10 BEST FOODS IN OSAKA
Thank you to Agora Place Osaka Namba & Oyadoo
… for providing my stay with easy access to all the food places.
*This room was on the premium floor with two double size beds on the 12th floor.
General rule of thumb:
1) If the menu is all in Japanese, it's a local favorite and not overpriced nor overrated.
2) Have a bed nearby due to food coma.
3) Enjoy restaurant hopping: You can always try the best sellers and move on to the next shop. You’re on vacation so try everything!
4) If there are photos and signatures of famous celebrities at the store, it has made a TV appearance so it must be good.
Takomasa | たこ政
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mJLfDUn3pTVf5y9V9?g_st=ic (Cash only)
This is a hidden gem. You can get real authentic Japanese kushiyaki (fried foods on a stick) in a mom and pop setting.
This fried fish is called ‘aji’ (鯵) or Horse mackerel in Japanese. Tell them you want the “aji fry.”
I also recommend the anago (saltwater eel), tamago (egg), tako (octopus), ika (squid). They will ask you whether you want it with sauce (tare) or salt (shio).
Takomasa is tucked in an alley in Dohtonbori and the shop is not very welcoming until you open the sliding doors. Staff and customers were all Japanese locals. I think not a lot of foreign customers think to come here because it’s difficult to order without an English menu and a cashless payment system. However, you can show obachan my photos, if you’d like to try the local favorites!
Heads up: Japanese Izakayas charge a 300-500 yen table fee per person (Otoshi お通し), which is known as a compulsory appetizer. Many people are confused when they look at the bill. For example, at this shop the Otoshi is a bowl of unlimited refills of raw cabbage. Perfect to soak up fried foods in your belly.
Kani-Doraku Main Shop | かに道楽本店
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nFupGfTY9WUA5ARt7?g_st=ic (Cash or card ok)
You can’t miss this giant iconic crab sign. It’s minutes away from the Glico billboard in Dohtonbori. Start lining up by 11:15 am if you want to be first since it opens at 11:30 am. There was a long line by 11:37 am but thankfully I managed to get a couple buns. By 12:00 pm, it was sold out and people will have to wait for the next batch until after 12:30pm.
I missed the opportunity to have Kani man the last two trips I was in Osaka, so after two years of waiting, I finally had my chance! It was really warm, soft and goes great with Kewpie mayonnaise (additional charge for a packet) and mustard. It was what I expected and just the right portion size. 500 yen for one is a little pricey in my opinion, but after all, they are so famous that they can charge that much. I wanted to eat another one, but I have to save my appetite for other foods!
Apparently, there’s a restaurant in Shibuya, Tokyo too! (above the Disney store). However, Kani man is only sold at the main shop in Osaka. http://douraku.co.jp.e.at.hp.transer.com/kanto/shop/sibuya/
Odoridako Dotonbori | 踊りだこ 道頓堀店
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ps2XDpjrNnQz7VQh9?g_st=ic (Cash only)
This is my favorite takoyaki spot because they give you the whole mini octopus which is my ideal takoyaki. I found an opportunity when the line had less than 8 people. I chose to get half and half sauce with all the toppings.
When I got my 6 pc. takoyaki after waiting for 15-20 minutes, I saw a long queue of 30-40 people after me. I was shocked! This was around 11:50 am after Kani-Doraku.
Vending machine ticket payment. There are photos of celebrities who ate here, so this place must be good!
Namba Udon | なんばうどん
https://maps.app.goo.gl/17gMuSL5vdozeAnU7 (Cash only)
Osaka is known for cheap delicious udon for under 400 yen ($3 USD)!!! I found two places you can check out. At Namba Udon, I recommend the beef udon. The soup hit the spot!
This is another vending ticket machine. Insert your cash, select what you want and give it to the kitchen staff then wait for your order.
Do note, udon shops are not open all night, but rather open earlier in the day, so come before closing at 21:00.
Lord Stow’s Bakery (Ken’s Papa Marron) | アンドリューのエッグタルト 道頓堀本店
I would come here first in the morning!! My favorite sweets are egg tarts. Tokyo ones are just not as good as these. Hong Kong, Taiwan, China are the real deal, but the ones at Lord Stow’s Bakery are the closest as you can get to the Portuguese type egg tarts.
The shop opens at 11:00 am and you can get the baked classic egg tarts freshly out of the oven. The seasonal autumn pumpkin flavor with whipped cream was my favorite but you can’t go wrong with the warm original egg tarts. I bought two more tarts (milk tea, caramel) and took it up to my hotel to pair with some hot tea and save the rest for later in the mini fridge. Thank god for a conveniently located hotel!
What I love about Osaka is that you can switch it up between savory and sweet foods all in one place. The cycle never ends which is why my pants felt so tight!
10 yen cheese bread or potato chip stick | 10円パン
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pgVNUkRnmicu8TRJ7?g_st=ic (Cash only)
Tornado Potato was as long as my arm! 400 yen
You don’t have to go all the way to Don Quixote in Shibuya, Tokyo for the 10 yen cheese bread or Tornado Potato . It’s becoming available everywhere. However, Harajuku had the rainbow cheese one I’m dying to try.
I tried the potato chip on a stick or Tornado Potato . It’s another vending machine type payment. Insert cash and select your order. Then give the ticket to the staff and wait in line. The Tornado Potato was hot and it had a lot of BBQ spices. It was really good after eating so much sweets. I would definitely get pimples if I finished the whole thing myself! Three people can probably share this. I had a few bites, took some photos and tossed it (first photo).
Rikuro’s Namba Main Branch |りくろーおじさんの店 なんば本店
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XpZWMxfpqwiXMkA49?g_st=ic (Cash or card ok)
(This is how it’s packaged) I went around 5pm.
