25 Restaurants to Visit for Outstanding Food in Osaka

Osaka will always be one of our favorite destinations in Japan. Japan is one of the world’s best countries for food and Osaka is one of its most famous food cities.

Since 2014, we’ve been to Osaka a total of four times. Each visit gives us the opportunity to explore new restaurants and to continually update and refine this Osaka food guide.

Our goal is to lead you to the most interesting Japanese food experiences and the best restaurants in Osaka, and I believe we’ve done just that with the latest edition of this restaurant guide.

We understand that when it comes to food, local knowledge is key. No one understands a destination’s cuisine better than a local which is why most of the restaurants and Japanese street food stalls featured here were recommended by locals – either by friends, Japanese food blogs, or local restaurant review sites. We’ve even included the eateries featured on the Japan episode of Street Food on Netflix.

If you’re looking for the best food in Osaka – experiences that will make you fall in love with this delicious city as much as we have – then you’ve come to the right place.

WHAT & WHERE TO EAT IN OSAKA

TAKOYAKI

As described, there are two dishes that Osaka is particularly known for – takoyaki and okonomiyaki. Both are Osaka food favorites that can be found throughout the city.

Takoyaki is a ball-shaped snack made with wheat flour batter cooked in a special molded pan. It’s typically filled with octopus (tako), tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onion. They can be served plain or brushed with takoyaki sauce and mayonnaise, then sprinkled with green laver and bonito shavings.

Although they come in the shape of balls, they’re actually very soft in texture. Save for the slightly crisped up skin which allows it to retain its shape, the center is almost liquid-y in consistency with a nice chewy bit of octopus in the middle. It’s a fun and easy snack to eat on the go.

1. Takoyaki Tamaya

With takoyaki being an Osaka food staple, I wanted to find the best so my research led us to this place – Takoyaki Tamaya. The Japanese blogger who recommended it described it as the best takoyaki she’s tasted thus far in Osaka. Their secret? Lobster in the soup broth.

Takoyaki Tamaya offers several different varieties, but you may want to get this sampler of eight so you can try them all. They top them with things like curry powder, barbecue sauce, garlic soy sauce, and ponzu sauce.

As I learn time and time again, simple is usually the best. Their most popular flavor is this basic but delicious rock salt with mayonnaise.

Because we haven’t eaten takoyaki enough, I knew neither Ren nor I would really notice the difference between this one and “lesser” takoyakis, but I thought our Japanese friend Tsutomu would. Turns out, he couldn’t either. Takoyaki is one of those things that varies little from restaurant to restaurant, so chances are it’s going to be good no matter where you go in Osaka.

Takoyaki is such a convenient street food that most people get it to go. As described, it’s a popular food in Osaka and something you need to try, especially if it’s your first time here. Tsutomu eats it all the time.

Takoyaki Tamaya

Address: 1 Chome-3-4 Kokubunji, Kita, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 531-0064, Japan
Closest MRT Station: Tenjimbashisujirokuchome Station
Operating Hours: 11:30AM-11PM, daily
What to Order: Takoyaki

2. Takoyaki Doraku Wanaka

My friend took me here on my most recent trip to Osaka. According to him, it’s one of the most popular takoyaki restaurant chains in the city. This one was topped with the classic combination of takoyaki sauce, mayo, laver, and bonito flakes. If it’s your first time trying takoyaki in Osaka, then this is how you should have it.

Aside from the variety in toppings, one difference I noticed about the takoyaki between stalls is how runny or thick its consistency is. I guess that it boils down to how long they’re kept on the griddle. The longer they cook, the less gooey they become. These were more on the runny side.

We went to the branch in the Kita area but Takoyaki Doraku Wanaka has multiple restaurants throughout the city. When it comes to takoyaki, it’s one of the best places to eat in Osaka.

Takoyaki Doraku Wanaka

Branches: Multiple branches
Operating Hours: Varies per branch
What to Order: Takoyaki

3. Takoyaki Umaiya

Umaiya was the takoyaki stall featured on Netflix and another great place to try this Osaka food classic. It’s located just a short walk from the Takoyaki Doraku Wanaka restaurant we visited in Kita Ward so you can try both on the same day. Let us know which you prefer.

Umaiya serves a simpler version of takoyaki brushed with just takoyaki sauce. It was tasty and less gooey than the takoyaki at Doraku Wanaka.

I didn’t know this at the time but aside from being featured on Netflix, Umaiya was included in the 2016 Kyoto and Osaka Michelin Guide. Established in 1953, it’s still going strong after almost seventy years and four generations of ownership.

