Osaka is located in the middle of Japan and is the second largest city after Tokyo. The charm of Osaka is that the people are very friendly and the whole city has a cheerful atmosphere. Just walking around the city, one can discover many funny things, making it the most entertaining place in Japan.
But the most indispensable thing about Osaka is the gourmet Japanese food. Osaka, also known as the “city of gourmets,” was known as the “kitchen of the nation” 400 years ago, and delicious foods have been gathering in Osaka for centuries.
It is no exaggeration to say that no one dislikes Osaka’s specialties.
Osaka’s food is characterized by its flour, tasty sauces, and strong flavors.
| Food | Explanation | |
| 1 | 🐙Takoyaki | A synonym for Osaka. No one can stop eating it. Once you start eating it, you can’t stop. |
| 2 | 🔥Okonomiyaki | Also known as “Japanese pancake”. But it is not sweet. The sauce is awesome. |
| 3 | 🍖Kushikatsu | “Super affordable food” representing Osaka. Not only meat, but also vegetables. |
| 4 | 🍲Kasu Udon | Osaka’s stingy nature has given birth to this popular food. A dish to eat after drinking alcohol. |
| 5 | 🐷Butaman | The most popular souvenir in Osaka 👑There is always a line outside the store! |
1. Takoyaki 🐙
“Takoyaki is a baked food made by mixing octopus, cabbage, green onions, red ginger, and other condiments into a flour dough.”
The size is about 5 cm in diameter, so it is easy to eat one serving. A serving of takoyaki often contains 6 pieces and costs about 500 yen!
When the crispy batter is cracked open with chopsticks, the inside is melty and hot.
The takoyaki’s special sauce, mayonnaise, and dried bonito flakes make it even more delicious.
It is recommended to order a variety of flavors when eating with more than one person, as different tastes can be enjoyed with ponzu (Japanese citrus juice), salt, or soy sauce instead of sauce.
Takoyaki are often made outdoors, and you are sure to see takoyaki when you visit Osaka. All of the stores have lines of people waiting, which shows the popularity of takoyaki. It is definitively a must-try food for the perfect one day in Osaka!
Restaurants
| Name | Takonotetsu | Bubutei | Hanadako | Karitoro | Takohachi |
| 📷 Picture |  |  |  |  |  |
| 🏠 Address | 1-10 Kakudacho, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0017 | 〒530-0012 Osaka, Kita Ward, Shibata, 1 Chome−1−3 阪急三番街南館 B2 | 〒530-0017 Osaka, Kita Ward, Kakudacho, 9−26 大阪新梅田食道街 １階 | 9-6 Doyamacho, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0027 | 〒530-0018 Osaka, Kita Ward, Komatsubaracho, 2, 梅田 地下街 ４−６ |
| 📍Place | Around Osaka Station | Around Osaka Station | Around Osaka Station | Around Osaka Station | Around Osaka Station / Dotonbori |
| Name | Kukuru | Aizuya | Kougaryu | Wanaka | attiti Honpo |
| 📷Picture |  |  |  |  |  |
| 🏠 Address | 〒542-0071 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Dotonbori, 1 Chome−10−5 白亜ビル １階 | 2 Chome-3-1 Tamadenishi, Nishinari Ward, Osaka, 557-0045 | 2 Chome-18-4 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0086 | 3 Chome-7-24 Nanba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076 | 7-19 Souemoncho, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0084 |
| 📍Place | Around Osaka Station / Dotonbori | Around Osaka Station / Namba / Tamadenishi | Shinsaibashi / American village | Namba | Dotonbori / Shinsekai |
2. Okonomiyaki 🥞
“A thinly spread dough made of flour, piled high with cabbage and pork, and baked. “
The ingredients are similar to takoyaki, but the size and texture are different, and it should be considered a completely different food.
The basic idea is to split one okonomiyaki like a pizza and share it with friends. Instead of pork, noodles or seafood can be added for a slightly different taste.
