Japan Foodie Guide: What and Where to Eat in Osaka, Japan

Japanese Food is one of my favorite cuisines. They are unique and well-crafted and created with fresh ingredients. Osaka is the Nation’s Kitchen and therefore offers you a wide variety of tasty food. There are many choices, so we will help you with what to eat and where to eat in Osaka, Japan.

Osaka has a lot of fantastic food to choose from, so we are just picking our Top 8. This will surely fill your belly and make your taste buds happy! I’m so excited for your Foodie Adventure in Osaka. Here is the list of what Japanese Food to eat as well as where to eat in Osaka.

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What and Where to Eat in Osaka, Japan:

1. Takoyaki

Takoyaki is one of the most famous appetizers in Osaka. “Tako” means “Octopus,” while “Yaki” means “fried or grilled,” so Takoyaki is Fried Octopus. You don’t eat the octopus only though; it’s inside a ball-shaped food made of flour. Vegetables are also inside. They are very delicious when hot but somehow, be very careful when you eat it as you may burn your tongue.

Where to Eat Takoyaki in Osaka?

Kukuru
Address: 1-10-5 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka

Look for the large octopus sign and try authentic Takoyaki at Kukuru (like the dove sound). You can get about eight pieces for less than JPY 1,000. The queue will be quite long, but worth it.

2. Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese pancake or Japanese Pizza made of flour and eggs with vegetables (like cabbage). It’s very healthy and isn’t bland for something made with veggies. There is also various sauce used as toppings to make it more mouthwatering.

Where to Eat Takoyaki in Osaka?

Okonomiyaki Chitose
Address: 1-11-10 Taishi, Nishinari-ku, Osaka 557-0002

Eat tasty Okonomiyaki at a reasonable price at Okonomiyaki Chitose. It’s such a tiny restaurant with only 12 seats, but the Okonomiyaki here is the best!

3. Kushikatsu

Kushikatsu is deeply fried meat on a skewer. It’s like barbeque, but the meat is not grilled but instead breaded with flour and then fried. You can choose between chicken, fish, pork or sometimes vegetables. This can make you full, but I wish there’s also rice (haha).

Where to Eat Kushikatsu in Osaka?

Ganso Kushikatsu Daruma
Address: 1-6-4 Dotombori, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0071

Try deep-fried skewers in Ganso Kushikatsu Daruma in Dotonbori. Dip them with sauce and make them even appetizing. Pair kushikatsu with a beer and you’re good to go!

4. Fugu

If you want to eat something exotic, try Fugu or Blowfish or Pufferfish. It’s quite poisonous, but don’t worry as they are strictly controlled in Japan. Chefs have been trained for more than three years to prepare it. It’s going to be a memorable experience!

Where to Eat Fugu in Osaka?

Zuboraya
Address: 1-6-10 Dotombori, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0071

Find the big puffer fish sign and go inside Zuboraya. Though it’s expensive, you can try Fugu sashimi here for about JPY 3,000 – 6,000. Don’t worry about poisoning; the chefs are licensed and have been preparing for Fugu for years!

5. Horumon

A mouthwatering but not for the faint-hearted dish served in Osaka is Horumon (sounds like Hormone). It’s from beef or pork remains like the heart, intestines, tongue and other leftover parts. It’s also good for stamina.

Where to Eat Horumon in Osaka?

Showa Taishu Horumon Dotonbori
Address: 1-5-9 Dotombori Chuo-ku 1f, Osaka 542-0071

Most restaurants have an animal sign in Osaka; Horumon has a cow hanging at its front. Grill those innards and offal and order some more meat and beer as you dine in Showa Taishu Horumon in Dotonbori.

6. Yakiniku

Grilled meat or Yakiniku is a must-eat when you are in Osaka. The experience of cooking your pork, chicken, or beef is so amazing. You’ll not only go home with a full stomach but also the Japanese culture of grilling meat and then eating eat.

Where to Eat Yakiniku in Osaka?

Matsusakagyu Yakiniku
Address: 1-1-19 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0076

Eat and grill your “niku” at Matsusakagyu Yakiniku. If you don’t know how to do it, don’t worry as chefs and staff will supervise and teach you how. Their Matsusaka beef here is highly recommended and worth the price.

7. Kitsune Udon

Though Kitsune means fox, there are no foxes found on this noodle soup dish. However, Kitsune Udon was born in Osaka. The main difference of this udon from other is that there’s a deep-fried fish cake that is on top of the noodles; according to a folktale, the topping is the fox’s favorite, hence the name.

Where to Eat Kitsune Udon in Osaka?

Tsurutontan Soemoncho
Address: 3-17 Soemoncho, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0084

Order Kitsune Udon in Tsurutontan Soemoncho, it cost less than JPY 1,000, and you won’t regret it as it’s very chewy, savory, and delicious! It’s also open till early in the morning, so if you are hungry or want a cure for a hangover, this is the place to be and the Udon is the food to eat.

8. Butaman

Butaman are steamed soft buns that are filled with pork and onions. It was inspired by Bao in China but with a Japanese twist. Though the same as Nikuman, it’s known as Butaman in the Kansai Region, where Osaka is in.

Where to Eat Butaman in Osaka?

551 Horai
Address: Nanba, Chuoku, Osaka 542-0076

551 Horai is a store that serves fresh and hot Butamans. They have many chain restaurants in Osaka and even at airports. They are well-loved and cheap, so you would truly enjoy and love it too!

These are the food you must eat when traveling to Osaka and the best options of where you can eat in Osaka. If you have only 3 days in Japan, you could try everything! Most are usually street food or you could buy on stalls and eat immediately. Your taste buds and stomach would truly love Japan’s Kitchen: Osaka.

About the Writer

Hey, I’m Lyza! I once was a person who just imagined going to places “one day” but decided to pursue my dreams. My first travel abroad was in Japan, solo, last 2018, and I fell in love with the experience. I aim to visit 10 countries before turning 30 and 2 new places in the Philippines every year. Besides traveling, I love organizing trips, taking pictures, reading, and making new friends. Follow my adventures through my Instagram.

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