Takoyaki Umaiya

Branches: 4-21 Naniwacho, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0022, Japan
Closest MRT Station: Tenjimbashisujirokuchome Station
Operating Hours: 11:30AM-7PM, Wed-Mon (closed Tuesdays)
What to Order: Takoyaki

OKONOMIYAKI

Like takoyaki, okonomiyaki is one of the dishes that Osaka is best known for. It’s a simple but comforting Osaka food favorite that’s easy on the palate.

Okonomiyaki is basically a Japanese savory-sweet pancake made with wheat flour batter mixed with eggs, grated yam, and shredded cabbage. It’s often cooked on a teppanyaki grill in front of you, and typically contains other ingredients as well like green onion, pork belly, seafood, vegetables, and cheese.

4. Okonomiyaki Mizuno

You can find okonomiyaki restaurants throughout Osaka so it was important for me to find the best. My research led me to Okonimayki Mizuno, a Michelin-recommended restaurant long known for serving some of the very best okonomiyaki in Osaka.

Pictured below is Mizuno’s bestseller – the yamaimo-yaki – which you can have with two of of the following ingredients: pork sirloin, pork belly, scallop, squid, shrimp, and oyster. I don’t remember what we got but I do remember it being delicious.

This is a version of okonomiyaki called modan-yaki which is made with a layer of fried noodles, either udon or yakisoba.

We ate here with out friend Tustomu. It was his first time here and unlike the takoyaki at Tamaya, Tsutomu concurred that the okonomiyaki at Mizuno was one of the best he’s ever had. When it comes to okonomiyaki, Mizuno really is one of the best places to eat in Osaka.

Okonomiyaki Mizuno is popular with both tourists and locals so expect a line no matter what time of day you go. It moves fairly quickly though so don’t be dismayed. The restaurant has been open since 1945 and is presently on its third generation of ownership.

Okonomiyaki Mizuno

Address: 1 Chome-4-15 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan
Closest MRT Station: Namba or Kintetsu-Nippombashi Station
Operating Hours: 11AM-9PM, daily
What to Order: Okonomiyaki

5. Fue

This is the okonomiyaki restaurant featured on Netflix. Tsutomu and I shared two kinds – a butatama made with pork and an ikatama made with squid. They were both delicious, a bit firmer than other okonomiyakis I’ve tried, which I liked.

They serve them to you brushed with just okonomiyaki sauce and Japanese mayo so you can top them with as much laver and bonito flakes as you like.

This is what the insides of an okonomiyaki look like. I enjoyed how the okonomiyaki at Fue holds it shape even when sliced like this. Many tend to just fall apart when you start dividing it with your spatula.

Fue is located in Miyakojima Ward, not too far from Kyobashi Station. Izakaya Toyo, the main feature on the Japan episode of Street Food, is in the same area so you can easily visit both on the same day.

Fue

Address: Japan, 5 Chome-2-7 Higashinodamachi, Miyakojima Ward, Osaka, 534-0024, Japan
Closest MRT Station: Kyobashi Station
Operating Hours: 12NN-2PM, 5-11PM, Sun-Thurs / 12NN-2PM, 5PM-12:30AM, Fri-Sat
What to Order: Okonomiyaki

SUSHI

No self-respecting Osaka food guide would be complete without the mention of sushi, one of the greatest dishes in Japanese cuisine. This delectable dish of vinegared rice topped with a sliver of raw fish is my absolute favorite food in the world.

Sushi is one of the most well-known Japanese dishes and something you can have throughout the country. For many people, it’s the first thing that comes to mind when they think of Japanese cuisine.

6. Daiki Suisan

Sushi is served in many places – at restaurants, at sushi bars, even at convenience stores. Our favorite place to have sushi in Japan is at kaiten-zushi restaurants. Kaiten-zushi refers to a restaurant that offers affordable sushi on a rotating conveyor belt. Customers are free to grab any plate of sushi they want as it makes its way through the restaurant.

In my hand below is a plate of kani or crab sushi.

Plates are color-coded so you know exactly how much you’ll be paying.

More premium types of sushi like toro (fatty tuna) or unagi (freshwater eel) don’t come along as often, so you’ll need to order them via the touchscreen pad at your table or counter seat. This is what most Japanese customers do. We enjoy grabbing them off the conveyor belt for the novelty, but if you want the freshest plates, then it’s best to get them made-to-order.

Daiki Suisan is a kaiten-zushi chain with many branches throughout Japan. Tsutomu suggested we try it so we can compare it to our beloved Kura Sushi. He described it as a slightly more upscale version of Kura.

