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Famous Must Try Dishes in Osaka
“Let’s try something new!” – this is the right motto when arriving in Osaka! There is no coincidence that Osaka is known as the food capital of Japan and one of the ultimate food destinations in Asia. The city of Osaka smells delicious. Osakans love to cook, and even more to eat. The streets of Osaka are pitfalls for any passionate food lovers out there, searching for exceptional food and traditional Japanese specialities.
Japan is a food-loving country with an intense culinary culture and Osaka is the cherry on top! Osakans are obsessed with eating and they even have a word for the outcome of this obsession called “kuidaore”. “Osaka no kuidaore” literally translated means the habit of eating till you drop, but the actual meaning is eating till falling into debt.
In this blog post, I’m going to share with you 6 must-eat-foods in Osaka and the places where you can try them. The biggest food areas in Osaka are Dotonbori, Umeda and Shinsekai, and believe me – a whole life won’t be enough to go through all the restaurants and street food stalls in Osaka!
Where to Stay in Osaka
As you would expect from a major Japanese city, Osaka has no shortage of options when it comes to accommodation. As always, I’d suggest you stay somewhere central, to make accessing all the attractions as easy as possible.
The best places to stay in Osaka are Namba and Umeda. However, my suggestion would be to stay near Namba Station. from Namba station it is an easy 5-minute walk to Dotonbori Arcade, plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants and street food options.
Luxury Accommodation Recommendations in Osaka:
The St. Regis Osaka: Experience luxury at its finest at The St. Regis Osaka. Located in the heart of the city, this prestigious hotel offers spacious rooms and suites with elegant décor and stunning city views. Indulge in exceptional dining experiences, unwind at the spa and fitness center, or simply relax in the comfort of your luxurious accommodation. The St. Regis Osaka sets the standard for opulence and sophistication.
InterContinental Osaka: Situated in the vibrant Umeda district, InterContinental Osaka combines modern elegance with impeccable service. The hotel features stylish rooms and suites adorned with contemporary Japanese design elements. Guests can enjoy a range of amenities, including fine dining options, a rooftop bar with panoramic views, and a luxurious spa. With its prime location and luxurious offerings, InterContinental Osaka is a top choice for discerning travelers.
The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka: Experience unmatched luxury and legendary service at The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka. This iconic hotel showcases refined accommodations, lavish amenities, and a sophisticated ambiance. From spacious rooms and suites to exquisite dining options and a tranquil spa, every aspect of The Ritz-Carlton exudes elegance and indulgence. Immerse yourself in the ultimate luxury experience in the heart of Osaka.
Mid-Range Accommodation Recommendations in Osaka:
Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka: Nestled in the Namba district, Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka offers a blend of European charm and Japanese hospitality. The hotel features tastefully decorated rooms with modern amenities, including a fitness center and multiple dining options. Its convenient location allows easy access to popular attractions and shopping districts. Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka provides comfortable accommodation with a touch of elegance.
Cross Hotel Osaka: Located in the bustling Shinsaibashi area, Cross Hotel Osaka combines contemporary design with a vibrant atmosphere. The rooms are stylishly decorated and equipped with modern comforts. Guests can enjoy the trendy rooftop bar, a variety of dining options, and the convenient location near shopping and entertainment venues. Cross Hotel Osaka offers a trendy and affordable option for travelers seeking a memorable stay.
Hotel Nikko Osaka: Conveniently situated near Osaka Station, Hotel Nikko Osaka offers comfortable rooms and a range of amenities. The hotel features multiple dining options, including a revolving restaurant with panoramic city views. Guests can also enjoy the indoor pool, fitness center, and convenient access to transportation. Hotel Nikko Osaka provides a pleasant mid-range stay in a central location.
Hostel Recommendations in Osaka:
J-Hoppers Osaka Guesthouse: Perfect for budget travelers, J-Hoppers Osaka Guesthouse offers affordable accommodation with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The hostel provides dormitory-style rooms and private rooms, as well as communal areas for socializing and meeting fellow travelers. Conveniently located near major attractions, J-Hoppers Osaka Guesthouse is an ideal choice for backpackers and those seeking a budget-friendly option.
