Chibo is a famous okonomiyaki restaurant in Osaka, beloved by both locals and tourists. Its reputation often pops up on social media and travel blogs. But does the experience truly match the hype?
This article dives into Chibo’s locations, menu, flavors, pricing, and overall dining atmosphere. Wondering if this iconic okonomiyaki spot is worth a visit? Keep reading to find out!
What is Chibo Okonomiyaki
Chibo is a famous okonomiyaki restaurant chain with over 50 locations worldwide. It’s one of Dotonbori’s most popular spots, offering freshly prepared okonomiyaki made with a fluffy batter and paired with a signature sauce. Guests can enjoy watching their meal cooked right in front of them, making it a must-visit for an authentic taste of Osaka’s food culture.
Basic information of Chibo Okonomiyaki
In this section, you’ll find essential information about Chibo. Be sure to check it out before visiting the restaurant:
Chibo’s location
Chibo has over 20 locations in Osaka, including popular tourist areas like Umeda, Dotonbori, and Namba, making it highly accessible for visitors. Here, we’ll introduce the Chibo Dotonbori Branch, a favorite among international tourists. Below is the map.
Chibo’s operation hours
Chibo’s opening hours vary by location. Some branches operate only during dinner hours, without lunch hours. Be sure to check the hours before visiting. Below are the operating hours for the Dotonbori branch.
| Chibo Dotonbori Branch Hours | |
|---|---|
| Operation hours | 11:00a.m. – 11:00p.m. |
| Last order | 10:00.pm. |
Chibo’s menu
Chibo’s menu includes a variety of okonomiyaki, modan yaki (okonomiyaki with noodles), yakisoba, and side dishes, offering a classic selection for an okonomiyaki restaurant. The quality of every dish is outstanding, reflecting its reputation as a top-tier establishment.
Orders can be placed via QR code, and the menu is available in multiple languages, including English, ensuring a seamless experience for non-Japanese speakers.
Reservation
The Chibo Dotonbori Branch does not accept reservations. As one of the most popular spots in Dotonbori, it often has lines throughout the day. Waiting is almost unavoidable, but if you want to avoid long queues, visiting between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. is recommended.
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Honest reviews of Chibo Okonomiyaki
We visited Chibo Dotonnbori Branch to review its taste, traveler-friendly features, and pricing. Use this guide to see how it compares to its reputation.
Traveler friendliness review
The Chibo Dotonbori Branch is one of the most popular okonomiyaki restaurants in the highly competitive Dotonbori area, attracting many tourists. The menu, along with in-store notices, is available in multiple languages, including English, ensuring a language barrier-free experience.
The restaurant spans several floors of the building—1st, 3rd, 4th, and 7th—offering a variety of seating styles, including counter seats, tables, and tatami rooms. This makes it a welcoming spot for families, couples, and groups of friends.
Additionally, the 7th floor caters to Muslim guests, featuring prayer facilities and a Halal menu. Vegetarian options are also available, making Chibo a place where people of all backgrounds can enjoy delicious okonomiyaki.
Food review
This time, I ordered the most popular item, the Dotonbori Okonomiyaki, along with Tonpei Yaki. Here’s my honest review.
Dotonbori Okonomiyaki : 1,950 JPY (12.69 USD)
I ordered Chibo’s most popular item, the large-sized Dotonbori Okonomiyaki. The chef grills it right in front of you, adding to the excitement of the experience. Watching the okonomiyaki cook perfectly and seeing mayonnaise drizzled from a high angle—a move famously called the “Mayo Beam”—really gets your appetite going. My mouth was already watering.
Once completed, the okonomiyaki arrived, looking irresistibly fluffy. The steaming hot okonomiyaki was topped with dancing bonito flakes—this is the true essence of Osaka-style okonomiyaki.
The taste? Absolutely outstanding. It lives up to the reputation of a top-tier restaurant. Having eaten over 100 okonomiyaki in Osaka, I can confidently say this is among the best. The fluffy texture, in particular, stands out—achieving this level of softness requires serious skill. This is a dish that deserves a spot on your bucket list.
Tonpei Yaki : 730 JPY (4.75 USD)
As a side dish, I ordered Tonpei Yaki, a classic item often found at okonomiyaki restaurants. It’s made by wrapping pork in omelet and seasoning it with sauce and mayonnaise.
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much at first, but after one bite, I was blown away—it was unbelievably delicious. The egg was cooked to perfection, with a soft and creamy texture.
The rich flavor of the egg paired perfectly with the sweetness of the pork, all enhanced by the same sauce and mayonnaise used on okonomiyaki. This dish is a must-try!
Price review
This time, the total bill was 2,680 JPY (17.44 USD), which feels slightly expensive for an okonomiyaki restaurant. In my experience, the average cost at an okonomiyaki place is around 1,500 JPY per person. However, considering Chibo’s location in the Dotonbori area and the high-quality okonomiyaki they serve, the price is reasonable.
Chibo’s average price : 2,000 JPY (13.02 USD)
Overall evaluation
Chibo is a must-visit okonomiyaki restaurant that showcases Osaka’s rich food culture with its high-quality dishes and expert preparation. Their fluffy okonomiyaki and flavorful side dishes, like Tonpei Yaki, highlight the skillful techniques and signature sauces that make Chibo stand out.
With multiple floors, various seating options, and multilingual menus, Chibo is welcoming to all visitors, including families and international tourists. While the prices are slightly higher than average, the quality, location in Dotonbori, and memorable dining experience make it well worth the visit. Don’t miss Chibo during your trip to Osaka!
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