In August 2025, around 7 PM on a weekday, I visited the "Harijō Dotonbori Branch" located about 2-3 minutes walk from Namba Station. This building exudes a sense of history, and it was used as a dining spot by my colleagues during our meal.
After providing the reservation information, I was led to a spacious private room on the second floor. It was really helpful that I could enjoy my meal in a comfortable environment.
First, let's toast with "Kirin Lager" (large bottle, 880 yen). It has a pleasant bitterness and a throaty taste that perfectly complements the atmosphere of this traditional brewery. A nostalgic flavor indeed.
We ordered the "Ginkgo" shabushabu course (8,800 yen).
Seasonal Appetizer: A rich and beautiful combination of tilapia and shrimp. It’s a gentle-scented Japanese dish that was enjoyed slowly with beer. It would have been even better if there had been descriptions of each dish.
Shabushabu: This dish features red beef, Chinese cabbage, watercress, shiitake mushrooms, asparagus, tofu, and mallow as ingredients. It is served with ponzu sauce and sesame sauce. To make the ponzu sauce, plenty of radish purée and sliced green onions are added, making it a refreshing and enjoyable dish.
Beef: It was cut to a slightly thicker thickness, making it very satisfying to eat. When eaten with sesame sauce and vegetables, it has a pleasant sweet and fragrant taste. The lack of a strong flavor made it even more enjoyable.
Tare: The ponzu was refreshing, while the sesame dashi had a delicious sour taste that added to its elegant flavor.
During the meal, I switched the drink to "Shirayuki Shinkou" (hot sake 880 yen) and paired it with shabushabu. The spicy Japanese sake combined with the hot sake really enhanced the flavor of the shabushabu, making a great combination. The rice and the condiments can be served at any time that suits you. After enjoying the beef's rich flavor together with the rice, I felt quite satisfied.
Despite its location in the Nambu district, the restaurant boasts a historic and elegant interior. The main attraction is that you can enjoy meals without worrying about your surroundings. I found it ideal for gatherings or special dining occasions.
As a regrettable point, although the quality of the beef is not bad, I expected a slightly higher level from the image of a traditional restaurant.
However, "Harijō" is a restaurant with a calm atmosphere where you can dine without worrying about privacy. It's definitely a place I would like to visit again.
