Difference

The two stars are for propriety. Restaurant Difference has a Michelin star and is purported to be a French restaurant. However, the cuisine was decidedly Japanese, and the only Gallic aspect of Difference was its effect. We have been to France countless times and have eaten at French restaurants with a Japanese chef. The food is magnifique, prepared in the French way with a Japanese deft touch. To our palates, nothing at Restaurant Difference tasted French, and most of what we ate was not good. Ushered upstairs to a small room with four tables, my spouse and I felt cloistered, left to whisper for fear of disturbing the other diners. The degustation meal was unforgiving, with dish after dish of food we didn't expect. We started with an amuse-bouche that might have been the highlight of our meal. Now, I realize our Western palate might not appreciate Japanese specialties, but Difference was supposed to be a French restaurant. Fish and Meat were overpowered by strong sauces that often clashed with what was being served. Again, Cod Milt was on the menu, a winter specialty in Japan, but the sperm sac of male cod did not tickle my taste buds. The wild boar wasn't gamey, but the sauce hid any flavor. The desserts were good. Service was elegant and hushed, but any fun was sucked out of the room. Even at three-star Michelin restaurants in Paris, service aims to make you feel at ease, and they understand that dining should always be a happy moment. Sadly, my spouse and I couldn't wait to leave Restaurant Difference. The bill for our unhappiness was $259.67, a reasonable price for a Michelin one-star restaurant, but not a good expenditure when the food and experience are not to your liking.

top contender for best meal i've ever had! top quality japanese produce/ingredients prepared with french cooking techniques. innovative and thoughtful combinations of flavour temperature and texture. i usually find the incorporation of vegetables superfluous and pretentious in fine dining but at Difference, the veg/fruit truly made a difference and elevated the proteins. my fave dishes were the corn pudding with foie gras ice cream, kanpachi tartare w mascarpone and peach, hirame with seafood broth and ginkgo and crispy rice, miyazaki beef w monkfish liver sauce and yuzu kosho, abalone 2-ways. lol i basically listed almost all the savoury courses the desserts also held their own. definitely not just an afterthought. coriander ice cream YES. tonka bean cake w butter sable YES. very very good value for money. michelin star without breaking the bank. pls u will not regret going 😭😭😭

Difference , Osaka, nishi-ku Pudding with corn – I like it, with bittersweet sauce. Fish – somewhat bland. Unimpressive Abalone – this is amazing. Abalone served with a beautiful liver-based sauce (red wine?). Perfect texture and balance with abalone. Pity about the leftover liver that was served with a salad.5/5 (without the leftover abalone liver) the liver was too rich but Abalone is the star anyway. Wild boar – another winner. Wild boar prosciutto wrapped around charred daikon with hot sauce (almond milk + ? white wine) poured over. 4+/5 Ayu fish (river) – fish terrine (with chicken?) served with sauce. The sauce was the star: prawn bisque. Sauce 5/5. Fish 2/5. For me, I dont like fishy smell. Ayadai fish – crunchy scale, bland taste. Sauce was again amazing Beef – Miyazaki beef + sweet figs + sweet sauce. Perfect combination. I like the lemon grass apple, soo good. I finished it without any left over. Very good service and informative. When we arrived, the staff was waiting and greet us, very good service. In addition Respect to the chef, he came out and greet us. For Michelin star 1 restaurant the price and quality still reasonable

Perfect Michelin-star experience It’s a definitely a journey to a gastronomy world! There is a set with different fulfillment - striking appetizers, interesting main dishes with unusual ingredients combinations and awesome desserts (I can’t forget that one with a pear!). Sauces in every dish accomplish them in a high level. Separately I want to say “bravo” to Chef for not being afraid of experiences and combining different products. For drinks you can choose sparkling, wine by glass/by bottle, beer and liquors. Juices and soft drinks are also available. There are not so many tables, so I advise you to plan your visit in advance. Staff is polite and well-mannered, but not very talkative.

Difference definitely lives up to its name! Came here on a mellow Monday night with my partner. We were looking for a special dinner and are so happy we found this place. The menu states the food in simple ways yet we were continually surprised and intrigued by how unique, delicious, and beautiful each dish was. New ingredients we’ve never experienced were introduced to us and familiar flavors were expressed in new ways. The service was also impeccable. The staff were extremely professional, knowledgeable, attentive and kind.

A French-style Japanese restaurant. Excellent service. Ingredients were fresh and of high quality. At a Michelin Star Restaurant, we expect some kind of taste experience. Here everything tasted rather similar - which went well with the wine - yet it didn't live up to the standard of a Michelin Star. We felt that the menu was not curated well, didn't develop much and overall we were a bit disappointed and were not clear why the kitchen would get a star.

A wonderful culinary experience. Starting from corn ice cream with corn soup ( absolutely delicious) to various combos of fish and pear that just work beautifully. The food quality is absolutely top notch. There are quite a few dishes for lunch and we had fish, beef and pork in one lunch menu. The wine selection is good and the service is fast and friendly. For lovers of french cuisine id highly recommed this place.

Came here for lunch. It started out very well and I thought I was in for a treat until the fish came. It tasted like ammonia because they put the bitter bergamot and other contrasting flavors in it. Not sure why you want bitterness with a beautifully crispy skin Kinmedai. Then they bergamot came back in the desert dish to finish me off. Wagyu was also tough, old people probably wouldn't enjoy. The tomato cheesecake was divine. Most Michelin restaurants the chef would normally say goodbye to you at the end. That did not happen this time perhaps because it is a team of chefs? Talented chefs but bitter bergamot taste ruined the meal.

Good food if you're looking for French in Osaka. Rated at one Michelin star, Difference provides an excellent meal with good service. The restaurant itself is hard to find. Very understated entrance. The dining area is small, with just 4 tables (although there may be another dining area). Perfect for a quiet meal. They serve 12-14 course set menu. Each dish as relatively small, so I wasn't overly stuffed by the time the meal was complete. Just pleasantly full. The menu changes regularly. The meal itself was well prepared and the progression of flavors was quite nice and well thought out. The chef incorporated french tastes with japanese flavors to create a fun experience. Notable through the meal was liberal use of fruit flavors that gave a number of dishes a nice bright flavor. I think this is a restaurant worth trying in Japan.