What to Eat in Osaka!
Osaka is known to have great food wherever you go! Whether it be street food in Dotonbori or trendy items in Umeda, Osaka, the food will never let you down. However, Osaka is very overwhelming with its big 3D food signs and flashing lights so it can be difficult to pinpoint where you want to eat. Here is a list of my personal favorite places to eat as a Japanese girl living in Osaka. I would say it’s a very well cultivated list of places that locals go to while still being foreigner friendly! Let me know what you think about the restaurants I’ve listed here in the comments!
At Harijyu, you’ll find what I truly believe to be the best quality katsu curry in the world! As a Texan, I believe Texas beef is superior but the quality of their meat is still absolutely outstanding. Not only are the thick cuts of katsu crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, there are abundant portions of extremely tender, juicy, and flavorful beef in the stew. I also always add a raw egg on top. Of course there are many more options such as omu-rice, a steak course, fried foods, set lunches, and more! For dessert, there is high quality melon, pudding, babalola, etc. Harijyu has many locations but you’ll want to go to the restaurant in Dotonbori right next to the Kabuki Shochiku-za Theatre. The atmosphere of the restaurant is relaxed and has a very old, traditional vibe inside which is a stark difference from the outside where you go out right into the center of Dotonbori. There will always be something for everyone there and this is my top must-go-to restaurant in Osaka!
If you are looking for a more casual, affordable, and quick curry meal, Joto curry is the place to go! The katsu stays crispy and juicy on top of a hot bed of rice with the slightly spicy stew poured on top. Paired with the free pickled vegetable toppings and the free raw egg that comes on the side, it’s no wonder that Joto curry is as popular as it is. Joto Curry works with a vending machine system in which you insert cash, pick your meal to get the ticket, and then hand the meal tickets to the chef. Although Joto Curry only has curry, there are many different modifications that you can make. You can choose bigger portions, katsu toppings, fried shrimp topping, cheese, etc. It is a chain restaurant but the main one or “honten” is located in Fukushima, Osaka which is right next to Umeda! It is very popular among businessmen to come during lunch hours because of their extremely fast service, generous portions, and good value curry that never skimps on quality.
Looking for dessert? Look no further than the middle of Umeda, Osaka inside the LUCUA department store! Not only are the desserts extremely pretty, every bite is filled with new flavors and textures so you never get bored of eating it! Always the freshest, seasonal fruits, crispy cereals, rich chocolate, light whip cream, ice cream in the middle, and more! You can also pair it with their recommended alcohol topping to pour on top of the dessert to give it added flavor and depth. However, their meals such as the spaghetti and sandwiches are very average and overpriced so I would honestly never order them. Although it is definitely more on the expensive side for desserts, I highly recommend this place to anyone!
An underrated gem of Japanese cuisine are the bento’s and desserts on the B1 floor. Although this goes for every major department store across Japan, I usually end up going to the Hankyu Department Store in Umeda for bento’s. A boxed lunch sold on the basement floor doesn’t seem like much but it is always a hit and I have never had a miss when getting a bento box, pastries, or cakes on the B1 floor. It is insanely competitive and expensive to have a space on a major department store floor so each booth has earned and maintained their space for good reason. The frenzy that happens right before closing at 8pm is crazy as the booths put everything on sale and the customers rush to get amazing deals on amazing food. With the many options, the cheap price, and the confidence of guaranteed deliciousness, there is no reason not to grab some food at a department store to have as a late night meal.
On the 7th floor of Daimaru department store in Shinsaibashi, you will find this cute cafe with the most amazing cakes. Although this place specializes in fruit tarts, I honestly prefer the cakes. I believe they have the best strawberry shortcake but the other cakes with whipped cream are insanely delicious as well. The fruits are always fresh and juicy, the whipped cream is light, and they always have a new seasonal item on the menu to try. There are options to sit outside and inside which is great because the outdoor area is nicely furnished with plants and beautiful ambience while the inside is clean and bright. I will admit that the staff isn’t up to par with the hospitality you expect from a Daimaru employee but they all just seem like tired students and I’ve never been bothered by it. The atmosphere is still relaxed and pretty so you can still really enjoy the desserts and drinks that are being served here with anyone!
