JPN: Nakau (なか卯)

Appetisingly fragrant char-grilled 'oyako don'!

We've finally come to the last dinner in Japan during the December 2019 trip. As we'd be leaving Japan from Kansai International Airport, my BFFs and I left Kobe with a heavy heart for Izumisano in Osaka Prefecture. For the very first time, I noticed a branch of Nakau, a chain of quick service restaurants owned by Zensho Holdings that also runs Sukiya.

With about 470 branches across Japan at the point of writing, Nakau is certainly not as big a brand compared to Sukiya, Yoshinoya and Matsuya.

Simmered Beef and Egg Rice Bowl (Regular) ¥560 (~S$7.35)

Taste: 7.5/10

The Japanese name of the dish is 牛とじ丼 (並). Sitting on top of piping hot rice were stir-fried beef  slices and onions with scrambled eggs. The red meat was tender enough, although the eggs could be more velvety. The savoury soy sauce was a nice contrast to the naturally sweet onions. I found the regular size to be quite big.

Char-Grilled Oyako Don (Regular) ¥590 (~S$7.75)

Taste: 8.5/10

The Japanese name of the dish is 炭火焼き親子丼 (並). To be frank, I wasn't expecting the chicken and egg rice bowl to be so delish. The white meat was grilled with bincho-tan, a type of white charcoal that gave the dish its wonderful aroma. I must say that the scrambled eggs were executed better in this dish. Pika's advice: Cheese lovers may want to try the 7 Cheese Oyako Don. The regular size is priced at ¥690 (~S$9.05). 

Udon with Tempura Bits (Small) ¥140 (~S$1.85)

Taste: 7.5/10

The Japanese name of the dish is はいからうどん (小). It was an additional order that one of my BFFs made to at least try its udon (Japanese wheat-flour noodle). For the price, it certainly wasn't disappointing as the udon was springy alright. It came with a piece of fish cake, tenkasu (Japanese crunchy bits of deep-fried dough) and spring onions.

Ginger Pork Dinner Combo ¥690 (~S$9.05)

Taste: 8/10

The actual name of the set is 生姜焼き定食, inclusive of rice and miso (Japanese fermented rice, barley and/or soybean) soup. Thinly sliced pork with adequate amount of fats were doused with ginger-infused sauce that had a nice balance of the sweet and the savoury. It also came with shredded cabbage and corn salad, as well as pickled vegetables.

Melon's Rating

Taste: 8/10

Ambience: 7/10
Overall: 7.5/10

I suppose it was an achievement unlocked dining at Nakau, Sukiya, Yoshinoya and Matsuya once each during that trip.

Nakau

(なか卯)

1-5-21 Matsubara

Izumisano, Osaka

Japan

(Twenty Four / Seven)

https://www.nakau.co.jp/

*Prices quoted are nett prices.

Have a nice meal,

Cliff(y)