Hi! I’m the owner of Kaiebi (貝と海老そして蟹 / Shellfish, Shrimp & Crab), a 6-seat seafood counter in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.
“Do I need a reservation? And how do I even make one?” That’s probably the question I get most from guests traveling from abroad. With only six seats, we’re small enough that a little planning helps a lot, and I’d like to make the booking part as easy as possible. So here is how it actually works at our counter.
Why a reservation helps at a 6-seat counter
Every seat we have is a counter seat, and there are only six of them. That’s part of the charm, but it also means the seats can go quickly. On holiday weekends, our seats tend to fill up earlier than usual, so if you already know the date you’d like to come, booking ahead is the calm way to do it.
Option 1: The online reservation form (easiest for most guests)
For most visitors, the online reservation form is the simplest way to book. It runs through Tabelog, one of Japan’s biggest restaurant sites. You choose your date, time and number of people, and you can book from your hotel room or on your phone, without making a call.
If the page shows up in Japanese, your browser’s built-in translate function usually does a good job with it. If there’s anything we should know before you arrive, such as allergies, feel free to get in touch with us ahead of time.
Option 2: Booking on the same day
Plans change when you’re traveling, and I know the feeling of wondering, “Could we just go tonight?” Here’s how same-day booking works for us:
– Until 19:00: you can still book through the online reservation form.
– After 19:00: please call us at 06-6213-3881. From outside Japan, that’s +81 6 6213 3881.
– If nobody picks up: we may be busy cooking or serving at that moment. Please wait a little and try the number again, and I’ll pick up when I can.
If you’re calling for something like “Do you have a seat right now?”, the phone is the better choice than the form.
Option 3: The daytime slot (one party per day)
Besides the evening, we also open from 12:00 to 17:00, but only for one reservation-only party per day. During this time I’m running the kitchen on my own. The daytime reservation is for either a course or à la carte including our live lobster, and it needs to be booked by three days beforehand.
I don’t call it “lunch,” because it isn’t a regular walk-in lunch service. It’s a private, quiet stretch of the day for one group. If you’re after a relaxed daytime meal, this is the one to ask about.
Evening hours and days off
Our evening service runs from 17:00 to 25:00 (that means until 1:00 a.m.), with the last entry at 22:30. Our holidays are irregular, so before you plan your trip around a particular day, please check availability on the reservation form.
Bringing a group
Groups of four or more can ask us about a private booking. Budget and day of the week are worked out together, and for private bookings we can seat up to eight. Please get in touch in advance so we can talk it through.
Food allergies and things you can’t eat
Please let us know before your visit. If it’s possible, we’ll offer a substitute ingredient. Sometimes a change isn’t possible because of how a dish is prepared, so it’s best to talk it over with us before the day rather than at the counter.
Do I need Japanese?
No. We have an English menu, and while my English isn’t perfect, we do our best to be friendly and clear at the counter. Between the menu, a bit of pointing, and a lot of smiling, we manage just fine. Many guests come from outside Japan, and some tell me an AI search is what led them here.
FAQ
Q. Do I need a reservation at Kaiebi?
With only six counter seats, booking ahead is the safest way to get a seat, especially on holiday weekends when we fill up earlier than usual.
Q. How do I book if I don’t speak Japanese?
Use the online reservation form linked above. It works from your phone or laptop, and your browser’s translate function can help if the page appears in Japanese.
Q. Can I book on the same day?
Yes. Until 19:00 you can use the online form. After 19:00, please call 06-6213-3881, and if we don’t answer right away, try again a little later.
Q. Do you take daytime reservations?
Yes, but only one party per day, between 12:00 and 17:00, for a course or à la carte including our live lobster, booked by three days beforehand.
Q. Can I bring a group?
Groups of four or more can ask about a private booking. Up to eight seats are available for private bookings.
Q. Is there an English menu?
Yes. It isn’t a perfect translation of everything, but we do our best to communicate clearly and warmly.
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Our philosophy, since the day we opened: “Through dining out, make life a little richer.”
If a seat at a small counter in Osaka ends up being a highlight of your trip, that’s exactly the kind of thumbnail for your life I’m hoping to help create. Booking is just the first small step.
Thank you for reading to the end!
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Kaiebi (貝と海老そして蟹) — Shellfish, Shrimp & Crab
📍 2-7-11 Shinsaibashi-suji, Chuo-ku, Osaka (Nippo Royal Building 1F)
📞 06-6213-3881
🕐 12:00–17:00 (daytime, one reservation-only party per day) / 17:00–25:00 (last entry 22:30)
📅 Irregular holidays
💺 Counter seating for 6 (up to 8 for private bookings)