The Place Not a new entrant into the Japanese food scene in Singapore, Osaka Ohsho opened its first branch in Raffles City in early 2013. The branch at Westgate is Osaka Onsho’s third branch in Singapore, with their second branch at Bukit Panjang Plaza. Set as a casual dining Japanese restaurant, it is affiliated to the original restaurant of the same name based off in Osaka – most famous for its gyoza. Having established itself since the 1960s, Osaka Onsho has been popular back home and have expanded its presence overseas including neighbouring countries Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand.
The franchisee behind Osaka Ohsho is the same company behind the popular Menya Musashi, the mass market Ajisen Ramen and various other Japanese restaurants including Kazokutei, Manzo Butao, Fruit Paradise etc – Japan Food Holdings.

The Food With the labour crunch in Singapore, more restaurants are now adopting e-platforms to replace traditional waiter service. e-Menu ain’t new, nor is e-Ordering, what’s sad though is how the human touch of each restaurant has now been lost to the cold feeling of touch-screen technologies. Fyi, tRP took awhile to grab the attention of the service staff, before having some of our questions answered – in a hurry.

Don’t visit Osaka Onsho without giving Chicken Tenshin Han Set (S$13.90) a try. Picture it as Fried Rice wrapped with Steamed Egg, topped with thick chicken soup stock. Truly a comfort food, at its best.
Peeling it open, revealing the chicken fried rice under the steamed egg. Slurps!

A rather bland option, the Mix Fry Toji Set (15.90) didn’t impress tRP. Seemed a little insincere, it is best to avoid other similar options on the menu.

We have to give this dish a try in the Gyoza-specialist restaurant – the very item that made Osaka Onsho famous in the 70s and 80s across Japan. While I wouldn’t give it a raving review, the Gyoza was pan-fried reasonably well. Do dip the Gyoza into the restaurant’s own vinegar sauce!
Rants tRP has yet to visit the original chain in Japan, but the Osaka Onsho restaurants in Singapore reminds us of the typical mass-market Japanese-themed eateries. Safe to add, most of the restaurants under JFH (picture Ajisen and Menya) has the same vibe.

Will I return again? For comfort food options, this would definitely be on our list. Then again, the unemotional setting of the restaurant may just turn tRP away again.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 3.5/5
Hole in the pocket: 3/5
Ambience: 2.5/5
Overall Experience: 3.5/5

Osaka Ohsho
3 Gateway Drive
#03-09/10 Westgate
Tel : +65 6465 9383

Opens Daily
1130am to 10pm