Osaka City Chuo Ward "Dotombori Imai Main Store" Osaka Minami's central area, Dotombori, is home to the renowned Osaka udon restaurant "Dotombori Imai Main Store," a regular in the "Tabelog Udon WEST Top 100" list. Despite the recent trend of Sanuki-style udon taking over Osaka, this establishment has continued to uphold traditional Osaka udon for a long time. I visited on a Friday night for dinner. The spacious and calm atmosphere inside the restaurant welcomed me as soon as I stepped out of the elevator on the 4th floor. I ordered the "Kitsune Udon" (880 yen) and the "A Set (rice ball, side dish, dessert)" (560 yen). ★ "Kitsune Udon" When it comes to Imai, it's all about the "Kitsune Udon." The Osaka udon features thick, soft noodles with a refined, light broth made from kombu, mackerel flakes, and dried horse mackerel. The thick sweetness of the agemochi adds a delightful sweetness that oozes out when you take a bite. This is the essence of "Osaka Udon"! Adding shichimi pepper enhances the flavor with the aroma of sansho pepper, adding a nice accent. I recommend trying it as is at first and then adding shichimi pepper for a change in taste. *I later learned from the staff that they indeed "prepare their own shichimi blend with a higher proportion of sansho pepper." ★ "Dessert - Summer Orange Jelly" A refreshing jelly with a mild sweetness, perfect for cleansing the palate after the meal. The service from the staff was excellent, and it was a satisfying dinner experience. A must-visit for anyone discussing Osaka, this renowned Osaka udon shop. I look forward to visiting again in the future. Thank you for the meal.

You can enjoy delicious udon in Kansai. The restaurant has up to 4 floors, so the waiting time is minimal. The atmosphere is calm and different from the hustle and bustle outside. The chopsticks are easy to use (good quality), the tea is delicious (properly brewed from tea leaves), and there is a sense of tradition (polite service). Not only the udon, but also the fried tofu, side dishes, and pickles are all delicious. Conclusion: Definitely worth a repeat visit.

I love the kitsune udon here and have visited many times. This time, I wanted my husband to try this udon, so he came with me. When we arrived about 5 minutes before opening, there was already a line forming, but as soon as they opened, they quickly guided customers inside, so we didn't have to wait. Once again, we were happy with the delicious udon. ♡

Facing the main street of Dotonbori, this restaurant stands out with its elegant atmosphere compared to other shops. The staff inside were very polite. It was just announced that they were fully booked. "We can seat you in about five minutes, so please wait here," they said. After being asked for my name, I waited for less than five minutes in the waiting area. I was then escorted to the first floor of the restaurant. I ordered the Kitsune Udon that I was looking forward to. The fried tofu was plump and had a sweet flavor that was very delicious. And the broth was even more exquisite. When the current president appeared on a certain TV show, a video of the direct handwritten recipe for the current broth made by the president's grandmother was shown. When asked by the other guests if it was okay to show the recipe on TV, the president replied, "It's okay. Even if you make it according to the recipe, you can't replicate our taste." The broth was so delicious that I ended up drinking it all.

The area was crowded with tourists, but this restaurant was able to seat us right away in a private room, so we could enjoy our meal in peace. I had the cold kitsune udon, and the sweet flavor that seeped out from the firm pieces of fried tofu was delicious.

A traditional udon restaurant in the Kansai style! On Sunday afternoon in Dotonbori, it was bustling with foreign tourists, but we were lucky to enter with only a 10-minute wait. We each ordered udon and shared a parent and child bowl. The clear and flavorful udon was really delicious. The parent and child bowl had a different taste from Kanto-style dashi, which was also delicious! It came with shichimi, which was a bit surprising as it had a greenish color with a strong sansho flavor. Definitely worth a visit when in Osaka.

