the notable NAKAMURA-ya
Japan is the land of 'gyoretsu' (lining up). It's not like at home where people line up to get into a favourite nightclub, for tickets to a sure-to-sell-out concert, or even for an end-of-year clearance sale at a big department store (think the Boxing Day Christmas sales of cards, wrapping paper and bon bons filled with those fabulous-for-fotos tissue paper hats, a joke, and a plastic toy).
Japanese people seem so used to the culture of lining up; we see it daily at the train station in the expected 'niretsu' (two lines) on the platform. Foreign friends who visit Osaka always take photos of the Japanese lined up in various locations of calm organization; something I have of course grown used to by now (and particularly grateful).
Restaurants of popularity always have seats outside for their waiting customers, and the establishments aware even the colder months won't keep people away, have heaters, blankets and ashtrays. The waiting seems to weave into the story of the event itself; the anticipation of amazing things to come. You can see the joy in people's faces when they get close to the head of the queue, and even the look of complete acceptance when they see couples and couples ahead of them.
Line ups in Japan seem to guarantee somehow that the place is worth it.
I wonder for what, and for how long you are all willing to wait?
I waited 30 minutes the other night at Hana Kujira because I just had to have some Oden despite the bad timing of when I went. Shin Sekai (New World) near Tsutenkaku Tower always has wonderful line ups at the most famous places for 'kushikatsu' on the weekend; it is expected, and people wait.
The 70 yen 'croquette' served at Nakamura-ya in Tenma are worth it. Wait if you have to.
Eaten immediately, or served later on fresh bread, they melt away in your mouth. The Japanese gourmet website Tabe-log is full of comments by everyday people who rate and write about their experiences at different places about town. My favourite comment for the Nakamura-ya korokke are 'amakute hoku hoku' (sweet and steamy hot), and the very desirable 'The Korokke King'.
Nakamura-ya is open 9:00 – 18:30 Monday through Saturday.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Practice your katakana voice with the easy to read menu.
Nakamura-ya is located in Tenjin bashi suji Shotengai, which is the longest covered shopping arcade in Japan. There are so many fun and truly Osaka humming places within this arcade.
The very busy Osaka Tenmangu Shrine (Tenjin-san) is located just nearby,
as is the interesting Tenman Tenjin Hanjotei which has various Rakugo and Kyogen performances.
(Or perhaps just for a silly photo dressed as a kimono-clad warrior posed through a head hole display?)
HOW to get there:
If you are going by train, get off at Minami Morimachi station
(Tanimachi and Sakaisuji Lines)
or
Osaka Tenmangu station (on the JR Tozai Line) through EXIT 3.
You will come up the never ending stairs to the busy Sonezaki street. Turn left, and left again into the Tenjin Bashi 2 shotengai (shopping arcade). The croquette shop is just there all mini and unassuming on the right hand side; perhaps with a line up depending on the time of day. Naturally lunchtime is especially busy. Try to avoid THIS if you can.
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