In Bradley Beach, a Staple for Japanese Cuisine

STYLE

Quiet, cozy hole-in-the-wall specializing in traditional Japanese cuisine. A sizeable, wood-paneled sushi bar elevates the modest decor, and a faded mural of an underwater scene adds offbeat charm.

THE SCOOP

Centrally located across from the train station and a few blocks from the beach, family-owned Osaka has been open 20 years.

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THE MENU

Sushi options abound, from the familiar (California rolls, spicy tuna rolls, etc.) to the unconventional. We opted for the latter with the Spicy Girl roll. Filled with spicy tuna, salmon and avocado, this not-so-little lady is tempura-fried whole, deliciously bridging the gap between carnival fare and Japanese cuisine. In addition to sushi, Osaka offers cooked dishes, such as teriyaki plates and yaki udon, a stir fry made with udon noodles. Our selection, chicken katsu, featured an ample portion of breaded cutlets fried to crisp perfection. 

HEADS UP

Take advantage of Osaka’s BYO policy and one-block proximity to the Bradley Brew Project microbrewery. (BBP’s Unicorn Girls house pale ale plays well with most any meal.) For dessert, consider stopping in next door at Del Ponte’s Italian bakery, another Bradley Beach mainstay, where you can pair a cup of hot coffee with more than 40 kinds of biscotti.