If travelling to Japan is on your bucket list, one of the toughest questions you might first face is, “which city?” and you’ll want to consider Osaka as long as you’re guided by your tummy.
This city is tenka no daidokoro, which is its affectionate national nickname as “the kitchen of Japan” where epicures make a gastronomic pilgrimage. Kuidaore, which means to eat yourself into bankruptcy, is huge in Osaka’s history and culture.
If you’re looking for the best places for nosh without breaking the bank though, we recommend starting on the streets and Dotonbori in the Namba district is one of the principal destinations for this. It might feel like food is shouting at you from the teeming street vendors with their myriad of treats. If you’re excited to eat your way through this culinary paradise, we’ve gathered 8 soul foods that originated in Osaka for you to keep an eye out for.