Osaka, the paradise of tasty foods but still non-nexpensive, 1. Takoyaki, 2. Okonomiyaki, 3.Negiyaki, 4. Taiko-manjuu, 5. Kitsune Udon, 6. Kushikatsu, 7. Yakiniku, 8. Horumon, 9. Doteyaki, and 10. Butaman, are one of the foods you should not miss when taking a trip to Osaka, Japan.
1. Takoyaki
One of the most famous Japanese dishes is Takoyaki. Small piece of octopus are wrapped by a batter mix, combined with flakes of dried fish, seaweed, mayonnaise and Worcestershire sauce. The most special of Takoyaki is that they are put on a wooden boat-shaped plate. There are also many flavours: hot cheese or eggs with sweet source…
These are famous places and addresses in Osaka to go: Honke Ohtako: 1-5-10 Dotonbroi, Chuo-ku, Osaka | +81-6-6211-5223 | Open: 9:00am - 11:00pm | http://honkeohtako.jp/
Takoyaki-Douraku Wanaka: 11-19 Nanba Sennichimae, Chuo-ku, Osaka | +81-6-6631-0127 | Open: Mon- Fri 10:00am-11:00pm, Sat-Sun and Holidays 9:00am-11:00pm | Other locations: Nishi-shinsaibashi, Tenjinbashi, Tsuruhashi, Honmachi and others | http://takoyaki-wanaka.com/
Takoyaki Kouga-ryu: 2-18-4 Nishi-shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka | Open: Mon-Thu, Sun 11:00am-8:00pm, Fri-Sat 11:00am-10:00pm | +81-6-6211-0519 | Other locations: Nanba and others | http://www.kougaryu.jp/
Takoyaki Aidu-ya: 2-3-1 Tamade-nishi, Nishinari-ku, Osaka | Open: Mon-Sun 10:00am-8:00pm | +81-6-6651-2311 | http://www.aiduya.com/
Abeno Takoyaki Yamachan: 1-2-34 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka | Open: Mon-Sat 11:00am-11:00pm, Sun and Holidays 11:00am-10:30pm, Closed: Every 3rd Thu of the month | +81-6-6622-5307 | http://takoyaki-yamachan.net/
2. Okinomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a dish using wheat flour mixed with ingredients such as cabbage, seafood and sprinkled with shredded fish, seaweed, put together with mayonnaise and Worcestershire sauce before enjoying. For those people who do not like Okonomiyaki sweet source, they also have chilly sauce for you to try. Below are some places that you can go and enjoy:
Okonomiyaki Restaurant CHIBO (Head Restaurant): 11-27 Nanba- Sennichimae, Chuo-ku, Osaka | Open: Mon-Sun 11:00am-1:00am | +81-6-6643-0111 | Other locations: Nanba, Nishi-shinsaibashi, Dotonbori, Umeda, Sonezakishinchi, Kyobashi, Abeno and others | http://www.chibo.com/
Okonomiyaki Restaurant BOTEJYU (Head Restaurant): Comrade Dotonbori Bldg., 1-6-15 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka | +81-6-6211-3641 | Open: Mon-Fri 11:00am-midnight, Sat-Sun and Holidays 10:00am-11:00pm | Other locations: Nanba, Umeda, Tenouji, Kyobashi, Shin-Osaka, Kansai International Airport and others | http://www.botejyu.com/ (English, Japanese)
Okonomiyaki AJIONOYA: 1-7-6 Nanba, Chuo-ku, Osaka | +81-6-6211-0713 | Open: Mon 6:00pm-11:00pm, Thu-Fri Noon-11:00pm, Sat-Sun and Holidays 11:30am-11:00pm, Closed: Every 2nd Monday of the month | http://ajinoya-okonomiyaki.com/
Okonomiyaki FUKUTARO: 2-3-17 Sennichimae, Chuo-ku, Osaka | +81-6-6634-2951 | Open 5:00pm-1:00am, Sat-Sun and Holiday Noon-Midnight | Other locations: Namba, Umeda and Tokyo | Email: master@2951.jp | http://2951.jp/
Okonomiyaki MIZUNO: 1-4-15 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka | +81-6-6212-6360| Open: 11:00am-10:00pm | Other location: Nanba | http://www.mizuno-osaka.com (English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese)
3. Negiyaki
Negiyaki is also fried just like Okonomiyaki but with thin batter of flour. It’s called ‘negiyaki’ because they put lots of green onions on top. The difference is that Negiyaki cabbage or pork. Especially, if Okonomiyaki sauce is too sweet for some people, Negiyaki is tasty with soy sauce which is lighter and also healthier. One of the Osaka's most famous Negiyaki pace is the "YAMAMOTO".
