Okonomiyaki DohTonBori

Okonomiyaki Your Own Way

The great thing about Okonomiyaki outside of major tourist areas is that you make it yourself, so you don't have to worry about ingredients you don't like or can't recognize. Instead, you can enjoy putting together something you'd want to eat. Despite the weirdness of paying to cook, this is a fun thing to do. This location however is not always the best. Many of the rooms lack great circulation, so the heat and smoke of previous customers' meals can be irritating. In addition, going in the evening or on weekends usually means a wait of at least an hour. Like smaller okonomiyaki restaurants in other areas, this is a shoes-off establishment, with wooden shoe lockers at the front entrance with massive wooden keys. The menu does offer cheap options and drink bar in addition to the all-you-can-eat/drink hours that seem to be popular among younger crowds. It's a fun evening out if you go with someone who knows the procedure (oil the hotplate, mix the ingredients, put meat on first, then pour on mix of ingredients, then cook. Flip. Cook. Sauce + Mayo + nori + bonito flakes. eat.) but even if not, you can probably figure it out. Lots of options including okonomiyaki, monja, and yakisoba as standards in addition to salads, gyoza, sausage, and more. My family really enjoys this place, but it gets 3 stars from me for the uncomfortable smokey atmosphere and the waiting times.