We went to their Restaurant in Shinsekai, as this area is packed with Kushikatsu Restaurants and the perfect place to try this local street food style dish. And actually, just in this area, Kushikatsu Daruma has not 2, but 4 Restaurants!

Our Tip; The biggest one in the middle of the main Shopping street always has a queue, but just 2-3min walk you can go to one of their other Restaurants with half the wait.

As already mentioned, their specialty is Kushikatsu, also known as Kushiage. Deep-fried skewers of meat and vegetables. Which are then dipped in sauce and eaten wit raw cabbage. And there is really just one rule to remember: Only dip one time!

Although the menu is not in English, there are plenty of pictures and the staff speak English and are happy to help. One small thing, smoking is allowed inside, so if that’s an issue for you then don’t pick this place.

But what can we say, the food is great! You can get sets with a bit of everything at a great value or buy them one by one. The Sets start from 5 skewers for 1000¥ and the single ones start at 180¥. If you do the latter, we absolutely loved the Renkon, beef tendon, Beni Shoga (pickled red ginger) and the ham with asparagus. And yes, these go great with a nice cold beer…

Make sure to stop by, when visiting Shinsekai but you can also check out their Dotonbori shop in the heart of Osaka.

Web

https://www.kushikatu-daruma.com/sp/

Address

• Shinsekai: 2 Chome-4-5 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0002
• Dotonbori: 1 Chome-6-4 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071

Opening hours

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Although it is labeled as a standing bar, they have seats or better stools. So it is comfortable and very easy to spend an hour or two here.

The other thing we loved about Hana Sake Bar, is that they have a great selection of Sake. So whether you are a Sake geek or never tried it, you will find something here! The owner carefully created an easy to understand menu, available in English. That gives you everything you need to know in an easily digestible format.

What should you try at Hana Sake Bar?

If you are new to Sake, ask for a recommendation, let the Staff know what you usually drink, what flavors you like and you will get something nice.

What we definitely recommend; make it a tasting tray! Actually, they call it a flight.  Because it’s great value at 900¥ for 3 and it gives you a chance to compare. You will be surprised once you do.

We especially loved the Niida-Shizenshu, Mimorosugi, and Tamaasahi. But this is really personal taste…

Furthermore and a little unexpected, there is food too! Portions are small, as this is more snacks to accompany the drinks. But they are delicious. We ordered the smoked plate, that included cheese, chicken, and nuts for 600¥. As well as the mackerel with mozzarella for 400¥. This was so good we ordered it twice, as you can choose between Yuzu and miso dressing. The Yuzu was unreal!

Definitely a place to put on your list if you visit “the belly of japan”!

Web

https://hanasakebar.com/

Address

1 Chome-8-4 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0086

Opening hours

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It’s a small enough shop seating just about 13 people and it looks like a traditional ramen shop, nothing fancy, but the staff is so nice, it felt like we were locals.

Get your ticket at the machine. First, insert the cash then pick your Ramen. And we warn you, it’s a bit temperamental if your money comes back out a few times, it’s not you! Just keep trying.

And as already mentioned, the staff or what we think are the owner are super friendly although they don’t speak much English. The menu too is Japanese only, but every item has a clear picture on the machine, so you cannot go wrong.

We ordered the Tsukemen for 980¥ and the Nr2 Bestseller for 800¥, why not the Nr1? It was another Tsukemen so we wanted to change it up a bit. You can tell them small, middle or large for the noodles at no extra cost. And as always, the small was pretty big. So think wise. Especially as this is not your light broth, it’s a creamy thick sauce. Hearty and full of flavor. If you get through the whole bowl, fair play!

It is real soul food, so if you go see Osaka Castle, come and check it out. As Menya Ageha Ramen is definitely within the top ramen we ate this year!

Web

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nxuBpYdTY2UWYsP?s=09

Address

1 Chome-4-1 Otedori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0021

Opening Hours

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It is located in the very center of Osaka, just a minute or two from the famous Dotombori. Come from Glicoman and walk through Ebisu Bashi-suji shopping street and it will be on your right-hand side.

