Taian Osaka was on my list to try. Osaka has one of the largest list of Michelin starred restaurants. Japan as a country has the most in the world.
Taian Osaka is run by Chef Hitoshi Takahata and it’s one of Osaka’s Michelin rated restaurants. After a few restaurants in Japan, I finally knew why Japan holds the most Michelin stars in the world. The food in Japan is the best I’ve tasted in my life. Trust me. It takes top position on my top 3 with Barcelona and Lima.
Taian Osaka doesn’t allow pictures of patrons or the restaurant. However, you’re allowed to take pictures of the food, which is a fine compromise with me. It’s a couple of steps from the Nagahoribashi station and a couple of blocks from Dotonbori. Taian Osaka was pretty easy to find if you have a sense of directions and Google Maps. I made reservations through my Tokyo hotel since I knew I was going to be in Osaka that day. It’s one of the few restaurants in Osaka with 3 Michelin Stars and another one to add to my growing restaurant list.
There are 8 courses and it’s traditional Kaiseki with a twist for a lack of a better description. It includes a grilled dish, which was very different from the other 3 Michelin star spots I’ve had. Chef Hitoshi Takahata’s specialty is grilled meats, which he grills in the restaurant.
Taian Osaka serves two tasting menus you could choose from and the only difference is the quality of the ingredients. I went with the higher quality of ingredients. The thing with Japanese food is the innocent taste of the food; the dishes taste fresh, clean and not processed. I didn’t leave bloated or overly full after my meal. It was just enough to have me wanting more. I’m not going to touch on all of the dishes but only my favorites:
- Uni, Tofu and Sesame Sauce – It was tofu puree laced with some sesame sauce and topped with uni. The ingredients blended very well. It was very smooth, velvety and rich in flavor. The textures of the ingredients were fabulous.
Uni, Tofu and Sesame Sauce - Salmon Rice, Beets, Japanese Pickles and Miso Soup – This dish was simple in presentation and ingredients, but it was absolutely amazing. It’s one of the best rice I’ve tasted in my life. The small grain rice was extremely fluffy and evaporated in your mouth. It was so fluffy that I didn’t need to chew. The bits of salmon was a great complement to the rice and added a little saltiness to the rice.
Salmon Rice, Beets, Japanese Pickles and Miso Soup - Kyoto Wagyu Beef – Japan has the best beef in the world. There’s nothing in this world that compares to authentic A5 Japanese Wagyu or Kobe Beef. I sat there watching Chef Takahata cut my serving and slowly cook it over the grill to a perfect medium rare. Mild flavor, rich and buttery perfection.
Kyoto Wagyu Beef
Overall, Taian Osaka was a wonderful experience and I absolutely fell in love with Japan’s food culture. Chef Takahata was extremely down-to-earth. He was kind enough to take a picture with me then walked me out. I realized the Japanese take their profession very seriously and the level of detail in preparation is obsessive like an ambitious person.
Check out our other Osaka articles here.
- Service - 7.5/107.5/10
- Presentation - 7/107/10
- Flavors - 7/107/10
- Decor - 6.5/106.5/10
- Ambiance - 6.5/106.5/10
Summary
Taian is one of the 3 Michelin stars restaurant in Osaka. Chef Hitoshi Takahata specializes in grilled meats and he mixes it up with Kaiseki. It’s a great option for an authentic Japanese fine dining experience in Osaka.
