Where and What to eat in Osaka Popular and Best Restaurants In Osaka

Additionally, there’s a selection of around 70 dishes, such as the "Small Assortment of Sashimi," "Sasamaki Sushi (Red and White)," and "Saba Matsumae Sushi," offering the seasonal tastes of Japan.

As the restaurant is named after the poet Bokusui Wakayama, a lover of sake, there’s a wide variety of alcoholic beverages available. These include the renowned shochu from Kawagoe Distillery, which is served in All Nippon Airways' international first class, and the highly popular "Hakkaisan Junmai Ginjo" sake.

The first floor offers counter seating and table seating, while the second floor features tatami rooms and private rooms. The warm, homey atmosphere provides a relaxing space to unwind after a day of sightseeing in Osaka, making it a popular spot.

The interior is designed with comfort in mind, offering fully private rooms for a relaxed dining experience. The space has a warm, nostalgic atmosphere, with options like couple seating, tatami rooms, and horigotatsu (sunken kotatsu) seating, making it perfect for any occasion. Despite being an izakaya, families with children are welcome, so you can enjoy your meal in a private, worry-free setting.

Located in the vibrant Minami area of Osaka, the restaurant is nestled in the well-known Ura-Namba (Back Namba) area of Namba Sennichimae. Ura-Namba has recently gained attention as one of Osaka’s hottest nightlife spots, and "Kushikatsu Hyotan Ura-Namba" is one of the establishments helping to energize this bustling, sleepless district.

The portions and quality of every dish strike a perfect balance, making it a place where you can enjoy a “proper meal” despite its izakaya setting. The drink menu is also extensive, with an impressive selection of sake and shochu, some of Japan’s finest.

The restaurant is housed in a historic building—the former Osaka branch of Mitsubishi Corporation, built in 1930, a pre-war modern architectural gem. Located in the basement of this iconic building in the heart of Shinsaibashi, Osaka’s Minami district, it offers an atmosphere filled with charm and history. All seating is horigotatsu-style (sunken floor seating), and the variety of private rooms, both large and small, make it ideal for various gatherings. After a day of sightseeing in Osaka, the private and comfortable setting offers a relaxing space to unwind. It’s a popular spot for locals working in the nearby office area, with a lively crowd every day.

Conveniently located within a 5-minute walk from Shinsaibashi, Yotsubashi, and Nagahoribashi stations, this spot offers a quiet retreat amidst the bustling streets of Osaka Minami area.

There are two flavors of motsunabe to choose from: "light soy sauce" and "spicy." If it’s your first time, the "light soy sauce" is recommended. This classic soy sauce-based soup is indeed "light." After a few minutes of simmering the motsu, garlic chives, and cabbage, the flavors of the offal and vegetables meld into the soy sauce broth, creating a mellow taste. Add chili peppers and garlic chips at the end to customize the flavor to your liking.

Side dishes that pair perfectly with motsunabe start at 420 yen. And for drinks, "beer," "shochu highballs," "Japanese sake," "shochu," and "whisky highballs" are all 420 yen as well! Overall, the wallet-friendly prices offer great peace of mind.

The retro interior, reminiscent of an old Japanese house, offers a clean and relaxing space. There are counter seats, table seats, and tatami seating on the second floor, allowing you to relax and enjoy your time. Whether it’s a casual meal or something more, this is a restaurant where you can comfortably drop in at any time. It’s a place you can visit every day without worry.

The “kimo sashimi,” horse liver with a sweet taste, “mino sashimi,” a part of horse stomach served with plum paste, and “neko sashimi,” a major artery at the base of the heart, are also available at this specialty restaurant.

In addition to horse meat, “Sakura-nabe” is also a must-try. The fresh horse meat on a plate is as glossy as a cherry blossom. The meat and vegetables dipped in a kombu-based sauce are incomparably delicious. And the udon noodles to finish off the dish are full of flavorful extracts of the ingredients. It is quite delicious.

Furthermore, the menu also includes wild game. During the winter season, the restaurant offers a variety of seasonal delicacies, such as wild boar, bear, deer, and pheasant. If you are in doubt, the course menu is the best choice. There are also plans that include horse sashimi and nabe, so give them a try.

The space filled with Japanese spirit is a place for adults only, where visitors to Osaka can feel at home. If you are visiting Osaka and want to enjoy a rare taste of Japanese food, this is one restaurant you should try. Be sure to make a reservation in advance when you visit!

The star of the menu is the luxurious yakitori, grilled to perfection over Kishu binchotan charcoal. The restaurant’s top recommendation is its signature dish since the first generation, “Ajitori-yaki” (tsukune). Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, this dish offers a rich, savory flavor that will surprise you.

