Osaka is affectionately known as the “Kitchen of Japan”, and with this title, it only means that every meal at the Japanese city will be a good meal. There are no lack of options when dining at Osaka – from street snacks to fast meals at local eateries to a gastronomical display of kappo – and it is impossible to run out of ideas on what to eat because whether you are craving for an okonomiyaki or you need a bowl of piping hot ramen on a cold winter night, Osaka will feed you well.

Prior to our trip, we heard so much about how no one comes back from Osaka skinny, and while that thought did sound a little threatening, we knew we were going to love it. And indeed, we did! Friends and locals shared their favourites and go-to places with us, and we have compiled this Osaka food guide for your easy reference so that you will never have a bad meal at Osaka.

Cafes, local eateries, ramen parlours, sushi bars, exquisite dining in aristocratic ryoteis… you name it, Osaka has it. Enjoy feasting your way through the Kitchen of Japan!

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BIOTOP CORNER STAND

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Over at Horie Tachibana (Orange Street), Corner Stand earns the title of the prettiest cafe. It is like a lush floral wonderland, with little mysteries hiding beyond those cascading vines. Never mind that they serve a funky menu of coffee and pizzas, because for all that we remember, its visually-arresting aesthetics and decor is feast for the eyes and fills our souls with glee.

1/2/4F, Meburo16kan, Minamihorie, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6531 8225
Daily: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Yotsubashi/Shinsaibashi

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BROOKLYN PARLOR

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This was quite a hidden find for us. We stumbled upon Brooklyn Parlor when we were exploring the neighbourhood where we put up at, and boy what a delightful surprise it was for us!

Brooklyn Parlor is a charming and gorgeous space that combines cafe, bar, library, music and dance space all into one. You can either come here for a meal – the food menu has relatively affordable options like hamburgers, pastas and salads – or get a drink with desserts for afternoon tea.

Besides Osaka, Brooklyn Parlor also has branches in Tokyo, Hakata, and Sapporo.

ORE Shinsaibashi Building B1F
2-2-3 Nishi-Shinsaibashi
Chuo-ku, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6212 7881
Daily: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Namba/Shinsaibashi

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CREO-RU

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Most people are probably familiar with Takoyaki, since it is now widely available in many cities around the globe. However, not everyone knows that takoyaki actually originated from Osaka. There are many stalls around Osaka selling this popular street food, but try Creo-ru – one of the most famous takoyaki places.

Creo-Ru is listed in our guide on Osaka’s Top 3 Must-Eat Street Food.

1-6-4 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku
Nearest Station: Namba/Nipponbashi

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DARUMA KUSHIKATSU

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Daruma is a popular chain that is known for kushikatsu – deep-fried meat/vegetable skewers that are coated with light batter and deep-fried to something even lovelier than golden brown - in Osaka and every branch is always packed with loyal patrons – locals and tourists alike. Nothing too fanciful about the place. An average set here is ¥1,800 for 12 sticks and a side.

Daruma Kushikatsu is listed in our guide on Osaka’s Top 3 Must-Eat Street Food.

1-6-4 Dotonbori
Chuoku, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6213 8101
Nearest Station: Namba/Nipponbashi

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DOTONBORI KONAMON MUSEUM

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Another place that we would recommend for takoyaki is Dotonbori Konamon Museum which is also located on Dotonbori. It is easily recognisable by its huge octopus signboard.

Dotonbori Konamon Museum is listed in our guide on Osaka’s Top 3 Must-Eat Street Food.

Chuwa Daiichi Building
1-6-12, Dotombori, Chuo-ku
Nearest Station: Namba/Nipponbashi

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ENDO SUSHI

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If you find yourself at the Osaka Central Fish Market, you must not deny yourself of what would be a very memorable sushi meal. It took us a while to locate Endo Sushi, but the search for the best otoro sushi ended at this tiny sushi parlour. We never thought fatty tuna belly could send us to heaven like that, and Endo Sushi’s rendition changed our lives forever. First-timers can opt for the Omakase Set – ¥1,050 for five pieces of sushi – which includes one of that very divine otoro sushi. But if you are not a fan, you will love the anago (conger eel) sushi.

