The 10 Best Places to Eat in Dotonbori, Osaka, Japan

Speaking of DOTONBORI in Osaka, famous as Osaka’s premier entertainment district. There are many eating places in a smallish area so people find it a bit difficult to choose where to go. Osaka’s dishes are overwhelmingly flour based like Italian food, as typified by “Okonomi-yaki”, “Tako-yaki” and “Yaki-soba” (“yaki” means grilled). So, this time we will introduce the best specialty restaurants to dine in at DOTONBORI that typify Osaka style.

1. DOTONBORI Kukuru

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Osaka is synonymous with “Takoyaki”. There are many “Takoyaki” restaurants in DOTONBORI, among them is symbolizes the food culture in Osaka. Among them is “DOTONBORI Kukuru”, a famous place often featured in the local media.

With attention to ingredients and style, their special is “Bikkuri Takoyaki” means “Surprised octopus balls”. The surprise is the octopus tentacles are so large they protrude from the surrounding layer of batter looking like a drumstick of fried octopus and priced at 1450 yen.

In addition, there is a dish called “Oo tako iri Takoyaki” (=big octopus in Takoyaki) ” which is first champion of “Konamon(=flour products) King Nippon” which is sponsored by the “Japan Konamon Association” based in Osaka.
Using a special octopus, it is delicious.

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2. Mizuno

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“Mizuno” whose outside is of Japanese style is located in the hot spot of food, a short distance from the DOTONBORI arcade.

You can enjoy “Yoshoku Yaki” (=Western grill) the ingredients are baked and cooked in a thin batter which became popular after the war, and you can also taste the classic “Maze Yaki” (=Mixed Grill), “Modern Yaki”(=Modern Grill) baked with “Yakisoba” (=Japanese style grilled Noodles) and “Okonomiyaki” of various roasting methods.

A specialty of the restaurant is “Mizuno Yaki” a hearty dish containing 6 type of ingredients, such as pork, squid etc.; and “Yamaimo(=Japanese yam) Yaki” baked only in Japanese yam without the use of flour.

Because it is a very popular restaurant you can only make your total food order first, you can not re-order seconds (All drink orders are acceptable). Try and decide what delicious dishes you want to eat before visiting!

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3. Juza

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“Okonomiyaki”, “Takoyaki” and “Yakisoba” are called “Konamon Best 3” in Osaka. And “Juza” which has a red arch, located on the first floor of the DOTONBORI “Kuidaore Building” a restaurant specializing in “Yakisoba” Unique dishes such as “Omusoba” wrapped in “Yakisoba” with omelets

Especially the popular menu of the restaurant is “Tomato Yakisoba”. Using pasta linguine and seasoning of tomato and mayonnaise, you can enjoy a fresh and thick taste at the same time. How about trying rare “Yakisoba” that can not be eaten elsewhere?

4. DOTONBORI Imai

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Especially in a cold winter, we would like to eat “Nabe” (=hot pot dish). You will feel warm your bodies core! “Udon Yose-Nabe” that cooks “Udon” noodle and various ingredients in a pot, and is famous as Osaka’s local cuisine. Actually its origin is said to be in SAKAI.

“Udon” restaurant, “DOTONBORI Imai” is serving “Udon Yose-Nabe”, long-established from 1946. “Udon Yose-Nabe” which has vegetables, chicken, shrimp and grilled eel in volume.

There are also many other Kansai(=West Japan) style “Udon”s such as “tempra- Udon” etc. Why don’t you visit there to enjoy the unique long-established taste?

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5. Tokuya

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“Harihari Nabe” is cooked in a pot using fresh whale meat and “Mizuna”(=potherb mustard) is a local gourmet dish that you can eat mainly in the west Japan district.

The flavor of “Harihari Nabe” keeps its texture and tasty flavor. With the appearance of a smaller restaurant “Tokuya” is a specialty whale dish restaurant.