Also noteworthy is the restaurant’s special sauce, made to enhance the natural flavor of the chicken. The sauce is neither too sweet nor too heavy, made simply with tamari soy sauce and sake. Despite not using sugar, it has a mellow taste that has been refined over 60 years.

The menu also includes a wide variety of yakitori that will impress even the most discerning foodies, such as “Sabi-yaki,” where chicken breast is lightly seared over binchotan charcoal and served with a generous amount of freshly grated wasabi. This restaurant is a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic yakitori experience in Osaka.

Among the most popular dishes is the "tecchiri" hotpot, an excellent choice not only in the cold season but all year long. Be sure not to miss the "zousui" (rice porridge) to finish the meal. The rich fugu broth absorbed into the rice makes for the perfect conclusion to the hotpot. Japanese cuisine is often known for its refined simplicity, and this dish, with its light and delicate flavors, is no exception—you’ll find yourself wanting more.

Another popular dish alongside tecchiri is "tessa" (thinly sliced fugu sashimi). The delicate slices, showcasing the natural sweetness and flavor of the fish, are a testament to the chef's skilled craftsmanship. Other must-tries include grilled fugu, with its rich flavor, shirako (creamy fugu milt), crispy fugu karaage, and yubiki (parboiled fugu skin), perfect for pairing with drinks. The lineup is filled with dishes only a fugu specialty restaurant can offer.

Another standout dish that you’ll want to start your meal with, not end, is the 'Seared TKG' (tamago kake gohan). A large ribeye steak is lightly seared over charcoal and placed on top of rice, then topped with a 'Ran-O egg.' Mix it all together for an unforgettable bite. The perfect balance between the beef's rich flavor and the egg's creaminess is Japanese comfort food at its finest.

And it’s not just about yakiniku and offal! The restaurant also offers a selection of fresh seafood. Plus, every day, they hold a special market featuring seasonal ingredients and the day’s best selections.

The casual atmosphere makes it perfect for a second stop after dining elsewhere. The relaxed, comfortable space is ideal for dropping in without any fuss. It's just a short walk from Namba Station, so you'll have no trouble finding it. This spot is perfect for enjoying a laid-back meal and drinks in Osaka.

The restaurant's standout dish is their famous "kitsune udon," featuring thick fried tofu, chewy Osaka-style udon noodles, and their secret broth. The perfect balance of ingredients makes this a must-try specialty.

In addition to classics like "shippoku udon," the menu is abundant, offering monthly specials and seasonal limited-time dishes.

For dinner, their "udon hotpot" comes highly recommended. It’s packed with carefully selected ingredients, including tender chicken, vibrant prawns, fragrant grilled conger eel, and fresh vegetables.

Whether you're looking for a meal while sightseeing in Osaka or a casual dinner, enjoy the flavors of this iconic and long-loved Osaka establishment.

The Yonezawa beef, sourced from only a select few cattle that meet strict grading criteria, is another highlight. Their niku sushi (meat sushi), made from this marbled Yonezawa beef, is exquisite, offering a melt-in-your-mouth experience again that’s hard to match. You can also enjoy premium tataki (seared meat) and steak. This unique dining experience lets you enjoy high-quality ingredients from across Japan, right in Osaka, making you feel as if you’re traveling to those regions.

The interior boasts a modern yet casual vibe, with several private dining rooms available. Warm wooden elements and subtly dimmed lighting create a refined yet relaxed ambiance, perfect for spending quality time with loved ones. In addition to the main counter where you can watch the chefs in action, the restaurant also features seven private and semi-private rooms. The semi-private rooms offer table seating, while the private rooms come in both table seating and traditional Japanese zashiki styles. Of course, it's familiar to those who know Osaka well, but it’s an ideal spot for partners or families to visit at the end of your Osaka trip.

After enjoying a hearty selection of kushikatsu, the perfect way to finish your meal is with their specialty "kamameshi," cooked fresh to order. First, savor the rice as is, then pour the umami-packed dashi over it to transform it into a delightful ochazuke (tea-based rice dish), offering a two-in-one culinary treat. This is a dish that truly lets you experience the flavors of Osaka to the fullest.

The restaurant’s interior, with its orange lighting and warm wooden décor, creates a calming atmosphere perfect for relaxing. The table seats are divided by wooden partitions, providing a comfortable amount of privacy. Meanwhile, the spacious counter seating is ideal for solo diners or couples who want to enjoy their meal quietly.