Daiki Suisan

Branches: daiki-suisan.co.jp
Operating Hours: Varies per branch
What to Order: Sushi

7. Kura Sushi

As good as Daiki Suisan was, I think we still prefer Kura Sushi, and it has little to do with taste.

Not only can you enjoy the novelty of grabbing anything you want off that conveyor belt, but every plate of sushi at Kura goes for just JPY 100 (January 2020), or about one US dollar.

Because it’s so cheap, the quality probably isn’t as high as Daiki Suisan, but who cares? You can’t say no to JPY 100 a plate sushi, especially in a country as pricey as Japan. Even Tsutomu loves Kura Sushi and eats here often.

Kura Sushi is a popular kaiten-zushi chain with hundreds of restaurants throughout the country. I believe they have at least one branch in every prefecture in Japan, except Hokkaido.

Most plates have two pieces of sushi but more premium varieties like this kani (crab) only come with one.

The most succulent pair of hotate (scallop) sushi. These were so delicious I could have eaten ten plates on my own!

Kura Sushi

Branches: kura-corpo.co.jp
Operating Hours: Varies per branch
What to Order: Sushi

8. Jinen Shimizucho

NOTE: The Shinsaibashi branch of Jinen Shimizucho appears to have closed. You may want to go to their other branches instead.

Kaiten-zushi restaurants are a lot of fun, but if you don’t care much for the novelty and want to have better quality sushi in a more traditional restaurant, then Jinen Shimizucho is a good choice.

Just a short walk from Shinsaibashi station, Tsutomu took us here on our first trip to Osaka and we’ve never forgotten it. Their sushi is top notch and it’s the first time we ever got to try aburi or flame-torched sushi.

Unagi (freshwater eel) in front and anago (saltwater Conger eel) in the rear. Unagi was the very first piece of sushi I ever tried in my life. It’s what turned me on to sushi and remains one of my absolute favorites to this day.

Tsutomu does all the ordering when we go to Osaka sushi restaurants and this was the first time either Ren or I got to try anago. It isn’t as common outside of Japan so if you like unagi, then you should definitely try it here. The Japanese seem to prefer it over unagi. It’s similar but less sweet, and softer in texture.

Chuo toro (medium fatty tuna) in the rear and aburi shake (blow-torched salmon) in front. They sprinkle the aburi with a pinch of salt so no soy sauce is necessary. It’s partially cooked and has a wonderful texture that’s unlike your typical raw sushi.

Both the chuo toro and aburi are premium pieces of sushi that practically melt in your mouth. So so good.

Jinen Shimizucho

Address: Japan, 〒542-0085 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Chuo Ward, Shinsaibashisuji, 1 Chome−4−11 モモタロービル
Closest MRT Station: Shinsaibashi Station
Operating Hours: 11AM-12MN, Thurs-Tue (closed Wed)
What to Order: Sushi

RAMEN

Like sushi, ramen is one of Japan’s most famous dishes. It’s a noodle soup dish made with Chinese wheat noodles in a meat or fish-based broth. It’s often flavored with soy sauce or miso then topped with chashu (sliced pork), nori (dried seaweed), and scallions.

Many regions in Japan offer their own version of ramen, like Hakata ramen in Fukuoka or miso ramen in Sapporo. Unfortunately, Osaka doesn’t seem to have its own spin on ramen but it’s still a great dish to have, especially in winter.

9. Rai Rai Tei

Rai Rai Tei is a ramen restaurant chain with branches throughout the country. It’s our friend Tsutomu’s favorite ramen restaurant and a place he was extremely excited to share with us. It did not disappoint.

Ren had the standard while I went with the miso ramen, both of which were outstanding. We’ve had great bowls of ramen before but never this good. The depth of flavor in both broths was incredible, and they were noticeably different too. So much more complex than any bowl of ramen we’ve ever had.

We’ve had many bowls of ramen in different cities throughout Japan so I honestly didn’t think I’d be blown away by this one, but we were. It’s so damn flavorful.

Ramen noodles are meant to be slurped, and slurped loudly. While slurping your food may be considered rude in the western world, it isn’t in Japan.

In fact, the Japanese want you to slurp your ramen because (A) it allows you to consume the noodles when they’re at their best – scalding hot; (B) slurping aerates the noodles and broth, making them taste better; and (C) slurping is a sign that you’re enjoying your food.

So when in Japan, don’t be shy when eating ramen or other noodle soup dishes. Just dig right in and slurp away!

