Osaka is known for its delicious food at affordable prices. While there are some similarities to food in Tokyo and other parts of Japan, some of the distinct Osaka dishes are symbolic to the area. Although many of the Osaka dishes are served in other cities in Japan and throughout major cities in the world, I tend to think Osaka food tastes much better when traveling in Osaka. I have listed a few popular dishes and restaurants in Osaka that are unique to the region.
- To read about planning your trip to Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, visit: Planning you trip to Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe: Planning your trip to Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe
Recommended Kushikatsu restaurants in Osaka
*Daruma Dotonbori
*Kushikatsu Shirotaya
Also known as savory Japanese assorted pancake; this dish typically consists of pan fried mixed chopped cabbage and seafood or assorted beef or pork. Topped with special tangy sauce and mayonnaise. In Osaka, this dish is usually cooked by the chef or waitress by your table, while in other part of Japan, it is self-serviced style similar to Yakiniku BBQ restaurants.
Recommended Okonomiyaki restaurants in Osaka
*Chibo Okonomiyaki
*Vin Jutei
Tonpei-Yaki
Kansai area is known for udon served in special dashi soup. Kitsune udon is unique in a way that the topping usually consists of a piece of spongy fried tofu. The spongy fried tofu is very flavorful because it soaks up the aromatic dashi soup. This is a hearty and affordable dish that touches the heart of many Osaka people as well as budget international travelers. The clear broth is definitely a healthier alternative to the typical oily tonkotsu ramen.
Recommended Kitsune Udon restaurants in Osaka
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| Kushikatsu Deep Fried Goods on a stick - Iconic Osaka food |
- To read about planning your trip to Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, visit: Planning you trip to Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe: Planning your trip to Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe
-To read about my recommendations of affordable and reasonable hotels in Osaka, visit: Osaka Reasonable Affordable Hotels
-To read about my recommendations of affordable and reasonable hotels in Tokyo, visit: Tokyo Affordable Cheap Reasonable Hotels
-To read about my recommendations of affordable and reasonable hotels in Tokyo, visit: Tokyo Affordable Cheap Reasonable Hotels
-To read about planning your trip in Tokyo, visit: Planning your trip to Tokyo Japan
Kushikatsu
This type of Osaka cuisine is perhaps the most iconic to the area of Osaka. Kushikatsu consists of deep fried goods in either thin crispy or thick chewy batter. Ingredients range from different types of meat to vegetables; Kusuhikatsu restaurants usually offer fresh cabbage to wash away the greasy sensation. Kushikatsu restaurants are typical set up similar to sushi bar where the chef batters and deep fries the ingredients in front of you. Fresh cabbage and special dipping sauce are usually kept in separate metal bins on the table. There will be signs on the wall and in the menu stating "No double dip" for the sauce; remember it is a taboo to double dip your fried goods and cabbage in the communal sauce bin.
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| Dipping Sauce, fresh cabbage, and Kushikatsu Deep Fried Goods |
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| Deep Fried Goods Restaurant Bar, Daruma Dotonbori Osaka |
*Daruma Dotonbori
*Kushikatsu Shirotaya
Doteyaki
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| Doteyaki Beef Stew in Osaka |
This dish is typically served in Kushikatsu restaurants along with their deep fried goods; Doteyaki usually consists of beef meat and tendon braised in sweet miso sauce. Tangy yet savory, served with chopped scallion.
Recommended Doteyaki restaurants in Osaka
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| Doteyaki Beef Stew in a bowl, Osaka |
Okonomiyak
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| Chef cooks Okonomiyaki before bringing them to your table in Osaka restaurant |
Also known as savory Japanese assorted pancake; this dish typically consists of pan fried mixed chopped cabbage and seafood or assorted beef or pork. Topped with special tangy sauce and mayonnaise. In Osaka, this dish is usually cooked by the chef or waitress by your table, while in other part of Japan, it is self-serviced style similar to Yakiniku BBQ restaurants.
