Must eat in Osaka —16+ best food in Osaka & must try food in Osaka

With the title of “national kitchen”, it gives you a feeling like walking in a food court no matter where you are in Osaka. However, to have the convenience and save time for the trip, I recommend checking out the following list of restaurants for each specific kind of food. Under each food is the top 3 best restaurants with location and general reviews as well as price range, which would be helpful and easy for you to make a choice.

So, what to eat in Osaka and where to eat in Osaka? Let’s check out our suggested +16 must eat in Osaka (food must eat in Osaka, must eat food in Osaka), must try food in Osaka (Osaka must try food, food must try in Osaka) including top food in Osaka, best food in Osaka (best food to eat in Osaka, best food to try in Osaka), famous food in Osaka, Osaka local food, Osaka traditional food, traditional food in Osaka and best street food in Osaka as well as best places to find them in Osaka!

Takoyaki (#must try food in osaka)

Takoya Dotonbori Kukuru

Dotonbori has some great takoyaki stalls to choose from and Takoya Dotonbori Kukuru is super popular among street food lovers. The well-baked, golden and crispy octopus balls are the biggest sensation of the eatery.

Location: Minami
Price range: Low

TAKOPA

Visit Universal Studios Japan and crave takoyaki? Don’t worry about it! There’s a Takoyaki TAKOPA counter, also known as Takoyaki Park (改称), right in the Universal City Walk. There are five counters here, and you certainly don’t have to wait long.

Location: Takoyaki Park, Osaka Bay
Price range: Low

Takohachi

To learn about common takoyaki, go to Takohachi in Tennoji and have some akashiyaki instead. It’s similar to takoyaki, but dipped in light, delicious dashi broth. Indeed, it’s great for people who want to try a more novel style of this snack.

Location: Tennoji
Price range: Low

Okonomiyaki (#must eat in osaka)

Kiji

If you only have time for one okonomiyaki restaurant in the city, choose the popular Michelin-rated Kiji Bib Gourmand in Umeda. The long queue of guests in front of the restaurant is a testament to its excellent cuisine.

Location: Kita
Price range: Low

Jibundoki

For brilliant and creative okonomiyaki as well as some other dishes cooked on a teppan (iron grill), try this great restaurant. This place is just a short walk southwest of Honmachi Station. The name is written in English on the eaves, so finding it is not a problem.

Location: Central Osaka
Price range: Average

Kyochabana Shin-Osaka Eki (#famous food in osaka)

Are you looking for a delicious yet healthy dinner option at Shin-Osaka Station? At Kyochabana, you will get affordable, tasty and creative Japanese food.

Location: Shin-Osaka
Price range: Low

Kushikatsu (#best food in osaka)

Shichifukujin (#best food in osaka)

Shichifukujin in Tenma is a seat-only kushikatsu restaurant, super popular among locals. Their crispy skewers are awesome, the beer is totally affordable, and they serve oden (Japanese-style fish cake stew) to balance all those fried foods. A great choice if you are in the area!

Location: Kita
Price range: Moderately low

Tengu (#osaka must try food)

Can’t get in line at Daruma? Don’t worry, there’s another kushikatsu restaurant in Shinsekai that’s just as good, if not better. Tengu will definitely satisfy all your greasy fry desires.

Location: Tennoji
Price range: Moderately low

Karatto

Karatto is a stylish, quite high-end kushikatsu restaurant located a short walk from Shinsaibashi Station. The food is not only good but also served in large quantities. The place is open until 5:00 am – it’s a great way to end a night of karaoke or party.

Location: Minami
Price range: Average

Delicious sushi (#osaka must try food)

Endo Sushi Kyobashi

If you are looking for delicious, affordable sushi, Endo Sushi Kyobashi is the place for you. What a great stop if you travel between Osaka and Kyoto via Kyobashi Station!

Location: Kyobashi Castle
Price range: Moderately low

Daiko Sushi Minamiten

Visit Shinsekai but don’t like to eat fried food at all the kushikatsu restaurants? Drop by Daiko Sushi in Jan Jan Arcade for a budget-friendly and fun meal.

Location: Tennoji
Price range: Moderately low

Sushi Tokoro Jinsei

Sushidokoro Jinsei is a small sushi restaurant located in Shinsaibashi District. It’s a pretty cool place that’s totally worth the money. From food to service, everything is very well cared for. Of course, you’ll enjoy sushi in a fancy atmosphere at this place.

Location: Minami
Price range: Moderately low

Ramen (#traditional food in osaka)

Chukasoba Kazura

Not all ramen is made the same. Chukasoba Kazura in Awaza serves shoyu chicken ramen with an amazing light soup that tastes like a mousse. Look for Kanji on the sign. You may have to line up with the locals, but it will definitely be worth a try.

Location: Central Osaka
Price range: Moderately low

Ryukishin RIZE

Everyone needs to taste a bowl of ramen before departing from Japan. Ryukishin RIZE in Namba, with its savory bowl of shio ramen, is a popular restaurant as the famous instant noodles. A great destination for you if you like thick meat soup.

Location: Minami
Price range: Moderately low

Menya Ageha (#what to eat in osaka)

For delicious ramen with meat within walking distance of Osaka Castle Park, try this famous local eatery. It’s casual and very friendly to drop by. The name is written in English on the brown noren door screen below the sign.

Location: Osaka Castle
Price range: Low

Ramen Uroko

Osaka has a lot of great ramen shops but Ramen Uroko stands out even in harsh competition. Located at the stop on the south side of Shin-Osaka Station, this business serves an excellent ramen shio that will meet your taste for sure.

Location: Shin-Osaka
Price range: Low

Izakaya / Sake (#what to eat in osaka)

Binbiya

Binbiya is a premium, Michelin-starred izakaya in Kita-Shinchi District that specializes in fresh, yet surprisingly affordable seafood dishes. The dinner here will not cost you more than 7,000 yen unless you order more drinks. Great value for the money!

Location: Kita
Price range: Average

Chirori (#what to eat in osaka)

Chirori is a modern, local izakaya serving phenomenal small dishes and an extended collection of sake to pair with. Located one stop south of Shin-Osaka Station, this place is a wonderful spot for dinner with friends.

Location: Shin-Osaka
Price range: Average

Osaka Yakiton Center

Interested in experiencing a local bar on your trip? Head to Osaka Yakiton Center in Namba for delicious grilled pork skewers. The English menu is not available; however, the staff are very friendly, and you can even pour your own wine!

Location: Minami
Price range: Average

Soba (#best food to eat in osaka)

Sobakiri Arabompu

Noodle restaurants are noticeable in Osaka. Enjoy your soba at Arabonpu in Kita District where the owner serves beautifully textured artisan noodles in a small, quiet shop.

Location: Kita
Price range: Moderately low

Nishiya

Besides Shinsaibashi Station, Nishiya is a famous udon restaurant, long-established and great for a hearty meal in the middle of the shopping malls. They also serve dishes other than udon, so everyone can find something of their own here.

Location: Minami
Price range: Moderately low

Shuhari (#best food to eat in osaka)

Shuhari is a soba specialist eatery not too far from Osaka Castle Park. Their soba and tempura are very chewy and well-processed. The wasabi is fresher than anywhere else. Look for the wooden steps at the entrance.

Location: Osaka Castle
Price range: Average

Udon (#best food to try in osaka)

Kidatake (#must eat food in osaka)

Kidatake is a simple, raw udon restaurant located in Namba, which serves one of the best bowls of udon noodles in the city. It’s perfect for a casual lunch while exploring the area.

Location: Minami
Price range: Low

Tokumasa Udon

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