In fact, okonomiyaki can be easily made at home in your country as long as you have flour, eggs, and cabbage. Don’t forget to buy okonomiyaki sauce at a Japanese supermarket. ⚠️
Restaurants
| Name | Kizi | Sakura | Negiyaki Yamamoto |
| 📷Picture |  |  |  |
| 🏠 Address | 〒530-0017 Osaka, Kita Ward, Kakudacho, 9−20 新梅田食堂街 | 9-10 Kakudacho, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0017 | 1 Chome-8-4 Jusohonmachi, Yodogawa Ward, Osaka, 532-0024 |
| 📍Place | Around Osaka Station | Around Osaka Station | Around Osaka Station |
| Name | Fukutarou | Yukari | Botedyu |
| 📷Picture |  |  |  |
| 🏠 Address | 2 Chome-3-17 Sennichimae, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0074 | 2 Chome-14-13 Sonezaki, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0057 | 〒542-0071 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Dotonbori, 1 Chome−6−15 Comradeドウトンビル 2F |
| 📍Place | Namba / Around Osaka station | Around Osaka Station / Namba | Dotonbori / Around Osaka station |
3. Kushikatsu 🍖
“Meat, vegetables, and seafood cut into small pieces about the size of a bite or two are skewered, deep-fried to a crisp, and dipped in sauce. “
The juices and flavor of the ingredients are locked inside the crispy batter, which goes perfectly with the sauce.There is one caveat. “Don’t dip twice” is the watchword at these restaurants. The sauce is used not only by your friends, but also by the next customers at the same table. So,even if you can’t finish the dish in one bite, you can’t dip it in the sauce again. Dip it generously into the sauce before eating. ⚠️
Of course, you can eat kushikatsu in Dotonbori, a famous place in Osaka, but there are many kushikatsu restaurants in the Shinsekai district, where Tsutenkaku Tower is located, so please visit there.
Restaurants
| Name | Daruma | Sakura | Yaekatsu |
| 📷Picture |  |  |  |
| 🏠 Address | 〒542-0071 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Dotonbori, 1 Chome−6−8 道頓堀だるまビル 2F | 3 Chome-1-18 Nanba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076 | 3 Chome-4-13 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0002 |
| 📍Place | Around Osaka Station / Dotonbori / Shinsekai | Namba | Shinsekai |
4. Kasuudon 🥢
“A high-protein, low-fat, collagen-rich food made by slowly frying beef entrails and skimming off excess fat, served on udon noodles in a broth with a good flavor. “
It is highly nutritious! Because it is an essential post-drinking food, many restaurants are open until late at night or in the morning, making it a particularly good choice after a nightclub. Please check out our article unique things to do in Osaka for nightclub recommendations in Osaka where you also can enjoy Kasuudon after a hot night out.
Restaurants
| Name | Ryuu no su | Kasuya | Matsuya |
| 📷Picture |  |  |  |
| 🏠 Address | 〒542-0085 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Shinsaibashisuji, 2 Chome−7−11, Nippo Royal Bldg., 1F | 1 Chome-5-20 Nanba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076 | 13-1 Nanbasennichimae, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-007 |
| 📍Place | Around Osaka Station / Shinsaibashi | Dotonbori / Abeno / Tennoji | Namba |
5. Butaman 🐖
“A steamed food consisting of juicy pork and vegetable filling wrapped in a fluffy white dough.”
Butaman is so popular that 170,000 units are sold in one day. The filling is super simple, just onions and pork, but the combination of the sweetness of the onions, the slightly sweet dough, and the juicy pork is exquisite.
The additive-free, individually hand-wrapped pork buns are always freshly prepared and served. There are 551 Hourai stores all over the city of Osaka, and there are always lines at all of them. I would like to share the location of some of these stores.
| 🏠 Address | 3 Chome-1-1 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0001 | 〒542-8501 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Shinsaibashisuji, 1 Chome−7−1 地下1階 | 3 Chome-6-3 Nanba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076 |
| 📍 Place | Osaka station | Shinsaibashi Daimaru | Ebisubashi honten |
Conclusion
We hope you will have many drool-worthy experiences during your stay in Osaka. I hope that it will make you say, “Mettya Umai!” (Japanese for “This is so good!”).
If you have had enough food for now please check my best places to visit in Osaka for all ages article for more local tips!
