大阪めんま
Located on the 39th floor of the Umeda Sky Building Tower East in Osaka, "Chinese Cuisine Sanguu" offers authentic Cantonese cuisine. The restaurant opened in 1993 when the Umeda Sky Building was completed and is operated by Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd., which manages the Umeda Sky Building. In addition to the authentic Chinese cuisine, the fantastic location allows guests to enjoy the view from 150 meters above ground. The night view is particularly beautiful, but this time I went for a lunch that is more affordable.
The Umeda Sky Building is a 7-minute walk from JR Osaka Station, a 9-minute walk from Hankyu Osaka Umeda Station, and a 9-minute walk from Umeda Station on the Midosuji Subway Line, Exit 5. On the 39th floor where the restaurant is located, there is a paid sky garden observatory, but you can also enjoy the stunning view for free from the windows on the floor.
On this weekday Friday, I visited the restaurant before 1 pm. At that time, the restaurant was about 60% full. I had made a reservation a few days in advance, so I had already placed my order. This time, I ordered the seasonal limited lunch course, "KARIN - HANARIN -" for 3,500 yen, which consisted of 5 dishes.
[Course Details]
- Assorted appetizers
- Shrimp with mango mayonnaise sauce and raspberry sauce
- Braised pork belly
- Tomato chili sauce risotto
- Dessert plate
The appetizer consisted of jellyfish, tofu with century egg and scallion sauce, boiled shrimp and vegetables with herb sauce. The jellyfish had a crunchy texture, while the century egg was rich and sticky with no strong taste, complemented well by the fragrant scallion sauce. The shrimp was plump, and the sauce was mildly sweet and mellow.
Next was the classic shrimp mayo dish, but this time it included mango and raspberry in the sauce, which was interesting. The shrimp had a fluffy coating and a firm texture, and while the mango flavor in the mayonnaise was not very noticeable, the raspberry sauce was tangy and fruity. It enhanced the flavor and added depth to the dish.
The braised pork belly had a gentle seasoning, a soft and slightly elastic texture, and the fatty part melted in the mouth, making it delicious. Up to this point, I was seated away from the window, but when a window-side table became available, the staff suggested moving, and I gladly accepted. From the circular window, I enjoyed views of the Yodo River, the northern part of Osaka, the mountains of northern Osaka, and airplanes heading to Itami Airport.
Next was the tomato chili sauce risotto, with a sharp cheese aroma, a sweet and sour tomato flavor, and a spicy kick in the aftertaste. The risotto gave off a chicken rice-like impression.
The dessert plate included jasmine tea pudding and maritozzo. The pudding had a surprisingly smooth texture, with a delicate jasmine tea aroma and sweetness that was very delicious. The maritozzo was a cute mini size, with a chewy and slightly hard bread texture, a sweet cream that paired well with the bread, and was very tasty.
I had a wonderful lunchtime enjoying both the food and the view. This time, I visited the Sky Building for the food, but I would like to come back another time to see the night view. Thank you for the meal!