JPN: Kameya (かめや)

Time for okonomiyaki with three main ingredients!

From Kyoto, let's move to Nara. On my day trip there, I went to Todaiji Temple to see the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana. I also took a stroll at Nara Park, not forgetting to buy some shika senbei (lit. deer crackers) to feed the cute and adorable creatures roaming freely around the park. Before saying goodbye to the city, I had lunch at an eatery along one of the main roads to the park.

Okonomiyaki (Japanese savoury pancake) is but one of the specialties of the eatery. Can you guess what was inside the pancake that I order?

Mochi, Cheese and Squid Okonomiyaki ¥800 (~S$10.10)

Taste: 8.5/10

The combination of chewy mochi (Japanese rice cake), savoury cheese and gummy squid was pretty much enjoyable, although it'd be great if they could add more cheese. The pancake itself was pretty smooth and it gave out a nice smoky aroma. I added katsuobushi (Japanese dried bonito flakes) available in a small jar on each table for added taste. Pika's advice: You can choose between squid and pork for this particular okonomiyaki!

Pork Yakisoba ¥630 (~S$8.00)

Taste: 8.5/10

I also gave the noodle made of buckwheat flour a try. It was cooked with adequate Worcestershire sauce that gave it a nice sweet and sour balance. If the pork slices were juicier, it'd be superb. The overall colour was made more vibrant by the addition of red ginger bits on top of the noodle.

Melon's Rating

Taste: 8.5/10

Ambience: 6.5/10
Service: 8/10
Overall: 7.5/10

Apparently, the giant Buddha statue has inspired the eatery to create a dish called Daibutsu Yaki, a relatively big-sized pancake for sharing, priced at ¥1,500 (~S$19.00). Check out these two videos of a boy trying to flip the pancake and write the traditional characters (大佛 instead of 大仏) out with mayonnaise respectively!

Kameya

(かめや)

9 Tarui Cho

Nara

Japan

(Daily: 11.00am - 10.00pm)

*Prices quoted are nett prices.

Have a nice meal,

Cliff(y)