Hirotaya, Traditional Japanese Food at Sumiyoshi

Sumiyoshi Taisha is the biggest and most important shrine in Osaka. You’d think such a big tourist attraction would have plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. Surprisingly, the area around Sumiyoshi Taisha has almost no restaurants…except Hirotaya. For more than 100 years, Hirotaya has provided traditional, affordable food, right next to the shrine. It is especially famous for its take on the Japanese comfort food “mame meshi” or bean rice.

Hirotaya

Hirotaya first opened its doors in 1915, offering as their specialty bean rice. Bean rice is a common staple in Japanese households, even today, and normally consists of green peas in rice. Hirotaya’s twist on this classic comfort food, however, uses roasted soybeans, instead of the traditional green peas.

As far as I know, this is the only restaurant around Sumiyoshi Taisha, with both a long history and affordably priced traditional Japanese food.

restaurant front of Hirotaya

The restaurant sits just outside of Sumiyoshi Taisha Station on the same side as the shrine.

inside of hirotaya in Osaka

It was pretty empty when we went, but that was probably because it was a weekday.

The restaurant is quite proud of its location near Sumiyoshi Taisha and they even offer special sets for occasions like shichi go san. They also sells quite a bit of locally produced good and crafts.

Sumiyoshi Taisha good fortune cats from Hattatsu

Their menu is very affordable. The Mame meshi set is just 800 yen, but you might find their portions on the small side if you are very hungry. Add on to the meal with their tempura set or sashimi set for 1,100 yen each. Still both very inexpensive deals!

mame meshi lunch set with tempura at hirotaya
mame meshi set with tempura
traditional Japanese lunch set with sashimi and bean rice at hirotaya
mame meshi set with sashimi

Soybeans do not have a very strong  flavor so they do not over power the flavor of the rice.

hirotaya's mame meshi
bean rice with soybeans

Hirotaya

Address

4-40 Nagaocho Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

 

Website

http://www.hirotaya.sakura.ne.jp/index5.html

 

Directions
Osaka/Kyoto: Take the Fukuchiyama Line (Sanin Line from Kyoto), Maizuru Line and Obama Line to Matsunoo-dera Station.  From Matsunoo-dera station, you have to walk 45 minutes to the temple. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Higashi Maizuru Station to the temple.
Hours

Mon-Wed: 11:00-14:00, 16:00-21:00

Fri-Sun: 11:00-14:00, 16:00-21:00

Closed:Thurs

 

Price Range

800-1,500 yen

 

Note

In winter, there may be a couple of feet of snow in this region.