushi had a good flavor, perfect rice texture, and delicious toppings. However, I felt that there were too many garnishes like green onions on the negitoro and shiso leaves on some dishes, which distracted from the natural flavors of the ingredients. Overall, I believe this is one of the top sushi restaurants in Osaka. Thank you for the wonderful meal. ＜Rating Criteria＞ ・I mainly base my scores on the taste of the dishes. ・I also consider factors like cost performance, service, and ambiance. ・I express my evaluation of the restaurant through points. Comments are just additional information. ・I evaluate restaurants relative to their specific cuisine, so a high-end dish may receive a low score if it's not tasty, and vice versa for street food if it's delicious. ・I periodically adjust scores for consistency. ・For hotels, inns, golf courses, etc., I evaluate the entire facility on a 0.5 scale. For more details, please refer to my profile.

On Saturday night (June 10th), I visited Sushi Oogasa in Osaka for the first time in about 4 months. The restaurant was fully booked for the evening's second seating. Since it was June, there was a sacred ring made of miscanthus for the summer purification ritual at the entrance, along with flowers celebrating the restaurant's 5th anniversary. I was seated in the middle of the counter. I started with a sweet potato soda, followed by a sake tasting set. The sake cups were customizable. Tonight, I enjoyed my sake in tin cups and Shino ware cups. The dishes included hairy crab, jelly of fresh ginger, sea bream from Akashi, simmered octopus from Akashi, tsubugai from Hokkaido, mirugai with green beans, anago with plum, steamed sea bream with plum (nigiri of tuna back fin, Aomori maguro, seared toro, ika, kinmedai, seared aji, aji, kohada, chutoro, otoro, jakoboko uni from Hokkaido, gunkanmaki of anago, negitoro maki, and futomaki with tamago, mitsuba, and kanpyo), tamagoyaki, and a sweet tomato dessert cooked in plum wine. The cold sakes included Ryojusen junmai Natsukara from Niigata, Mimuro sugi tokubetsu junmai karakuchi from Nara, Kitashima junmai ginjo Aoi Arashi from Shiga, Hitoriki junmai ginjo Aiyama nama from Fukushima, and Harugasumi from Akita. The total bill came to 50,010 yen. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

To Sushi Oo Gasan, my long-awaited sushi place. I finally got to come after booking a reservation slot six months ago. Everything from the start was exquisite. The tuna melts in your mouth, making me question what I've been eating as tuna until now. If it were a bit cheaper, I would want to come every month...

Sushi Ooga is located at 1-2-7 Omachi Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, and is ranked as the number one popular sushi restaurant in Osaka. It is run by the fourth generation of the well-known Yamasuke, a traditional establishment in Sakai. The restaurant gained fame for using Yamasuke tuna, and its sushi craftsmanship reflects the DNA of Ginza's Arai. The prices are on the higher side, comparable to those in Ginza. Recently, there has been a trend towards firmer sushi rice with a slight stickiness, deviating from the traditional red vinegar-flavored rice. This unique style may appeal to some but not to others. Despite this, a private dining event at Sushi Ooga with friends from Tokyo, Ishikawa, and Toyama was enjoyable. The menu included various dishes such as hair crab jelly, Akashi sea bream, Akashi octopus, and more. Overall, it was a delightful dining experience at the reputed sushi restaurant in Sakai.

【Nearest station】2-3 minutes walk from Susono Station, 12-14 minutes walk from Sakai Station 【Price】57,000 yen 【Overview】A super popular sushi restaurant that has won the Silver award from Tabelog Awards from 2019 for four consecutive years, and the Bronze award in 2023. It has also been awarded as one of the top 100 sushi restaurants for two consecutive years. The quality of tuna, sourced from "Yamako," is particularly high. The head chef, Shinichiro Oga, is the fourth generation of the highly popular traditional Osaka restaurant "Yasuko." After training for 3 years at "Yasuko" and 10 years at a Japanese cuisine restaurant, he established "Sushi Oga" in June 2018. Not only is the sushi of high quality, but the appetizers, influenced by his experience in Japanese cuisine, are also exceptional. 【Menu】 - Chef's special course - Hairy crab chawanmushi - Red snapper sashimi - Firefly squid - Mirugai and green beans - Densuke conger eel with plum - Trout sushi bowl - Shizuoka's tuna (back part) aged for a while - Fatty tuna - Sumi squid - Kasugodai - Horse mackerel - Flounder - Medium fatty tuna - Fatty tuna - Sea urchin gunkan - Conger eel - Medium fatty tuna and seaweed roll - Egg - Soup - Thick roll - Golden eye snapper (additional) - Sea urchin (additional) - Seared fatty tuna (additional) - Tomato cooked in plum wine 【Impressions】This is one of the top sushi restaurants in Kansai, offering high-quality sushi and appetizers. While the sushi was delicious and of high quality, personally, I preferred the appetizers in terms of seasoning and how the ingredients were utilized. The sushi rice was a bit too firm for my liking, with a core that remained intact. However, the way it crumbled in the mouth and the slightly stronger vinegar seasoning were enjoyable. The balance between the fish and rice was good, and I agree that it is one of the best in Kansai. However, considering the price, I have experienced other restaurants in Tokyo at a similar price point that left a greater impact and sense of awe, so I felt that making a special trip to Osaka was not necessary. If they aim to charge this price, I would expect a bit more effort. Of course, this is a matter of personal preference, and the food was undeniably delicious and of an incredibly high standard. If you have the chance, you should definitely visit this restaurant! - Hairy crab chawanmushi: Generously made with hairy crab, it had a rich flavor with a sweet taste and the dashi of the chawanmushi complemented it well. - Red snapper sashimi: The red snapper had a pleasant aroma, a good umami flavor, and a moderate elasticity. - Firefly squid: It had a nice touch of sansho pepper and a rich flavor with a delicate texture. - Mirugai and green beans: The mirugai was lightly grilled, intensifying its flavor, and it was deliciously sweet. - Densuke conger eel with plum: This conger eel did not taste like typical eel. It was soft but had a firm texture and a good umami flavor. - Trout sushi bowl: The trout had a balanced amount of fat, and its flavor was enhanced by the sushi rice. - Shizuoka's tuna (back part) aged for a while: The tuna was rich with just the right amount of fat. - Fatty tuna from a different part: This was also rich in flavor with a bit more fat. - Sumi squid: Soft and fragrant, the squid had an elegant flavor. - Kasugodai: This was particularly delicious! The kasugodai was tender and moist, with a superb umami flavor and texture. - Horse mackerel: It had almost no fishy taste and was well-prepared, although it was not exceptionally fresh. - Flounder: The firmness and acidity of this dish were a bit strong. - Medium fatty tuna: It melted in the mouth. - Fatty tuna: It melted even more, with a burst of fat and umami flavor. - Sea urchin gunkan: It was tasty and lacked any fishy smell, but the sea urchin itself was a bit lukewarm, which did not sit well with me. - Conger eel: Soft and fluffy, the conger eel had a nice texture. - Medium fatty tuna and seaweed roll: This was delicious! The green onion added a nice touch, and the richness and fat of the tuna were excellent. It might have been my favorite of the day! - Egg: A perfect balance between a sponge cake and custard.

