Tag Archives: Where to eat in Osaka

Wakasaya Nankai Namba - Affordable Sashimi Bowls In The Heart Of Dotonbori

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Wakasaya Nankai Namba

There is something oh-so-magical about the hustle and bustle of fast-paced Dotonbori, an iconic street in Osaka that is packed with a never-ending array of things to see and do. If you’re an unashamed foodie like us, you’ll also be glad to know that the area is a fantastic place to try some authentic Japanese fare.

However, the crowd does sometimes get to us and some of the prices for food here can be rather steep as Dotonbori is, at the end of the day, still a tourist hotspot. Many a time, we wished that there was somewhere we could settle down for a quiet meal to get away from the crowd for a bit.

We are glad to say that if you search hard enough, you can actually find some gems that are a little less hectic than the places in the main area of Dotonbori. That was how we came across Wakasaya Nankai Namba along a random street. This humble restaurant is great for people who love raw seafood as they specialise in wholesome sashimi bowls at wallet-friendly prices.

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5D4N Itinerary For Osaka — What To See, Do And Definitely Eat In The Kitchen Of Japan

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OSAKA ITINERARY COLLAGE COVER PAGE

If you’re a foodie who’s heading to Japan for the first time and you’re not sure which city you should start with, we highly recommend that you slot in Osaka at the top of your list.

Endearingly known as “Tenka no Daidokoro”, which translates to The Nation’s Kitchen, Japan’s second largest metropolitan area is home to a plethora of food options that are sure to leave you spoilt for choice. From bite-sized balls of takoyaki to piping hot bowls of ramen, there is something to eat in pretty much every corner of Osaka. You’ll never go hungry in this gastronomic paradise!

Aside from being a glutton’s idea of heaven, the fast-paced city is jam-packed with plenty of things to see and do. From one of the largest pokemon centres in the world to the majestic Osaka Castle, Osaka is truly a one-stop destination where you can experience the beauty of Japan in a nutshell.

For those of you who need some help with your itinerary, here is our 5D4N guide on what to eat, see and do in the kitchen of Japan.

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13 Things Every First-Timer Should Do When In Osaka

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Osaka Things To Do

Osaka is the second largest city in Japan after Tokyo, and has made its way to almost every traveller’s bucket list. It is also affectionately known as the Kitchen of Japan.

You have seen many guides and lists on things to do when in Tokyo, but what about Osaka? If you have yet to visit Osaka or need a reason to, this will help you out and convince you to visit the wondrous Japanese city.

Here is your definitive guide to 13 Things Every First-Timer Should Do While In Osaka.

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Osaka Food Guide – 22 Restaurants & Cafes You Have to Visit

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Osaka Food Guide

Osaka is affectionately known as the “Kitchen of Japan”, and with this title, it only means that every meal at the Japanese city will be a good meal. There are no lack of options when dining at Osaka – from street snacks to fast meals at local eateries to a gastronomical display of kappo – and it is impossible to run out of ideas on what to eat because whether you are craving for an okonomiyaki or you need a bowl of piping hot ramen on a cold winter night, Osaka will feed you well.

Prior to our trip, we heard so much about how no one comes back from Osaka skinny, and while that thought did sound a little threatening, we knew we were going to love it. And indeed, we did! Friends and locals shared their favourites and go-to places with us, and we have compiled this Osaka food guide for your easy reference so that you will never have a bad meal at Osaka.

Cafes, local eateries, ramen parlours, sushi bars, exquisite dining in aristocratic ryoteis… you name it, Osaka has it. Enjoy feasting your way through the Kitchen of Japan!

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Osaka’s Top 3 Must-Eat Street Food

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Osaka Must Eats

When visitors go to Japan, Tokyo is often the top of the list. In fact, majority of the most-visited destinations in the country are in the capital. Osaka, in comparison, is often neglected and it is a shame because there are so many things to see and do there.

For those of you who don’t know, Osaka is known as the food kitchen of Japan. From michelin starred restaurants, new dining concepts and delicious cheap eats, Osaka is a haven for food lovers. When visiting the city, you cannot leave without eating the top 3 street food that originated from Osaka – Kushikatsu, Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki.

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Daruma Kushikatsu Osaka

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Daruma Kushikatsu

If we tell you there is a kind of fried food that you can eat a lot without feeling sick from the grease, will you jump in joy? And if we top that up with Japanese beer, will life be a bed of roses?

Now, please do yourselves that favour and go to Osaka for Kushikatsu. If the Japanese term is baffling, well – think skewers of all sorts, coated with light batter, then deep fried to something even lovelier than golden brown. And we swear it is not like your usual fried food that is always overly oily and sickeningly fatty. Okay, we cannot promise it is not fattening but if you want to do fried food, do it in an enjoyable way, yes?

Kushikatsu is famous in Osaka and is known to be one of the identities of that city’s food scene. A typical outlet is usually simple and fuss-free, and usually nothing else but skewers and drinks. You have your chicken and beef, vegetables like brinjal and capsicums, eggs and mushrooms… and the list goes on. Almost anything that can be skewed will taste awesome. Even better when downed with a glass of icy cold beer.

Daruma is a popular chain in Osaka and every branch is always packed with loyal patrons – locals and tourists alike. Nothing too fanciful about the place, just your regular fast food lookalike, with a team of exuberant youngsters, and a fuss-free ordering and serving system that is quite an eye-opener for first-timers. Well, actually, the technology in Japan is eye-opening to say the least, and the world should be inspired.

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Kappo: The Art of Dining in Osaka

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Kappo Osaka

When we learnt that we were headed to Osaka, we asked ourselves, “what must we eat?”

Because Osaka is affectionately known as the Kitchen of Japan, and the Osakans worship their washoku (Japanese cuisine) – the ones who prepare dedicate their lives to perfecting the dishes they lay out on the table; the ones who savour spend their time learning and understanding every history and style of the different kinds of washoku. It is almost like a religion for Japanese (and quite possibly people from all over the world) to live and breathe the art of washoku.

So when we say ‘eat’, it is in every way an artistic indulgence, one that has us completely enveloped in the soul of Japanese expressions. The chefs pay so much attention to every step of the preparation and presentation, and there are always rich histories behind every style of dining; ingredients used are very much based on seasons, and the style of cooking has their own stories to tell too.

All that intrigue to speak about, but for now, we will begin with kappo – the definition of Osaka’s culinary glory. Like how Kyoto has its kaiseki, Osaka takes pride in their cutting and cooking, hence making up the word ‘kappo’. But do not be intimidated by the language if you do not understand, because if any, it is really a very affectionate way of dining.

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