We actually slurped these bowls of ramen at a Rai Rai Tei in Kyoto but they have many branches throughout Japan, including several in Osaka. According to Tsutomu, they’re mostly in suburban neighborhoods which is probably why Rai Rai Tei isn’t as well known to tourists as Ichiran or Ippudo.

Ramen is often eaten with gyoza and fried rice in Japan. I looked around and nearly every diner had in front of them a bowl of ramen, a plate of gyoza, and a mound of Japanese fried rice. Rai Rai Tei offers combo meals with all three.

Rai Rai Tei

Branches: rairaitei.co.jp
Operating Hours: Varies per branch
What to Order: Ramen, Gyoza

10. Ippudo

Unlike Rai Rai Tei, Ippudo is an internationally renowned ramen restaurant chain with branches in Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia. Personally, we preferred Rai Rai Tei but the ramen at Ippudo is excellent as well. We ate at the Ippudo branch in Ikeda, conveniently and fittingly just a few minutes’ walk from the Cup Noodles Museum.

Ren had Ippudo’s signature creamy tonkotsu ramen while I went with this spicier tan-tan men. Both were very good.

The noodles in Ippudo’s ramen seem thicker than Rai Rai Tei’s.

While we preferred the ramen at Rai Rai Tei, the gyoza at Ippudo was definitely better. Many people here were enjoying their bowls of ramen with gyoza and fried rice as well.

Ippudo

Branches: ippudo.com
Operating Hours: Varies per branch
What to Order: Ramen, Gyoza

11. Niboshi Ramen Tamagoro Kuromon

If you like ramen, then you’re probably going to enjoy tsukemen. Tsukemen is a type of ramen where the noodles and broth are served separately. Think of it as a form of deconstructed ramen.

You take the noodles, which are typically served cold or at room temperature, and dip them into the hot broth before eating. Compared to regular ramen, tsukemen broth is more intensely flavored which is why you’re encouraged to dilute it with dashi so you can drink it as a soup at the end of your meal.

Niboshi Ramen Tamagoro is known for serving their ramen with a rich, deeply flavorful niboshi fish broth. They offer regular ramen as well but tsukemen is a fun and different way of enjoying this beloved Japanese dish. Because the noodles are served separately, they maintain their firmness throughout the meal.

Niboshi Ramen Tamagoro has several branches in Osaka but the one we went to is inside Kuromon Ichiba Market, one of the best places to enjoy quality street food in the city. If you’d like to try tsukemen, then we suggest visiting this branch so you can make it an entire morning of eating in Osaka.

Snack your way through Kuromon Ichiba Market soon as it opens in the morning, when it’s best and least crowded, then have lunch at Niboshi Ramen Tamagoro. That’s what we did.

Niboshi Ramen Tamagoro Kuromon

Branches: genki-factory.com
Operating Hours: Varies per branch
What to Order: Tsukemen, Ramen

UDON

Like ramen, udon is a noodle soup dish but made with thicker wheat flour noodles. Served hot in winter and cold in summer, it’s often topped with chopped scallions, tempura, aburaage (deep-fried tofu), and kamaboko (fish cake).

12. Dotombori Imai Honten

Dotombori Imai Honten has been open since 1946 and is one of the most beloved udon restaurants in Osaka. Our friend Tsutomu told us it’s his mom’s favorite udon restaurant and often gets takeaway from there.

Ren had this shippoku udon made with prawn, fishcake, black mushroom, and green onion. It was clean-tasting and absolutely delicious.

I had the nabeyaki udon which was served in this clay pot and contained a variety of vegetables, duck, fishcake, and egg.

Personally, I prefer the chewier, slippery smooth texture of udon noodles but the broth tends to be more subtle in flavor than ramen broth. I’ve read that ramen typically contains more sodium than udon which explains why it’s tastier.

It seems to me that in a bowl of ramen, the star is the broth, while in udon, it’s the noodles.

The Dotombori Imai Honten restaurant is located just a short walk from the famous Glico Man in Dotonbori.

Dotombori Imai Honten

Address: 1 Chome-7-22 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 542-0071, Japan
Closest MRT Station: Osaka-Namba Station
Operating Hours: 11AM-10PM, Thurs-Tue (closed Wed)
What to Order: Udon

13. Ibuki Udon – CLOSED

Ibuki was the udon restaurant featured on Netflix. Well, sort of.

I didn’t catch it but according to our friend Tsutomu, they briefly showed the restaurant’s interior during the episode’s intro sequence. Being well-acquainted with the shop, he recognized it right away. According to him, it’s his favorite udon restaurant.

