There is no better place than Osaka to indulge and experience the flavorful Japanese cuisine. Street food is a must-try when you are visiting this place. Head down to the street food vendors and open-air stalls. Here, you can taste the specialties such as Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, Yakisoba, Yakitori, Mitarashi Dango dumplings, Taiyaki, Oden, etc.
Going on a food tour is the best way to savor street food Osaka. Smells of alluring food stalls make the hungry people queue to get their favorite street food. When in Osaka, sample the mouth-watering street food perfect for those traveling on a budget.
Here are 5 places where you can enjoy the best street food.
- Dotonbori
Dotonbori is one of the best places to taste street food in Osaka. It is a food lover’s paradise, and here you will find every type of food specialty Japan is known for. Located near Namba station, Dotonbori is packed with street stalls selling a variety of street foods.
As you stroll around the quaint and neon-lit backstreets of Dotonbori, eat like a local some of Osaka’s delicious street foods like takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (stuffed pancakes), kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), and more. People line up to eat at the popular food stalls. One of them is Creo-Ru selling takoyaki. Kinryu Ramen Dotonbori is well-known for its ramen.
- Kuromon Ichiba Market
Experience authentic Japanese street food at KurumonIchiba Market, also known as Osaka’s kitchen. This is one of the central food markets in Osaka, and this market has been around for over 170 years. If you visit during winters, try Oden, a comfort food consisting of deep-fried tofu, fish cakes, konjac, tofu skin, and more cooked in a delicious broth.
You will also find takoyaki, grilled scallops, sushi, and other street foods sold by street vendors in this market. Even Michelin Starred restaurants serve street food, so if you are not on a budget, you can give it a try.
- Tempozan Marketplace
For street food lovers, another great place to eat the local favorites is the Tempozan Marketplace. This marketplace serves a wide selection of street food like takoyaki and okonomiyaki in the Naniwa Kuishinbon Yokocho dining arcade. It is one of the places to sample a variety of the popular street food of Osaka.
- Hozenji Yokocho
To enjoy local street delicacies, visit Hozenji Yokocho, a historic street in Osaka located in the South of Dotonbari. The place is just a 5-minute walk from Namba Station.
Away from the hustle and bustle of Dotonbari, this place is Japan’s little food heaven that serves kushikatsu, teppanyaki grills, okonomiyaki, wagyu beef, katsudon pork cutlets, and more. Hozenji Sanpei has been serving the best okonomiyaki for over 40 years. However, there are many more food stalls that you can consider.
- Shinsekai
Enjoy Osaka’s street food specialties like kushikatsu, takoyaki, karaage (deep-fried chicken), and more in Shinsekai, a district in Osaka. Shinsekai has an old town atmosphere and a retro look, but it offers the best street food in Osaka. Shinsekai is well known for kushikatsu, also known as kushiage. It is traditional Japanese street food. You will find many food stalls on Jan-Jan Yokocho Lane selling kushikatsu.
The flourishing culture of street food in Osaka is something you cannot miss on a trip to this food haven.