Nice, fast, friendly, and tasty! Bring a translator app to read the menu if you're not confident in your Japanese.

Visited on a Sunday around 11:30 AM and got in without waiting. I ordered the curry udon and small egg bowl (tamagodon) set for 1,300 yen. It was served right away, piping hot. The udon noodles aren't the chewy type; they are rather thin and soft, catching the curry broth really well. The fried tofu and green onions do a wonderful job adding accents to the texture and flavor. Indisputably delicious. And what surprised me even more was the tamagodon. What is this, it's insanely delicious! The eggs were soft and runny with a rich aroma of dashi broth... Next time, I'd love to try their other rice bowls without the curry udon. The staff's customer service was also pleasant; they paid close attention to the guests, and their thoughtfulness was much appreciated. The atmosphere of the restaurant is calm and quiet, which is very nice. There seems to be parking for a few cars right next to the shop. I was lucky enough to get in without waiting, but more and more customers kept coming in afterward, so it looks like a popular spot. Given the taste, it makes total sense. It's a place that makes you definitely want to visit again. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

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Sakai, Kumano Kaido | Drawn in by the aroma of dashi. Savoring two blissful udon dishes at the historic "Matsushimaya" Visited "Matsushimaya", a shop preserving its unchanging flavors along the atmospheric Kumano Kaido road in Sakai. Step through the noren curtain, and you are welcomed into a cozy space that retains the warmth of the Showa era. This time, I thoroughly savored their "Kitsune Udon", which embodies the very essence of the shop, and their consistently popular "Curry Udon". ■ Highlight Points this Time ✅ ✅ The golden ratio of dashi and sweetness! "Kitsune Udon" The moment it's served, the gentle aroma of dried fish flakes wafts from the dashi broth, which has a clean, clear, and comforting taste without any off-flavors. Resting on top is a large piece of fried tofu ("o-age") that has soaked up plenty of broth. With one bite, the juicy sweetness bursting from the tofu melds with the savory saltiness of the dashi, striking a magnificent harmony. The combination of slightly soft yet chewy udon noodles and this dashi achieves a level of perfection that can truly be called the soul food of Sakai. ✅ Addictive from the first bite! "Curry Udon" When visiting Matsushimaya, you can't miss this curry udon. With the savory umami of dashi as its base, the thick soup, perfectly balanced with aromatic spices, clings firmly to every single strand of noodle. It’s not overly spicy, yet carries a deep flavor that gradually warms your body as you eat. The umami from the ingredients melts right in, making it a highly addictive bowl that makes you want to drink up every last drop. ✅ The reassurance and meticulous craftsmanship of a long-established shop What both udon bowls share is the craftsman's dedication to treating every ingredient with care. There's no flashiness here, but each bowl is made with genuine sincerity, making you truly feel "Ah, this is so good" with every bite. From the temperature of the broth to the doneness of the noodles, the reason this place has been loved for so many years comes through in a single mouthful. ✅ A tranquil time blending into Kumano Kaido Inside the shop, time flows leisurely, letting you forget the bustle of the highway. Combined with the warm hospitality of the staff, it wraps you in a comforting sense of returning to your hometown home. Slurping delicious udon while pondering the history of Sakai... it was such a luxurious lunchtime. "Soothed by the depth of dashi, invigorated by the kick of spices. An unchanging bliss found along the historic highway." Two dishes offering a touch of nostalgia alongside an inimitable depth. A wonderful meal that warms you to the core, both in heart and stomach. Thank you for the traditional taste that bridges eras. It was a feast!

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Curry udon from a dashi specialty shop with over 70 years of history! Their homemade soy milk pudding is also exquisite😋 I share lots of gourmet recommendations around Sakai and South Osaka on Instagram under the name Food Mom! I hope this helps your food search😋 －－－－－－－－－－－－－－－ 【Review】 Matsushimaya, a place I had been curious about! A long-running dashi specialist in Sakai spanning three generations. I visited for a weekday lunch during my work break! Thinking there was no parking, I parked at a coin parking lot, but only found out after arriving that there are 4 parking spots right next to the restaurant. Even though I often pass by from the Daisen Park side, I had never noticed the parking. I saw another customer asking about parking as well, so I hope this post helps a bit✨ Visiting a bit early on a weekday meant getting in without waiting. The interior has table seating only with a calm Japanese decor. It was renovated last year, so it's very clean and neat. There are no tatami seating or counter seats, making it a compact space ideal for those who want to relax in small groups. Since it's a historic dashi shop, I was torn between Kitsune Udon or Tamagotoji to taste the dashi directly, but having heard that Matsushimaya's signature dish is Curry Udon, I decided to go with Curry Udon this time! For an extra 500 yen, you can make it a set meal with a dashi rolled omelet + side dish + rice + pickles. The curry udon was served about 5 minutes after ordering. The lovely curry aroma wafted gently, stimulating my appetite♡ Taking a first sip of the curry broth, you can firmly taste the rich umami of the dashi combined with the deep richness of the curry. The udon noodles are round and on the softer side. Their gentle texture pairs wonderfully with the curry broth. Adding a generous amount of shichimi chili flakes for a flavor change brings a sharp, spicy kick that makes it even tastier✨ The beef and thick slices of chopped fried tofu soak up plenty of curry broth, which is simply irresistible♡ For dessert, I ordered the soy milk pudding with black sugar syrup and kinako soybean powder. The homemade black syrup and smooth soy milk pudding were so delicious☺ It came with a generous dusting of kinako; getting to enjoy such a delicious pudding at an udon shop made it a thoroughly satisfying lunch🍮 Next time, I'd love to try their dashi-based chuka soba or summer-limited bukkake udon😋 Daisen Park and the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku are nearby, so it's also highly recommended for lunch while sightseeing✨ －－－－－－－－－－－－－－－ 【Menu Ordered】Tax included ・Curry Udon: 900 yen ・Kuromitsu Kinako Soy Milk Pudding: 350 yen －－－－－－－－－－－－－－－ 【Key Points】 ・Recommended for parties of 1 to 4 people ・Can be upgraded to a set meal for +500 yen －－－－－－－－－－－－－－－ 📍 Dashi-dokoro Matsushimaya 🅿️ 4 spots right next to the shop (including 1 for compact kei cars) 📷 Thank you very much for reading to the end♩

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The staff are very kind. Parking was tight and I had a bit of trouble, but they guided me politely, which was greatly appreciated. I had the kizami ankake udon (thick broth udon with sliced fried tofu). A bowl where the gentle flavor of dashi warms your very soul😊 The kuromitsu kinako soy milk pudding🍮 was also delicious!