Can you believe there’s an all-you-can-eat yakiniku buffet in Osaka’s Umeda district for just 1000 yen? At Yakiniku 298 Nikuyasan, you can enjoy unlimited servings of chicken, pork, and beef, along with side dishes like curry rice, salads, and kimchi. This post shares my dining experience at Yakiniku 298 Nikuyasan Umeda 3rd Branch, a top choice for budget-conscious travelers in Osaka looking for unbeatable value.

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I finally made it to the popular and affordable yakiniku spot, 298 Nikuyasan, in Osaka. During my exchange program, my classmates would often plan group visits, and I remember seeing long lines outside the Shinsaibashi branch on weekends.

On this day, while looking for a place to eat with friends, we happened to pass by the Umeda 3rd Branch. The reality lived up to the hype, and to our luck, there was no wait at all!”

Affordable Yakiniku Buffet in Umeda – Yakiniku 298 Umeda 3rd Branch

Yakiniku 298 Nikuyasan is a beloved all-you-can-eat yakiniku spot among locals in Japan! With branches in Shinsaibashi, Umeda, and Fukushima, I initially thought that ‘298’ referred to the 1000 yen price converted to about 298 TWD. However, it turns out that ‘298’ is pronounced ‘Ni-Ku-Ya’ in Japanese (NiKu meaning ‘meat’ and Ya meaning ‘house’). Interestingly, the Fukushima branch is said to be the largest and most spacious of them all.

The Umeda 3rd Branch is located near the M2 exit of Umeda Station. Despite the fierce competition in the Umeda area, this place thrives with its competitive pricing.

焼肉1000円食べ放題 298(にくや) 梅田3号店 Adress:上がる北側 Izumi no Hiroba, 5-8 Doyamacho, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0027 Phone:06-6311-3601 Business time: 週一~週五11:30–15:00；17:00–23:00 六~日 11:30–23:00 Web

Here’s how to get to 焼肉 298 にくや Umeda 3rd Branch

By Train:

• JR Line: Take the JR line to Osaka Station.
• Subway: Alternatively, take the subway to Umeda Station.

Exit:

• Once at Umeda Station, look for the M2 exit. This exit is well-marked and will lead you towards the underground shopping streets.

Walking Directions:

• After exiting at M2, walk through the underground shopping arcade for about 5 minutes.
• Follow the signs towards Hankyu Sanbangai shopping complex, and you should find the restaurant located nearby.

Landmarks:

• The restaurant is situated in a busy area filled with eateries and shops, so keep an eye out for the signage of “焼肉 298 にくや” as you approach.

焼肉 298 にくや Menu

焼肉 298 にくや offers three all-you-can-eat plans at different price points: 1000 yen, 1350 yen, and 1800 yen. On this day, we chose the most affordable 60-minute plan for 1100 yen (including tax), which included chicken, pork, beef, offal, sausages, and meatballs.

The 1350 yen plan includes an additional option of beef tongue and extends the dining time by 40 minutes. This plan is a great value for those who prefer a more relaxed dining experience or enjoy beef tongue.

At such a low price, drinks are, of course, not included. Unlike in Taiwan, where drinks are often part of the buffet, many all-you-can-eat restaurants in Japan charge separately for beverages. The prices for individual drinks are shown in the menu.

If you plan to have more than one drink, it’s more cost-effective to go for the drink buffet: 436 yen for non-alcoholic drinks and 1000 yen for alcoholic beverages.

焼肉 298 にくや Environment Introduction

The Umeda 3rd Branch is located on the second floor and can accommodate around 50 people.

We walked in without a reservation since it was outside of peak dining hours, and the restaurant wasn’t crowded. There were also three solo diners, making it a very solo-friendly place.

The restaurant offers a variety of table setups for two, four, or six people. Additionally, there are storage baskets under the seats where you can store your belongings.

In addition to the meats, the selection of side dishes is also extensive, including unlimited servings of rice, curry, lettuce (cabbage), kimchi, and pasta salad.

The curry rice is quite salty and has a strong flavor, with carrots and minced meat mixed in. If it were on the sweeter side, I would have rated it higher.

What Quality Can You Expect from a 1000 Yen All-You-Can-Eat Yakiniku?

After being seated and selecting your plan, the staff will first ask if there are any items you don’t eat. If there aren’t any, they will bring you a basic plate to start. For subsequent orders, you can use the QR code on your table to order via your smartphone.

The meats come without additional marination or seasoning—pork has a bit of pepper, and beef is garnished with a touch of sesame. If you prefer to enjoy the food in its natural state, you can savor it just as it is.

The pork and beef have higher fat content, so they can quickly ignite into flames when placed on the grill. Additionally, the meat slices are thin, which means they cook very quickly and can easily burn if you’re not careful.

The grill is gas-operated, allowing you to adjust the flame manually as needed.

Since the meat isn’t marinated, it’s best enjoyed with Japanese yakiniku sauce after grilling. I particularly like Japanese yakiniku sauce for its slightly sweet flavor.

The chicken is a bit tricky to grill due to its thickness, making it harder to control the cooking time. The flavor and texture are less impressive compared to the pork and beef, so I would recommend those options instead.

The meatballs were not included in the basic set, so we ordered them separately. It’s hard to tell what type of meat they’re made from. The Japanese sausages have more of a hot dog-like texture and are quite different from Taiwanese sausages, so they’re worth trying just to sample.

Orders are placed through a mobile app. For those who don’t understand Japanese, you can easily use a translation feature, which is very convenient.

After placing your order, the food is served quickly. Even though it’s an all-you-can-eat deal, there’s a penalty if you don’t finish your meal within the allotted time, based on the remaining weight. Finally, the staff will remind you about your order 10 minutes before the time is up.

Would I Recommend 焼肉 298 にくや?

Before visiting, I had no expectations for the price point, as it’s reasonable to anticipate that the quality might be lacking or there could be some minor disappointments. To my surprise, the quality exceeded expectations. Typically, budget yakiniku places might not have the freshest meat and often use various marinades to mask the meat’s color or flavor, creating a false impression of variety. At Yakiniku 298 Nikuyasan, although the selection is limited, the meat is served fresh, and notably, the Japanese pork had no unpleasant odor, which was a major plus.

You don’t need to know Japanese or be dining solo to enjoy the experience. According to online reviews, the Shinsaibashi branch even has staff who speak Chinese. In Japan, dining out generally costs around 1000 yen per meal, so enjoying an all-you-can-eat yakiniku for the same price removes any pressure to get your money’s worth. Just having a bowl of curry rice and grilling a couple of plates of meat can be quite satisfying.

If I had to point out a downside, it would be the limited seasoning options. However, I really like their Japanese yakiniku sauce, so this isn’t a significant issue for me.

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