Hi, I’m the owner of Kaiebi — in English, that’s “Shellfish, Shrimp & Crab” — a 6-seat seafood counter in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.
Most guests find us because of the live lobster. It’s steamed in a Staub cast-iron pot with white wine and herbs, then brought to your seat still in the pot — I lift the lid right in front of you so you get the steam and the aroma all at once. I’m genuinely proud of that dish — it’s the reason a lot of people book a seat here in the first place. But if you read our English name carefully, lobster isn’t even in it. It’s “Shellfish, Shrimp & Crab,” in that order. Shellfish comes first.
That’s not just a translation quirk. It’s an accurate description of what we serve.
It’s not a rotating special — it’s the everyday menu
Our shellfish dishes aren’t a “today’s special” that changes based on what looked good at the market that morning. They’re a standing part of the menu, available pretty much every time you visit:
– Clams steamed in sake (asari sakamushi)
– Mussels, Naples-style, with black pepper
– Oysters on the half shell
– Scallop sashimi
– Fried oysters (kaki furai)
Those five are the ones that come up most often. Beyond that, shellfish also finds its way into other dishes on the menu — pasta, a garlicky ajillo-style oil dish, a hearty seafood marinade salad, even our potato salad. It’s easy to miss if you’re focused on the lobster, but shellfish is genuinely woven through the menu, not tacked on beside it.
You don’t have to order the lobster to sit at our counter
I want to be clear about something: shellfish isn’t an afterthought here just because the lobster gets the spotlight. Every dish that comes off this counter — lobster, crab, or shellfish — passes through my own judgment before it reaches you. I don’t hand off quality control on any of it.
So if you’re traveling with someone who isn’t in the mood for a whole lobster that night, or if you’d simply rather build a meal around clams, oysters, and a glass of something from our list of about 30 wines by the glass, that’s a completely normal way to sit down here. You won’t be getting a smaller version of the “real” experience. You’ll just be having a different one.
A note for first-time guests
Because the shellfish menu is a standing lineup rather than a daily special, you generally don’t need to worry about showing up and finding it unavailable. That said, seafood sourcing can shift day to day, so if there’s one dish you’re especially looking forward to, it’s worth mentioning it when you reserve.
If you have a shellfish allergy or anything you can’t eat, please tell us in advance. We’ll substitute ingredients where we can, though some dishes can’t be changed once the cooking process is underway — so a heads-up before your visit helps us take good care of you.
Dining out, to me, is never just about the food in front of you. It connects back to something I believe in:
“Through dining out, make life a little richer.”
Whether that evening centers on the lobster, a plate of clams, or both, I want it to be part of the story you tell afterward.
FAQ
Q. Is the shellfish menu different every time I visit?
No — it’s a standing menu, not a rotating daily special. The five dishes above (clams, mussels, oysters on the half shell, scallop sashimi, and fried oysters) are the ones we serve most consistently, though sourcing can shift slightly day to day.
Q. Can I order shellfish dishes without ordering the lobster?
Yes. The lobster is our signature dish, but it isn’t required. Shellfish, wine, and the rest of the menu stand on their own.
Q. I have a shellfish allergy — can you accommodate that?
We’ll substitute ingredients where possible, but some dishes can’t be changed once cooking is underway. Please let us know when you book so we can plan for it.
Q. Do I need to reserve in advance?
Yes — we’re a small 6-seat counter with irregular holidays, so we recommend booking ahead through the link below.
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)