My Moroccan friend came to Osaka and wanted to try okonomiyaki, sushi, and udon. Since they had already tried sushi, I decided to take them to Imai Udon near Dotonbori. The atmosphere of the restaurant was very Japanese, offering a variety of dishes from simple udon to course meals like hot pot. We both ordered kitsune udon this time. They were interested in the hot tea and the friendly service of the staff. When the kitsune udon arrived, I explained the mountain pepper in the bamboo tube as a condiment. They were impressed by the taste of just the broth before adding the condiments. They struggled a bit with using chopsticks, but with some tips, they managed well. They found it difficult to slurp the noodles, which is a common practice in Japan. They were amazed by the delicious broth and mentioned they would like to come back if they were in the area again. As a side note, my Moroccan friend is a devout Muslim, so they have many dietary restrictions due to their religion. They explained that they cannot eat pork, and they can only consume beef and chicken that have been slaughtered in a specific way according to Muslim customs. Fish is generally okay for them. When asked about alcohol, they mentioned that Muslims do not drink, but it varies depending on the individual's level of faith. They shared that some of their Muslim friends do drink alcohol. They also inquired about the ingredients used in the udon, and after explaining that it is made with kombu and bonito dashi, and wheat noodles, they were okay with it.

I used it for lunch on Saturday ☺️ I lined up around 12:30 with a long line, probably about 20 people were waiting. However, the inside of the restaurant was quiet and cool, so I was able to eat delicious udon slowly, and I thought it was worth the wait! They have a kitsune set meal with dessert included, and it was quite cost-effective, so I recommend that option!

This time, I visited the main store of "Imai" in Dotonbori, located in Namba. I have been to the store located right after entering Itami Airport gate, but this was my first time at the main store. The store operates continuously from 11:00 to 21:30, which is very convenient. I ordered the following menu item: - Kitsune Udon: 880 yen Since it was my first visit, I decided to try their signature dish, the "Kitsune Udon". Unlike Sanuki Udon, this type of udon has thick and soft noodles known as Osaka Udon. The broth, made from mackerel, dried bonito flakes, and kelp, has a delicate and refined soy sauce flavor that seeps into the noodles. The thick and flavorful sweetened fried tofu (aburaage) was served with two pieces. Adding shichimi spice halfway through enhances the dish with the fragrance of sansho pepper, making it even more delicious. The Kitsune Udon at the main store was delicate and elegant, making me feel warm and cozy even in the hot summer weather. The hospitality of offering hot tea and toothpicks after the meal also showed the true spirit of a long-established restaurant. In addition to udon, they also offer a variety of hot pots and rice dishes, making me want to visit again in the evening.

It's been a while since I visited Dohtonbori Imai-san. I tried their summer limited edition hand-cut perilla soba for 1,500 yen (made with 1kg of buckwheat flour and 200 large perilla leaves). It was very refreshing and delicious. My friend ordered the conger eel somen, but it was too bland and the conger eel skin was too tough to eat. We also had warabi mochi for dessert. The pieces were quite big, so it would be nice if they were cut into smaller pieces. The kinako topping was really tasty. It seems like there were mostly foreign customers here.

I ordered kitsune udon and vegetable tempura. The sweetness of the kitsune udon broth matched perfectly and made me want to keep drinking it. I regret not knowing about this place before even though I've been to Namba many times. I will definitely come back when I'm in Namba again. ^ ^

Friday on a national holiday. The restaurant opened at 11:30, and when I arrived at 11:15, there were already about 10 people in line. I was able to be seated as soon as they opened. I ordered a tempura rice bowl, a mini soba set, and duck soba with mochi. The tempura, mochi, and duck meat were especially delicious. For dessert, I ordered warabi mochi and chilled agar jelly. The chilled agar jelly was a bit too strong with ginger, maybe they didn't mix it well.

Before the Hasshoji Yokocho Festival, I had seasonal rice, kitsune udon, and duck zaru bento at Dotombori Imai. Dotombori Imai Main Store 050-5570-5507 Osaka, Osaka City, Chuo-ku, Dotombori 1-7-22.

I visited for lunch. The restaurant was crowded, but I waited a bit and was able to enter. It's a very popular place. I ordered soba noodles and they were delicious. I also ordered warabi mochi, which was a bit lukewarm but tasted amazing!