If you go to Osaka, okonomiyaki is something everyone must try! Okonomiyaki is a fried, savory pancake filled with cabbage, meat, and seafood topped with sauces, katsuobushi, and green onion! Botejyu was started in Osaka but became a major chain restaurant around the world that brings the joy of Osaka food to everyone! They have a huge selection of not only different types of okonomiyaki but different types of rice, side dishes, and even desserts! Each okonomiyaki is a very generous size so it is quite filling! The food is all placed onto the hot plate in the middle of the table to keep the food warm and for easy sharing which makes it a very good place to eat in with a group! I would say that they are pretty foreigner friendly and because of their huge menu, everyone can find something they enjoy and it is a very delicious way to experience Osaka culture!
This is hands down the best onigiri I have ever had in my entire life and second to none. Onigiri is a rice ball encased in seaweed, usually with some sort of filling inside. You can find the beloved and traditional onigiris anywhere in Japan from convenience stores, on restaurant menus, and sold by themselves like here at Hitotsubu. There are so many options to choose from and whatever filling you choose, they will always put in a generous amount inside your rice ball. I personally love the edamame, tuna mayo, and umeboshi onigiris the most. Hitotsubu usually has a super long line but I’ve never had to wait more than 10min to get my onigiris and I believe it is 100% worth the wait. There is no place to sit down and eat the onigiris but each rice ball is made to order so the rice stays warm, fluffy, and delicious making each bite absolutely perfect. Take some with you to try at home, your hotel, or a picnic!
Torisho Ren during lunch time is what I would consider a hidden gem. It is a more local restaurant located in Hommachi, Osaka that is mainly known for their yakitori menu in the evening but they are open for a few hours in the afternoon during lunch time. They only have two options in the afternoon which are ramen and my personal favorite, their oyakodon. Honestly, the ramen is very normal and not anything mind blowing but their oyakodon is elevated and delicious. Oyakodon consists of chicken and egg on top of a bed of rice and is eaten by many Japanese as comfort food. As a restaurant that is well known for their yakitori, grilled chicken skewers, of course their oyakodon would be delicious as well! The portion is very fulfilling and each bite is filled with delicious chicken and slightly runny egg. Although oyakodon is usually considered an easy and simple dish, Torisho Ren brings it to the next level for under $10! What more could you ask for!
Kamukura Ramen started in Dotonbori, Osaka and consists of a french consomme broth base which is much different than the usual tonkotsu or shoyu ramen. While you can find good ramen anywhere in Japan, the unique soup base of Kamukura really makes it stand out. I usually order the ‘Oishii Ramen’ which can be directly translated into ‘Delicious Ramen’ and it really lives up to its name! Paired with a seasoned, soft boiled egg and a plate of gyoza, it is the perfect meal. The noodles are buttery soft, paired with the light colored yet flavorful broth, and topped with delicious vegetables, this blend of French consomme soup broth and Japanese ramen fusion is sure to satisfy you. The bowl is absolutely massive but the portion is very similar to your average bowl of ramen so no need to feel intimidated! Ramen in Japan is delicious anywhere you go but the unique flavor of Kamukura is something I classify as a must try in Osaka!
Last but not least is this super popular traditional tea and desserts shop! They are mainly a tea shop where they sell lots of different tea leaves, tea cookies, and more but they also have a pretty spacious restaurant area in the Hankyu Sanbangai to sit down and order desserts. They have a lot of traditional desserts such as ‘oshiruko’, aka red bean soup, which might be familiar to One Piece fans as the dessert that Big Mom was eating in Wano-Kuni! I personally love the parfaits because they are always stacked with different tea flavored mont blancs, tea flavored ice creams, crispy cereals, sweet red bean, mochi, and more! Each bite is so delicious yet still packed with traditional Japanese flavors. I would say they are pretty foreigner friendly as you order through an iPad and there are foreigner staff members that can help if you can’t speak Japanese. A must try as it is a blend of traditional flavors with trendy presentation!