The “Harihari Nabe” is priced at 3,600 yen which is a little expensive but a small price for such a rare dish, not usually eaten in other regions. When you come to Osaka, you can try and sample it.

 
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6. Yakizen

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HOZENJI YOKOCHO is located across the street from HOZENJI(=temple), MIZUKAKE JIZO. The restaurant has an elegant gate design in that corner area is its mark, this “Yakizen” which serves “Okonomiyaki” and “Teppan yaki”(=Iron Grill) is a specialty restaurant. The popular recommendation of the menu is “Modern Yaki” and “Negi Yaki”.

With plenty of leek instead of cabbage, and using beef tendon instead of pork, priced at 1150 yen. This “Negi Yaki” is thick and adds homemade soy sauce so you will be well satisfied. Please try eating “Negi Yaki” which is said to be the soul food of DOTONBORI!

7. Daruma

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“Kushikatsu” is meat and vegetables on skewers, deep fried, soak in a rich sauce and eat. In DOTONBORI, their signboard has an image like a huge stubborn father’s face which is their landmark.

“Daruma” in DOTONBORI is a popular restaurant characterized by its crispy batter. Popular dishes are the “SHINSEKAI set” with 15 skewers. This is the basic set, and the “DOTONBORI set” of 9 skewers.

Of course, it is also possible to order separately. Choose your favorite “Kushikatsu”, or ask for a set menu to suit yourself! When you come to DOTONBORI, please enjoy the taste of Osaka.

8. Pabo

If we say ”Ika(=squid) yaki”, there are a lot of people who imagine grilled squid. However in Osaka, “Ikayaki” is a different type of baked squid using flour dough and baked like a pancake. Because it is not heavy like “Okonomiyaki”, it is popular as a light meal or a snack.

“Pabo” is close to NIHONBASHI station and popular because its “Ikayaki” dish is delicious. “Pabo” which is easily found by its yellow eaves is a landmark.

It is a specialty restaurant serving “Ikayaki”, “Okonomiyaki” and “Teppanyaki”. Their “Ikayaki” is folded in two and then a rich sauce is poured over it, then a powdered seaweed layer and mayonnaise. Please visit when you feel like having a light dish or snacking.

9. Gakuya

“Gakuya” is located in the “Kuidaore Building” in DOTONBORI diagonally in front of the EBISU bridge, and they have completely private rooms.

Recommended on the menu of this restaurant is “Dote(=bank) yaki” a famous Osaka’s dish. “Doteyaki” is a beef tendon stew with miso and mirin(=sweet cooking sake) flavor. “Dote” means bank, so it is said that “Dote-Yaki”, it looks like there is a little miso river bank on the inside of the pot.

“Gakuya” ‘s “Doteyaki” has a sweet taste soaked into the beef tendon. It is perfect with “Sake”. Why not try tasting while relaxing slowly completely in your own private room.

10. Tako ume

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Sort of a Japanese hodgepodge, “Oden” makes us miss when it is winter. Many people enjoy eating “Oden” while drinking “Sake”. “Oden” is synonymous with winter.

The ingredients are subtly different in Kanto(=East Japan) and Kansai(=West Japan), and also some places people call it “Kanto-daki” instead of “Oden”.

“Tako ume ” is one such a restaurant. Their symbol is a traditional curtain using dyed indigo with white lettering, it is a landmark.

They use standard ingredients such as radish and “konnyaku”, in addition to Kansai unique ingredients such as “tofu” and “yuba”, they also offer an unusual “Oden” in which you can taste whale. Why not try sampling plenty of Kansai style “Kanto-daki” with various ingredient.

Let’s enjoy a gourmet experience in DOTONBORI!

What do you think? There are so many delicious places that Osaka is said to be a gourmet city. Especially DOTONBORI is particularly well loved in Osaka, so the number and style of restaurants is even better! I could introduce this time only just a small part of the area. When going sightseeing in Osaka DOTONBORI, please try walking around and finding these excellent restaurants! For a great time out, please drop by these restaurants we recommended.