I went to Imai on a weekday before 7 pm and surprisingly there were plenty of seats available. I was guided to the upper floor in the elevator. I didn't realize there were quite a few floors here. When it comes to Imai, it's all about kitsune udon! The kitsune udon was the only choice for me. The fried tofu was big and the sweet and savory broth oozed out from the fried tofu, it was amazing. I had heard that udon in Osaka is soft, but it had just the right amount of softness and chewiness, and most importantly, the broth was delicious. The udon disappeared quickly, and I finished all the broth. It was so good. I also ordered the grilled chicken rice bowl, and it was surprisingly delicious! I was shocked! I thought the rice at the bottom would be white, but it was actually a brown rice soaked in sauce. I had a slight concern that it might be too salty, but Imai didn't disappoint, it was delicious. It's amazing that even the rice bowl is delicious. I definitely want to come back again. Thank you for the meal!

When you want to eat authentic food in the B-class gourmet area, this restaurant comes to mind. You might feel that the udon here is casual, but the taste of the broth is really delicious, so it's worth it. The atmosphere of the restaurant is calm and cozy, perfect for those who want to take a break away from the hustle and bustle.

I lined up a little before the store opened, but was able to enter smoothly. I ordered cold udon and rolled sushi. The udon noodles were thin and easy to eat, and the broth was flavorful and delicious. The warabi mochi dessert was also refreshing and had a nice subtle sweetness.

When I was living in Tokyo for work, I used to visit this long-established udon restaurant every time I went back. It is said to be the birthplace of kitsune udon, and it definitely lives up to its reputation! I always order this set when I go there, haha. While Osaka is famous for takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and flour-based dishes, be sure to try out Imai when you come here!!

Here is a review of a famous udon restaurant in Osaka called "道頓堀 今井" that was selected as one of the top 100 udon restaurants in the "食べログうどんWEST Top 100 2017-2020" guidebook. The restaurant has a long history dating back to the Edo period and is known for its delicious udon dishes. The reviewer ordered kitsune udon, kizami udon, and vegetable tempura, all of which were enjoyed in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. The broth was praised for its rich flavor, made with high-quality kombu from Hokkaido. The udon noodles were thick and chewy, different from the typical Sanuki udon, but still delicious. The reviewer also shared some interesting historical facts about the restaurant, connecting it to a popular NHK drama and highlighting the unique culinary and cultural aspects of the dining experience.

On June 13, 2023, Tuesday, at 3:48 PM, I entered the restaurant. Today, I enjoyed delicious sushi with my friend who works at a security company at the lively Janjan Yokocho in Shinsekai, and then we walked to Namba while strolling through Kuromon Market. As a final touch, we decided to try the delicious kitsune udon at Dotombori Imai, so we visited the restaurant. We were seated on the 4th floor. The seating area was so spacious that there was no need to wait in line. A very elegant server took our order. We ordered two kitsune udon priced at 880 yen each. The dashi broth was incredibly delicious. My family often visits this place, and I have been here with friends several times, but I am always impressed. The dashi broth here has a deep and rich flavor. My appetite was truly satisfied. Thank you for the delicious meal today. Thank you, Atsushi Hamamura. Thank you very much for reading my trivial review to the end. If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to leave a comment. I look forward to your continued support.

I really wanted to eat at Imai-san Main Store's udon, so I visited the restaurant. It was very crowded in Dotonbori on Sunday afternoon. I managed to push through the crowd and arrived at the restaurant. There were about 10 people inside and 10 people waiting outside, totaling around 20 people waiting. However, since the restaurant had many seats, we didn't have to wait too long and didn't feel stressed. I ordered the An-kake udon with tempura and a beer. My partner ordered Kitsune udon and a mini oyakodon set. The An-kake udon was just as I had hoped for. The thick and rich sauce with plenty of ginger was delicious. I could even enjoy my beer with this sauce. The shrimp tempura had its tail opened like a fan, showing the skill of Imai-san. My partner's Kitsune udon had the usual sweet and tasty broth. And the oyakodon that I wanted to try was delicious as expected, with a lightly seasoned broth. Both of us were very satisfied and would like to visit again.