Begin your search for the perfect accommodation now while the excitement is still fresh in your mind. Discover stylish and affordable options, and find the best accommodations at the lowest prices:
Explore a wide range of hotels in Japan here (Booking.com)
Explore a wide range of hotels in Japan here (Tripadvisor)
Explore a wide range of hotels in Japan here (Agoda)
Discover affordable hostels in Japan here (Hostelworld)
Easily compare prices and book hotels in Japan here (Hotellook)
Takoyaki, Osaka Food
The King and the most classic of all Osaka’s snacks is the Takoyaki (translated to “octopus balls”). Takoyaki are little fried balls stuffed with octopus, ginger, and green onions, and topped with spicy sauce, mayonnaise, seaweed and katsuobushi (smoked tuna) flakes. Takoyaki is made in a special pan with hollows for each dumpling. Sometimes the octopus is replaced by shrimp or cheese.
Takoyaki is said to have been invented in Dotonbori in the place called Aizuya – a Michelin-recommended snack bar founded in 1933. In the 30s and during wartime, Japan was struggling for food and at the same time, the Seto Inland Sea was full of octopus. Many great ideas were born out of struggle – so was the idea of Takoyaki!
There are hundreds of street stalls selling Takoyaki everywhere in Osaka. Anyway, the most famous store is in the Dotonbori Kukuru Konamon Museum, which is easily recognized by the giant red Octopus on the top of the restaurant, so it is really hard to miss.
Takoyaki, Oktopus-Balls
Where to eat Takoyaki in Osaka?
Kukuru Konamon: Probably the most famous of all places to eat Takoyaki is Kukuru in the Konamon Museum. The store is just a 3-minute walk from Namba station. There is no way you will miss it as you will see a giant octopus on the storefront and dozens of people waiting for the famous Takoyaki.
Wanaka: Another great place to enjoy some traditional Takoyaki is Wanaka Restaurant, just in a 5-minute walk from Namba station. Wakanaka is famous for its always freshly made authentic octopus balls.
Otako: This is a place famous for its big octopus pieces and was even mentioned in Michelin’s Osaka Food Guide. Otako is just a 15-minute walk from Nihonbashi station and is the place where locals go and eat Tokoyaki.
Dotonbori Street Food
Okonomiyaki, Osaka Food
My personal favourite of all the dishes I tried is the Okonomiyaki. Okonomiyaki is the real Osakan food – it is cheap, simple and delicious!
Okonomiyaki is a pancake made from eggs, flour, yam, shredded cabbage and savoury toppings. These are the basic ingredients but most of the restaurants add whatever you like: pork, squid, shrimp, cheese, tomato, etc. There is no surprise, Okonomiyaki translated means “whatever you want, grilled”. Just like Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki was born out of the struggle for food during WWII. People were starving and they were pleased whenever they had the chance to cook something hot and filling.
Okonomiyaki is one of the most popular foods in Osaka and you will find Okonomiyaki restaurants everywhere! Some of the most famous restaurants for traditional Okonomiyaki restaurants are in Dotonbori and Umeda.
Okonomiyaki
Where to Eat Okonomiyaki in Osaka?
Ajinoya: Ajinoya is a restaurant located near the Dotonbori Arcade which is specialized in Okonomiyaki. The restaurant has some fast and friendly service and if you are lucky enough, you probably will wait less than 20 minutes in order to get a table. Like everywhere in Japan, there is a waiting line in front of the best restaurants, Ajioya is no exception.
Negiyaki Yamamoto: Here we tried Okonomiyaki for the very first time and we loved it! Negiyaki Yamamoto is located in Umeda District near HEPFIVE Mall. The place is really nice, very clean and the service was outstanding! The menu was in English too 😀 Basically, they have three menu items: teriyaki, okonomiyaki, and fried noodles. Negiyaki is similar to okonomiyaki but is stuffed with green onions. We tried both: Negiyaki and Okonomiyaki and we knew it is not going to be the last time we are ordering these dishes!
Ajinoya Restaurant
Okonomiyaki, Ajinoya Restaurant,
Okonomiyaki, Ajinoya Restaurant
Okonomiyaki, Ajinoya Restaurant
Okonomiyaki, Ajinoya Restaurant
Okonomiyaki
Ajinoya Restaurant
Kushikatsu, Osaka Food
This dish is much simpler than it sounds! Kushikatsu is a skewer of deep-fried meat or vegetables dipped in sauce. Kushikatsu translated means all kinds of goodies stuck on a stick (“Kushi” = skewer and “katsu” = cutlet). Typical Kushikatsu ingredients are pork, beef, shrimp, sweet potato, onion, asparagus wrapped in bacon, and shiitake mushrooms. Be aware that double dipping is forbidden! Popular places to eat Kushikatsu in Osaka are Shinsekai and Dotonbori. The most famous restaurants for Kushikatsu in Osaka are the “Daruma”, “Yaekatsu”, “Gojouya”, “Katsu” and “Shiruhisa”.