I let Tsutomu do the ordering but from their menu, it looks like they offer both dry and soup udon. He got us the udon with soup. It comes with just the udon noodles in soup but you can top it with as much chopped scallions, tempura scraps, and dried fish as you want.

Tsutomu was right. This was the best udon I’ve ever tasted. The noodles were your typical udon noodles – slippery smooth and chewy – but what made all the difference for me was the broth. It was very tasty and perhaps the most flavorful udon broth I’ve ever had.

Here’s a closer look at those thick and chewy udon noodles. Absolutely delicious.

Ibuki Udon – CLOSED

Address: 5 Chome-5-16 Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0041, Japan
Closest MRT Station: Osaka-Namba Station
Operating Hours: 11AM-10PM, daily
What to Order: Udon

KAISEKI

Kaiseki refers to a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner consisting of small, artfully prepared dishes. It’s typically served at ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) or at small restaurants called ryōtei. You can think of it as the Japanese version of western haute cuisine.

Kaiseki has its roots in Kyoto but you can have it pretty much anywhere in Japan. If you want a truly special meal in Osaka, then a kaiseki meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant is something you should plan for.

14. Iroha

This ryōtei was where I celebrated my birthday in 2014. Iroha has one Michelin star and is known for serving traditional kaiseki meals.

Pictured below is uni or sea urchin on a bed of vegetables. It was the first of thirteen courses from our terrific kaiseki dinner in Osaka. Compared to Fujiya 1935 which offers contemporary dining, you’ll notice that kaiseki dishes are much more traditional in preparation and presentation.

White fish on vegetables

Every course we had at Iroha was fantastic, but this Saga wagyu beef sukiyaki was easily my favorite. Like Kobe and Matsusaka, Saga Beef is often cited as being one of Japan’s finest beef brands. The thinly sliced beef just melts in your mouth. Unreal.

Iroha

Address: Japan, Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Kita, 曽根崎新地1-3-19 北新地ビル 5F
Closest MRT Station: Nishi-Umeda Station
Operating Hours: 11AM-11PM, daily
What to Order: Kaiseki

15. Fujiya 1935

When we visited Osaka in 2014, it was to celebrate my birthday so we ate at three very special restaurants. The first was Tsurugyu, the second was Iroha, and the third and perhaps most special, was Fujiya 1935.

At the time, Fujiya was one of just four restaurants in the city that had three Michelin stars. They’ve since lost one star but they’re still undoubtedly one of the best Osaka restaurants.

Helmed by Chef Tetsuya Fujiwara, Fujiya 1935 is known for its innovative contemporary dishes like this ayu or river fish with pureed shiso leaf (perilla). It was one of six courses from our lunch tasting menu.

This was one of my favorite dishes from our lunch tasting menu – firefly squid on fresh pasta with seasonal vegetables and edible flowers.

I’m not sure if the tasting menus at Fujiya are technically still kaiseki meals. At the very least, they’re westernized versions.

Check out this beautiful dessert of fresh berries, two types of cream, a quenelle of matcha (green tea) ice cream, crystallized sugar, and matcha powder. It looks almost too pretty to eat!

These dishes were from 2014 so they’re probably not offering them anymore. Do check the Fujiya 1935 website for an updated menu.

Fujiya 1935

Address: 2 Chome-4-14 Yariyamachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 540-0027, Japan
Closest MRT Station: Sakaisuji Hommachi or Tanimachiyonchome Station
Operating Hours: 12-1PM, 6-8PM, Mon-Sat (closed Sun)
What to Order: Tasting menu

OTHER JAPANESE DISHES & OSAKA RESTAURANTS

16. Tempura Tentomi

Aside from sushi, tempura is one of my favorite dishes in Japanese cuisine. In the Philippines, it’s one of the first things to go at an all-you-can-eat Japanese buffet.

Like sushi restaurants, many of the best tempura places can be expensive in Japan. Thankfully, I found Tempura Tentomi which not only offers excellent tempura, but they serve a type that isn’t as common in Osaka – Kanto-style tempura.

Kansai-style tempura (Osaka, Kyoto) uses a more neutral oil like vegetable oil while Kanto-style (Tokyo) uses sesame oil. Egg is also used in the batter of Kanto-style tempura which makes it look more yellowish.

We came to this restaurant for lunch when all they offer is this tendon bowl with the sauce already poured over the tempura and rice. Like many Filipinos, we’ve been eating tempura for most of our lives and this was one of the best tempura experiences we’ve ever had.

The tempura was crisp, succulent, sweet-savory, and slightly sticky from the sauce. It was absolutely delicious, especially when eaten with the rice. It was Tsutomu’s first time here and he loved their tempura as well.

