2024 Osaka's Soul Food Guide: Must-Try Dishes in Japan's Kitchen
Osaka, known as the "City of Kuidaore" (literally "to eat oneself bankrupt") and "Japan's Kitchen," is a treasure trove of delicious and affordable gourmet foods.
For over 500 years, since the Edo period, Osaka has flourished as a hub for Japanese commerce and logistics, developing as a culinary center where ingredients from all over the country gather.
Compared to Kyoto, which reflects aristocratic culture, and Tokyo, which developed samurai culture while being influenced by aristocratic culture, Osaka is a city where culture developed by ordinary people and merchants thrived.
As a result, even today, there are many casual and easily enjoyable dishes, with prices set affordably.
In particular, the abundance of flour-based dishes is noteworthy. Dishes using wheat flour, such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and udon, are deeply rooted in the daily lives of Osaka residents.
I'm always impressed by how many delicious dishes I can eat at low prices every time I come to Osaka. I also find it interesting that even foods like udon, which are the same as in Tokyo, have different seasonings.
It's also characteristic of Osaka that just because it's cheap doesn't mean the taste is mediocre. Many gourmets have lived in "Japan's Kitchen" from the Edo period to the present, and as a result of their discerning eyes raising the quality of Osaka's cuisine, "cheap and delicious food" overflows throughout the city.
In this article, I'll introduce you to Osaka's representative local dishes and recommended restaurants from my perspective as someone who has visited Osaka many times.
I'll also share my favorite gourmet spots, so I hope this will be helpful for your Osaka trip!
This guide covers a wide range of Osaka foods, so if you want to prioritize specific information, please jump to each section from the table of contents below.
For those who want to learn more about the Osaka area, please check out our Osaka Guide.
Table of Contents
・The Charm of Osaka Food
・Recommended Osaka Gourmet Spots for Travelers
・Osaka Food #1: Takoyaki
・Osaka Food #2: Okonomiyaki
・Osaka Food #3: Kushikatsu
・Osaka Food #4: Butaman
・Osaka Food #5: Udon
・Are There Any Sweets Unique to Osaka?
The Charm of Osaka Food
Osaka's food culture is brimming with charm that's a cut above other cities. First, Osaka became a logistics hub during the Edo period and has since developed as a food capital where ingredients from all over the country are gathered. As a result, from the Edo period to the present, many affordable dishes reflecting merchant and common people's culture have been born.
Osaka has various local specialties such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu. Especially characteristic of Osaka is the abundance of "konamon" dishes, which use wheat flour.
Because of its many cheap and delicious foods, Osaka is also called "Japan's Kitchen."
Also, it's interesting that even foods that are the same as in Tokyo, like udon, have different seasonings in Osaka. It's delightful to be able to enjoy Osaka's unique flavors.
I'm attracted to Osaka's food because of its rich variety and familiar appeal to common people. Osaka's charm lies in having various cuisines from high-end dishes to B-grade gourmet, all lined up. Each of these is an indispensable symbol of Osaka's food culture.
Recommended Osaka Gourmet Spots for Travelers
Osaka has many gourmet spots recommended for tourists. Here, I'll introduce places I often use that are recommended for travelers.
Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street (Tenma)
Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street is Japan's longest shopping street. Various shops line up for about 2.6 km. The charm is that Osaka gourmet foods such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu are all gathered here.
The affordable prices are also a delightful point, allowing you to casually enjoy Osaka flavors. You can enjoy food hopping among locals, giving you a taste of Osaka's down-to-earth atmosphere.
Also, since Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street is an arcade, you can enjoy food hopping even on rainy days.
Within the shopping street, the area called "Tenma" is particularly concentrated with izakayas where you can feel the local atmosphere.
The north side of the shopping street is directly connected to Tenjinbashisuji 6-chome Station on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line and Tanimachi Line, so access is excellent. It's also within walking distance from JR Tenma Station. The south side can be accessed from Minami-morimachi Station on the subway, making it very convenient.
