你好 ニイハオ
(Nihao)
■Osaka / Korean-Chinese Cuisine / Price per Person: ¥1,000-¥1,500
※Prices are based on my visit and may vary by location or time.
To be honest, I usually avoid restaurants with a run-down appearance.
But Nihao, a Korean-Chinese spot I’m introducing today, is one of those rare places that locals in Osaka visit purely through word of mouth—for one simple reason: the food is genuinely delicious.
I first visited out of curiosity after a Japanese friend recommended it, and to my surprise, it was so good that I now go back regularly. Even in Korea, I rarely found Korean-Chinese food this satisfying, but Nihao truly stands out.
From what I’ve seen, this place doesn’t rely on online marketing or social media promotions. It’s a place that lets the food speak for itself, and that made me trust it even more.
Nihao, a Korean-Chinese restaurant, is located about a 5-minute walk from Nipponbashi Station—an area known as a pop culture hub in Osaka. It’s tucked away in a narrow back alley, and since the storefront is small, first-time visitors might find it a bit tricky to spot.
The restaurant is open for lunch from 12:00 to 15:00 and for dinner from 17:00 to 21:00.
I arrived right at 17:00, and it was already full.
Here is the menu of Nihao. Both Korean and Japanese are written, which gives a very friendly impression for Korean customers.
During my recent visit, I noticed that some menu prices had slightly increased, but considering Osaka’s overall cost of living, I still found it very affordable for dining out.
The menu is also quite varied, making it easy for solo diners to enjoy, while groups can have fun sharing different dishes.
Whenever I visit, the majority of the customers inside are usually Korean, and while waiting in line outside, I was once asked by a Japanese person, “Is this place really good?” That made me realize that the restaurant is also quite well-known among Japanese people through word of mouth.
The staff mostly speak to each other in Chinese, so at first I even wondered if it was a Chinese restaurant.
However, when customers appear to be Japanese, they naturally switch to Japanese, and I’ve also seen them greet Korean visitors in Korean several times.
This flexible use of language left a strong impression on me, and since Korean menus are also available, it feels very comfortable for Korean guests.
Thanks to this, the restaurant creates a welcoming atmosphere where people of different nationalities can visit without hesitation.
Unforgettable Jajangmyeon at Nihao — You’ll Crave It Again
●짜장면 (Jajangmyeon)
Nihao’s jajangmyeon is filled with generously sized pieces of onion, meat, and potato, giving it great texture. But what really stands out is the black bean sauce(chunjang)—it’s absolutely delicious.
Honestly, it was one of the best jajangmyeon dishes I’ve ever had in my life.
●간짜장 (Ganjjajang)
Ganjjajang is served with the noodles and sauce separately. The sauce is stir-fried over high heat, creating a deeper, richer flavor.
In Korea, it’s often considered a more premium version of jajangmyeon—something only those who truly know the taste tend to order. Since you mix the sauce in yourself, it feels lighter and less greasy.
●탕수육 (Tangsuyuk)
Tangsuyuk comes with the crispy fried pork and sweet-and-sour sauce served separately.
In Korea, people are famously divided between two camps: those who pour the sauce over the meat, and those who dip it.
At Nihao, the batter is thin and crisp, and the meat itself is flavorful—delicious no matter how you eat it.
■Nihao
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