Restaurants like this make me so grateful for having a Japanese friend.

Like many un-touristy restaurants, Tempura Tentomi isn’t located along the street. It’s away from plain view on the second floor of this building, the only indication of its location being the Japanese sign in the building’s directory.

The restaurant is hard to find on your own so look out for this building if you decide to eat here.

Go up to the second floor and make a right. The Tempura Tentomi restaurant is through that door. They have reasonable lunch prices so it’s popular among locals. Expect a wait.

Tempura Tentomi

Address: Japan, 〒530-0002 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Kita, Sonezakishinchi, 1 Chome−5−２−2F 大川ビル本館
Closest MRT Station: Kita-Shinchi Station
Operating Hours: 11:30AM–1:30PM, 5:30–9PM, Mon-Fri / 5:30-9PM, Sat (closed Sun)
What to Order: Kanto-style tempura

17. Tsurugyu

This meal was from our first trip to Osaka in 2014 and it remains one of our best dining experiences so far in Japan. It’s where you can (allegedly) have Kobe Beef without paying for the exorbitant price tag. I won’t get into why I use the word “allegedly” here, but you can read about it in my post about Tsurugyu.

Kobe Beef refers to Wagyu beef from the Tajima strain of Japanese Black cattle raised in Hyōgo Prefecture. It’s considered one of Japan’s top three beef brands – revered for its flavor, tenderness, and fatty, well-marbled texture. Quality like that comes at a price, with customers typically paying premium for one certified Kobe Beef steak.

Our friend Tsutomu used to work as a purchasing agent for a five-star resort and Tsurugyu was recommended to him by one of their meat suppliers. According to him, they serve genuine Kobe Beef at a fraction of the cost.

Certified or not, this was the best damn beef we had ever tasted in our lives. It was so tender that every bite, no matter the cut, practically dissolved in your mouth.

Pictured here is a plate of Kobe Beef tongue. Tables at Tsurugyu have tabletop grills so you can cook the meat yourself.

We tried many different cuts of beef during our meal, including this one which was the second most expensive cut on their menu. Everything we had was sensational.

Tsurugyu

Address: 3 Chome-5-14 Kawarayamachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 542-0066, Japan
Closest MRT Station: Nippombashi or Tanimachikyuchome Station
Operating Hours: 5PM-12MN, Tue-Sun (closed Mon)
What to Order: Kobe beef

18. Kisoji

Our friend Patrick wanted to have shabu-shabu for dinner so Tsutomu took us to Kisoji, a shabu-shabu and sukiyaki restaurant chain with a few branches in Osaka.

Shabu-shabu is a Japanese hotpot dish of thinly sliced meat and vegetables boiled in a clear, kombu-based (kelp) broth. Unlike sukiyaki which is noticeably sweeter, shabu-shabu is milder and more savory in flavor. It’s commonly made with thinly sliced beef, though other proteins like pork, crab, or chicken may also be used.

Kisoji offers four different grades of beef. It can get pretty expensive so we went with the lowest two grades. As you can probably tell, the redder beef with less marbling was the lower grade.

To be honest, I couldn’t really tell the difference because both were outstanding. If you’re worried about the cost, then start with the lowest grade. Every order comes with a basket of vegetables and mushrooms, and a few sides.

Tsutomu did all the ordering so I’m not sure if this trio of appetizers were ordered a la carte, or if they came with the meal. They were as tasty as they were beautiful.

Kisoji speicalizes in shabu-shabu and sukiyaki, but they offer other dishes on their menu as well, including this platter of fugu or pufferfish.

Pufferfish are notorious for their neurotoxin which is 1,200 times more powerful than cyanide, so a chef needs to be properly trained and certified before they can serve fugu in Japan. Try this if you’re feeling adventurous.

We went to the Kisoji restaurant in Shinsaibashi located in the basement of this building. It’s just a short walk south of Shinsaibashi station.

Kisoji

Branches: kisoji.co.jp
Operating Hours: Varies per branch
What to Order: Shabu-shabu, Sukiyaki

19. Izakaya Toyo

Every episode of Street Food on Netflix showcases three or four eateries, but there’s always one place that’s featured as its main storyline. In the Japan episode, Izakaya Toyo was that place.

Toyo is an outdoor izakaya (Japanese pub) in Miyakojima Ward named after its owner. Toyo-san is a colorful and ebullient man with an interesting though somewhat sad backstory. I won’t get into that here but he’s managed to get past the tragedies in his life to open what has become one of the most popular izakayas in Osaka.

