Osaka Okonomiyaki: Top 10 Restaurants in Dotonbori, Umeda, and Nipponbashi

Everyone visiting Osaka will lift their hands in the air while snapping a photo with the iconic Glico running man signboard in Dotonbori. Have you ever noticed the railing of Ebisu Bridge, designed in the shape of a small shovel, or "hera," used when making Osaka's soul food, okonomiyaki?

It is evident how much the people of Osaka love okonomiyaki, the area's famous savory pancake. There are countless recommended restaurants in every nook and cranny.

Our Osaka okonomiyaki restaurant list also introduce the characteristics of these restaurants, including their signature dishes and other menus that cannot be missed!

Osaka Okonomiyaki: Top 10 Restaurants

1. Okonomiyaki Kiji
2. Fukutaro
3. Ajinoya
4. Hana
5. Tsuruhashi Fugetsu
6. Okonomiyaki Mizuno
7. Jibundoki
8. Zouya
9. Omoni
10. Vin-ju-tei

*Except for Vin-ju-tei, the following establishments have been included in the Osaka Michelin Guide and Tabelog's "Top 100 Restaurants" ranking.

1. Okonomiyaki Kiji in Umeda

Kiji is a friendly Osaka okonomiyaki restaurant listed among the top 100 eateries in the Michelin Guide and Tabelog. That's why there is often a long line of people waiting outside the restaurant.

The menu includes a dish called “Buta-tama” with chicken bone broth alongside pork and egg, a modern okonomiyaki made with eggs and Japanese-style fried noodles instead of batter, and the super popular "Sujitama" made with beef tendons. A decadent dish called "Mikkata" also includes octopus, squid, and pork. All of these are popular choices among guests!

As for side dishes, ordering a plate of fresh shrimp and potatoes is recommended. Grilled on an iron plate, the potatoes have a soft and sweet flavor. Instead of the okonomiyaki batter, it is sprinkled with perilla leaves and tomato sauce, offering a flavor distinct from other okonomiyaki. It is worth trying!

Kiji

Kiji Shin-Umeda Shokudo Street Main Store: 9-20 Kakuda-cho, Umeda, Osaka
Kiji Takimichi Koji Branch: Umeda Sky Building B1F, 1-9-90 Oyodonaka, Kita, Osaka
Kiji Tokyo Marunouchi Branch: Tokyo Building B1F, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo
Kiji Tokyo Shinagawa Branch: Shinagawa Front Building 2F, 2-3-13 Konan, Minato, Tokyo

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2. Fukutaro (Nipponbashi)

Located only five minutes of foot from Kuromon Market, you'll notice a blue noren curtain hanging at the entrance. This is the well-known Fukutaro of Osaka. It's listed in the Osaka Michelin Guide and Tabelog's "Top 100 Restaurants" ranking.

Fukutaro insists on using high-quality ingredients, sourcing seafood from the marketplace daily, and purchasing premium beef tendons and pork from top-tier butcher shops. Combined with their unique sauce, they manage to preserve the original deliciousness of the ingredients. That's how they've expanded from serving this simple and delicious food to becoming a well-known chain with multiple outlets.

For first-time visitors, we recommend trying the Triple Okonomiyaki, which includes pork, squid, and shrimp. The fluffy texture combined with the crispness of cabbage makes for a delicious dish. We also suggest trying their special grilled shrimp and potatoes—a delightful change from the usual okonomiyaki.

Fukutaro

Main Store: 2-3-17 Sennichimae, Chuo, Osaka
Umeda Store: Grand Front Osaka South Building, 4-20 Ofukacho, Kita, Osaka
Namba Store: 5-1-18 Namba, Chuo, Osaka, 8F of Osaka Takashimaya

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3. Ajinoya (Namba)

Located in Dotonbori, the renowned okonomiyaki establishment Ajinoya attracts long queues even before opening. The okonomiyaki portions are larger than those at other restaurants. Coated in the restaurant's special sauce, the savory pancakes make it impossible for one to resist taking bite after bite.

Their yakisoba noodles are also extremely popular, featuring a springy texture with crisp edges after being grilled on an iron plate. This also adds to its appetizing appearance.

Ajinoya

Main Store: 1-7-16 Namba, Chuo, Osaka; Gendai Koisan Bldg. 2F

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4. Hana (Kyobashi)

Unlike the typical round-shaped okonomiyaki grilled on an iron plate, Hana offers a neatly squared pancake. Its refined taste will make you want to savor it slowly. This deliciousness is created by mixing the egg with the dashi broth and grilling the cabbage, imparting a sweetness that enhances the delectable taste of the meat and seafood. It's no wonder it's a renowned establishment featured in both the Osaka Michelin Guide and Tabelog's "Top 100 Restaurants" ranking.

