Sembayashi Shopping Street Food Guide: One of the Best 3 Shotengai in Osaka!
Osaka, known as "The Nation's Kitchen" (Tenka no daidokoro) and "The City of Kuidaore" (where people eat until they drop), is a region where a unique food culture has flourished.
Osaka is famous for affordable and delicious gourmet foods like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu, as well as being near renowned sake-producing regions like Nada, Itami, and Ikeda. As a result, Osaka has several famous areas where you can enjoy street food and locally-produced sake that originated in the city.
Osaka is Japan's second-largest city after Tokyo, home to about 7% of Japan's population and 10% of the foreign residents in Japan. As the nearest port to the former capital Kyoto, Osaka has long been a convergence point for people, cultures, and ingredients from all over Japan. This is why Osaka developed such a sophisticated food culture that earned it the nickname "The Nation's Kitchen."
As both people and ingredients gathered here, local commercial areas called "shotengai" were created. With the increase in tourism, these shopping streets have evolved into places that both tourists and locals can enjoy. Today, we'll introduce you to Sembayashi Shopping Street, where you can find many quintessential Osaka delicacies.
What is Sembayashi Shopping Street?
Sembayashi Shopping Street is one of the top 3 largest shopping streets in Osaka, with over 100 years of history. The street features various shops, from long-established restaurants and clothing stores to modern cosmetic shops.
At Sembayashi Shopping Street, you'll find not only classic Osaka specialties but also many unique eateries, such as a traditional Japanese confectionery shop with nearly 90 years of history and retro izakayas. There are many perfect spots for food walks, so visit when you want to casually experience Japanese food and Osaka gourmet cuisine.
Delicious Gourmet Spots! 6 Recommended Shops Perfect for Food Walking
1. Arigato Takoyaki Sembayashi Branch
Source: Official website
Arigato Takoyaki is popular for its reasonably priced Osaka specialty takoyaki.
The batter, infused with dashi, is cooked so soft it melts in your mouth, creating an exquisite harmony with the rich sauce. Besides the classic sauce flavor, try uniquely Japanese seasonings like soy sauce or the tangy shio ponzu.
Address: 2-8-14 Morishoji, Asahi-ku, Osaka
Hours: 10:30-18:30
Closed: Irregular
Phone: 080-7379-3244
Official Website: https://www.senbayashi.com/?author=240
2. Gokodo
Source: Official website
At Gokodo, you can purchase bite-sized baby castella.
The cute oval shape and gentle sweetness with a hint of honey are the secrets to its popularity. Baby castella, which originated in Japan, is often found at festival stalls. Gokodo is one of the few shops where you can enjoy baby castella outside of festival times.
Address: 1-11-11 Sembayashi, Asahi-ku, Osaka
Hours: 10:00-22:00
Closed: Irregular
Phone: 090-9166-0625
Official Website: https://www.senbayashi.com/?author=186
3. Fukusushi Sembayashi Ten
Source: Official website
Fukusushi Sembayashi Ten is a popular takeout sushi restaurant in Osaka. Known for using fresh seafood like maguro (tuna) and ika (squid), they offer affordable nigiri sushi as well as seafood bowls (kaisen don) generously topped with sashimi.
One of their specialties is the Kofuku Maki, a sushi roll filled with eel (unagi) and finely shredded egg, seasoned more sweetly than typical rolls, making it a signature item. Enjoy sushi, one of Japan's most beloved foods, with convenience.
- Address: 1-1-20 Sembayashi, Asahi-ku, Osaka, Japan
- Hours: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Closed: New Year's holidays
- Phone: +81 6-6953-0643
- Official website:https://fukususi.owst.jp/page1
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fukususi/
4. Korokke Ya
Source: Official website
Korekko Ya specializes in Japanese home-cooked side dishes such as croquettes (deep-fried potato cakes) and fried shrimp (ebifurai). Their croquettes feature finely mashed potatoes encased in a crispy coating, with a smooth texture and subtle sweetness inside.
Besides the regular croquette, they also offer variations like sweet potato (satsumaimo) and corn butter (kon bata). At around 100 yen each, it's an affordable way to sample Japanese comfort food.
- Address: 2-2-19 Sembayashi, Asahi-ku, Osaka, Japan
- Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Closed: Wednesdays
- Phone: +81 6-6955-1819
- Official website:https://www.senbayashi.com/?author=27
5. Koppepan Senmonten Fuwakoppe
Source: Official website
Koppepan Senmonten Fuwakoppe offers soft, elongated Japanese koppepan (bread rolls) with various fillings. Their menu ranges from savory options like fried shrimp or potato salad to sweet choices with whipped cream or chocolate, making it both a meal and a dessert.