Negiyaki YAMAMOTO: 1-8-4 Juso-Honmachi, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka | +81-6-6308-4625 | Open: 11:30am-10:00pm | Other locations: Juso, Umeda and Fukushima-ku | http://www.negiyaki-yamamoto.com
4. Taiko-manjuu
Taiko-Manju is a type of Japanese baked sweet. It's made from a batter of flour, eggs, and sugar baked in a drum shaped steel or copper mold with steamed bean paste in the middle. Taiko means drum, manju means dumplings. They are also called Ohbanyaki, Kaitenyaki, or Imagawayaki in other regions of Japan.
One of the Osaka's most famous Taiko-Manju shops is the "Gozasouro".
Gozasouro:JR Shin-Osaka Station: JR Shin-Osaka Station 3F, 5-16-1 Nishi-nakajima, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka | +81-6-6305-6528
JR Osaka Station: JR Osaka Station 1F, 3-1-1 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka | +81-6-4799-3310 | Other locations: Shin-Osaka, Umeda, Nanba, Abeno, Tsuruhashi, Uehonmachi and others | http://www.gozasoro.co.jp
5. Kitsune Udon
Udon is a very famous noodles in Japan, many people are not unfamiliar. Kitsune in Japanese means "fox". This noodle soup is very simple, just noodles with broth served with golden bean sprouts. But why is the name of the dish related to the fox? It is said that, the fox likes to eat fried tofu, so the new dish is called such a name. Kitsune udon is a signature dish of Kansai region, especially Osaka. Although the dish is simply fried tofu, but making it is not simple. Boiling udon noodle are demanding already. Today udon noodles are very popular in the form of dry noodles in bags / boxes, usually with instant boiling instructions and boiling time, but the proper Japanese style of boiling is very special.
Although a little bit sophisticated, but the dish is delicious and worth preparing.
One famous place to enjoy Kitsune UdonUsami-tei Matsubaya: 3-8-1 Minami-senba Chuo-ku, Osaka | +81 6-6251-3339 | Open: 11:00am-7:00pm, Fri-Sat 11:00am-7:30pm, Closed: Sun and Holidays
6. Kushikatsu
Kushikatsu are skewers of meat, vegetables, and all kinds of daisies are wrapped in a layer of crispy powder and fried. Crispy crusts with yummy taste, are combined with Worcestershire sauce would never fail you.
Five of the Osaka's most famous Kushikatsu restaurants are the "Daruma","Yaekatsu", "Gojouya", "Katsu" and “Shiruhisa”.
Daruma - Tsutenkaku (Head Restaurant): 2-3-9 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka | +81 6-6645-7056 | Open: 11:00am-9:00pm, Closed: New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day | Price: dinner $15-$25, lunch $10-$20 | Other locations: Tsutenkaku, Nanba, Dotonbori, Umeda, Kitashinchi, Shin-Osaka, Shinsaibashi and Himeji | http://www.kushikatu-daruma.com/
Yaekatsu: 3-4-13 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka | +81 6-6643-6332 | Open : 10:30am-9:30pm, Closed: Thu and Every 3rd Wed of the month | Price: dinner $20-$30, lunch $10-$20 | http://r.gnavi.co.jp/3117489/
Gojouya: 2-1-11 Uchihiranomachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka | +81 6-6945-5045 | Open: lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-1:30pm, dinner Mon-Sat 5:30pm-11:00pm, Closed: Sun and Holidays | Price: $25-$30 per dinner, less than $10 per lunch | http://r.gnavi.co.jp/c787700/
Katsu - Hankyu NAVIO: Hankyu Sanbangai, South Bulg. B2, 1-1-3 Shibata, Kita-ku, Osaka | +81 6-6372-8714 | Open 11:00am-10:30pm | Price: dinner $50-$60, lunch $10-$20 | Other locations: Umeda, Abeno, Nanba, Tempozan Market Place and Tokyo | http://www.tsudasangyo.co.jp/katsu/
Shiruhisa - Hotel OS: Umeda Hotel OS B1, 2-11-5 Sonezaki Kita-ku, Osaka | +81 6-6312-2703 | Open: 11:00am-10:30pm | Price: dinner $40-$70, lunch $20-$40 | Other locations: Umeda, Nanba | http://www.shiruhisa.com/7
7. Yakiniku
Yakiniku, or ‘grilled meat’ dishes. Yakiniku shops are usually self-service barbecue. It’s not the same as a steak. Nowadays, the Korean Town in Osaka is located in Tsuruhashi. This area are well-known for good Yakiniku restaurants.
Five of the Osaka's most famous Kushikatsu restaurants are the Tsuruichi, Ajiyoshi, Manryo, Tajimaya and Itamae Yakiniku Itto.
