japanese cuisine Archives

Osaka is well known for its neon lights and nightlife, but it also has enough delicious delicacies to well and truly earn its nickname as “Japan's Kitchen”. Whether you're making a quick stopover on your way to Kyoto or spending a while in this friendly city, one of the top things to do on your list should be eating. Now, that's pretty much top of my list wherever I go, but I promise that in Osaka it is a worthy goal. While it may not be as big as Tokyo or as refined as Kyoto, Osaka has a gourmet reputation all of its own. Here, you can feast on the food enjoyed by locals: takoyaki, okonomiyaki and kushikatsu are some of the more well-known dishes. There's also traditional pressed sushi, ridiculously wobbly cheesecake and kitsune udon to try -- which all originated in Osaka. Read on for the ultimate Osaka food guide for your trip (and if you haven't booked one yet, you'll be tempted after reading this!) Pro tip: Book an Osaka food tour to taste the best eats in town. 1. Okonomiyaki: everyone's favourite So, it's best to get at least one of the most popular options out of the way first, and who doesn't love okonomiyaki? Meaning "what you like" and "grilled", you can mix and match your favorite toppings, cabbage and some extras into batter before being cooked on a griddle, and served up still sizzling. Some places let you cook your own okonomiyaki, which is great fun. At others, you are seated along a griddle to watch as it is prepared for you. This is real comfort food and a crowd pleaser, as it is so adaptable to individual tastes. There are also a few okonomiyaki variations, like the Tokyo style, also known as monjayaki, and Hiroshima style. You'll find plenty of spots offering this delicacy on any stroll through Osaka, or you can try the ones below. Where to try okonomiyaki in Osaka: Mizuno: Dotonbori; family-run and cooked for you; okonomiyaki starting from Ajinoya: Dotonbori; nicknamed the second best in town; okonomiyaki starting from Kiji: Osaka Station and Umeda Sky Building; has Bib Gourmand distinction; okomomiyaki starting from 2. Taiko-manju: For the sweet-toothed These sweet cakes are made fresh and cooked individually in special copper molds. While they are traditionally filled with red-bean paste, these days you can have them with custard and sometimes chocolate too, as well as special seasonal varieties like strawberry. They can be found in varying forms across Japan, all with different names (including imagawa-yaki, oban-yaki or niju-yaki), but here they are known as taiko-manju, with taiko meaning drum. The treats can be found in most food markets, like the Kuromon Ichiba Market a few streets away from Dotonbori. If you're looking for them specifically, head to Gozasouro -- this is the most famous spot and has plenty of stores to choose from. Where to try taiko-manju in Osaka: Gozasoro: Various Locations including Osaka and Shin-Osaka stations; 1 piece of taiko-manju for Kuromon Ichiba Market: Dotonbori; a couple of stalls sell these fresh for or so 3. Kushikatsu: Shinsekai's golden speciality Deep fried and subsequently delicious, kushikatsu (aka kushiage) is a delicacy specific to the Shinsekai area of Osaka, although you can find it pretty much everywhere. This is a real mix-and-match style treat; you pick all the skewers individually from long lists, or opt for a pre-picked set to get a general taste for it. From beef tongue to gizzard, quail egg to bamboo shoot, there's always a great selection -- and it's a great opportunity to try out some new flavors. Served fresh from the fryer with a sweet tonkatsu dipping sauce and also sweet cabbage, you can order in batches until you can eat no more. There is one golden rule for kushikatsu, and that is to NEVER double-dip your skewer. Read our Osaka kushikatsu guide for more about the angry faces and best places to try this dish. Where to try kushikatsu in Osaka: Daruma Kushikatsu: Various locations; English menu; kushikatsu starting from Yakko: Shinsekai; Japanese menu only; kushikatsu starting from 4. Kitsune udon: Osaka's "secret" creation Invented in the Meiji era, this simple and pleasing dish was actually created in Osaka, although it is now on every udon shop's menu across Japan. Surprisingly, you can try it in the very restaurant it was invented in, by Chef Yotaro who founded his own restaurant after the one he worked at stopped selling udon. A simple dish of udon (thick wheat flour noodles) topped with deep-fried tofu, kitsune (fox) udon is named after a legend that suggested foxes loved snacking on dish. This is also why there are often two pieces of tofu served -- they represent the two foxes often seen guarding shrines. This is a great chance to see the difference in Kansai and Kanto dishes. In Kansai, broths and sauces are milder, whereas the same dishes in Kanto have a stronger flavor. Where to try kitsune udon in Osaka: Usami-tei Matsubaya: 3-8-1 Minamisemba, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 542-0081; the home of kitsune udon; udon starting from Imai: Dotonbori; a smart and popular restaurant; kitsune udon for Shio-Ya: Various including Umeda Station; homemade