Restaurante Etxola: Authentic Spanish Restaurant in Osaka

"Etxola" means shack or hut in Basque language but in this case we want to talk about a spanish restaurant located in Honmachi area, Osaka, Japan. Restaurant Etxola (エチョラ) is quite unconventional in Japan since they focus on Basque cuisine (a regional type of cuisine from the north of Spain).

Outside of Restaurante Etxola in Osaka

The chef of Etxola (who was trained at the Alameda restaurant in Hondarribia, Spain) is proud to say that they do not offer Paella in the menu. Instead, at Etxola you can find more unconventional types of dishes such as meat and fish grilled over hot charcoal, lamb stews, cod or txakoli (the typical Basque sparkling wine).

Kitchen of Restaurante Etxola, Osaka

During lunch time, three set menus at 1,000¥, 2,500¥ and 4,800¥ are offered. During dinner, the only possibility is to order à la carte. Regarding drinks, they have a nice cellar with many references from Spanish wineries as well as Spanish beers difficult to find in Japan (Cruzcampo and Estrella Galicia).

On this occasion, we opted for the 2,500¥ lunch menu which consists of an appetizer, first course, second course (meat or fish), rice, dessert, bread and coffee or tea. Note that quantities in Japan are normally smaller than in western countries but we felt ok with this menu. Probably the 1,000¥ menu might not be enough for some people.

Finally, just comment that in the end of 2014 they opened another branch called Gastroteka Bimendi just in front of Etxola. Gastroteka Bimendi is a more casual restaurant than Etxola and they focus on tapas and pintxos. Definitely a good option to try real spanish food in the heart of Osaka.

Etxola (エチョラ):

• Address: Utsubohonmachi, 1 Chome−4−2    Nishi-Ku, Osaka, Japan
• Tel: 06-6136-3824
• Opening time: 11:30 ～ 14:00　／　17:30 ～ 24:00
• Website: http://www.etxola.com/