Kobe, Hyogo, Japan｜Arima 18-ban

Great food but be prepared to queue as they have very few sweets. They open at 11am and we started queuing about 5-10 minutes before.

Arima is famous for it's onsen, it's senbei (cracker-like disks), and for it's octopus cuisine. If you like takoyaki (octopus balls), you should try the Akashiyaki at this restaurant. Akashiyaki is takoyaki served with dashi soup that you dip the takoyaki in before eating. The takoyaki is super tender, so it may be a little bit difficult to eat if you're not good at using chopsticks. I especially liked the deep fried octopus we ordered on the side. It had really good flavour and texture. It's popular, so you may have to wait in line a while in order to eat here, but it's worth the wait.

I'll be honest. The main reason I came to Arima onsen was to re eat this akayashiyaki dish. The first time I ate it , it was good. It's complex and mixes well with local liquor. Second time. Astounding! 1 year later.... today as I write this review. I have tried so many akayashiyaki places in Osaka. Even made a video of an old master. Nothing outside compares to this shop. A young couple running this joint. Yes they accept credit cards too. The fried tofu in the picture. It's silken tofu. Not the rubber variety... it's the melt in you mouth tofu... it's so good and complex it's insane. The reason for the 3rd try? Last two times I came here I was hungry ... maybe that made it tasty. But no... this shop is artisian quality. I have to wonder if the michelion judges have come here... Because this beats other two star restaurants I've visited.