And yes you will queue. Plan around 30 min and you should be ok. But, it goes without saying it’s worth it! 

You can take an English menu as you are waiting, so you have ample time to decide what you want. You will be asked to place your order before you enter the restaurant. So better be prepared! We think it’s great, cause you won’t waste time at the table, as your ingredients arrive swiftly, as you are sitting down.

What did we get?

We got one special Ajinoya’s Mix for 1250¥ made of Squid, Octopus, Shrimp, and Minced meat. As well as the variation of 3 Mini, where you can choose 3 Toppings, one for each, and perfect for sharing. We order one cheese, one bacon and one pork for 900¥. And let us tell you, this is great value! You will be rolling out of this place. They cooked the Okonomiyaki at our table in front of us, but you can do it yourself if you wish. We do love the show though….

Needless to say, we love Ajinoya Okonomiyaki! The flavors were amazing, the quality of the products outstanding, plenty of sauce, the service fantastic and it is cheap! What else do you want?

Come here If you never had okonomiyaki, but also if you tried before, it’s another level！

Special Tip!

To our surprise, sauces included mustard! We never seen this before and it seems to be a bit weird. But let us tell you; it is great! Do try it, as it adds another kick! If you get two Okonomiyaki or the mini set of 3, have at least one with mustard. It’s totally delicious!

Web

hthttp://www.namba-ajinoya.com/

Address

〒542-0076 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Nanba, 1 Chome−7−16 現代こいさんビル2F

Opening hours 

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And yes how could we not love it? Located inside the busy Ebisubashisuji shopping street in the Namba district, it’s central and easy to find. But yes, you will be queuing as it is popular with locals and tourists alike! And to add to the confusion, there are two queues. One for outside where you purchase, freshly out-of-the-oven and still hot cheesecake. The other one for eat-in or cake that is roughly 2h old.

The trick question is what if you want warm cheese cake to eat in?!?

Here is our tip! Queue outside, tell them you want it for here (English is ok) and then find a seat with it. You can get plates and cutlery from the till inside and the great part, you can watch them make the cheese cake as you are eating it!

Rikuro’s cheese cake only do one size, and it’s massive! But perfect to share for 4people, manageable with 2 or 3 and well if you are on your own it will be a real victory! But fret not, because we got another tip for you! If you cannot finish you can ask them for a takeaway box. Great right?

One of these beautiful cakes will set you back around 750¥. Depending on wether you eat it there or take it out it will be 10% extra. So if you are a group and share this is not too expensive. They also have other cakes too, as well as tea and coffee for 200¥ to wash it down.

Did we like it? We loved it! Although the wobble was not as impressive as we thought. We were surprised at how light and fluffy it is. With a pleasant aroma of aerated pancake and literally dissolved on our tongue. The perfect sightseeing treat!

Web

http://www.rikuro.co.jp/en/

Address

3-chōme NanbaChūō-ku 2, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076

Opening hours

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This vegan and the organic place is located in, just a few minutes from the famous Amerikamura district! And literally anything in their menu looks and tastes amazing! 

We came for lunch this time, as they offer great lunch sets around 1300¥. From Tempe Teriyaki to Vegan Loco Moco you will be struggling to choose, as everything just sounds great!

We got a Hawaiian style vegan “Loco Moco bowl”, brown rice that was topped with salad, beets, avocado, some insanely good dressing and a vegan grain burger, price point? Around 1000¥. The lunch sets included soup, side dish, main and salad. With the main being Karaage, vegan burger or stir-fried vegetable sets. All generously portioned and especially the Tempe Teriyaki was amazing! 

So whether you are vegan or not this one should be on your list in Osaka! It may also be the perfect place to get some of that 5 a day you may be missing. Especially with all the tasty street food available…

Web

http://papurikavegan.blog.fc2.com/

Address 

〒550-0013 Osaka, Nishi Ward, Shinmachi, 1 Chome−9−9 alivio 新町 １F

Opening hours

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