A standout feature is their fried koppe bread (age koppe), a variation of the agepan (fried bread) popular in Japanese school lunches. Try flavors like kinako (roasted soybean flour) or matcha for a taste of Japan.
- Address: 1-11-14 Sembayashi, Asahi-ku, Osaka, Japan
- Hours: Weekdays 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM / Sundays & holidays 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Open until 8:00 PM on Fridays)
- Closed: Tuesdays and irregular holidays
- Phone: +81 50-3116-2653
- Official Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fuwakoppe_1000bayashi/
6. Sembayashi Chikaramochi
Source: Official website
Sembayashi Chikaramochi is a traditional Japanese confectionery shop offering sweets like ohagi (sweet rice balls coated with sweet azuki bean paste) and daifuku (mochi filled with sweet bean paste).
Their ohagi, which leaves bits of azuki for a natural flavor, is a must-try. The kinako-flavored ohagi, made with smooth bean paste, is also a popular choice. Experience these traditional Japanese sweets as a delightful souvenir of your trip.
- Address: 2-15-29 Sembayashi, Asahi-ku, Osaka, Japan
- Hours: 10:30 AM - until sold out
- Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Phone: +81 6-6538-0022
- Official Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chikaramochi_1000/
If you are interested in Osaka's Street Foods, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Osaka's Street Foods as much as possible.
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Recommended Stores in Food Walks! Exquisite Sweets Cafes & Retro Coffee Shops
1. Coffee Shop LOVE
Source: Tabelog
Coffee Shop LOVE offers specialty coffees from around the world, including Yemen's Mocha Matari and Indonesia's Bali Arabica. You can also enjoy quintessentially Japanese drinks like Cream Soda (carbonated beverage topped with vanilla ice cream in blue or green colors) and Matcha Latte.
Their Cream Soda is particularly delightful on hot days, with rich vanilla ice cream melting into the refreshing bright blue soda. Its cute appearance, reminiscent of the famous Japanese anime character Doraemon, is especially popular among foreign anime fans.
Address: 2-15-8 Omiya, Asahi-ku, Osaka
Hours: Mon-Thu 10:00-20:00 (L.O. 19:30) / Sat, Sun & Holidays 10:00-18:00 (L.O. 17:30)
Closed: Fridays
Phone: 06-6953-9968
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeeshoplove1970/
2. Kitchen Shizuku
Source: Tabelog
Kitchen Shizuku is a stylish café offering kakigori (shaved ice) in summer and crepes during other seasons. Their kakigori, perfect for hot summers, features seasonal fruit syrups like pear and peach, and is topped with fresh fruit pieces for an extravagant presentation.
The shaved ice at Kitchen Shizuku is exceptionally fine and soft, making it easy to finish despite its impressive appearance. Their crepes also showcase Japan's seasonal changes, featuring chestnuts in autumn and cherry blossoms in spring. Experience the changing seasons of Japan through these delicious sweets.
Address: 3-21-2 Omiya, Asahi-ku, Osaka
Hours: Weekdays 14:00-19:00 (L.O. 18:30) / Saturdays 13:00-18:30 (L.O. 18:00)
Closed: Irregular
Phone: 06-6958-4660
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kitchen_shizuku/
3. Sembayashi Station Front Café
Source: Official website
Sembayashi Station Front Café offers visually stunning desserts like strawberry tiramisu and pistachio cake. You can also try uniquely Japanese café foods like Napolitan pasta and mentaiko (spicy cod roe) pasta.
At night, it transforms into a bar where you can fully enjoy Japanese alcoholic beverages, including Japanese whiskeys like Yamazaki and Hibiki, and shochu from various regions like Kurokirishima and Iichiko. Why not take a break from food walking and savor some Japanese gourmet dishes and drinks?
Address: 2-16-22 Sembayashi, Asahi-ku, Osaka
Hours: Mon, Wed-Sat 12:00-23:00 / Sun 12:00-18:00
Closed: Tuesdays
Phone: 06-6167-8139
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/senbaru_cafe/
If you are interested in Cafe & Kissaten in Osaka, check the article below! I summarized Cafe & Kissaten in Osaka I recommend and how I felt each Cafe & Kissaten.
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Recommended Izakayas at Sembayashi Shopping Street: 5 Spots for Exquisite Food & Drinks
1. Yosuga
Source: Tabelog
Yosuga is a bar where you can enjoy pizza and creative dishes made with fresh seafood and meat. Their pescatore, luxuriously packed with various ingredients like mussels and shrimp, creates a perfect harmony as the seafood stock melts into the tomato sauce.