"Sushi Ooga," located just a short walk from Gakuenmae Station in Sakai City, was visited after 3 months. The usual second half of the evening (starting at 8:30 PM) saw 4 regular customers gather at the 8-seat counter. Surprisingly, two of the groups were acquaintances who are gourmet enthusiasts. Each group ordered champagne and toasted with their partners before starting the omakase course of the day. [Omakase Course] <Appetizers> - Steamed hairy crab - Sea bream from Akashi - Firefly squid - Mirugai (geoduck clam) with green beans - Densuke (eel) anago - Trout sashimi <Nigiri Sushi> - Bluefin tuna from Shizuoka Shimoda - Chutoro (medium fatty tuna) - Seared fatty tuna - Squid ink - Shrimp - Horse mackerel - Baby gizzard shad - Bigeye tuna - Sea urchin - Anago - Negitoro roll - Rolled sushi - Egg - Clear soup - Tomato <Drinks> - Champagne - Sake Mimuro Sugi from Nara - Sake Zenko from Mie - Sake Hitoriki from Fukushima The appetizers were delightful, from the flavorful steamed crab with ginger to the plump sea bream, and the chewy firefly squid. The anago had a strong skin flavor that paired well with the acidity of the sushi rice. The nigiri sushi section was a hit, especially the reliable deliciousness of the bluefin tuna and the perfect balance of fat in the trout. The sea urchin gunkan was light and fluffy, while the anago had a sweet and savory taste. The evening was filled with enjoyment of appetizers, nigiri sushi, and drinks. Thank you for the feast!"

On this day in May 2023, at Sushi Ooga in Sakai, Osaka, with a rating of 4.35 on Tabelog. Tabelog Bronze in 2023. Ranked 1st in the sushi category and 2nd overall in Osaka prefecture on Tabelog. The spring menu at Ooga is also delicious! I love the dish of Mirugai (geoduck clam) that I have every year. The tuna was also delicious with plenty of fat in May. I always say I want to eat more tuna haha. It's a monthly treat for me, and it was delicious this day too! Thank you for the meal. The menu I had on this day included: Hair Crab Chawanmushi, Tai from Akashi, Firefly Squid, Mirugai (geoduck clam) with green beans, Densuke Anago with plum and wasabi, Masunosuke Donburi, Shimoda Chiai Gishi, Back Toro, Sumiika, Haruko, Aji, Ko Hire, Chutoro, Otoro, Bafun Uni, Anago, Negitoro, Tamago, Kanpyo, Mitsuba Maki, Bettara-zuke, Tamagoyaki, and Tomato cooked in plum wine. #SushiOoga #Sushi #Sushi #sushi #Hard-to-reserve restaurant #Osaka gourmet #Sakai gourmet

For someone like me who loves tuna, I was thrilled! I was completely satisfied with the variety of tuna cuts. It was my first time visiting, but the chef was friendly and made the sushi experience enjoyable. The restaurant received the Tabelog Award 2023 bronze and was recognized as one of the top 100 sushi restaurants in 2022. It's a bit far, about 40 minutes by taxi from Osaka Station, but definitely worth a visit. I went on May 1, 2023, and had the chef's choice course, which included akami, toro, squid, golden eye snapper, horse mackerel, gizzard shad, medium fatty tuna, fatty tuna, sea urchin, conger eel, negitoro roll, sushi rolls, egg, and tomato. The tuna from Yamasachi was used, and the quality of the tuna was outstanding. The tuna melted in our mouths and captivated us. The toppings were delicious, but the sushi rice was incredibly tasty as well. It was exactly to my liking. I'd love to try their appetizers next time! Thank you for the wonderful meal. I hope to make a reservation for a rematch, but I wonder if I can get one. (laughs) Thank you for reading until the end. Please consider saving, liking, and following. I'm still new to writing reviews, so please be gentle with your feedback. Feel free to leave a comment, and I will reply. Please also follow me on Instagram (@eri.ogawa1102).