If you want to ask locals about the location of the shopping street, you can say "Tenroku Shotengai" or "Tenma," and they'll understand.
I make sure to stop by Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street every time I come to Osaka. One of the pleasures of staying in Osaka is walking along the long shopping street and looking for delicious-looking shops.
Osaka has many other shopping streets too, so please check out our Osaka Shopping Streets Guide.
Dotonbori
Dotonbori is a representative tourist spot in Osaka. There are many famous photo spots such as the Glico sign and Ebisu Bridge. The charm is that Osaka gourmet shops such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu line up along the Dotonbori River.
For access, it's convenient to get off at the subway "Namba" station. You can also access it by walking from Shinsaibashi Station, so it's recommended to stop by while shopping.
If you'd like to learn more about Dotonbori's food and tourist attractions, please check out our Dotonbori Guide.
Around Tsutenkaku (Shinsekai)
Shinsekai around Tsutenkaku is an area with a retro atmosphere. It's easily accessible by getting off at the subway "Doubutsuen-mae" station or JR Shin-Imamiya Station.
The characteristic of Shinsekai is that many kushikatsu shops are gathered. You can enjoy comparing delicious kushikatsu at affordable prices. I recommend enjoying a meal along with sightseeing at Tsutenkaku.
The charm is that you can experience Osaka's down-to-earth atmosphere as not only tourists but also locals visit frequently. However, it's actually one of the areas with the worst security in Osaka, so I recommend going during the day rather than at night.
I love the lively atmosphere of Shinsekai. Walking through the retro shopping street and being lured by delicious smells into a kushikatsu shop - you can have such a downtown experience unique to this area.
While being cautious about security, try to enjoy the charm of Shinsekai during the day.
Shinsekai is rich in tourist attractions including Spa World. For more details, please see our Shinsekai Guide.
Kuromon Market
Kuromon Market is called the kitchen of Osaka. The charm is that fresh ingredients and Osaka gourmet foods are all gathered. It's more of a spot for food hopping, with not only ingredients but also souvenirs available.
At Kuromon Market, I always enjoy the lively market atmosphere. The energetic calls, fresh ingredients, delicious smells - you can experience Osaka's food culture with all five senses. That's the charm of Kuromon Market.
If you want to know about recommended food at Kuromon Market and tourist information for the surrounding area, please check out our Kuromon Market Guide.
Universal City Walk
Universal City Walk is a restaurant street next to USJ. It's easily accessible, just a short walk from "Universal City Station."
In fact, this is quite a hidden gem where all of Osaka's representative takoyaki shops are gathered. There's a "takoyaki area" where you can compare different takoyaki.
There are also okonomiyaki shops and others, so it's nice that you can enjoy Osaka gourmet foods without entering USJ. I recommend stopping by between sightseeing.
Whenever I go to USJ, I make sure to stop by Universal City Walk. Munching on delicious takoyaki while still excited from the theme park - that's my way of enjoying USJ.
Tours Are Also Recommended to Fully Enjoy Gourmet Spots
Osaka's gourmet spots are characterized by their sheer number of shops. It's quite challenging to conquer them all.
In such cases, I recommend participating in a tour.
Please also read our Osaka Food Tour article together with this one.
"Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai" by Magical Trip
Source: Magical Trip
This is a 3-hour tour provided by us at Magical Trip, covering Dotonbori and Shinsekai, two of Osaka's representative gourmet spots. While enjoying local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu, you'll also visit nearby shrines, allowing you to enjoy both Osaka sightseeing and gourmet food at the same time.
As a tour that allows you to fully enjoy the charms of Dotonbori and Shinsekai, I highly recommend this for those new to Osaka gourmet.
Click here for more details: Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
"Osaka Shinsekai Street Food Tour" by Arigato Travel
Source: Arigato Travel
This is a 3-hour tour where you can enjoy Osaka gourmet in Shinsekai at night.
