If you’re looking for authentic Chinese cuisine in central Osaka, Chugoku Shokudo 261 in the Tanimachi neighbourhood is an iron-clad choice. Set meals are available around ¥2,000 during lunch hours, centred on organic vegetables, meat and fish. Twelve options were available on the day of our most recent visit, including stir-fried shrimp and squid with sauteed summer vegetables, sea bream tempura with a sweet vinegar sauce, and pork stew with bitter melon and spicy stir-fried summer vegetables. There are also a few dishes of which only one serving per day is available, such as Sichuan-style sea bream and a spicy eggplant stew.
You can upgrade your meal with a number of different side dishes – think marinated anchovies, steamed seafood gyoza, steamed eggplant with a vegetable sauce, homemade pickles or sweet potato with sesame.
Note that the restaurant is only open from Friday to Sunday, and reservations are essential for both lunch and dinner.