Endo Sushi is listed in our guide on 20 Reasons to Love Osaka.

1-1-86 Noda Fukushima-ku
Tel: +81 6 6469 7108
Mon to Sat: 5am – 2pm
Nearest Station: Noda

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GRANKNOT COFFEE

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Another coffee place in Osaka that we like is Granknot Coffee. The passionate baristas here take their coffee seriously and it is the perfect kind of coffee bar which one can retreat to after exploring Orange Street.

1-23-4 Kitahorie
Tel: +81 6 6531 6020
Nearest Station: Nishiohashi

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HANAMARUKEN RAMEN

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Ramen lovers in the know will find their way to Hanamaruken. This much-loved Osaka ramen chain is easily one of the best in the city. Its signature Happiness Ramen bowl – tonkotsu ramen with slow-braised pork rib – truly lived up the hype.

1-2-1 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6213 0131
Daily: 24hours
Nearest Station: Namba/Nipponbashi

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HOUZENJI SAN PEI

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For an authentic okonomiyaki, head to Houzenji San Pei. Located on Hozenji Yokocho, an elusive lane near the Hozen-ji which has numerous restaurants and eateries, Houzenji San Pei is where locals go to for their okonomiyaki fix.

Houzenji San Pei is listed in our guide on Osaka’s Top 3 Must-Eat Street Food.

1-7-10 Dotonbori
Chuo-ku, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6211 0399
Nearest Station: Namba/Nipponbashi

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ICHIBA ZUSHI

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A hole-in-the-wall sushi joint in Namba, Ichiba Zushi serves pocket-friendly sushi (¥180 - ¥400) in its tiny but atmospheric space.

2-7-3 Shinsaibashi, Chuo-Ku, Osaka
Tel: +81 7 6221 1882
Nearest Station: Namba/Nipponbashi

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ICHIRAN RAMEN

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No trip to Japan will be complete without having our favourite ramen from Ichiran. An unbelievably rich and thick bowl of tonkotsu ramen – we would fly to Japan just for this.

7-18 Souemoncho
Chuo Ward, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6212 1805
Nearest Station: Namba/Nipponbashi

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KIO RAMEN

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Kio is a ramen chain that has many outlets across Osaka. The noodle and soup broth were decent and nothing to shout about, but the huge savoury pieces of chashu were so fragrant and richly-flavoured that they took our breath away.

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KIGAWA

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Like how Kyoto has its kaiseki, Osaka takes pride in their cutting and cooking, hence making up the word ‘kappo’. But unlike kaiseki, kappo is a lot more casual, and it emphasises on cutting and cooking. The relationship between the chefs and the patrons is build on interaction from the close proximity.

Kigawa – an institution for naniwa-kappo – is where many of the city’s best chefs trained. Stepping in to Kigawa is a fascinating journey on its own. Elusively hidden in a back alley near the Hozen-ji, Kigawa looks just like one of those ancient houses that are better known as machiya.

To learn more about kappo, read our guide on Osaka’s art of dining.

1-7-7 Dotonbori
Chuo-ku, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6211 3030
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Namba/Nipponbashi

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KIMUKATSU

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We’ve tried Kimukatsu in Tokyo before, so when we found out that it has a branch in Osaka, we tracked it down immediately.

Kimukatsu’s tonkatsu is more like a pork mille-feuille that is made up of many thin layers of pork. In addition to the original tonkatsu, they also have other flavours like cheese, black pepper, green onion, garlic, sour plum and yuzu pepper. A tonkatsu set is ¥1,930. Alternatively, you can opt for the Kimukatsu Value Combo – choose any two tonkatsu flavours at ¥2,500 (for 1 pax), or three flavours at ¥3,980 (for 2 pax).

1-9-19 Dotonbori
Chuo-ku, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6212 1129
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Sat, Sat & Holiday: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Namba

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KINRYU RAMEN

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Ask anyone who has been to Osaka and they will mention Kinryu Ramen – the ramen shop with the iconic golden dragon statue.

It serves a decent bowl of ramen, but neither the noodle nor the soup broth was particularly memorable enough that we would go back for it. We should believe its affordable price tag attributes to its popularity.