We got here shortly after they opened at 3PM and the standing room only izakaya was already packed with Japanese office workers and tourists drinking beers and eating plates of his blowtorched food.

This gorgeous plate of uni, ikura, and toro was the day’s special. The uni and ikura were nice but the toro was served nearly frozen. We found it to be a waste of such a prime cut of tuna. Such a shame!

This plate was pretty pricey considering the quality so you may want to order something else.

If you look really closely, you can see Toyo-san’s bald head between two diners. He’s become somewhat of a local celebrity for his jovial demeanor and aggressive way he blowtorches food.

While torching seafood and meat with his left hand, he dips his right into a bucket of ice water then dabs the food to keep it from drying out. It doesn’t look like he’s burned himself (too badly) yet but it’s a theatrical and entertaining way of cooking that pulls in the customers.

I wanted to eat here because of him so I was bummed we could only get a table at the opposite side of the izakaya. If you’re a fan of the show, then I suggest arriving about half an hour before they open so you can get a table near Toyo-san. Clearly, he is the attraction here.

Izakaya Toyo

Address: 3 Chome-2-26 Higashinodamachi, Miyakojima Ward, Osaka, 534-0024, Japan
Closest MRT Station: Kyobashi Station
Operating Hours: 3:30-8:30PM, Tue-Sat (Closed Sun-Mon)
What to Order: Daily special

20. Ohagi no Tambaya

If you like mochi, then you need to eat here. According to my Japanese friend, Ohagi no Tambaya is one of the best and most popular mochi chains in the Kansai region.

We had these delicious balls of grilled mochi after our udon breakfast at Ibuki. They were brushed with a miso glaze while being barbecued on a grill. They were smokey, savory-sweet, chewy, gooey, and loaded with umami. I loved the added texture from those grill marks as well. So damn good and something I wouldn’t mind having as a snack everyday.

We went to a stall in Kita Ward but Ohagi no Tambaya has several branches in Osaka. They have branches in Kyoto and Hyogo as well.

Ohagi no Tambaya

Operating Hours: Varies per branch
What to Order: Mochi with miso

21. Tonkatsu Matsunoya

Tonkatsu Matsunoya is a popular tonkatsu restaurant chain with branches throughout Osaka and Japan. Tonkatsu refers to seasoned pork fillet or loin coated in panko bread crumbs then deep-fried. It’s typically served with shredded cabbage and a thick brown tonkatsu sauce.

Matsunoya offers different types of tonkatsu meal sets. I had the tonkatsu with ebi furai (shrimp) while Ren went with the tonkatsu with miso sauce. Both the tonkatsu and ebi furai were very good – succulent and juicy with a light, crisp coating.

According to their website, Tonkatsu Matsunaya has over a hundred restaurants in Osaka alone, so you can refer to their store locator to find a restaurant near you.

Tonkatsu Matsunaya

Branches: matsuyafoods.co.jp
Operating Hours: Varies per branch
What to Order: Tonkatsu

22. Zuboraya – CLOSED

Because of its element of danger, fugu has become a curiosity among many travelers, something the more adventurous want to try just for the sake of trying. If you’re one of those people, then you may want to try it at Zuboraya, an Osaka restaurant that specializes in this curious and somewhat notorious delicacy.

As I touched upon earlier, fugu or pufferfish has a powerful neurotoxin that’s about 1,200 times stronger than cyanide. It doesn’t have an available antidote which is why chefs need to go through a rigorous training program to serve it. Eating improperly prepared fugu can lead to dizziness, exhaustion, headache, nausea, asphyxiation, and potentially, death. How fun!

In reality, the chances of eating improperly prepared fugu at a Japanese restaurant are virtually nil nowadays. I’ve heard that eating fugu is supposed to give you a tingling, numbing sensation, but I didn’t experience that either time I tried it. To be honest, it doesn’t taste like anything which is why I don’t think it matters at which (licensed) restaurant you try it.

Aside from sashimi, fugu is also served in sushi form. We haven’t tried it but one of the mot popular ways of enjoying fugu in Japan is in a hotpot. It’s typically eaten in winter and is usually fairly pricey.

Walk around the Dotonbori area and you may come across one of these large blowfish lanterns. Congratulations! You’ve found a Zuboraya restaurant.

According to Tsutomu, Zuboraya isn’t known for serving the best fugu, but if all you want to do is cross it off your bucket list, then it’s good enough. Like I said, it doesn’t have much taste anyway.

If you’d like to indulge in a fugu set meal at Zuboraya, then you can purchase vouchers in advance through Klook.

