Like us, you might at first assume Osaka to be an amusing but not-too-serious addition to the increasingly popular Heleni Hamallka pedestrian mall in downtown Jerusalem. The riot of color decorating the walls in a Japanese subway-theme, the modern lighting, the hip music is all fun?but what about the food? Upon closer look, and surely after the first taste, you realize that this is seriously good food served up in a light and accessible venue. A joy.
Osaka?s chief creator, chef Anat Mualem, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, has created a wide-ranging menu that accomodates a bustling lunch trade and evening meals, and does it with a nod to Japanese and other Asian cuisine. Osaka goes the distance to include items and nuances not always seen in the rapidly widening sushi market. What is Seaweed salad? Entrees named ?Out of Control? and ?Chaos?? Was that mango in the sushi? And could the prices be this reasonable?
A sampling of the appetizers immediately sets the stage for a fun and delicious meal. Some of our favorites: the warm edamame, perfectly cooked, salted and addictive; the satisfying panko crumb-covered cauliflower covered with savory sauce, sauted to perfection. Even the coleslaw that is complimentary with every order was perfectly seasoned with scallions and seame oil.
The sushi offerings are not only delicious and reasonably priced but offer unusual combinations, such as Osaka?s signature ?Maki Tempura? - salmon and cucumber wrapped in a tempura shell, crunchy spicy tuna and sushi ?sandwiches?. Other entrees include sparkling noodle and vegetable stir-frys of Japanese and Thai influence, with the choice of chicken, beef or tofu for protein. Asian influenced salads beckon.The menu is friendly, clear and inevitably makes you want to sample everything.
Lunchtime options include the generous Business Lunch offering a Sushi Combination and drink, or a chicken /beef meal, with soup,noodles and a drink. And for deliveries?the option of the classic Bento box, a kind of TV dinner style meal of chicken, beef, fish or vegetable dish, rice and egg roll. Once upon a time, we stared wistfully at these while their non-kosher counterparts were delivered all over Manhattan! Now we can have our own.
The dcor, the wide range of background music and the quiet riot of color, sensation and taste combine to make Osaka not only a ?taste ?good? but ?feel-good? restaurant. A week after we visited the restaurant for this write up, we made our way back there, as ?civilians?, and had just as good a time exploring the menu. You will too.
Please note: This restaurant has no relation to Osaka Sushi on Rechov Agrippas in Jerusalem.
Appetizers 17-21 shekels; Noodles and Rice Dishes 39-47;Sushi Combinations 32 and up; Business Lunches 32-51; Bento Boxes 33-37.
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