There is nothing like this in Tokyo! Fluffy, soufflé cake. It was really good and it’s even better when it’s freshly baked. Portion size is good for 3-4 people to eat in one sitting.
There are raisins on the bottom fyi. If you don’t plan on eating it right away and want to skip the lines, there is a separate line by the staircase for cakes that was made 2 hours ago. Dine in option is available upstairs, but I decided to go the cheap route and eat it at my hotel room along with hot tea and egg tarts from earlier. After my pre-dessert and a hot shower, I went back out again for something savory nearby.
Oyajino kushiya honten
This shop is located in Shin Sekai just one station away from Namba Station on the metro. It was recommended by a Japanese vlogger. There was a huge van in the middle of the restaurant LOL.
What I like about this store was that it wasn’t oily. No oil dripping, so I left feeling good and still ready for the next stop.
On the down side, I don’t recommend getting their number 1 seller, the beef on a stick. It was only two small squares of beef friend in batter. Instead, get a fried quail egg or anything with cheese or vegetables.
Since you’re here, might as well grab the iconic photo op with Tsutenkaku Tower in the back. Here’s the Google Map for the photo spot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sPCc89MKZ7QtVpcm9?g_st=ic
Chibo Okonomiyaki Restaurant | 千房 道頓堀ビル店
Flat crispy gyoza was too salty for my taste.
Chibo is a franchise teppanyaki Okonomiyaki restaurant founded in 1973 with it’s base in Osaka. There are other Chibo locations in Tokyo area (Toranomon and Ebisu).
It has different levels of dining atmosphere: (1) president/4 star restaurant (2) elegance/3 star (3) basic style/2 star. There is even one in Waikiki, Hawaii, Vietnam and Taiwan too (all basic style).
For those who are looking for “Muslim & Vegetarian Friendly”, check out the CHIBO Diversity Dotonbori Shop (elegance) More info: SHOP｜okonomiyaki CHIBO
Do note, they don’t make the okonomiyaki in front of you unless you sit at the counter.
For me, this place was okay and I had better ones in Osaka in my previous trips so I don’t recommend Chibo basic style.
This other okonomiyaki place inside the shopping street was popping so if I had the patience to wait, I would rather try here. Mizuno Okonomiyaki | お好み焼 美津の(みずの):
https://maps.app.goo.gl/n6DWeY8eLNH7Wbgq5?g_st=ic
Universal Studios Japan ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン
I regret not getting the Pork Ribs Plate.
Make sure you make a reservation at Nintendo World!
I skipped the hotel breakfast and checked out at 7 am, left my bags at the hotel and dashed to the station. It was a 20 minute train commute from the hotel to USJ (Nippombashi Station to Universal Station).
My friend and I got in line by 7:30 am. We started with the Spider Man ride, then walked around the Minion Park, Hello Kitty Park, and decided to have an early lunch at Harry Potter World. If you go to USJ, you must get the butter beer and frozen butter beer. Both are a little sweet fyi! Make sure to take a photo or video of your butter beer mustache!
Here is a hack if you want butter beer! Instead of waiting in the long line at the entrance for butter beer, stand in line for the cafe, order something for lunch and both butter beers are available for purchase there! You can enjoy at a table with the magnificent view of Hogwarts castle.
We shared the Halloween plate (unfortunately it’s not available anymore) and beef stew on November 3rd, 2023 . The pork ribs was the best thing on the plate. This was a hearty meal for two and you are probably set until dinner. You don’t want to stuff yourself when you go on the rides. The Harry Potter ride and Sadako ride both gave me motion sickness, so I KO-ed on the rock near Harry Potter World where most children lie dead in the afternoon. I was ready to go home by 3pm. But nope! We had reservations to go to Nintendo World at 3:30pm!
SOT COFFEE ROASTER 大阪天満橋
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EFU8cGhYYv9UCyXm6?g_st=ic (Cash or card ok)
One of the best lattes I’ve ever had!!! I loved the chocolate nuts around the lip of the cup. The latte itself was not sweet, but when you bite off the chocolate bits, it goes really well with the bitterness.
This coffee shop is an ideal place to work, study, have meetings, or catch up with friends. They also have outlets and wifi available. It’s nearby Osaka Castle, so come here before or after for a pick-me-up!
Follow @yamiklaura on TikTok & IG <3
I met up with my old friend, Laura who used to be an ex-idol in Tokyo, and now works as a dance teacher for kids in Osaka. It was really fun making Tik Tok’s with her with Osaka Castle casually chillin’ in the back. Just like old times!
Felice & Pause | フェリーチェ・アンド・ポーズ
This came in clutch as I started to get shaky due to low blood sugar.
I am thankful that this shop was randomly on the corner of the intersection as I had a small episode of low blood sugar. #t1dlookslikeme
I am based in Tokyo, so the crepes in Harajuku are better visually, yummier and cheaper. The smoothies look great though!
Felice & Pause was okay for me since the portion size was much smaller than I expected. I got the caramel strawberry crepe, and the taste was better than what you can make at home, but still mediocre compared to the commercially made ones I’m used to in Tokyo. If you don’t like Japanese whipped cream, this is not for you bc there was a lot of it to make up for the size. However, there was a variety of choices and the solo staff was super nice and he let me pick my wrapping paper which was later thrown away in the trash.
If you’d like the complete list along with other places I didn’t have the chance to go…
add this to your Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mDFF4TPA6uJv66DcA?g_st=i
Lollipop included in the lunch set at Harry Potter World came in handy as I came down with another episode of low blood sugar!
