During a recent trip to Osaka, I wanted to try something local—and I remembered the “famous curry” from Jiyuken, introduced in the manga *Meshibana Deka Tachibana*.
I had forgotten the name of the shop, but after googling something like “Osaka curry egg,” I stumbled across Jiyuken.
When most people think of Japanese curry, they imagine white rice with curry roux poured over it, half-and-half. But Jiyuken does it differently—the rice and curry are mixed together completely, and topped with a raw egg, which is unusual outside of Osaka.
That quirky Osaka style was reason enough for me to give it a try!
A Retro Sign and Interior Straight Out of Showa-Era Japan
Jiyuken is located in the shopping arcade in Namba, very close to the station.
Its retro appearance instantly catches your eye. The shop name “Jiyuken” is plastered on the noren curtains, the awning, and even the signboards—four times over!
You rarely see food display samples anymore, but they have them here.
There’s even a huge sign up top! In Osaka, it’s all about standing out!
They’ve even got a life-sized cutout of the proprietress. Go big or go home!
The interior has a nostalgic charm. The place was quite busy, with many tourists from China and Korea.
I saw a menu item called “Hai-shi Rice”—perhaps their version of Hayashi rice?
Photos and autographs of celebrities with the proprietress adorn the walls.
Jiyuken’s “Famous Curry” Is Meant to Be Mixed with Egg and Worcestershire Sauce
As the name suggests, the shop’s star dish is the “famous curry”—so of course I ordered it.
Here it is! If you’re not from Osaka, this might be a new visual experience—but it definitely looks promising.
Instead of being served separately, the rice and curry are thoroughly mixed and shaped, then topped with a raw egg yolk.
The curry itself is surprisingly bold and spicy.
They also serve a house-made “4th Generation Worcestershire Sauce,” which is quite hot!
Mix in the egg yolk, and the curry becomes wonderfully mellow and creamy.
Stir well and dig in—delicious!
Jiyuken’s Curry: A Unique Dish Best Enjoyed in a Retro Osaka Setting
This was a new type of curry for me, but it offered a completely different (and tasty) experience from the norm.
With its one-of-a-kind flavor and throwback atmosphere, Jiyuken is a fun stop if you’re visiting Osaka!
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