My recommendation is roast beef, which releases more umami with each bite. Try it with a bit of wasabi (Japanese horseradish) served on the plate - the wasabi's refreshing kick enhances the meat's rich flavors. Also enjoy the pairing of their fruit-filled cocktails with the dishes.
Address: 2-1-17 Sembayashi, Asahi-ku, Osaka
Hours: 18:00-24:00
Closed: Irregular
Phone: 090-6370-9020
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yosuga.1223/
2. Kushiage and Oden Gion Bayashi Sembayashi Branch
Source: Official website
At Kushiage and Oden Gion Bayashi, you can enjoy Osaka's famous kushiage (deep-fried skewers) and oden, a representative Japanese dashi-based dish. The kushiage features meat, shrimp, or vegetables wrapped in a light batter, bringing out the sweetness and aroma of the ingredients when cooked.
Among the oden offerings, the daikon radish is particularly recommended and is one of the most popular ingredients in Japan. True to its brown appearance, it's a delicacy bursting with absorbed dashi broth in every bite.
These uniquely Japanese dishes pair excellently with Japanese sake or shochu.
Address: 2-16-23 Sembayashi, Asahi-ku, Osaka
Hours: 11:00-22:00 (L.O. 21:30)
Closed: Irregular
Phone: 06-6953-3355
Official Website: http://gionbayashi.com/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyounokushiage/?hl=ja
3. Sumibi Yakitori Yamato Nikudori Takumi
Source: au PAY market
This izakaya specializes in yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), a staple of Japanese pubs. They take pride in using branded chicken from neighboring Nara Prefecture. The attention to detail is evident in how they adjust the grilling method and seasoning according to different parts of the chicken.
A particularly appealing point is their use of high-grade binchotan charcoal, which creates a deliciously crispy exterior while keeping the meat juicy inside. Enjoy their yakitori alongside an impressive selection of over 10 different types of sake from across Japan, or try some rare, limited-quantity shochu.
The combination of delicious grilled chicken and fine Japanese alcohol is not to be missed.
Address: 2-8-13 Morishoji, Asahi-ku, Osaka
Hours: 17:00-24:00 (L.O. Food 23:00 / Drinks 23:30)
Takeout (except Tuesdays): 11:30-14:00 / 17:00-22:00
Closed: New Year's holidays
Phone: 06-7710-1635
Official Website: https://yakitori-takumi.jp/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takumideyakitori/
4. Janbo Sakaba Sembayashi Shopping Street Branch
Source: Official website
Janbo Sakaba is a quintessentially Osaka izakaya where you can enjoy local specialties like takoyaki and okonomiyaki alongside your drinks. Their takoyaki is characteristically soft - so soft that it might fall apart just by picking it up with chopsticks. The batter is richly infused with dashi made from bonito flakes, creating an explosion of umami flavor as it dissolves in your mouth.
The sweet sauce (a Japanese condiment made by simmering vegetables and fruits) that tops the takoyaki and okonomiyaki pairs perfectly with dry beer or refreshing fruit-flavored shochu highballs.
Address: 2-1-1 Sembayashi, Asahi-ku, Osaka
Hours: 11:00-23:00
Closed: Irregular
Phone: 06-6953-3033
Official Website: https://www.takoyaki.co.jp/
5. Shikishunsai Kanon
Source: Tabelog
Shikishunsai Kanon is a Japanese izakaya offering authentic Japanese cuisine, including super-fresh sashimi and seasonal tempura. My top recommendation is their sashimi platter, featuring seafood directly sourced from the market by the owner. The translucent appearance of the fresh sashimi reflects its perfect texture - firm yet tender enough to melt in your mouth. Due to its freshness, the sashimi has no fishy smell, making it an excellent choice even for foreigners trying raw fish for the first time.
Be sure to try some of their over 50 varieties of sake, carefully selected to complement each dish.
Address: 2-12-25 Sembayashi, Asahi-ku, Osaka
Hours: 11:30-14:00 (L.O. 13:30) / 17:00-22:00 (L.O. 21:00)
Closed: Sundays *Fourth Saturday is reserved for private events only
Phone: 06-6167-6946
Official Website: https://sikishunsaikanon.com/
Access to Sembayashi Shopping Street
Hankyu Railway:
- Senbayashi Station: Just a short walk from the station.
Osaka Metro:
- Senbayashi Omiya Station: A short walk from Exit 1.
From Umeda:
- Osaka Metro: Approximately 11 minutes from Higashi Umeda Station to Senbayashi Omiya Statio.
If you are interested in Osaka's Street Foods, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Osaka's Street Foods as much as possible.
sena kanda