Tsuruichi: 5-19 Ajiharacho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka | +81 6-6771-0806 (or) +81 6-6772-8929 | Open: Mon-Fri 11:30am-3:00pm, 4:00pm-10:00pm, Sat-Sun and Holidays 11:00am-10:00pm | Price: dinner $40-$50, lunch $30-$40 | http://www.turu1.co.jp/
Ajiyoshi (Head Restaurant): 2-2 Shimoajiharacho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka | +81 6-6772-7760 | Open: Mon-Sat 11:00am-Midnight, Sun and Holidays 11:00am-11:00pm | Price: dinner $30-$40, lunch less than $10 | Other locations: Nanba and Umeda | http://www.ajiyosi.co.jp/
Manryo -Minamimorimachi: Royal Heights 1F, 1-2-14 Minamimorimachi, Kita-ku, Osaka | +81 6-6361-1371 | Open: Mon-Fri 5:00pm-1:00am, Sat-Sun and Holidays 5:00pm-Midnight, Closed: Dec. 31- Jan. 3 | Price: dinner $40-$50, lunch $20-$30 | Other locations: Tenma, Tenjinbashi and Sakaisuji-honmachi | http://r.gnavi.co.jp/f5kvb8b50000/
Tajimaya E-ma: E-ma 5F, 1-12-6 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka | +81-6-6440-1129 | Open: Mon-Fri 11:00am-3:00pm / 5:00pm-11:00pm, Sat-Sun and Holidays 11:00am-3:00pm / 5:00pm-11:00pm | Price: dinner $60-$80, lunch $10-$20 | Other locations: Miyakojima-ku, Nishi-shinsaibashi, JR Osaka Mitsukoshi Isetan10F and Toyonaka-city | http://www.tajima-ya.co.jp/
Itamae Yakiniku Itto (Higashi-shinsaibashi): 1-7-20 Higashi-shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka | +81-6-4963-9129 | Open: Mon-Sat and Holiday 5:00pm-1:00am, Closed: Sun | Price: $50-$60 | Other locations: Tengachaya, Kyobashi, Shinsaibashi and Yao-city | http://itamaeyakinikuitto.com/
8. Horumon
Horumon is the broiled innards of pigs or cows, a slightly different from Yakiniku, or grilled meat dishes. This menu with Houmon is very typical for Osaka Izakaya restaurants or Yakiniku shops. Five of the Osaka's famous Horumon & Yakiniku restaurants are: Sora, Manno Horumon-ho, Umeda Horumon-do, Kadoya Horumon-ten, and Horumon Yamato.
Yakiniku/Horumon Sora Dotonbori Restaurant: 2-4-6 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka | +81-6-6213-9929 | Open: Mon-Fri 5:00pm-Midnight, Sat, Sun and Holidays 4:00pm-Midnight / Closed: Tue | Price: $30-$40 | Other locations: Tsuruhashi | http://www.yakinikusora.jp/
Yakiniku Manno Horumon-ho, Sankyubashi: 3-3-1 Minami-Senba, Chuo-ku, Osaka |+81 6-6245-3911| Open: 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-Midnight / Closed: (none) | Price: dinner $30-$40, lunch less than$10 | Other locations: Tennouji, Abeno and Uehonmachi | http://www.mannoya.com/
Umeda Horumon-do: 2-4-43 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka |+81-6-6457-1099 | Open: Mon-Fri lunch 11:00am-2:00pm / Mon-Thu dinner 5:00pm-1:00am, Fri and Sat dinner 5:00pm-2:00am, Sun and Holidays 5:00pm-Midnight / Closed: (none) | Price: dinner $30-$40, lunch less than$10 | http://r.gnavi.co.jp/k151502/
Kadoya Horumon-ten: Osaka Station 3 Building, B2, 1-1-3 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka | +81-6-6341-4654| Open: Mon-Sat lunch 11:30am-3:00pm, dinner 5:00pm-10:00pm / Closed: Sunday and Holidays | Price: dinner $30-$40, lunch $10-$20 | http://r.gnavi.co.jp/f1t0bepb0000/
Horumon Yamato - Nishikujo Head Restaurant: 3-16-24 Nishikujo, Konohana-ku, Osaka | +81-6-6341-4654| Open: 5:00pm-1:00am / Closed: (none) | Price: dinner $30-$40 | http://www.yamato-foodconsulting.co.jp/
9. Doteyaki
Doteyaki is also a type of Horumon dish, with beef sinew stewed using miso soup, sugar and sweet sake. This dish can be easily seen in Yakiniku or Izakaya restaurants. Doteyaki has a strong flavor, therefore they go even greater with beer or other alcoholic drinks. It’s a popular side menu that we can buy in supermarkets or meat shops.
10. Butaman
Butaman is a Chinese steamed bun. This is usually made by wrapping a dough of flour, water, and yeast around pork meat and vegetable , and get them steamed. In Osaka, 551 Horai is famous for their Butaman. The original store is in Nanba, Osaka. But today they are also available at most of the large department stores all in Osaka.
551 Horai - Head Restaurant: 3-6-3 Nanba, Chuo-ku, Osaka | +81-6-6641-0551 | Open : 11:00am-10:00pm, Closed: Every 3rd Tue of the month | Price: dinner $10-$25, lunch less than $10 | 551horai.co.jp