Recommended Okonomiyaki restaurants in Osaka
*Chibo Okonomiyaki
*Vin Jutei
Tonpei-Yaki
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| Tonpei Yaki Pork in Rolled up egg in Osaka |
This dish is usually served in Okonomiyaki restaurants; Cooked on a big heated pan, this dish usuallyconsists of thin slices of pork rolled up in pan fried egg, topped with similar sauce as Okonmiyaki and mayonnaise. This dish is usually eaten as an appetizer before the main course of Okonomiyaki.
Recommended Tonpei restaurants in Osaka
Kitsune Udon
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| Osaka Kitsune Fried Tofu Udon Soup |
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| Osaka Kitsune Deep Fried Tofu Udon Soup |
Takoyaki is another iconic food in Osaka. Classically, this dish consists of broiled or lightly fried battered piece of octopus. Similar to Okonmiyaki, this dish is usually topped with special tangy sauce and mayonnaise. There are many varieties of Takoyaki, ingredients range from Korean pickled vegetable kimchi and cheese, etc. Takoyaki is considered to be the soul food of Osaka that is good for sharing among groups of friends.
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| Octopus in your Osaka style Takoyaki in Dotonbori |
Recommended Takoyaki "places" in Osaka
*Takoyaki Ichiban*Kukuru Konamon Museum
Mixed Juice
This is a lesser known beverage outside of Osaka area. This non-alcoholic beverage usually consists of blend of fresh fruits and full milk. Mixed juice is usually served at family-restaurant style Cafes and street vendors in Kuromon ichiba and Shinsekai areas.
*Takoyaki Ichiban*Kukuru Konamon Museum
Mixed Juice
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| Osaka Kurumon market street Mixed Juice vendor |
Recommended restaurants based on different areas
- Dontoubori area
- Dontoubori area
*Daiki Suisan Revolving Sushi Bar Restaurant (high cost and performance value)
*Osaka Osho Restaurant - Japanese Chinese Restaurant specialized in Gyoza (dumpling)
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| Osaka Dotonbori Daiki Conveyor Belt Resolving Sushi Bar. Blue fin tuna Toro on the belt! |
*Osaka Osho Restaurant - Japanese Chinese Restaurant specialized in Gyoza (dumpling)
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| Gyoza Pan Fried Dumpling at Dotonbori Osaka Osho |
- Shinsekai area
*Daruma Original Restaurant - Kushikatsu Deep Fried Goods
*Tsurukameya Restaurant - Kushikatsu Deep Fried Goods
Special Mention
*Daruma Original Restaurant - Kushikatsu Deep Fried Goods
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| Original Daruma Kushikatsu Deep Fried Goods restaurant in Osaka Shinsekai |
*Tsurukameya Restaurant - Kushikatsu Deep Fried Goods
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| Tsurukameya Kushikatsu Deep Fried Goods Restaurant in Osaka Shinsekai |
Special Mention
- Shinsaibashi area
Trendy area near Dotonbori
*Hokkyokusei Omelet Rice Original Restaurant
- Tsuruhashi area
This area in Osaka is known to be the Korean town of western Japan. Many of the best Yakiniku BBQ restaurants are located in the Yakiniku Alley.
*Hakuundai Restaurant
*Tsuruichi Restaurant
*Gyu-1 Restaurant
What is your favorite restaurant in Osaka?
Trendy area near Dotonbori
*Hokkyokusei Omelet Rice Original Restaurant
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| Osaka Hokkyokusei Omelet Rice Original Resturant |
- Tsuruhashi area
This area in Osaka is known to be the Korean town of western Japan. Many of the best Yakiniku BBQ restaurants are located in the Yakiniku Alley.
*Hakuundai Restaurant
*Tsuruichi Restaurant
*Gyu-1 Restaurant
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| Self serviced Yakiniku BBQ Restaurant in Osaka Tsuruhashi Korean Town |
What is your favorite restaurant in Osaka?
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