1-1-18 Dotonbori
Chuo-ku, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6211 3999
Daily: 24 hours
Nearest Station: Namba/Nipponbashi

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KUROMON SANPEI

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Primarily a wholesaler, the folks behind Kuromon Ichiba supplies fresh seafood as their core business. But fast forward a few years and they started Kuromon Ichiba, a small retail-cum-eatery for the mass market. Conveniently located in Kuromon Market, drop by for a bowl of ocean goodness with a freshness so sweet, it lingers in your mouth. A bowl of kaisen-don costs only ¥1,200!

2-4-1, Nipponbashi
Chuo-ku, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6635 1938
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Nipponbashi

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MAISON DE GIGI

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MAISON de gigi is our go-to spot when we want a break in between shopping. The cafe specialises in waffles which come in flavours like Apple & Cinnamon, Mix Berry, Chocolate Banana and Strawberry. There is also a takeaway kisok where you can grab a waffle and have it on-the-go.

2-2-17 Shinsaibashisuji,
Cyuou-ku, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6210 5944
Daily: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Shinsaibashi

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MATSUSAKA BEEF YAKINIKU M

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Most people are probably familiar with Kobe beef, but have you heard of Matsusaka beef? Also known as Japanese Black, Black-haired Wagyu or Kuroge Washu, Matsusaka beef from the Mie Prefecture is, in fact, a grade higher than Kobe beef. It has one of the highest fat-to-meat ratio, and it literally melts in your mouth, with an unbeatable creamy texture and a sweet aftertaste.

Yakiniku M is a beef paradise, and it carries the prized Matsusaka Beef. You will be in for a meaty feast, and the service is excellent with the staff always checking on you and helping with the BBQ-ing. Reservations are recommended.

1-1-19, Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6211 2917
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 12midnight
Nearest Station: Namba/Nipponbashi

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MIZUNO OKONOMIYAKI

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An institution in Osaka, Mizuno is famous for okonomiyaki – a savoury Japanese pancake that originated from Osaka. It dishes out a variety of pancakes to hungry patrons throughout the day. Among all the options on the menu, the best-seller is the yam flour Okonomiyaki with scallops and roast pork.

Mizuno is listed in our guide on Osaka’s Top 3 Must-Eat Street Food.

1-4-15 Dotonbori
Chuo-ku, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6212 6360
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Namba/Nipponbashi

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TIMELESS COMFORT CAFE

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Timeless Comfort Cafe at Orange Street combines the concept of a lifestyle store and a cafe. It has a simple menu that offers items such as hamburgers, pancakes and pancakes.

1-19-26 Minamihorie Nishi-ku Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6533 8620
Daily: 10am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Yotsubashi/Shinsaibashi

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URBAN RESEARCH CAFE

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Also nestled within the quaint Horie Tachibana is a cafe that is perfect for people-watching over drip coffees and pretty parfaits. Predominantly furnished with wooden elements, Urban Research Cafe is a multi-story space that has a dine-in area and retail racks. Over at the cafe side, sit by the window and enjoy a peaceful afternoon with a magazine in hand.

1-23-6 Minamihorie Nishi-ku Osaka
Nearest Station: Yotsubashi/Shinsaibashi

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YAEKATSU

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If we lived in Osaka, we’d be having kushikatsu every other day. Anything on a stick – deep-fried – is right up our alley. Order a dozen sticks and down everything with a cold beer and we guarantee that you will be the happiest person on Earth.

In Shinsekai – the old town of Osaka – there are at least sixty eateries that specialise in kushikatsu. But we are pretty much blind to all of them because Yaekatsu is super popular and is the best bet.

Yaekatsu is listed in our guide on Osaka’s Top 3 Must-Eat Street Food.

3-4-13 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6643 6332
Fri to Wed (Closed on Thu): 10.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Dobutsuenmae

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For more recommendations, read our guide on 20 reasons to love Osaka.

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It is hard to describe Osaka in just one word. But this is not to say it is just another Tokyo. While there have always been comparisons between these two cities, and talks about how Osaka can never be like Tokyo, we beg to differ, for Osaka radiates its own charm and deserves to be loved for many reasons.

