Osaka has been known as the kitchen of Japan (天下の台所、tenka no daidakoro) for centuries. The name originally came from the edo period, when Osaka acted as a massive commercial hub for the country, and was responsible for the flow of goods such as rice, sake and soy sauce to the capital of Edo (modern day Tokyo). As a commercial hub for the country, Osaka’s population had a strong merchant class, and these citizens wanted to use their wealth to build a comfortable life filled with good food and excellent entertainment. With so many ingredients making their way through Osaka, and people with the money to spend on those ingredients, it’s no wonder why Osaka became known for it’s amazing restaurants and iconic dishes. Osaka became a city that LOVES eating well, and once you get to know some of their famous dishes, you’ll understand where the phrase kuidaore (食い倒れ、eat till you drop) comes from! One of the locations that is most well known for Osaka’s food scene is Dotonbori, a district along the Doton Canal known for its food, entertainment and nightlife.
As a travel agent, I often have clients who want to go Osaka, and I recommend spending time in Dotonbori to get to explore the amazing food options available. Many of the foods that Osaka is known for are not well known internationally like sushi and ramen are, but once you’ve tried these dishes, you’ll be preaching the good word about Osaka delicacies to whoever will listen! Instead of giving you a list of restaurants to check off your list, I’m going to share a list of foods you need to look for. You won’t find your Japanese classics on this list, because you can find amazing options across the country. The foods listed below are all known as Osaka specialties, and if you’re going to spend any time in Osaka, you need to make sure these dishes are in your dining plans.
Takoyaki (たこ焼き、たこやき)
Literal translation: grilled octopus
Don’t let the name scare you: Takoyaki is my favourite food from Osaka. They are small, round balls of dough filled with diced octopus, green onions, and pickled ginger, then covered in a sauce similar to Worcestershire sauce, Japanese mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. They look a bit like fresh, savoury Timbits. This street food is a quintessential comfort food in Japan, packed with umami. I won’t lie, it’s hard to take a photo of takoyaki in a way that makes it look aestetically pleasing and instagram ready, but that is what makes it even more of a comfort food, in my opinion. The go to comfort foods like casseroles, stews, chips, curries and everything else you can think of don’t look good in photos because of the photo itself, but because we immediately recognize the food as something delicious. That’s what takoyaki is – once you know how delicious it is, you will understand how a pile of dough balls smothered in takoyaki sauce, mayo and bonito flakes will make your mouth water, despite the fact the photo is really just a gooey pile of browns and beiges to the untrained eye.
Tip: Attempt to eat it in one bite, because this food becomes messier the more you poke at it. There is a very good chance it will have a molten lava centre, but that is part of the fun.
Famous takoyaki locations in Dotonbori:
Takoyaki Juhachiban
Japan, 〒542-0071 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Dotonbori, 1 Chome−7−21 中座くいだおれビル 1F
Open daily 11 am – 10 pm
Takoyaki Wanaka
1 Chome-6-7 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0086, Japan
Open Mon-Fri 11 am – 9 pm, Sat-Sun 10:30 am – 9 pm
Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き、おこのみやき）
Literal translation: Whatever you like grilled
Okonomiyaki is my favourite Japanese dish, full stop. It is very similar to takoyaki in texture and flavour, but there are a lot more options with okonomiyaki, and it is a much heartier dish out of the two because of the added meat and vegetables. Instead of being in a ball shape, okonomiyaki is a thick savoury pancake, often cooked at your table so it’s served hot and fresh. The base ingredients are a batter made of flour, eggs and water with chopped cabbage and green onions mixed in, but from there, you get countless regional variations that make the dish truly お好みで (okonomi de), or as you like it. The two most common variations of okonomiyaki are:
Osaka Style: All of the ingredients are mixed together before frying, making the dish resemble a very thick pancake or frittata.
Hiroshima Style: The ingredients are added in layers, starting with a thin, crepe-like pancake and then the ingredients are layered on top, often including yakisoba and a fried egg.
