Osaka Minami is a treasure trove of B-grade gourmet foods such as flour-based foods, yakiniku, kushikatsu, etc. But even in this fierce gourmet battleground, did you know that there is a somewhat unusual restaurant where you can experience the “real deliciousness of fire”?
The restaurant’s name is “Sumika Usuyamazara.”
Here, you can enjoy authentic charcoal-grilled cuisine, where ingredients are prepared using a method called “primitive grilling,” which is hard to find these days.
First of all, what is “primitive grilling”?
“Primitive grilling” is an old-fashioned cooking technique that uses the flames of a charcoal fire and the heat of far-infrared rays to slowly grill the ingredients in an “upright” position. Unlike modern grills and frying pans, it is characterized by the fact that the ingredients are not directly exposed to the flames, but are instead wrapped in the heat of the charcoal.
The biggest advantage of this cooking method is that it cooks perfectly, making the outside crispy and the inside fluffy. Excess fat drips off and the flavor is tightly locked inside. Both fish and meat end up with a deep flavor that sets them apart from simple grilled food.
It looks spectacular, and the lively atmosphere of sitting around a bonfire is something you can only get at “primitive grilling.”
It’s truly an experience of “eating fire.”
What kind of restaurant is “Suminoka Usuyamasara”?
Although Sumiko Usuyamasara is a relatively new restaurant that opened in 2025, it has already become a hot topic as a hidden gem in Minami.
The interior of the restaurant is a modern Japanese space, and the realistic sensation of being able to watch the primitive grilling process from across the counter is also appealing.
Each and every dish is carefully prepared, and the chef’s cooking techniques, which he calls “charcoal magicians,” bring out the maximum potential of the ingredients, from seafood and local chicken to seasonal vegetables.
The owner is a craftsman with a background in Japanese cuisine, and he works carefully every day with the concept of “bringing out the life of ingredients through fire.”
This new restaurant is attracting attention from tourists and gourmet locals alike.
Let’s try it! Experience the essence of primitive grilling
The outside is grilled to a golden brown, but the inside is surprisingly moist. The more you chew, the more delicious the taste hits you… this is an experience that can only be had with primitive grilling, and not with yakitori.
The menu is well-organized so that even first-timers can enjoy themselves with ease.
The drinks are carefully selected, with a focus on Japanese sake, and go perfectly with the pottery.
Highly rated on social media and through word of mouth
The place seems to have received good reviews, with comments such as “The aroma is what catches your eye,” “I get excited seeing the grilling method I’ve never seen before,” and “It was the right decision to come here as a tourist.”
Video-worthy cooking scenes of primitive grilling have become a hot topic on social media, and the show is rapidly gaining popularity as “charcoal grill entertainment.”
Store Information
The location is great, so it’s a great restaurant no matter how many stops you visit on your Osaka sightseeing and food tour!
- Name of the store: Sumika Usuyamazara
- Address: 2nd floor, Oriental Higashi-Shinsaibashi Building, 1-4-1 Higashi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka
- Business hours: 17:00-23:30
- Closed: Sunday
- Access: 1 minute walk from Osaka Metro “Nagahoribashi”
Come experience the deliciousness of fire
Primitive cooking methods are revived in the heart of Osaka Minami. “Sumitomo Usuyamasara” is a restaurant where you can experience this romance with all five senses.
Come experience this primitive grilling experience full of wild flavor!
If you’re looking for a special experience on a night out sightseeing, or if you’re a foodie who wants to discover the appeal of charcoal fire,
be sure to try this “fire feast” that can only be enjoyed here.
