Just 10 minutes from the famous Dotonbori area, OKO Okonomiyaki is a unique, vibrant vegan-friendly restaurant in Osaka run solely by one energetic lady. This place is super popular during dinner time (6-9 pm) so be prepared for a long wait time. If it’s too busy, consider their sister shop, OKO Takoyaki, which is just a block away serving all-vegan takoyaki.
The interior of OKO Okonomiyaki is an eclectic mix of colours with customer messages covering the walls. You first order on the ground floor, and then you find a seat upstairs. Keep an ear out for your order number, as you'll need to head downstairs to collect your food. Remember to clean up and return the tray downstairs after you finish your meal. There's no staff extra staff other than the owner, and because of that, the restaurant may not be the cleanest.
Specify the vegan version of okonomiyaki, yakisoba and gyoza when you order as they also serve meat here. The okonomiyaki is made with okara (soy pulp) instead of egg to bind the ingredients. You can find vegan mayonnaise at the service counter on each floor. While it’s overall enjoyable, the taste and flavour may not blow you away. With the location being close to Dotonbori, this restaurant is still a good option for vegans exploring the area.