While I don't recommend travelers go to Shinsekai at night alone due to security concerns, with this tour, a local guide accompanies you, allowing you to safely enjoy Shinsekai at night.
Click here for more details: Osaka Shinsekai Street Food Tour
Osaka Food #1: Takoyaki
Takoyaki is one of Osaka's representative "konamon" (flour-based) dishes. It's a dish made by mixing octopus, wheat flour, eggs, dashi, and other ingredients and grilling them. It's characterized by a crispy outside and gooey inside texture. It's typically topped with sauce, mayonnaise, green seaweed, and bonito flakes.
Takoyaki, loved as Osaka's soul food, is so popular among locals that many Osaka households have a "takoyaki maker."
Every time I come to Osaka, I make sure to eat takoyaki. The moment I take a bite of the piping hot takoyaki, I'm amazed by the contrast between the crispy outer texture and the gooey inner texture.
The combination of sauce and mayonnaise, along with green seaweed and bonito flakes, is exquisite and sure to be addictive.
Recommended Takoyaki Shops in Osaka
Aizuya
Source: Tabelog by Aizuya
Aizuya is a famous shop said to be the birthplace of takoyaki. Their takoyaki is characterized by not using sauce or mayonnaise, but rather highlighting the taste of the ingredients. Their taste is proven by having been listed in the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand.
With shops in major spots like Umeda and Namba, access is excellent. When you visit Osaka, please try Aizuya's takoyaki. I'm sure you'll be impressed by its simple yet profound taste.
Website: https://www.aiduya.com/
Kukuru
Source: Tabelog by Kukuru
Kukuru is one of Osaka's representative takoyaki shops. It's characterized by large takoyaki, and besides the main shop in Dotonbori, there are shops in various parts of Osaka such as Umeda and Shinsaibashi.
When I first ate Kukuru's takoyaki, I was surprised by its size. Unlike bite-sized takoyaki, it's very filling. When I ate it, I found a large piece of octopus inside, which was very satisfying.
The charm of Kukuru's takoyaki is its crispy outside and fluffy, gooey inside texture. The combination of sauce and mayonnaise is also exquisite, and once you eat it, you're sure to become addicted. When you come to Osaka, please try challenging Kukuru's takoyaki.
Website: https://dotonbori-kukuru.com/
For those who want to know more about where to eat takoyaki, please check out our Osaka Takoyaki Shop Guide.
Osaka Food #2: Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a flour-based dish that developed as a common people's food in post-war Osaka, along with takoyaki. It's a dish made by mixing and grilling wheat flour, eggs, cabbage, and other ingredients, typically adding toppings like pork, squid, and shrimp. It's enjoyed with sauce, mayonnaise, green seaweed, and bonito flakes as toppings.
Okonomiyaki is typically grilled on an iron plate. It's a staple of Osaka home cooking, often made in households.
The reason I love okonomiyaki is its high degree of freedom. You can choose ingredients according to your preference, so there's always new discoveries every time you eat it. The crunchy texture of the cabbage is also a unique deliciousness of okonomiyaki. My favorite way to eat it is with plenty of sauce and mayonnaise.
Recommended Okonomiyaki Shops in Osaka
Ajinoya
Source: Tabelog by Ajinoya
Ajinoya is a locally popular okonomiyaki shop in Namba. It's characterized by offering a variety of okonomiyaki toppings, from classic to unique ones.
At the counter seats, you can watch the cooking process right in front of you, so you can enjoy the excitement of waiting for your okonomiyaki to be ready. If you're going to Namba, this is definitely an okonomiyaki restaurant you should visit.
I recommend budgeting around 3,000 yen per person. It's delightful that you can enjoy authentic okonomiyaki at reasonable prices.