From the majestic Osaka Castle to Universal Studios Japan, shopping at Shinsaibashi to cafe-hopping at Orange Street, Instant Ramen Museum to Osaka Central Fish Market, the list goes on and we have picked out 20 things to covet when visiting Osaka.

Mark Osaka down in your travel bucket list. We promise it would be worth a visit.

#1 OSAKA CASTLE

The magnificence of Osaka. Standing tall on stone foundation since 1583, the Osaka-jo is five stories on the outside, and eight stories on the inside. Built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, this is one of the most famous castles in Japan and is a popular spot during festival seasons, especially when the cherry blossoms bloom. It is the perfect hanami spot.

#2 TAKOYAKI – NOBODY SAYS NO TO OSAKA’S OCTOPUS BALLS

Made of a wheat flour based batter that is filled with diced octopus, pickled ginger, and green onion, these Octopus Balls are the best street food to have when in Osaka. Topped with dried bonito, and a douse of mayonnaise and takoyaki sauce, this popular street snack is cheap and delicious.

Read our guide to Osaka’s Top 3 Must-eat Street Food.

#3 THE KITCHEN OF OSAKA – OSAKA CENTRAL FISH MARKET

Opened to all visitors, this is one bustling place to be at. Lines after lines of stalls selling commodities – fruits, vegetables, cooking condiments and tsukemono (Japanese pickles), kitchenware, and of course, fish – the wholesale market is a colourful place that is such a visual treat. Little eateries selling fresh sashimi and sushi can also be found. And the highlight is most definitely the maguro (tuna) auction show which starts at 4:15am sharp daily.

#4 ENDO SUSHI – SAVOUR THE BEST OTORO SUSHI

And if you find yourself at the Osaka Central Fish Market, you must not deny yourself of what would be a very memorable sushi meal. It took us a while to locate Endo Sushi, but the search for the best otoro sushi ended at this tiny sushi parlour. We never thought fatty tuna belly could send us to heaven like that, and Endo Sushi’s rendition changed our lives forever. First-timers can opt for the Omakase Set – ¥1,050 for five pieces of sushi – which includes one of that very divine otoro sushi. But if you are not a fan, you will love the anago (conger eel) sushi.

#5 SO MUCH FUN AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN

Theme parks are not just for kids. Everyone can have fun at Universal Studios Japan (USJ)! With a series of family-friendly and thrilling rides, a day at USJ is a whole day of excitement and unadulterated happiness. And the best part about USJ has got to be The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Fans will be more than delighted by this magical adventure at the Park. A basic one-day studio pass costs ¥6,980 for adults and ¥4,880 for kids. Multiple days passes and hotel-cum-studio passes are also available.

#6 OKONOMIYAKI - AMONG THE THREE MUST-EAT STREET FOOD IN OSAKA

For the uninitiated, Okonomiyaki is a savoury Japanese pancake that originated from Osaka. It is not the most photogenic food, but trust us on this – this is something that you do not want to miss when you are here.

Read our guide to Osaka’s Top 3 Must-eat Street Food.

#7 ALICE ON WEDNESDAY – GO DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE WITH ALICE

Have you ever dreamed of being Alice, falling down a rabbit hole and entering a magical world where you could meet The Madhatter, Chesire the cat and gang? If you are visiting Osaka, you will be able to do just that! Alice on Wednesday is a cool kid to look out for on your next trip to those Japanese cities. Think a lifestyle concept store that is put together entirely based on the love for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Read our guide on Alice on Wednesday. 

#8 DOTONBORI – A GASTRONOMIST’S HEAVEN

Prized as the most popular tourists’ destination of Osaka, Dotonbori is one happening stretch of entertainment and restaurants. You might recall seeing photos of the street that is illuminated with neon signboards, together with its iconic Glico billboard featuring a boy crossing the finishing line. This is it – the life of Osaka, with multiple nightlife and entertainment options, and endless affordable Japanese restaurants and street eats. And because Dotonbori is such a gastronomist’s heaven, you will never go hungry here.

#9 KUROMON-ICHIBA MARKET – THE OTHER OSAKA KITCHEN

Don’t we all love Japanese markets? There is never a dull moment at these markets, and we love Kuromon-ichiba for its 600 meter-long street with stalls selling fish, fruits, vegetables and other essentials for the kitchen. Be in for some street food feasting too, for the offerings here are endless. Apart from seafood skewers like scallops and octopus, you can also find extremely fresh uni (sea urchin) and fugu (blowfish).