In addition to okonomiyaki, we also recommend their "Gyutan no tataki," where the beef tongue is cooked to perfection and retains its elasticity and juiciness. The beef tongue is also paired with a special soy-based sauce and a hint of citrus, providing an exceptionally delightful flavor!

Hana

Main Store: 4-2-15 Higashinodamachi, Miyakojima, Osaka

5. Tsuruhashi Fugetsu (Tennoji)

Fugetsu is an okonomiyaki eatery with a history spanning over 60 years. It has expanded to over 80 locations both in Japan and internationally.

The must-try dish is the "Fugetsu-yaki," which includes various ingredients such as pork, squid, shrimp, scallops, plenty of eggs, finely sliced cabbage, and other enhancements that create a rich-tasting flavor.

In addition to okonomiyaki, do not miss their special house-made shrimp and potato bread, which is highly recommended!

Fugetsu

Several restaurants are located nationwide and internationally. For details, please refer to the official website (Japanese).

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6. Okonomiyaki Mizuno (Nipponbashi)

A persisting inclusion in the Michelin Guide, the signature dish at Mizuno is the "Yamaimo-yaki," which uses 100% yam and no flour. The resulting soft and melting texture and the stimulating flavors of mayonnaise and yellow mustard are truly astounding!

Additionally, they offer a "mini" portion size. But due to the restaurant's fame, there's often a long wait. Planning ahead is recommended for those who want to experience Mizunos Osaka-style okonomiyaki.

Mizuno

Address: 1-4-15 Dotonbori, Chuo, Osaka

7. Jibundoki (Shinsaibashi)

Photo from PR TIMES
Jibundoki was selected by the Michelin Guide and Tabelog and ranked first in Tabelog's Okonomiyaki list. In fact, Jibundoki is the hardest to reserve a table in Osaka right now.

The restaurant mainly serves teppanyaki cuisine, where your order is prepared in front of you using fresh ingredients. Their okonomiyaki is soft and chewy, perfectly blended with mayonnaise and sauce.

In addition to the okonomiyaki, their fresh shrimp bread is another must-try dish!

Jibundoki

Address: 4-5-11 Minamikyuhojimachi, Chuo, Osaka

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8. Zouya (Tamade)

Zouya is known for concocting unique flavors in its okonomiyaki, attracting many celebrities to the store.

Their most popular dish is the "Zouya-yaki," which includes pork, squid, shrimp, scallops, and abundant eggs. The generous amount of eggs and finely sliced cabbage enhances the dish's freshness, making it incredibly satisfying.

You can also indulge in special Japanese-style yakisoba, which includes beef tendons and Korean pickles. It will greatly increase the appetite and make it hard to stop eating!

Zouya

Address: 2-7-10 Tamadenishi, Nishinari, Osaka

9. Omoni (Tsuruhashi)

Renowned for its numerous exclusive flavors of Okonomiyaki, Omoni has attracted many celebrities to its store.

The most popular dish is the "Omoni-yaki," which incorporates various ingredients such as pork, squid, fresh shrimp, scallops, and eggs. These ingredients also include finely sliced Korean cabbage, enhancing the overall freshness. The abundant ingredients make it satisfying!

You can also order special Japanese fried noodles, which include beef tendons and Korean kimchi, increasing your appetite and making it hard to stop!

Omoni

Address: 3-3-2 Momodani, Ikuno, Osaka

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10. Vin-ju-tei (Umeda)

Finally, Vin-ju-tei, although not listed in the Michelin Guide, was once ranked in Tabelog's top 100 restaurants.

The most notable feature is how each okonomiyaki dish pairs deliciously with different wines. In particular, the famous "Fromage" has no flour but is made with yam and egg white meringue, creating a souffle-like texture. Paired with finely sliced Korean cabbage, the highlight is pouring cheese sauce on the sizzling hot iron plate. Halfway through, the cheese's aroma provides an unprecedented new sensation of okonomiyaki.

Vin-ju-tei

Address: 1-2-24 Sonezaki Shinchi, Kita, Osaka, New Umeda Building 1F

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Enjoy Okonamiyaki, Osaka's Comfort Food

Okonomiyaki, the soul food of Osaka, will grasp the stomachs of many people thanks to its unique presentation at each store introduced above and the essence of the batter's rich broth.

Main image by Pixta