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What to Eat in Osaka

Osaka Tours 758
What to Eat in Osaka

Osaka is known as the Kitchen of Japan, hometown of sushi restaurants and takoyaki in the streets of Japan. It not only gathers the cuisine of the entire Kansai region but also the cuisine of the world. When you visit Osaka, you must not miss the authentic food. Osaka is divided into two areas, the north, south, and northern area centered in Umeda. It is the main location of major department stores and brand chains. The east and west are new and modern and there are many boutique shops. The southern area, mainly Namba has more civilians and is more localized. There are more authentic local snacks such as okonomiyaki and octopus balls and there are more local shops in addition to the department stores. Osaka is a paradise for food and if you have the opportunity to visit Osaka, don't miss out on the food, as it is a must-try. Here we introduce what to eat in Osaka.



Osaka Specialties
1) Takoyaki is known as the national snack of Japan, originating in Osaka. You can add a few pieces of cooked octopus, spring onion, and other ingredients to the flour and water, and then pour a special sauce. It is best to eat while it is hot and it is very delicious and cheap.

Dotonbori Tokohachi Sohonten: It is the oldest takoyaki restaurant located in Japan with many delicious flavors.
Address: 1-5-10 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka

Dotonbori Akaoni: It is the most famous takoyaki restaurant in Osaka. It is often interviewed by television programs is very popular.
Address: 1-2-3 Nanba, Chuo Ward, Osaka



2) Okonomiyaki is known as Japanese-style pizza, and it is a popular snack among Japanese civilians. You grill the batter with Korean cabbage, pork (or other meats), shrimp (or other seafood), eggs, and other ingredients on a hot iron plate and cook it into the shape of pancakes. You can sprinkle special sauce like mayonnaise, sliced fish, and shallot seaweed powder before eating it.

Tsuruhashi Fugetsu: This is Osaka's most famous chain store, with many branches, as it is a popular and suitable place for tourists to try.
Address: Osaka, Chuo Ward, Dotonbori, 1-9-1

Okonomiyaki Kiji: A popular Okonomiyaki restaurant, featuring grilled chicken, pork bean sprouts, and pork noodles.
Address: Osaka, Kita Ward, Oyodonaka, 1-1-90 Sky Building, B1F

3) Fugu Cuisine is a high-end local cuisine in Osaka. There are pufferfish hotpots suitable for the wintertime, and there is also the tecchiri, a full-fledged meal made from rare pufferfish. There are both pufferfish sashimi and delicious assorted porridge made with pufferfish with meat and vegetables.

Zuboraya Shinsekai: A popular time-honored bran with pufferfish as its signature. It is one of Osaka's famous shops.
Address: 2-5-5 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka

Takoyasu: It has been established for more than 80 years. Due to its emphasis on natural pufferfish, the pufferfish dishes can only be tasted during the winter, between October to the end of April.
Address: 1-15-5 Yunagi, Minato Ward, Osaka




4) Deep-fried meat skewers are the original way of eating deep-fried pork chops in Osaka. They are widely distributed on the street stalls on the streets of Osaka. They are cut into small pieces of meat, seafood, and vegetables, and put onto bamboo sticks and fried.

Ganso Kushikatsu Daruma Honten: The ancestor shop of fried skewers, the wonderful secret seasoning maximizes the taste of the ingredients.
Address: 3-4-4 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka

Kushikatsu Yokozuna: It is a popular Kushikatsu restaurant, known as the No. 1 Henggang Kushikatsu in Japan, and one of the New World symbols.
Address: 2-4-11 Ebishigashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka



Osaka Street Food
1) Dotonbori
Dotonbori is the most prosperous area in Osaka and the birthplace of Osaka's food culture. It can be regarded as the first choice for foreign tourists to taste the food, especially the prestigious Honzenji Temple. You shouldn't look down on any small humble shops here, as you may miss the most popular gourmet shop.
Address: 1-9 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka

2) Honzenji Temple
A section of stone road close to Dotonbori with more than 60 restaurants that are scattered in the alley in the style of Edo. Although the alley is less than 100 meters, there are dozens of small restaurants, taverns, and cafes. The authentic Meoto Zenzi, also known as red bean soup can only be eaten here. It is recommended to dine at night and you can also experience the unique ancient culture of Osaka.
Address: 1-2 Nanba, Chuo Ward, Osaka

3) Tempozan Market Place
Gathered with many snacks and old-fashioned restaurants, this alley is full of the retro flavor of the Showa era. It represents the culture of the Kansai cuisine and reproduces the streets and shops of Osaka at that time more than 40 years ago.
Address: 1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato Ward, Osaka

4) Takimikoji
Built after the streetscapes of the Taisho and Showa eras in Japan, there is an illusion of entering a time tunnel as soon as you step into it. Every corner of the path has been carefully crafted. There are old-time shop signs, posters, antique cars, telephones, postboxes, etc in the dark lanes. The exquisite and retro atmosphere makes people feel that it is an underground food court. 
Address: Sky Building B1F, 1-88 Oyodanaka, Kita Ward, Osaka