Zuboraya

Branches: zuboraya.co.jp
Operating Hours: 11AM-11PM, daily
What to Order: Fugu

23. Rikuro Ojisan

You may have seen these branded Japanese cheesecakes jiggling their way through social media. Rikuro Ojisan makes these super fluffy baked cheesecakes with raisins that are available only in Osaka.

As you can see below, the kitchen is behind a glass window so customers can observe the baking process. Molds are lined with raisins then filled with the cheesecake mixture before being baked for about 45 minutes. When ready, a staff member rings a bell to let customers know that freshly baked cheesecakes have just come out of the oven. Each one is then stamped with the logo bearing founder and pastry Chef Rikuro Nishimura’s likeness.

Before I tried it, I didn’t think it would be better than any other Japanese cheesecake, but it was. It’s so frikking good. It’s rich, fluffy, creamy, and super duper jiggly. It’s light too so you could probably demolish the entire thing in one sitting. Dangerously good stuff.

As described, Rikuro Ojisan is available only in Osaka so be sure to try it when you’re here.

Rikuro Ojisan

Branches: rikuro.co.jp
Operating Hours: Varies per branch
What to Order: Cheesecake

24. Kuromon Ichiba Market

From its name, you can probably tell that this isn’t an actual restaurant, but a covered food market. It’s somewhere between a wet market and a food hall. Nicknamed “Osaka’s Kitchen”, Kuromon Ichiba is where many of the city’s chefs purchase their ingredients so you know the food here is of the highest quality.

Kuromon Ichiba Market has been around for well over a century and is home to about a hundred and fifty shops selling meat, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and all kinds of prepared food. For casual dining, it’s one of the best places to eat in Osaka.

Pictured below are skewers of diver scallops and tako tamago – a glazed baby octopus stuffed with a whole quail egg. Serious yum!

Feast you eyes on these massive grilled oysters.

Glistening uni or sea urchin. Serioiusly, how good does that look??

As previously described, Niboshi Ramen Tamagoro has a branch inside the market. If you’re interested in trying good tsukemen, then I suggest coming to Kuromon Ichiba Market early and trying whatever you like before having lunch at Niboshi Ramen Tamagoro. The market can get pretty crowded later in the day so it’s best to experience it early before it gets packed.

You can check out our post on Kuromon Ichiba Market for a list of some of the best things to eat there. It’s easy enough to visit on your own but if you’d like to have a guide take you to the best stalls, then you may be interested in this Kuromon Ichiba walking tour.

Kuromon Ichiba Market

Address: 2 Chome-4-番１号 Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 542-0073, Japan
Closest MRT Station: Kintetsu Nippombashi Station
Operating Hours: 9AM-6PM, daily

25. Namba Bar Hopping Tour

If you’d like to know where to eat in Osaka but don’t have the time to do research, then you may want to book a food tour. It’s a great way of having a local lead you to some of the best food in Osaka.

We love going on food tours when we travel. It’s a great way to find hidden gems and learn about the local cuisine. If you’re interested in going on a food tour in Osaka, then you may want to book one with Magical Trip.

Magical Trip is a fun tour company that offers small group tours led by locals in several Japanese cities, including Osaka. We haven’t done one in Osaka yet, but we have done their tours in Tokyo and Kyoto.

Aside from the Kuromon Ichiba walking tour, they also offer a Namba bar hopping food tour and a Dotonbori street food crawl in Osaka. Locals will take you to some of the city’s best spots to try Osaka food favorites like okonomiyaki and takoyaki.

Namba Bar Hopping Tour

Length of Tour: Three hours

OTHER OSAKA FOOD TOURS

I’ve recommended a few food and bar tours above but there are plenty of other food-related tours you can go on. Check out Get Your Guide and byFood for a list of available food and drinking tours in Osaka. You’ll find plenty to choose from like street food tours, market tours, and izakaya tours.

OSAKA RESTAURANTS LOCATION MAP

To help you find these restaurants in Osaka, I’ve pinned them all to this map along with a few others we were planning on visiting but couldn’t get to. Click on the link to open the map in a new window.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE FOOD IN OSAKA

There is so much delicious food in Osaka. We did thorough research and consulted with our Japanese friend Tsutomu to make this Osaka food guide as complete as possible. We hope it leads you to many delicious Japanese meals.

Because of the language barrier, it can sometimes be challenging finding your way around Japan. To make things easier, I suggest renting a pocket wifi device or buying a sim card. That way you have a constant wifi connection to consult maps and do any last minute research.

Thanks for reading and have an awesome eating all the delicious Japanese food in Osaka!

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