If you are planning a trip to Japan and consider yourself a foodie like me, one city you absolutely cannot miss is Osaka. Known as “Japan’s Kitchen,” Osaka is a street food paradise, offering up some of the most crave-worthy bites in the country. From sizzling takoyaki made fresh before your eyes to savory okonomiyaki packed with flavor, the famous food in Osaka is enough of a reason to visit. Whether you are wandering through the crowded streets of Dotonbori or ducking into a hole-in-the-wall eatery, you will find that Osaka’s food scene is casual, fun, and totally unforgettable. In this post, I am diving into the most famous food in Osaka—the must-try street eats, iconic local dishes, and where to find them.
Osaka’s street food scene is legendary, and nowhere is it more alive than in Dotonbori, where neon lights and the smell of hot grills set the stage for some truly incredible food. Most of the famous food in Osaka is surprisingly simple, humble snacks sold from stalls or small shops, but they pack a punch when it comes to flavor. Best of all, you do not need a reservation or even a seat. Just grab your food, stand nearby, and savor it like a local. In this section, I will dive into eight of the must-try street food specialities and the famous food in Osaka that define the city's food culture.
While some of the most famous food in Osaka comes from specific stalls or shops, like egg tarts from Lord Stow’s Bakery and cheesecake from Rikuro, many of these delicious specialties can be found all across the city. Dotonbori is the epicenter of Osaka’s street food scene, with countless stalls, bright lights, and a lively atmosphere. You will find everything from takoyaki and kushikatsu to tornado potatoes and the Instagram-famous ¥10 coin-shaped bread sold in the area.
That being said, the crowds in Dotonbori can be overwhelming, especially in the evenings, and it is a bit touristy. If you would prefer to enjoy some of the famous food in Osaka in a quieter atmosphere (although it is still a big city, so quiet is relative), then I recommend checking out the Shinsekai neighborhood. The food tour Brian and I took of street food in Osaka actually took us through Shinsekai, and it is a neat neighborhood worth exploring.
I wish I could list every single vendor I visited and every bite I tried, but I have to admit, I did not take detailed enough notes or photos to remember them all. That said, a few spots really stood out during my visit, and I want to share them with you as you explore the famous food in Osaka for yourself.
If you are a little uneasy about ordering street food from vendors in Osaka, that is perfectly normal. Brian and I were lucky to have friends, living nearby, that met us in Osaka for an evening filled with a lot of fun and food. Since they had visited Osaka on a number of occasions, we let them take the lead on food and I am so glad they did! With the four of us together, we were able to share a lot of incredible food, while still having room to go out for teppanyaki later in the evening.
However, if you do not have a close connection to serve as your own personal tour guide, a street food tour is also a fantastic option. Brian and I loved the food we had with our friends in Dotonbori, that we signed up for a street food tour while we were in Osaka, too. We have done a number of street food tours in countries around the world, including Colombia, France, and Hungary, and we love when local guides take us to authentic spots, outside of the more touristy neighborhoods. The street food tour we did in Osaka was in the Shinsekai neighborhood and honestly, I do not think we would have ventured to this neighborhood on our own, but I am so glad we did! The neon lights and cool signage, make this a really neat part of the city. The food scene is also pretty incredible!
Our food tour was conducted in English and allowed us to sample many of the same foods we tried with our friends in Dotonbori. The tour also gave us the opportunity to try okonomiyaki, gyozas, and eihire. Eihire is a very traditional Japanese snack, often served in izakayas (an informal Japanese bar, similar to tapas bars in Spain), which is essentially stingray jerky or dried stingray cartilage. While I would definitely not eat eihire again, I can certainly say that I have tasted it at an authentic izakaya in Osaka!
If you are interested in booking a street food tour in Osaka to try the famous food in Osaka (and more!), I highly recommend the following tours from our affiliate partner, GetYourGuide. The first tour on the list below is the one that Brian and I took in January 2024.
*If you book a tour or experience using one of our GetYourGuide affiliate links, we may earn a small commission that helps us to continue producing this content for you.
This would not be a blog post about the famous food in Osaka without talking about two more types of iconic cuisine: crab, specifically crab from Kani Doraku, and okonomiyaki. While there are definitely street food versions of these foods available throughout Japan, I want to highlight them in two staple, sit-down dining restaurants in Osaka.
If you are looking for an incredible hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Osaka, serving the best okonomiyaki in Japan, look no further than Kiji. Okonomiyaki Kiji is located underneath Osaka-Umeda Station and is a tiny, popular place. Brian and I waited nearly 30 minutes for a table for lunch, but it was absolutely worth the wait. The restaurant can be challenging to find, so I highly recommend utilizing a navigation aid, like Google Maps, to help you locate Kiji. Photos of the exterior (shown below) also make it a bit easier to find.
Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake made with a batter of flour, grated nagaimo (yam), eggs, shredded cabbage, and a variety of fillings like pork, seafood, and/or vegetables, topped with a sweet-savory sauce, mayo, dried seaweed, and bonito flakes. While the Osaka (Kansai) version mixes everything together before grilling, the Hiroshima style is layered and typically includes noodles (yakisoba or udon) and a fried egg on top, making it heartier and more structured. You cannot visit Osaka without trying okonomiyaki!
Highly recommended for its consistent quality and authenticity, Kiji has earned recognition in the Michelin Guide over the years, affirming its reputation as a must‑visit spot for okonomiyaki in Osaka. When Brian and I visited, we ordered both a "modern-yaki" which is their signature dish and a traditional okonomiyaki with shrimp and pork. Both were absolutely incredible and we would have returned in a heartbeat to try some of the other dishes if we were in Osaka for longer. With that being said, if you are looking for an authentic okonomiyaki spot in Osaka, look no further than Kiji. During our visit, Brian and I were actually the only tourists and non-Japanese speakers having lunch, making the experience truly authentic!
If you are unable to visit Kiji for okonomiyaki during your time in Osaka, I recommend trying the following restaurants for this famous food in Osaka:
The above listed restaurants are open for both lunch and dinner, and since okonomiyaki is considered a budget-friendly dish, the prices at these spots are generally quite reasonable. While none of these restaurants had websites in English, I instead included links to their Google Maps listings, where you can find up-to-date information, reviews, and directions. As always, be sure to double-check their current operating hours before you go, as schedules can occasionally change.
Kani Doraku in Dotonbori is the place for crab in Osaka, instantly recognizable by its huge red crab sign across the front of the building—an irresistibly photographic landmark in the heart of Dotonbori. (Do not judge me, somehow the only photo I got of the iconic crab sign is blurry. 😭 I guess that just means I need to go back to Osaka!)
At first glance, Kani Doraku may seem like a tourist trap with its over-the-top signage, kimono-wearing servers, and prime location on one of the city's busiest streets. However, Kani Doraku is anything but a tourist trap. This is the flagship location of a well-respected chain specializing in crab, and it delivers an exceptional dining experience. (Yes, it is a chain restaurant but I promise you, Kani Doraku is actually really popular among locals and really good.) The restaurant offers a wide range of crab dishes, including hot pot, sashimi, tempura, and grilled crab. While Kani Doraku is on the pricier side, both the quality of the food and the attentive service make it worth the splurge, especially if you are a seafood lover. If you are not up for a full sit-down meal, there is also a takeaway window where you can sample treats like crab legs and crab buns.
Brian and I visited Kani Doraku for dinner during our time in Osaka and really loved the meal and experience. We opted for the Kou-ei and shared it between the two of us. The Kou-ei included: vinegrated crab, crab sashimi, steamed egg crab, crab claws gratin (our favorite dish of the meal), crab tempura, crab sushi, soup, and matcha ice cream for dessert.
Advance reservations are recommended, otherwise you may have to wait to be seated. For more information regarding Kani Doraku Dotonbori, please visit the Kani Doraku website.
From indulgent crab dinners at Kani Doraku to sizzling okonomiyaki at hidden gems like Kiji, Osaka is a city that truly knows food. Street food staples like takoyaki, kushikatsu, and tornado potatoes make wandering the lively neighborhoods of Dotonbori and Shinsekai an absolute joy, while sweet treats like egg tarts, candied fruit, and fluffy cheesecake round out the experience. Whether you are grabbing a bite from a vendor by the river or sitting down for a perfectly grilled savory pancake, the food in Osaka is nothing short of incredible. If you are a foodie, this vibrant, flavor-packed city should be at the very top of your list when visiting Japan. With so many unique and unforgettable dishes to try, exploring the famous food in Osaka is truly one of the best ways to experience the city.
Looking for additional restaurant suggestions and plenty of things to do in Osaka? Check out our Osaka Travel Guide for a list of museums in Osaka, day trip ideas like the always incredible Himeji Castle, and more.
If I had to pick a favorite out of the famous food in Osaka, I would probably say okonomiyaki, but it is so hard to choose because all of the food is really incredible in Osaka. Have you been to Osaka? Did you have a favorite dish among the famous food in Osaka? Or is there something that you are eager to try? Let us know in the comments below!