#10 SENNICHIMAE DOGUYASUJI – SHOP FOR KITCHEN SPECIALTIES

Osaka prides herself as the kitchen of Japan, and so, we have Sennichimae Doguyasuji that pays homage to its nation. A long stretch of specialty shops where you can find all the kitchen essentials, this 150 meter-long street is perfect for chefs and culinary enthusiasts. New residents of Osaka often find themselves here to fill their kitchens up, but visitors will enjoy an eye-opening experience all the same for the sheer array of merchandise is itself a sight to behold.

#11 KAPPO – THE ART OF DINING IN OSAKA

#12 ORANGE STREET – THE GEM OF OSAKA

This is one amazing area for cafe lovers and hipster shoppers. Whether you are in for some latte-sipping time or select shopping, Orange Street is surely the place for you in Osaka. We love this street so much that during our recent trip, we went back every day to explore the quaint cafes and creative boutiques. No two shops are alike; feel the vibe of the city’s most talented cafe entrepreneurs and designers here, and whip out your cameras for many Instagram-worthy frames and photos.

#13 THE HUBBUBS OF UMEDA

Umeda is the “kita” (north) district of Osaka, and it is one of the two city centres. It is all hustle and bustle at Umeda every day, for it is the transportation hub of Osaka, and a very busy business district. Umeda has been undergoing numerous facelifts for the past years, but the kita district is already a shopping and entertainment paradise. From huge department stores like Hankyu and Daimaru, to the spectacular Umeda Sky Building and Hankyu Entertainment Park, spend a day or two appreciating the happening life at Umeda.

#14 HANKYU, THE MALL OF UMEDA

If your shopping time is brief at Umeda, head straight to Hankyu. With a mind-boggling thirteen levels of fantastic shopping, treat yourself to some real therapy. The line-up of luxury brands is impressive to say the least, as with cult labels and local designers. Fine cosmetics and fragrances are part of the temptation too, and an array of lifestyle brands products will also have you going gaga over. There is a rooftop plaza alongside a few restaurants on the thirteenth level, and the two-level food hall is what dreams are made of.

#15 KUSHIKATSU - DEEP FRIED GOODNESS ON STICKS

Also known as kushiage, kushikatsu is deep-fried meat/vegetable skewers. This is heaven on a stick. Every skewer is coated with light batter and deep-fried to something even lovelier than golden brown; it is delicious and not greasy at all.

Read our guide to Osaka’s Top 3 Must-eat Street Food.

#16 SHOP FOR CREATIVE LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS AT ASOKO

A colourful and whimsical boutique that sells lifestyle products and little accessories, Asoko can be found at Minami-horie. Nothing is exorbitantly-priced, which explains Asoko’s primary success. The creativity of their in-house merchandise attributes largely to its popularity. Expect surprises like rainbow umbrellas, fire extinguisher-shaped erasers and kitchenware in the prettiest colours.

#17 TAKE A STROLL AT UTSUBO PARK

Slow down, let go of your fears and worries, breathe in the crisp fresh air, and take a stroll at Utsubo Park, one of Osaka’s largest public parks; the urban sanctuary is one too lovely to forget life’s stress and problems. There is also a rose garden that offers free admission.

#18 AN EPICUREAN STREET OFF HOZEN-JI

And we stumbled upon this hidden street off Shinsaibashi that is such an epicurean’s dream. Farther down from Hozen-ji (Hozen Temple), this charming cobbled street is really a lane of Osaka’s award-winning ryotei (luxurious traditional Japanese restaurants) that offer one-of-a-kind experiences. The best kappo ryotei – Kigawa – is found here, and so is Yakiniku M, a highly popular yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) institution which serves melt-in-the-mouth Matsusaka beef. Actually, even a simple stroll down this narrow lane is quite a joy to indulge in.

#19 THE INSTANT RAMEN MUSEUM

In other words, cup noodles heaven, and admission is free! Learn about the process of creating instant noodles – which originated in Osaka – and its various developments. But the true fun lies in making your own cup noodles at the “My Cup Noodle Factory” where you choose your own soup base and ingredients, and draw your designs to personalise your very own cup noodles!

