[Osaka, Japan] From Takoyaki (octopus balls) to the loaded Okonomiyaki (Japanese ‘pizza’), Creo-Ru くれおーる is among the most well-known places to indulge in the classic comfort street foods of Osaka.
Situated in the heart of Dotonbori, the restaurant has been a favourite among locals.
It is traveller-friendly, known for its no-fuss ambience, welcoming service, and tasty offerings.
Creo-Ru is an institution that has developed over time into a chain of restaurants and fast-food stalls across Osaka and Tokyo.
Dotonbori is particularly famous for being a culinary hotspot.
It is mainly why Osaka is known as the “kitchen of Japan”.
Although its Dotonbori branch lies amidst a plethora of eateries, it continues to be famous for plating some of the best street food around the area.
The restaurant’s interior blended a cacophony of muted colours, smoke, smells, staff, and kitchen movement that took me a moment to register.
There is plenty of space, and the restaurant can accommodate up to 70 guests.
The second floor is more suitable for those wanting to eat Skewers or Takoyaki.
Meanwhile, the basement where we sat is apt for Okonomiyaki and Teppan preparations.
We were greeted with a smile at the cash counter and led to the table in the back, past the sizzling Okonomiyaki being prepared in an open kitchen.
Beware, the smell of Okonomiyaki being prepared was quite enticing.
The highlight of the menu at Creo-Ru is their Okonomiyaki (from 850 Yen) – a savoury pancake loaded with ingredients of your choice.
“Pkonomiyaki” literally means “grilled as you like it.
Various regions of Japan have different ways to prepare this much-loved food. The Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki is when ingredients are layered one over another.
However, the Osaka-style Okonomiyaki served at Creo-Ru includes mixing most ingredients, such as cabbage and seafood, into the batter and then cooking it.
Another interesting aspect of eating Okonomiyaki is that the chef makes the dish on your table in some restaurants. While that would have been an exciting experience, it came prepared from the kitchen at Creo-Ru.
During the entire meal, the staff managed the temperature of the teppan plate on our table, adjusting it to a high or low depending on the food.
The Kushikatsu or skewers were a lovely snack to start the meal with.
Crunchy on the outside with an even golden-brown colour and a soft centre, the dish set the mood for the rest of the lunch.
The Octopus Okonomiyaki (from 850 Yen), topped with bountiful bonito flakes, took a while to arrive. Do be patient.
We went with the classic version, but you can always add more ingredients, such as pork, shrimp, squid, egg, scallops, beef tendon, and kimchi.
The Japanese pancake was soft yet firm enough to keep its form intact.
Surprisingly, the generous drizzle of special okonomiyaki sauce and mayonnaise didn’t overpower the savouriness of the dish.
The quantity of chopped-up and grilled octopus tentacles was also sufficient in the mix.
The octopus was firm, and had a pleasantly contrasting texture compared to the softness of the base.
As for the Takoyaki (480 Yen onwards for 6 pieces), these ball-shaped, batter-cooked delicacies were filled with diced octopus.
Their Takoyaki made from a blend of 7 types of powders, looked larger-than-average.
They are garnished with takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, green laver (aonori), and dried bonito (katsuobushi) flakes, creating a mix of flavors and textures that are both savoury and slightly sweet.
Soft, chewy, and tasty, you can also find other versions such as Egg Takoyaki and Radish Takoyaki.
The Vegetarian Yakisoba (from 780 Yen) was placed directly on the teppan plate – you can stick to the basics, or add more items to the noodles.
The noodles had a nice chewiness to them without being too sticky. I particularly liked how bouncy they were in texture.
The flavours in every bite ranged from mildly sweet to salty but remained predominantly savoury.
Interestingly, there is a minor alteration in the taste as the noodles continue to cook on the table, with later bites hinting at a slight char.
Evenings are busy at Creo-Ru, with usually a line of people waiting outside for Kushikatsu or Takoyaki from one of the stalls.
However, even when you take their street food, you can still sit inside and eat, provided they have free space available.
Creo-Ru, Dotonbori, Osaka 本場大阪のたこ焼き くれおーる 道頓堀本店
Address: 1-6-4 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Opening Hours: 11am – 12pm, Last orders 11:15pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Creo-Ru
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* Written by DFD’s correspondent @tickereatstheworld. Raghav is a travel and food writer who enjoys the thrill of discovering new places and writing about them. When he is not working, he can be found driving around his two kids from one birthday party to another.
