The urban fabric of Japan‘s biggest cities comprises of labyrinthine downtown areas, and Osaka is no exception. Tucked away in an inconspicuous alleyway just off Midosuji Dori, one the city centre’s main thoroughfares, a members-only gyoza eatery has opened that pulls all the hipsters to its doorstep. Aptly called Gyoza Nisui, it’s situated at the far end of the alley, occupying a compact yet lofty ground floor space of a modest 1950s structure. The design, created by Kyoto-based architecture practice koyori, sees the lower part of the façade smoothly plastered with concrete and adorned by a repurposed wooden beam with carefully sourced figurines attached. It’s the latter element which subtly signals what’s to be found inside. Once stepping inside, while ducking one’s head, an intimate tavern unfolds that’s totally detached from the outside world. An elongated counter divides the space in two and it’s decorated with washi motifs from the Edo period in such a way, it has gained a leather-like quality. The walls and ceiling are covered in a grid of thousands of handcrafted Kurotani washi sheets which add up to Gyoza Nisui‘s quirky rustic atmosphere. Additional furnishings include a number of carefully selected antique artworks, and light fixtures are are also wrapped in washi sheets to provide soft lighting that matches the atmosphere. Gyoza Nisui serves a seasonal menu of gyoza bowls, in addition to a rotation of selected delicacies from the Kansai region and beyond.
Gyoza Nisui
3-4-9 Bakuromachi (Minami Senba)
Osaka 541-0059
Telephone: +81 6 62412215
Mon-Sat 6pm-10pm
Publishers Note
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