#20 SHOP AWAY AT SHINSAIBASHI 

And we end this post with a bang. Shinsaibashi is the city’s main shopping area, and it is one enormous area that houses a mixture of international and local brands. There is a long shopping arcade with various drug stores (shut up and take our money!) and little dessert and coffee houses that make perfect pit stops in between shopping, and Daimaru for those who love Japanese department stores. Luxury boutiques can also be found within the area. There is also a Punk-Indie area called the American Village where youngsters thrive on the quirky finds.

When we learnt that we were headed to Osaka, we asked ourselves, “what must we eat?”

Because Osaka is affectionately known as the Kitchen of Japan, and the Osakans worship their washoku (Japanese cuisine) – the ones who prepare dedicate their lives to perfecting the dishes they lay out on the table; the ones who savour spend their time learning and understanding every history and style of the different kinds of washoku. It is almost like a religion for Japanese (and quite possibly people from all over the world) to live and breathe the art of washoku.

So when we say ‘eat’, it is in every way an artistic indulgence, one that has us completely enveloped in the soul of Japanese expressions. The chefs pay so much attention to every step of the preparation and presentation, and there are always rich histories behind every style of dining; ingredients used are very much based on seasons, and the style of cooking has their own stories to tell too.

All that intrigue to speak about, but for now, we will begin with kappo – the definition of Osaka’s culinary glory. Like how Kyoto has its kaiseki, Osaka takes pride in their cutting and cooking, hence making up the word ‘kappo’. But do not be intimidated by the language if you do not understand, because if any, it is really a very affectionate way of dining.

An open kitchen surrounded with counter bar seats, and a team of chefs preparing your dishes right before your eyes; every course is delicately presented and speaks of the season’s highlights – this is kappo. In case you are linking this to kaiseki, it is quite actually the opposite. Kaiseki is a lot more elegant and formal – usually combining art and cooking – and served in polished ryotei, in elaborate private dining rooms. Kappo is a lot more casual, emphasises on cutting and cooking, and the relationship between the chefs and the patrons is build on interaction from the close proximity.

It is believed that kappo restaurants become popular in the 19th century. Today, top tables around the world like David Chang’s Momofuku Ko and Water Library Thonglor are said to emulate the style of kappo.

We chose to do our first Osakan lunch at Kigawa – an institution for naniwa-kappo, where many of the city’s best chefs trained. Stepping in to Kigawa is a fascinating journey on its own. Elusively hidden in a back alley near the Hozen-ji, Kigawa looks just like one of those ancient houses that are better known as machiya.

Follow the narrow stone path that leads up to the wooden door, slide it open and be greeted by the team of chefs, and a kimono-clad server will usher you to your bar seat(s). Take a minute to settle yourself down as she helps you with your coats and bags. Freshen up with warm towels. Unwind to the classical music that fills the space and seek inspiration from Chopin’s Nocturne No.2 in E Flat Major and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Study the menu and choose your preferred course; we went for ‘Flower Course’ – 10-course lunch at ¥5,500.

The cozy outlet is nothing fanciful, but is every bit minimalistic – in the Japanese way of course. You have the kitchen that is fully equipped with knives and chop boards, steamers and fryers, huge freezers and whatnot. The chefs work together with a silent synergy, and the server moves around to attend to every single patron – always with her lips curved to make you feel at home.

The Flower Course began with a portion of potato soup, and was succeeded by the other courses simultaneously with a lovely pace. Take your time to enjoy every creation, ask questions, chat with the chefs. And be rest assured that you will know what you are putting in to your mouth because they have English translations for each ingredient.

We were truly delighted to have experienced the myriad of textures, flavours and colours. The menu differs every day, but if you asked us, we would tell you without hesitation that the cream croquette took our breath away. So did the conger eel with Henon bamboo and meat-miso.

And the biggest take-home of the day? We can proudly say that we have tried and fell in love with Osaka’s kappo.

Kigawa
1-7-7 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku
Tel: 06 6211 3030
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Osakananba/Nipponbashi