<Store Information>
Address: Gendai Koisan Building, 2nd Floor, 1 Chome-7-16 Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka 542-0076
Closed: Mondays
Phone: 050-1809-4021
Hours: 11 AM–10 PM
Website: http://ajinoya-okonomiyaki.com/en/
Tsuruhashi Fugetsu
Source: Tabelog by Namnamsan
Tsuruhashi Fugetsu is an okonomiyaki restaurant franchise that started in Osaka. Their original sauce is popular even among Osaka locals, and the charm is that you can eat various types of okonomiyaki.
It's an easy-to-enter shop even for first-time visitors to Osaka, so it's perfect for your okonomiyaki debut. It's nice that you can easily find shops in various parts of Osaka, so there's likely to be one near your accommodation.
The budget is around 2,000-3,000 yen per person. You can enjoy authentic okonomiyaki at reasonable prices. My favorite is the "Modern-yaki." It's a highly satisfying dish that adds yakisoba (fried noodles) to okonomiyaki.
Website: https://fugetsu.jp/en/
To find the best spots for okonomiyaki, explore our Osaka Okonomiyaki Shop Guide.
Osaka Food #3: Kushikatsu
Kushikatsu is a dish where meat, vegetables, seafood, and other ingredients are skewered, battered, and deep-fried. It's characterized by breadcrumbs and original sauce, with a rule of "no double-dipping" in kushikatsu shops. It's popular mainly in downtown areas of Osaka like the Tsutenkaku area.
Kushikatsu is also one of the dishes that symbolize Osaka's common people's taste. It has been loved by locals for a long time because it's cheap and delicious.
I also make sure to eat kushikatsu whenever I come to Osaka. When I dip the piping hot, freshly fried kushikatsu in the special sauce and eat it, I feel like I've really arrived in Osaka.
Recommended Kushikatsu Shops
Kushikatsu Daruma
Source: Tabelog by Bamugi
Kushikatsu Daruma is one of the most famous kushikatsu chains in Osaka. Besides the main shop in Shinsekai, there are shops in major Osaka locations like Dotonbori and Namba.
The charm of Daruma is, above all, the variety of kushikatsu types. Of course, there are standard meat and vegetable kushikatsu, but there are also unique ingredient kushikatsu like cheese and avocado. Whichever you eat, the batter is crispy, and the sweet and savory sauce is delicious.
Also, Daruma has an atmosphere that's easy for first-time travelers to enter and enjoy. The cheerful service from the staff makes it easy to enter even alone, which is a nice point.
The budget is around 2,000 yen per person. It's charming that you can enjoy the taste of Osaka's downtown at reasonable prices.
Website: https://www.kushikatu-daruma.com/
Yaekatu
Source: Tabelog by Yomawarineko
Yaekatu is a long-established kushikatsu shop in Shinsekai. It's characterized by an open kitchen style where you can enjoy watching the cooking process while eating.
The charm of Yaekatu's kushikatsu is its crispy texture. The ingredients are fresh, and it has a light taste that doesn't feel greasy. It's popular with both locals and tourists, and while there's often a line, it's well worth the wait.
The budget is around 2,000 yen per person, which is also attractive for its Osaka-like reasonable price.
<Store Information>
Address: 3 Chome-4-13 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0002
Closed: Thursdays
Phone: 06-6643-6332
Hours: 10:30 AM–8:30 PM
Website: https://tabelog.com/en/osaka/A2701/A270206/27000443/
For those who want to learn more about where to eat kushikatsu, please check out our Osaka Kushikatsu Restaurant Guide.
Osaka Food #4: Butaman
Butaman is a dish that originated from Chinese nikuman (meat buns) and was arranged in Osaka style. It's characterized by juicy fillings mixed with pork, onions, ginger, and other ingredients, and the charm is in the fluffy steamed dough. It's also popular as an Osaka souvenir.
The reason I love butaman is its juicy filling. When you take a bite, the umami of the pork, the sweetness of the onions, and the accent of ginger spread throughout your mouth. The fluffiness of the freshly steamed dough is also irresistible.
