It has been said that the people of Osaka spend more on food than on anything else, and the term "kuidaore" ("eat until you drop") is used to describe the food culture here. At the same time, the locals have high expectations towards the quality of their cuisine, and restaurants have to maintain high standards or face closure.
Not surprisingly, Osaka is famous for various local dishes, some of which have attained nationwide and even international fame. Luckily for the budget traveler, most of these dishes are economical fares:
Takoyaki literally means "grilled octopus". A flour and egg based batter is cooked with a filling of octopus slices, pickled ginger and green onion, using a special takoyaki pan which molds the ingredients into small balls. Takoyaki sauce and other toppings such as mayonnaise, green laver (aonori) and dried bonito (katsuobushi) are then added to complete this popular street snack.
Okonomiyaki is a pancake-like dish popular in various styles across Japan. In Osaka, shredded cabbage and other ingredients such as squid, prawn, octopus or meat are mixed into a flour-based batter and cooked before eaten with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, green laver (aonori) and dried bonito (katsuobushi). In some restaurants, customers prepare their okonomiyaki on a hot plate at their table.
Kushikatsu
Kushikatsu are battered and deep fried pieces of food on skewers. Meat and vegetables are the most common ingredients for kushikatsu, but some restaurants also have more exotic varieties such as strawberries on their menus. Shinsekai is the best place to enjoy kushikatsu in a nostalgic Osaka atmosphere.
Kitsune Udon
Kitsune Udon is a simple dish of udon (thick wheat noodles) served in a hot soup with a piece of deep fried tofu (aburaage). Kitsune means "fox" in Japanese, and the dish is thus named because fried tofu is believed to be a fox's favorite.
Teppanyaki
Teppanyaki means "grilling on a metal plate", referring to the style of cooking a meal on an iron griddle in the presence of a customer. At teppanyaki restaurants, diners are seated at the counter, where the chef prepares the food and then serves it immediately. Part of the enjoyment is derived from the sight of the chef skillfully maneuvering the ingredients. A large variety of ingredients may be used, but the main dish is typically a piece of high grade beef or seafood.
Where to eat
The best place to experience Osaka's food culture is the neon-laden Dotonbori district near Namba Station, which is packed with all types of eateries along its main thoroughfare and many side streets.
For a nostalgic atmosphere of past decades, the Shinsekai district with its kushikatsu shops and shogi parlors cannot be beaten. Another major dining district is Kitashinchi, a ten minute walk south of Osaka Station, while Osaka Station City itself is a safe destination for the less adventurous diners with its multiple elegant restaurant floors.
Guesthouse Ten-roku - Female Only features accommodation within 2.5 km of the centre of Osaka, with free WiFi, and a kitchen with an oven, a microwave and a toaster. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.1 km from Toyosaki Shrine. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, a shared kitchen and luggage storage for guests. All units are fitted with a fridge, stovetop, a coffee machine, a kitchenware and kettle. All units have a shared bathroom, slippers and bed linen. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Catholic Osaka Umeda Church, Tsunashikiten Shrine Otabisha and Hankyu Men's Osaka. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 20 km from Guesthouse Ten-roku - Female Only.
Hotel 88 Shinsaibashi is an 8-minute walk from OCAT (Osaka City Air Terminal) and a 10-minute walk from Namba Station. Glico Man Sign is a 4-minute walk from the property. Free WiFi is available in all rooms. Featuring modern d?cor, all rooms come with air conditioning and heating facilities, a flat-screen TV and pajamas. Private bathroom includes a bath, walk-in shower, hairdryer, toilet with an electronic bidet and free toiletries. Free luggage storage is available at the 24-hour front desk. Guests can enjoy billiards at the property. There is a drinks vending machine, and laundry service can be arranged. Tsutenkaku and Shinsekai shopping street are a 16-minute train ride away. Osaka Itami Airport is a 45-minute drive from Hotel 88 Shinsaibashi.
Featuring 1-star accommodation, Guest House Yadomaru is set in Osaka, 500 metres from Tempozan Ferris Wheel and 3.1 km from Isoji Central Park. The air-conditioned accommodation is 3.2 km from Minato Kumin Centre. Hirao Park is 5.8 km from the guest house and Aeon Mall Osaka Dome City is 5.8 km away. Featuring a shared bathroom, units at the guest house also feature free WiFi. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Ansei Earthquake Tsunami Monument is 6.3 km from the guest house, while Universal Studios Japan is 6.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 27 km from Guest House Yadomaru.