Must-try Restaurants in Osaka
1) Kanidouraku: Osaka has a long-established and well-established reputation. There are two things that are extremely attractive to occupants from all areas, one is a variety of delicious crab dishes made by family secrets, and the other is its traditional Japanese-style dining environment.
Address: 1-6-18 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka




3) Kitamura: It is a super delicious sukiyaki specialty store, with one Michelin Star, located in the lively Higashishinsaibashi. The simple storefront of this store creates a feeling that it is long-term and many tourists come here to eat and take pictures.
Address: 1-16-27 Higashi Saibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka

(4) Meoto Zenzai: The shop is small and only sells one item, the red bean soup with a rice ball. It is a famous shop with a history of nearly 100 years. If you like sweets, it's a place you should try and not miss out on as there are usually a lot of people, but the line goes by fast.
Address: 1-2-10 Nambo, Chuo-ku, Osaka



Kuromon Market
Kuromon Market is called the kitchen of the people of Osaka. You can come here to experience the daily life of the locals. It has been operating since the Edo period. It has a long history and a great reputation. It is a must-visit place located in Osaka. From traditional pickles, fresh fruits and seafood, especially the seafood which include prawns, sea urchins, sashimi, and sushi are all freshly prepared and taste delicious on the spot. Please note that the shop here only accepts cash, so be sure to bring cash. Their business hours are also short, as it is best to go from 9 am to 4 pm.
Address: 2-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka



 

Osaka Food Tours

As a reliable Osaka tour operator, we provide Osaka food tours and cooking class service for travelers. Whether you are looking for a short food tour or a cooking school in Osaka, you can easily find the most suitable one at an affordable price. Contact our representatives to book our Osaka tours and Osaka Private Chauffeurs.

Most Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the traditional local foods in Osaka, Japan?
    There are many traditional specialties in Osaka, Japan. Many traditional Japanese foods also originated in Osaka. The takoyaki and okonomiyaki are known as the national snacks of Japan. The fugu cuisine is also a type of high-end local cuisine commonly found in Osaka, and Japanese style kebabs or skewers are also a common food at izakayas.
  • What food streets should I visit in Osaka, Japan?
    Dotonbori is the most prosperous area in Osaka and the birthplace of Osaka's food culture. It is the first choice for foreign tourists to taste the food. It is close to Hozenji Temple in Dotonbori and has more than 60 restaurants. This is an alley full of Edo characteristics. There is the Tempozan Market Place and Takimikoji, which are also food streets with many snacks and old ancestors.
  • How about the Kuromon Market in Osaka, Japan?
    The address of Kuromon Market in Osaka, Japan is 2-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka where you can buy traditional Japanese pickles, freshly made fruits, and seafood, especially the prawns, sea urchins, sashimi, and sushi are all made fresh and should be tasted on the spot. The shop here only accepts cash, so be sure to bring some cash. The business hours are short and it is best to go from 9 am to 4 pm.
  • What place do you recommend to try takoyaki in Osaka, Japan?
    Takoyaki in Osaka is very popular and famous. There are many takoyaki shops in the store and street food stalls. Here are two recommendations for you: the Dotombori Takohachi sohonten is the oldest takoyaki restaurant in Japan and the Dotombori Akaoni, which is a very popular location.
  • What shop do you recommend with Okonomiyaki in Osaka, Japan?
    Okonomiyaki is a local specialty that originated in Osaka and is one of the locals' favorite foods. Here are two famous shops recommended to you, the Tsuruhashi Fugetsu, Osaka's most famous chain which you can find almost anywhere in Osaka, and the other is Okonomiyaki Kiji, which is a popular Okonomiyaki store in Osaka.
  • I heard that fugu cuisine is famous in Osaka, Japan. Where can I find fugu cuisine?
    Fugu cuisine is a high-end local cuisine in Osaka. Zuboraya Shinsekai is a popular and well-established restaurant located in Osaka that serves Fugu cuisine. It is also one of the famous shops in Osaka. The address is 2-5-5 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, and Takoyasu. An old historical store located at 1-15-5 Yunagi, Minato Ward, Osaka.
  • Are there any recommended local gourmet restaurants in Osaka, Japan?
    Osaka City is known as the Kitchen of Japan. There are so many must-try restaurants. Here are some recommendations for you. Kanidouraku has a long history and is a secret crab restaurant located in Osaka. It is located at 1-6-18 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka. Isomaru Suisan is a well-known Japanese seafood restaurant chain located at 1-4-18 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka. Kitamura is a super delicious sukiyaki specialty store located at 1-16-27 Higashi Saibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka. Meoto Zenzai is a famous store with a history of nearly 100 years and the address is 1-2-19 Nambo, Chuo-ku, Osaka.
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