Dotonbori
Where to eat Kushikatsu, Osaka Food
Kushikatsu Daruma: This place is the most emblematic place where you can find some traditional and delicious Kushikatsu sticks! You can find the restaurants in Shinsekai and Dotonbori districts – just search for the angry-looking cook!
Karatto: Karatto is a Kushikatsu restaurant located a few minutes walk from Shinsaibashi station, hidden in the back street of Shinsaibashi. Karatto restaurant offers a great variety of Kushikatsu and they have a seasonal menu too!
Dotonbori Street Food
Dotonbori Street Food
Yakiniku
Japanese people love fish and seafood but grilled Japanese beef and meat is another speciality you don’t want to miss when in Osaka. The typical Japanese BBQ is grilling small pieces of meat over a charcoal griddle right in the middle of your table. After the meal is ready you have to dip the meat in (spicy) sauce before eating. Actually, this way of grilling meat comes from Korea and the best restaurants for Yakiniku around Osaka are Korean.
Yakiniku and food in general are not cheap in Japan, but I found Osaka to be more affordable than Kyoto or Tokyo. Especially when you are a meat lover, you have to try the traditional regional beef.
Korean cuisine, Beef barbecue Yakiniku with kimchi
Where to eat Yakiniku, Osaka Food?
Ajiyoshi: This is a traditional and 40 years old restaurant located just outside the west gates of Tsuruhashi Station. Here you can enjoy various types of grilled meat served with their special sauces.
SEX MACHINE: What a name! The restaurant “SEX MACHINE” is named after the popular American song. In this place, you will be able to enjoy high-end meat while being entertained by funky music.
The best coffee we truly enjoyed in Japan was also in Osaka!
Ramen
A’h, Ramen! We were eating ramen during the whole trip through Japan. To be honest with you, I’m not the type of person who tries every single dish while travelling, and furthermore – I’m not really willing to. During the first days in Japan, I was even kind of anxious about the food. But Ramen always gave me the feeling of knowing what I’m going to get after ordering. And this was a nice feeling 😀
The two major types of Ramen are Shiromaru (white) and Akamaru (red) as the red one is a little spicier than the other.
In Osaka, as well as in all other places we visited during our trip, you can find ramen restaurants in every Osaka urban hub, but they’re most numerous in Minami and the Tennoji Area.
Ramen Soup
Where to eat Ramen in Osaka?
Kamakura Dotonbori: As the name already suggests, the restaurant is located in Dotonbori only 5 min. walk from Namba station. Kamakura Dotonbori is one of the most popular branches of Osaka’s Ramen chain Kamukura. Here you can enjoy the more traditional flavour of Ramen as they keep their traditional recipe for over 30 years!
Ippudo Namba: Ippudo is another famous Ramen chain in Japan. The restaurant is located in the centre of Osaka and they still cook the Ramen in traditional Hakata style in pork bone broth.
Fugu
Fugu is a blowfish famous for being poisonous if prepared by unskilled hands. Well, that’s exactly the kind of dish I’m not really keen to try… But if you are brave enough and if you love raw fish – Fugu could become your favourite dish! Good to know is that all Fugu chefs are specially trained and have a special license for preparing Fugu.
Where to eat Fugu in Osaka?
Shinsekai: The most famous areas for eating Fugu are Shinsekai and Dotonbori.
Zuboraya (Dotonbori & Shinsekai): This is the most famous fugu restaurant in Osaka which is easily recognizable by the large inflated blowfish on the top of the restaurant, so it is really hard to miss. Fugu prices start from around ¥5000.
This is no Fugu but it the best Crispy Chicken I have ever had!
Kinnotorikara – Torikara Crispy Chicken
Kinnotorikara – Torikara Crispy Chicken
How Much Does It Cost To Eat In Osaka?
Japan is not the cheapest country when it comes to eating but Osaka is a place where you can eat very well for cheap. Osaka is significantly cheaper than Tokyo and Kyoto and to be honest – the food here was also better!
You can expect to spend as little as ¥400 per street-food meal and ¥700 for breakfast but if you’re willing to pay around Y900 per meal, you will get some pretty good food! The mid-range food cost something between ¥1,500 and Y2,000 per meal and you will get some outstanding quality food! A dinner in starred restaurants will start at ¥6,000 per person. Things mostly depend on where and what you eat. You can get meals at convenience stores like 7/11, Lawsons, and Family Mart for under ¥700 yen.
Kuromon Market
Kuromon Market
Kuromon Market
Kuromon Market
Kuromon Market
Dotonbori Street Food
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