and open late; udon starting from 5. Takoyaki: Squid balls and sauce Another big favorite, takoyaki is the love-it-or-hate-it option for the city, but one that you just have to try. A popular festival food across the country, the little balls of batter and octopus are cooked to perfection at street stalls by bandana-clad chefs who flick the batter in a mesmerizing performance. Made with small pieces of octopus cooked in batter, they are topped with takoyaki sauce (a Worchestershire-esque sauce, but thicker), mayonnaise, bonito flakes and aonori (powdered seaweed) for a real mouthful of flavors. The takoyaki cooked in Osaka are often left a little softer than elsewhere in the country, so you'll be trying them in their most authentic form! (If texture is an issue, give them a second chance somewhere else!) Where to try takoyaki in Osaka: Dotonbori stalls: There are so many to try here, pick one with a decent queue and trust the locals. Wanaka: Namba; English-friendly; standard size 6-10 takoyaki for Aka Oni: Dotonbori: English menu; mentioned in the Michelin Guide; 8 pieces of takoyaki for 6. Gyoza: From China to Japan, a much-loved street food Another popular street food in Osaka is Gyoza. Although originally from China, over the years Osaka has put its own creative twist on the famous dumpling. No place is this more evident that at Osaka Ohsho, a Chinese restaurant down Dōtonbori which stands out for its landmark giant gyoza sign. As well as serving classic fried gyoza, to eat in or takeaway, this shop has its own unique creation. The Dōtonbori Gyoza is topped with Okonomiyaki sauce, Kewpie Mayo, leeks, and red ginger -- in a way it is a fun fusion of Osaka's most famous dishes. There is no shortage of speciality gyoza shops or Chinese restaurants in the area, meaning you find different types of gyoza. Some of the most popular include yaki gyoza (pan-fried gyoza), mushi gyoza (steamed gyoza), sui gyoza (boiled gyoza), and Osaka-style gyoza (often called "one-bite gyoza"). Also try: Gyozaoh! Dotonbori -- A famous izakaya in Dōtonbori known for its succulent and cripsy gyoza; 6 pieces of standard gyoza (). Want to learn to make your own ramen? Then is recommended. It's a hands on, small group experience, and a seasonal dessert is included. 7. Hakozushi: Symmetrical sushi A traditional take on sushi, this local delicacy is a little harder to find that the other foods mentioned here. Made using rice and fish pressed in a cypress box, the sushi has a symmetrical and pleasing finish, unlike any sushi you'll have seen on your travels. Focusing on the quality and flavor of Japanese rice, the dish is a testament to the benefits of simplicity and is also known as oshizushi. Yoshino is one of the best spots to try it, as they have been in business since 1841, and certainly know what they're doing. A great alternative is to pick up a lunch box at their main shop or one of the department stores (you can find mini Yoshino stalls at Takashimaya Osaka, Hanshin Department Store and in Shin-Osaka Station) for your next long train journey. Where to try hakozushi in Osaka: Yoshino Sushi: Various locations; Japanese only; Lunch served between 11 am and 1:30 pm; sets starting from 8. Horumon: No piece left behind Not for the squeamish, horumon is like yakiniku (Japanese-style grilled meat), but with all the bits you usually don't eat. The name is a Kansai-dialect play on “hormone” and means “discarded pieces” -- so it's no secret what's going in there. It's actually seen as a bonus thanks to the high levels of collagen (great for your skin) and stamina-inducing qualities, so maybe give it a chance. Top picks include cow stomach, spleen, liver, kidney and heart or pig uterus, esophagus and diaphragm -- hungry yet? The pieces can be served as yakiniku, fried like tempura, in a hot pot or mixed in with noodles. While most yakiniku spots and izakaya will have various horumon items on the menu, there are some places that specialize in the delicacies, so if you're keen to try them at their best, head to one of the spots below. Where to try horumon in Osaka: Mannoya: High-end offal and beef; various locations; English menu; fresh offal assortment (4 types) for Horumon Yato: Various locations including Nishikujyo and Tennoji; try the 200g set for Yakiniku Sora: Various locations in Tsuruhashi and one on Dotonbori; 5 piece horumon set for 9. Doteyaki: Delicious but unphotogenic Beef tendons cooked to perfection in a mirin- and miso-based broth, this is a real hearty side dish you'll find at most izakaya and yakiniku restaurants and sometimes at festival stalls. Served simple, it will sometimes be scattered with scallions, but generally is left alone in all its rich meaty goodness. You can have it in quite a few ways, either skewered, grilled on a hot plate or in stew form -- but all have the same rich and strong flavor. Technically this is a form of horumon (see above), but is so popular it needs its own category -- plus it is a good gateway meal to the world of how delicious horumon can be. Nonkiya is a recommended Japanese standing bar which specializes in doteyaki, but has little to no English. Where