Yoshokuya Fujiya

The hearty cooking at this legendary Osaka yoshoku joint draws an eclectic mix of customers on any given day: Japanese salarymen queuing outside its retro yellow-painted facade on weekday lunches, and young families filling the tables over the weekend. The popularity stems from a rich, decade-long history of yoshoku. Directly translated as "Western food," it's a Western-based fusion adapted to the Japanese palate. Originating during the Meiji Restoration, a period marked by heightened Western influence, Japan gradually embraced meat-based dishes, creating a cuisine that straddles both Western and traditional Japanese cuisine. Under the stewardship of its fourth-generation owner, Yoshokuya Fujiya continues to dish out the now-Japanese comfort foods. Menu centers around steak, hamburger and fried protein, like curry cream croquettes, hamburger steaks, and seasonally beloved panko-coated fried oysters. True to its roots, the mains are part of a set that includes miso soup, salad, and rice.