A complete guide of Osaka Soul food: Locally loved specialty foods

• Table of Contents
• A gourmet experience packed with soul food and city energy
• 1. Ramen and Gyoza: The King of Local Chinese Cuisine, Gyoza no Osho
• 2. The aroma of the sauce will whet your appetite: Takoyaki "Hanadako"
• 3. Kushikatsu: Experience the spirit of downtown Osaka at Daruma
• 4. The famous pork bun: The taste of "551 Horai" is the pride of Osaka residents
• 5. Grilled squid: A hidden star in the basement of a department store
• 6. Representative sweets: Enjoy an elegant moment with Dojima Roll
• 7. Popular Izakaya Specialties: Motsu dishes and Doteyaki
• 8. Okonomiyaki: The king of flour-based foods, whether eaten at home or at a food stall
• Conclusion: Experience Osaka's local cuisine! Add it to your travel plans!

A gourmet experience packed with soul food and city energy

Osaka, the representative city of the Kansai region, is widely known as a city of gourmet food.

In addition to high-end cuisine, it is also a treasure trove of local gourmet food that continues to be loved by the common people.

Osaka's food culture fills the stomach and enriches the soul for both tourists and locals.

Here we will introduce some of Osaka's most famous gourmet foods.

1. Ramen and Gyoza: The King of Local Chinese Cuisine, Gyoza no Osho

Gyoza no Osho, which has locations nationwide, is appealing for its comforting Chinese staples of ramen and gyoza.

The Osaka store in particular has many local regulars and is known for its laid back atmosphere where you can enjoy hearty meals.

Be sure to stop by when you visit Osaka!

Take a gourmet tour in Osaka!

2. The aroma of the sauce will whet your appetite: Takoyaki "Hanadako"

When you think of Osaka's soul food, the first thing that comes to mind is takoyaki.

Among them, Hanadako is a famous restaurant with a good reputation among locals, and is popular for its perfectly cooked octopus, which is crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside.

From simple sauce flavors to more unusual ones like green onion ponzu, the variety is sure to keep you coming back for more.

3. Kushikatsu: Experience the spirit of downtown Osaka at Daruma

Kushikatsu Daruma, famous for its rule of "no double dipping in sauce!", is a symbol of Osaka downtown culture.

Dip a freshly fried skewer in plenty of sauce and enjoy it, which goes perfectly with beer.

There is a wide variety of options, including shrimp, pickled ginger, and quail eggs. Another Osaka-esque charm is being able to casually chat with the person next to you at the counter.

Kushikatsu Daruma Shinsekai Main Store

556-0002 2-3-9 Ebisu Higashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture

In addition to the manager's recommended original skewers and doteyaki, we recommend the "Main Branch Set Meal" which includes a total of nine skewers of seafood and vegetable fried skewers. You can enjoy the freshness and sweetness of the ingredients as they are, as well as the crunchy texture. Don't forget that you only need to dip them in the sauce once! Make sure to dip them all in at once!

Book a tour to enjoy Japanese cuisine

4. The famous pork bun: The taste of "551 Horai" is the pride of Osaka residents

551 pork buns have long queues at Osaka Station and Shin-Osaka Station.

This item, with its soft skin and juicy meat filling, is an overwhelmingly popular souvenir.

Buying one before boarding the Shinkansen is a standard practice for Osaka locals.

5. Grilled squid: A hidden star in the basement of a department store

Although it is not well known nationwide, grilled squid is a hidden specialty of Osaka.

The grilled squid corner in the basement of Hanshin Department Store is particularly popular, with queues forming.

This is a B-grade gourmet treat that can be enjoyed as a snack or light meal, with squid kneaded into chewy dough.

Hankyu Umeda also has a famous and unique squid grilling restaurant.

6. Representative sweets: Enjoy an elegant moment with Dojima Roll

When you're craving something sweet, remember **Dojima Roll**.

This roll cake has captured the hearts of many people with its exquisite balance of simple yet rich cream and fluffy dough. It is a high-quality sweet from Osaka that also makes a great souvenir.

7. Popular Izakaya Specialties: Motsu dishes and Doteyaki

If you're in Osaka at night, you should definitely try izakaya dishes like stewed offal and doteyaki.

The sweet and spicy stewed beef tendon and offal are perfect as snacks to go with alcohol.

The flavor of the miso permeates the dish, warming it right down to your heart.

The ultimate luxury is to enjoy chatting with locals at a standing bar or tavern.

8. Okonomiyaki: The king of flour-based foods, whether eaten at home or at a food stall

Okonomiyaki is truly a symbol of Osaka's flavor.

Ingredients such as cabbage, pork, and eggs are grilled on a hot plate and served with plenty of sauce and mayonnaise.

Each store has its own unique style, and many Osakans have their own favorite stores.

Some stores make it fluffy, while others have chewy versions or versions with lots of yam, making it a fun dish to try and compare.

Conclusion: Experience Osaka's local cuisine! Add it to your travel plans!

Osaka's cuisine is not just about eating, it's an experience that allows you to fully experience the human kindness and atmosphere of the city.

From ramen and takoyaki to kushikatsu, pork buns and sweets, everything is part of Osaka culture.

For tourists and locals alike, every day is filled with delicious food.

If you visit Osaka, be sure to enjoy its charms to the fullest!

Eating to your heart's content is the right way to explore Osaka!