Personally, I think that Osaka style is more beginner-friendly because it is easier to eat with chopsticks and easier to cook. Hiroshima style can be a more complex flavour because the chef usually makes it for you and then gives you the okonomiyaki, so you have the additional elements like the egg and yakisoba to enhance the flavours and texture. Okonomiyaki is easy to share with a group, so if you want to try different flavours and types, have everyone buy a different filling and share slices.
Famous Okonomiyaki locations in Dotonbori
Chibo Okonomiyaki
Japan, 〒542-0071 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Dotonbori, 1 Chome−5−5 道頓堀ビル 1～6F 千房
Open daily 11 am – 11 pm
Ajinoya Honten
〒542-0076 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Namba, 1 Chome−7−16 現代こいさんビル 2F
Open Tues-Sunday 11 am – 10 pm
Kushikatsu (串カツ、くしかつ)
Literal translation: deep fried skewers
Japan loves food on a stick. Kushiktasu, also known as kushiage (串揚げ) are different kinds of deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables. This dish is believed to have originated in Osaka, so it’s a perfect place to try out this treat. Also, the fact that they are sold by the skewer makes it a lot easier to try different types without needing to buy an entire meal.
The location in Dotonbori that is famous for kushikatsu is Kushikatsu Daruma (串かつ だるま), and you can’t miss the original restaurant in Dotonbori because of the massive, slightly terrifying mascot chef looming over the entrance. Don’t fear Mr. Uyama, he is just very passionate about making sure you enjoy your meal. Kushikatsu Daruma is known for having a fun, lively atmosphere, so it’s a great place to end the night with a drink and a few skewers of whatever strikes your fancy. If it’s really busy, don’t worry, because there are MANY restaurants in Dotonbori with a similar vibe.
Important Kushikatsu Daruma tip: Do not double-dip! The sauces are communal, so they can be strict when it comes to using them. Make sure you either have enough sauce from one dip, or pour some sauce out for just yourself to use.
Famous Kushikatsu Locations in Dotonbori
Kushikatsu Daruma
〒542-0071 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Dotonbori, 1 Chome−6−8 道頓堀だるまビル 1F,B1
Open Mon-Fri 11 am – 10:30 pm, Sat-Sun and Holidays 10:30 am – 10:30 pm
Kushikatsu Shirotaya
〒542-0071 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Dotonbori, 1 Chome−7−21 中座くいだおれビル3F
Open daily for lunch 12 – 4pm, dinner 5 – 11pm
Giant King Crab
If you love seafood, then Osaka is a great place to visit. There are many luxury seafood options throughout the city, and one of the most famous is the giant king crab. In Dotonbori, you specifically want to look for a restaurant called Kani Doraku (かに道楽) for its variety of options. If you dine inside, your options will be luxury items and expensive dishes, but there is a stall on the street that sells more affordable items and bento boxes to take with you.
Another option for really fresh seafood is Kuromon Market. It’s not located in Dotonbori but is instead in the Minami district. Often compared to Tsukiji Market in Tokyo, Kuromon Market is where many locals shop for their seafood and is filled with food stalls and restaurants to try all of the amazing options sold in the market.
Famous Seafood Locations in Osaka
Kani Doraku
1 Chome-6-18 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan
Open daily 11 am – 11 pm
Kuromon Market
2 Chome Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0073, Japan
Open 9am – 6pm
This is just a small selection of the highlights of Dotonbori. Of course there are options like sushi, ramen, curry and udon, but since those are available all over the country, I wanted to highlight the foods that are known for being Osaka specialities. I hope this Dotonbori food guide helps you navigate one of my favourite areas of Osaka, because the neon lights and crowds can make Dotonbori a little intimidating if you don’t know what you’re looking for. If you want help with planning an upcoming Japan vacation, I would love to help out! Feel free to contact me at the form below to find out more.