Well set in the centre of Osaka, HOTEL THE LEBEN OSAKA provides American breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk. Private parking is available on site. All units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a shower, free toiletries and a wardrobe. Popular points of interest near the hotel include TKP Shinsaibashi Ekimae Conference Center, Stage Ku and Shinsaibashi Station. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 21 km from HOTEL THE LEBEN OSAKA.
Located in Osaka, 200 metres from Shimoyamatobashi Monument and 1.2 km from the centre, ìHouse“¹“Ú–x provides air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and a terrace. This recently renovated apartment is located 300 metres from Hoan-ji Temple and 400 metres from Nipponbashi Monument. This 3-star apartment offers private entrance. Each unit is equipped with a balcony, a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, a seating area, a TV, a washing machine, and a private bathroom with bath and slippers. A fridge, a stovetop and kitchenware are also provided, as well as a kettle. At the apartment complex, every unit has bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the apartment include Zojugoi Yasuidoton Dobokukiko Monument, Mitsutera Temple and Glico Man Sign. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 22 km from ìHouse“¹“Ú–x.
Citadines Namba Osaka has a fitness centre, shared lounge, a restaurant and bar in Osaka. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a shared kitchen and a 24-hour front desk. The property is 700 metres from the city centre and 300 metres from Nipponbashi Catholic Church. All rooms at the hotel come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Each room is fitted with a kettle, while some rooms are fitted with a kitchen with a stovetop. At Citadines Namba Osaka the rooms include bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near Citadines Namba Osaka include Nipponbashi Park, Komyo-ji Temple and Shinko-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 22 km from the hotel.
3-star accommodation, HOTEL THE FLAG Shinsaibashi is located in central Osaka, 600 metres from Dotonbori River and the Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel, 700 metres from popular music and shopping district America Village. Conveniently located in the Chuo Ward, the hotel is situated 2.4 km from Shinsekai. The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk with multi-lingual staff. Free WiFi is available at the hotel. Each air-conditioned room is equipped with a flat-screen TV and desk. Free toiletries and rain shower are provided in all rooms, while certain rooms feature a bathtub. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the hotel. Traditional locations such as Shitennoji Temple and Kuromon Ichiba Market are within 2.5 km from the hotel. Osaka Itami Airport and Kansai International Airport are both less than a one-hour train ride from HOTEL THE FLAG Shinsaibashi.
Attractively situated in the Nishi Ward district of Osaka, MIMARU OSAKA SHINSAIBASHI WEST is situated 600 metres from Namba Shrine, less than 1 km from Samuhara Shrine and a 7-minute walk from Manpuku-ji Temple. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage space and free WiFi. The property is 400 metres from Kokoni Sunaba Ariki Monument, and within 1.9 km of the city centre. The rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a fridge, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. All guest rooms at the hotel are equipped with a private bathroom and bed linen. Popular points of interest near MIMARU OSAKA SHINSAIBASHI WEST include Wakoji Temple, Orange Street and Amida Pond. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 20 km from the accommodation.
Located in the Chuo Ward district in Osaka, MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi North offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. This property is situated a short distance from attractions such as Nipponbashi Monument, Zojugoi Yasuidoton Dobokukiko Monument, and Mitsutera Temple. The property is 500 metres from Stage Ku, and within 2.3 km of the city centre. All units are equipped with air conditioning, a fridge, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. At the hotel every room is equipped with a private bathroom and bed linen. Popular points of interest near MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi North include TKP Shinsaibashi Ekimae Conference Center, Shinsaibashi Station and Namba Shrine. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 21 km from the accommodation.
Situated 2.4 km from Universal Studios Japan, Auberge du Tanuki Noir Maison d'H?tes d'H?tes is set in the Osaka Bay district of Osaka. The property is located 4 km from Glico Man Sign. Namba CITY shopping mall is 4.1 km from the property. At the guest house, the rooms have a wardrobe. The property offers a simple breakfast including coffee and cookies. Guests at Auberge du Tanuki Noir Maison d'H?tes d'H?tes can also enjoy a French breakfast for an additional fee upon prior request. Billboard Live Osaka is 5 km from the accommodation, while Shinsekai is 5 km away. Osaka Itami Airport is 23 minutes away by train, while Kansai International Airport is 55 minutes away by train from the property.
Departing from Kyoto city, a customized 10-hour chartered one-day tour in the Kansai region. The route can be planned freely. Professional drivers can also recommend attractions.