Recommended Butaman Shop
551 Horai
Source: Tabelog by urya-momen
551 Horai is a famous butaman shop representing Osaka. You can buy them at airports, stations, and many other places in Osaka.
Their butaman are all handmade. They're characterized by juicy pork and soft dough. They're so loved by Osaka locals that there are hardly any other butaman shops.
It's nice that there are shops in various parts of Osaka, making them easy to find. When asking locals for the location, you can say "Go go ichi" and they'll understand.
However, they're extremely popular, so there's always a line. But it's well worth trying at least once. Remember that many Japanese people say it's better not to eat them on the Shinkansen because of their strong juicy smell.
Website: https://www.551horai.co.jp/
Osaka Food #5: Udon
While Tokyo has many soba shops, udon is the mainstream in Osaka. Osaka has long been a merchant city, developing as a town where many people gather. In this context, udon shops developed as a cuisine that common people and merchants could easily eat to fill their stomachs.
The characteristic of Osaka's udon is thick noodles with a firm texture. Compared to Tokyo, it's characterized by a light soy sauce-based soup using kombu and bonito flakes. Even cup noodle udon changes its seasoning specifically for the Kansai region, showing how big the taste difference is from Tokyo.
Also, the charm of Osaka's udon is the abundance of toppings like tempura and aburaage. It's delightful that you can eat a filling meal at reasonable prices.
Recommended Udon Shops in Osaka
Dotonbori Imai
Source: Tabelog by urya-momen
Dotonbori Imai is a long-established udon shop in Dotonbori. Their homemade light Kansai-style dashi is popular, and they have a wide variety of udon types. It's a shop popular with locals.
When I visited Imai, I ordered kake udon. I was impressed by how the firmness of the noodles perfectly matched the gentle taste of the dashi, creating a simple yet profound flavor.
Imai's udon is high-quality yet budget-friendly at 1,000-2,000 yen per person. It's also easily accessible, just a 1-minute walk from the subway "Namba" station. When you visit Dotonbori, please make sure to stop by.
<Store Information>
Address: 1 Chome-7-22 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071
Closed: Tuesdays, Wednesdays
Phone: 06-6211-0319
Hours: 11:30 AM–9 PM
Website: https://www.d-imai.com/
Tsurutontan
Source: Wikipedia
Tsurutontan is a Kansai-style udon chain originating from Osaka, with shops in Tokyo as well. It's characterized by thick udon noodles with a firm texture and a rich soup with strong dashi flavor. The charm is also in the variety of hearty menu items like meat udon and curry udon.
Although it's a chain store, there aren't too many branches. When visiting Osaka, I recommend the Kitashinchi or Sohemoncho branches. Both are conveniently located and easily accessible from tourist spots.
Website: https://www.tsurutontan.co.jp/
If you want to learn more about Osaka's local food, please check out our Osaka Local Dish Guide and the Osaka Street Food Guide.
Are There Any Sweets Unique to Osaka?
While Osaka is rich in dishes like okonomiyaki, there aren't many sweets unique to Osaka. There are some sweets modeled after tourist spots like Tsutenkaku, but they're not very famous.
However, it's interesting that as Osaka is Japan's leading comedy city, there are many souvenir sweets parodying souvenirs from all over Japan. You can find many sweets with Osaka's characteristic playful spirit.
Especially for Japanese sweets, since Kyoto is next door, it's recommended to buy Japanese-style sweets in Kyoto. In fact, many Kyoto sweets are sold at stations and department stores in Osaka. It's convenient because you can get them in Osaka without going to Kyoto.
In this article, I've introduced the charm of Osaka's food. To efficiently enjoy delicious meals in Osaka, where there are so many eateries, I recommend visiting Osaka's gourmet spots like Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street, Dotonbori, and Shinsekai. These are all easily accessible places perfect for food hopping.
If you particularly want to enjoy local shops, consider using a tour.
When sightseeing, please try Osaka's soul foods introduced in this article. You should be able to experience cheap, delicious, and down-to-earth flavors!
