■ Introduction
Ciao a tutti
(Ciao tutti: ‘Hello, everyone’ in Italian) I'm Rebi (Rebecca) from Italy, a Visual Kei band lover. (This is my fourth post!) I am currently studying fashion design at a vocational school and I started my second year in April this year. However, there is one thing that has not changed at all since before I came to Japan. That is my love for Japanese visual-kei bands. Whenever I have some time, I go to live shows of Visual-kei bands, and I do it without caring for sleep (laughs). (laughs)! I hope you will also find your favorites as well and cherish each day of your life!
■ Introducing okonomiyaki that can be eaten by vegans and vegetarians!
・ Name of the restaurant: Okonomiyaki Restaurant OKO
・ Location: 1-15-24 Higashi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
・ Landmark of the restaurant: Near Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Arcade
This time I will introduce you to OKO, a gluten-free okonomiyaki shop that does not use wheat flour and makes its batter from 100% okara (bean curd). (Even vegans and vegetarians can eat okonomiyaki here!) It is located between Shinsaibashi Station and Namba Station, but there is always a queue at the front of the restaurant as many customers visit every day.
■ Appealing of Okonomiyaki Restaurant OKO
① A wide variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes!
As mentioned earlier, the biggest attractions of OKO are that the okonomiyaki batter is gluten-free and that there are many vegan and vegetarian dishes on the menu. Furthermore, the menu gives detailed descriptions of the ingredients used in the dishes in both Japanese and English, so even those who are not good at Japanese can order delicious dishes with confidence.
By the way, I have a severe shellfish allergy, but when I mentioned this when ordering, the owner, Siho, used different pans and griddles to avoid contact with other people's food orders so that the food wouldn’t get contaminated. Thanks to this, I can enjoy a good meal at this restaurant without worrying about my allergy.
② Walls with pictures and messages.
Apart from the food and the atmosphere, what I find attractive about this restaurant are the walls. There are many pictures and messages drawn by people who have visited the restaurant, and when you read them, you can feel their great love for the restaurant. (*Pens ad markers for writing messages on the walls are available at the entrance to each floor, so you can all write your messages while waiting for your food or after you've finished eating!)
On a side note, the restaurant is run by the owner, Shiho, who runs it all by herself. Therefore, when the restaurant starts to get busy, it sometimes takes a while for the food to be served, but no one ever complains about it. This is because everyone knows that the food is worth the wait. It’s a cozy space where people from different nationalities gather, the food is prepared with love, and the heart-warming service of the owner Siho makes everyone who visits this restaurant and be impressed by its excellence. It makes everyone want to pay respect to Siho as well. And after finishing their meal, they will want to introduce how good the restaurant is to their loved ones. This is the charm of this restaurant.
③ All drinks are 200 yen! (*As of June 2025)
All drinks at Okonomiyaki Restaurant OKO, including alcohol, are 200 yen. That's very cheap! However, drinks are self-service, so please follow the rules of the restaurant and take your drinks from the fridge near the till. (*Drinks are paid for in advance, so it's handy to have some coins ready!)
■ Recommended dish at OKO Okonomiyaki Restaurant: vegan dumplings.
My favorite dish at this restaurant is vegan gyoza. These gyoza are made with cabbage, chives, onions, tofu, okara (bean curd) and garlic, and are surprisingly juicy even though they do not contain any meat, which is usually used in gyoza. The chives and garlic add a very nice accent to the dumplings that it’s almost impossible to stop eating after just one bite! This restaurant is especially recommended for vegans and vegetarians, as even those who have never been able to eat okonomiyaki or gyoza before can enjoy the taste! Of course, non-vegans and non-vegetarians can get more “regular” food, so if you are interested, please try it!
■ Notes on visiting OKO!
・Reservations are not accepted (the restaurant is always busy during opening hours because it’s very popular).
・ Everything is self-service except for the food.
・ Please be careful not to order too much if you have a small appetite since the portions are quite large.
※ This is a popular restaurant with no reservation system, so we recommend arriving early and queuing before opening if you are short on time.
※ The owner, Siho, will politely tell you how to order and the rules of the restaurant. If you have any questions or food allergies, please feel free to ask her.
■Summary
Following the introduction of Canelita Sweets in the previous article, how was your experience with vegan and vegetarian eateries? I have been living in Osaka since 2024, and even though I used to pass by the restaurant every time I went to my part-time job, I had never heard of OKO until a few months ago. However, after visiting for the first time, my everyday dining options increased, and my days have become more enjoyable.
Although the style of OKO is a little different from the traditional okonomiyaki restaurants downtown, you can not only enjoy delicious food at this restaurant but also get to know the owner, Siho, and the people from different countries. Plus , you might have wonderful encounters while standing in line at the restaurant or waiting for your food. It’s hard to put into words, but this is a unique and kind-hearted restaurant full of personality. If you are interested, please visit OKO (Okonomiyaki Restaurant for Fun) and see for yourself. See you in the next article.
A presto,
Rebecca