to try doteyaki in Osaka: Pretty much any izakaya, yakiniku or horumon (above) joint will serve this treat Nonkiya: Shin-Imamiya Station; famed for their doteyaki; 1 doteyaki stick for 10. Koreatown treats from Tsuruhashi Sometimes the best food in Japan isn't Japanese, and the stalls and cafes of Tsuruhashi prove exactly that. This is one of the most famous Koreatowns in Japan, filled with authentic places to fill up when you need some spice in your life. At the market, you'll find all the best fresh produce, from kimchi (try the samples to find your perfect match) to meat and plenty of places serving up very affordable food too. If you're a street food fan, be sure to try the freshly made pancakes and the kimchi sandwiches on offer! For a bigger meal, take your pick from the small restaurants lining the streets, and choose from Korean barbecue, bibimbap or noodles. Note: Beware, as Wednesday is the regular closing day for the market. Where to try Korean food in Osaka: Yamada-Syouten: Tsuruhashi; noodle dishes and outdoor counter seats; noodles starting at Minzokumura: Tsuruhashi; Korean Yakiniku restaurant with buffet course; lunch buffet course for Hakuundai: Tsuruhashi; serves yakiniku, bibimbap and noodles; courses starting at 11. Rikuro Ojisan's famous cheesecake A shop with lines out the door every day, this incredibly fluffy cheesecake is loved for its creamy and light texture. Sold fresh from the oven, the cakes wobble to the touch and are a little more sponge-like than the cheesecake you might be thinking of, but delicious nonetheless. There are plenty of shops in Osaka where they bake them fresh, but only some have cafés where you can sit and eat them. There are often two lines: freshly baked and baked two hours ago, it is suggested that if you want to transport them, the second line is better as they are a little firmer. Listen out for the bell which is rung when fresh cheesecakes come out of the oven! Where to find Rikuro Ojisan's cheesecake in Osaka: Rikuro Ojisan: Various locations, the Namba main store has a cafe; one piece for 12. Lord Stow's Egg Tarts Although egg tarts are a popular snack all over Japan, Osaka is home to one of the most famous spots, Lord Stow's Bakery. The bakery was founded by Englishman Andrew Stow, who is credited with popularizing the sweet, cakelike snack in Asia. The first Lord Stow's Bakery in Asia opened in Hong Kong in 1997, and by 1999, the brand had expanded to Osaka, where it quickly gained popularity. What makes them so good? Well, the bakery is known for using the finest ingredients and everything is baked fresh as soon as you order. Another standout is the flaky pie crust texture and interesting flavors including matcha adzuki, strawberry and caramel. Due to its popularity, some flavors often sell out by the end of the day, so it's best to visit early. Additionally, there are only two Lord Stow's Bakeries in Japan, with the other located in Namba Station, making it something you can only try in Osaka. Lord Stow's Egg Tarts: prices range from to per egg tart. 13. Cup ramen Not likely to make it onto the fancy gourmet lists, but an Osaka staple nonetheless, cup ramen was invented by risky businessman Momofuku Ando in Ikeda, Osaka. This museum is not like most museums you may have visited. It has a movie theater, bright displays, and a life-size model of his invention shed. Yes, shed. You can also make noodles from scratch or create your very own cup noodle. This is a great way to spend a rainy afternoon in Osaka, and you can take home dinner if you try one of the make-your-own options. Unfortunately, unlike the museum in Yokohama, you cannot eat here (they have a noodle bazaar) but they do have vending machines serving noodles from across Japan, with hot water and chopsticks available. Where to try cup ramen in Osaka: Cup Ramen Museum: Ikeda; it costs to make your own cup noodle Bonus dish -- Standing ramen: Late-night delights While it may not be Michelin-star ramen, a bowl of this late-night salty goodness is heaven-sent on a night out in the city. It's also a great chance to meet the locals. In the warmer months, ramen stalls have open counters and you eat then and there, slurping all the way till the end. In the winter you'll be protected with plastic sheets hung down, but usually by this point, you aren't so bothered. You can often find them unintentionally while stumbling, but there's one well-known spot you can always head for. Where to try standing ramen in Osaka: Kinryu Ramen: Dotonbori; easy to spot, look for the dragon; ramen starting from Osaka Food FAQs What is famous to eat in Osaka? While all the foods mentioned in this guide are famous, the two that most people associate with Osaka are okonomiyaki and takoyaki. What is the famous food street in Osaka? Dōtonbori is Osaka's most famous food street. A feast for the eyes with its bright neon lights, it's also a feast for the stomach, with lively street stalls serving food day and night. While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in April 2019. Last updated in April 2025, by Jane Pipkin and Carey Finn.

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