50 Restaurants, 1 Street, and Osaka’s Must-Try Shumai – All Just Steps from the Hotel!

Just a 2-minute walk from THE LIVELY OSAKA HONMACHI, you’ll find a hidden gem of a food street on the 2nd basement floor of the Semba Center Building (Buildings 2 and 3). It’s packed with a variety of restaurants—from long-established Osaka favorites to trendy local spots—so you’ll never run out of options!

Whether you’re in the mood for a casual lunch, a relaxing café break, or dinner at an izakaya, there’s something here for every craving.

This time, we’re shining the spotlight on a local favorite: the melt-in-your-mouth shumai from “Ippoutei,” an Osaka classic that’s not to be missed.

Founded in 1933, Ippoutei is a well established Chinese restaurant; its main location being in Namba.

But did you know that they also have a branch right here in Sakaisuji-Hommachi? We had the chance to visit this popular spot!

It’s always bustling with customers, but thanks to the fast turnover, we were seated right away.

They offer an extensive menu, making it difficult to choose! Do you focus on their signature shumai, or try some of the other tempting Chinese dishes?

This time, we went with the Shumai Set Meal to fully enjoy their famous dumplings.

Why do Ippoutei’s shumai appear yellow？

When you think of shumai, you probably picture the usual white wrappers made from wheat flour. But at Ippoutei, each dumpling is carefully wrapped by hand in a thin egg crepe.

This unique style began after World War II, when wheat flour was hard to come by, and thinly cooked eggs were used as a substitute. That tradition continues to this day.

The filling is simple yet flavourful; a blend of minced pork, shrimp, and finely chopped onions, seasoned with salt, pepper, and soy sauce, then bound together with potato starch. The result is light, fluffy, and naturally sweet.

You can enjoy them however you like! Whether that be sprinkled with a bit of salt or dipped in vinegar soy sauce.

The set meal also comes with soup, which was full of rich umami flavor and absolutely delicious.

At Ippoutei, it’s not just the shumai that they are known for. Their spring rolls, also wrapped in delicate egg crepes, are a big hit as well!

If you’re staying at THE LIVELY OSAKA HONMACHI, why not take the opportunity to try the soft, juicy shumai from this beloved Osaka institution?

■Shop Information

• Shop Name： 一芳亭 船場店　(Ippoutei Semba Branch)
• Phone Number: 06-6263-1146
• Operating Hours:
  • 11：00～15：00（Break 15：00～17：00）
  • 17：00～21：00（Last Order 20：30）
  • * Saturday：Open until 15:00 only
• Closed:  Sunday・Holidays