One of the best ways to navigate your way through Japan is eating your way through. Especially if you’re a Japanese food fanatic lover like me, this would be a dream trip. No other place in the world will you find such top-grade sushi or Wagyu beef as you will in Japan. The second largest city in Japan, Osaka has been named “the nation’s kitchen”, and for good reason. Osaka has a huge variety of restaurants from Michelin-starred cuisine to budget-friendly dining in the best Takoyaki (octopus balls) and Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes) restaurants.
Below are the best of the best in dining in Osaka, some of our personal favorites and some lesser-known hole-in-the-walls.
The head chef, Tetsuya Fujiwara who had previously trained in Italy and Spain, earned three Michelin stars in 2012 for his use of the freshest ingredients and seasonal vegetables. The food is innovative and beautiful Japanese cuisine, and I recommend ordering the carb spaghetti.
2-4-14, Yariyamachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-city, Osaka, 540-0027, Japan
Mizuno is the oldest Okonomiyaki restaurant in Osaka, built in 1945 right after World War II. The dough of Okonomiyaki is traditionally made of flour and eggs, but Mizuno’s “Yamaimo-yaki” never uses flour, only yam instead, hence being called Yam-Okonomiyaki. It makes the texture of the dough very soft in a way that is totally different from any other Okonomiyaki in Osaka.
1-4-15, Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka-City, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan
Most people are familiar with Takoyaki, since it is now widely cooked across the world, especially in top Japanese restaurants in the U.S. For those of you who do not know what it is, Takoyaki is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special takoyaki pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus , tempura scraps , pickled ginger, and green onions. It is not widely known that Takoyaki originated in Osaka and is of course home to some of the best Takoyaki you’ll ever find. Creo-Ru is a street vendor, but I promise you it’ll leave you wanting for more!
1-6-4 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka-City, Osaka, Japan
After collecting three Michelin stars in only a year and five months, you know this restaurant is going to be note-worthy. The head chef studied electronics at a French university and used his skills to create innovative Japanese-French fusion food in his laboratory kitchen. The menu constantly changes due to what is fresh and in season and is at the forefront of fusion cuisine.
1-9-11-1, Edobori, Nishi-ku, Osaka-City, Osaka, 550-0002, Japan
Widely considered the number one sushi spot in Osaka, this Michelin starred sushi restaurant has only 10 seats in the restaurant, making it one of the hottest tickets in town. The restaurant boasts a luxurious and sophisticated atmosphere and customers all sit at the counter table where you can watch your sushi being made in front of you. The chief chef Saeki will courteously explain the menu, the background of the ingredients, and their selection of plates for you.
Mori building 1F, 1-5-7, Sonezaki shinchi, Kita-ku, Osaka-City, Osaka, 530-0002, Japan
Yaekatsu specializes in kushikatsu, otherwise known as fried meat on a stick, and it’s downright delectable. There are dozens of kushikatsu restaurants in Osaka, but ignore them all for Yaekatsu. Order a dozen sticks and down everything with a cold beer and we guarantee that you will be the happiest person on Earth.
3-3-13, Ebisu higashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-City, Osaka, 558-0002, Japan
We saved the best for last. While Kyoto has its kaiseki, Osaka takes pride in their cutting and cooking, hence making up the word ‘kappo’. Kappo is a lot more casual and puts an emphasis on the relationship between the chefs and the patrons. Kigawa is an institution for kappo and is where some of the city’s best chef’s first started their training. Dining at a kappo restaurant is like dining at some gazillion-starred Michelin restaurant, the menu only offer 5-10 course meals, all prepared before your very own eyes.
1-7-7 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka-City, Japan