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Osaka okonomiyaki

STORY

 

Eat like a local: where Osakans go for okonomiyaki

 

 
 
No trip to Osaka is complete without feasting on okonomiyaki. Often described as a "savory pancake," okonomiyaki consists of a basic batter into which a combination of vegetables (particularly cabbage), meat, seafood, or other toppings are added. Topped with a thick, sweet sauce, mayonnaise, aonori seaweed, and dried bonito flakes that dance in the heat of the hot-off-the-grill okonomiyaki, this is certain to be one of your most memorable meals in Osaka. But with countless restaurants offering this Osakan soul food, how do you know where to go? By following the locals, of course! Here are six okonomiyaki restaurants popular with Osakans. 
 

Yakizen

Okonomiyaki at Hozenji Yokocho Yakizen Osaka

Even late into the night, the lights glow warm and inviting on Hozenji Yokocho street in the Nanba area of Osaka. Those in the know will tell you that the place to go here when you're craving okonomiyaki is Yakizen. This super thick, fluffy okonomiyaki with crispy cabbage has developed quite a fan following with the locals. The thing to get here is the modern (pronounced mo-dan) yaki--  a variation of okonomiyaki made with yakisoba noodles. Delicious! 

Hozenji Yokocho Yakizen

Information

Hozenji Yokocho Yakizen | 法善寺横丁 やき然
Address: 1-1-18 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Hours:
Weekdays 12:00pm~3:00pm, 5:00pm~11:00pm (LO 9:45pm)
Weekends and holidays 12:00pm~11:00pm (LO 9:45pm)
Closed Wednesdays except on national holidays 
Access: 4 min walk from Exit 14 of Subway Namba Station 
Website (Japanese only): http://clusterplan.jp/yakizen.htm
 

Omoni

Tsuruhashi Okonomiyaki Omoni Osaka

Located in Tsuruhashi, the center of Osaka’s Korea Town, Omoni is said to be a popular spot for both Japanese and Korean actors when they want some good okonomiyaki. The cooks here are famous for packing so many ingredients into their okonomiyaki that it seems likely to fall apart when they flip the pancake over. The most popular item on the menu is the omoni-yaki made with generous amounts of pork, squid, shrimp, scallops, and egg. 

Tsuruhashi Okonomiyaki Omoni Osaka

Information

Tsuruhashi Okonomiyaki Omoni | 鶴橋 お好み焼き オモニ 
Osaka Station Grand Front Location 
Address: Grand Front Osaka South Bldg. 7F
4-20 Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Hours: 11:00am~10:00pm 
Access: 
1 min from JR Osaka Station and Hankyu and Subway Umeda Stations. 
 

Fukutaro

Negiyaki Okonomiyaki Fukutaro Osaka

Fukutaro is famous for two things: the unrivaled fluffiness of their okonomiyaki and the close attention they pay to selecting only the best ingredients for their meals. The must-have item on the menu here is the buta-tama. This thick okonomiyaki is made with pork (buta) spare ribs, the juices from which soak into the pancake batter. This gorgeous meal is crowned with a soft boiled egg (tama). 

Negiyaki Okonomiyaki Fukutaro Osaka

Information

Negiyaki Okonomiyaki Fukutaro | ねぎ焼きお好み焼き 福太郎
Address: 2-3-17 Sennichi-mae, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Hours:
Weekdays 5:00pm~12:30am 
Weekends and holidays 12:00pm~midnight 
Access: 
5 min walk from Exit 1 of Subway Namba Station 
Website: http://2951.jp/en/
 

Mizuno

Dotonbori Okonomiyaki Mizuno Osaka

For some world-class dining that won’t blow your budget, head to Mizuno in Dotonbori. This okonomiyaki restaurant appears in the Bib Gourmand section of the Michelin Guide 2016. (In case you’re not familiar, the Bib Gourmand section of the guide lists top-class restaurants where it costs the equivalent of 5,000 yen or less per person.) The pancake can barely contain all the toppings inside. A popular item on the menu here is the yama imo-yaki. Using only yama imo (mountain potato) in their batter, the outside fries up crispy while the inside stays soft. Wash it down with one of Japan’s all time favorite soft drinks: ramune! 

Dotonbori Okonomiyaki Mizuno Osaka

Information

Dotonbori Okonomiyaki Mizuno | 道頓堀 お好み焼 美津の
Address: 1-4-15 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Hours: 11:00am~9:30pm 
Access: 
5 min walk from Exit 15 of Subway Namba Station
5 min walk from Subway Nippombashi Station 
10 min walk from Namba Station (Nankai Line)
13 min walk from JR Namba Station 
Website: http://www.mizuno-osaka.com/index2.html  
 

Yamamoto

Negiyaki Yamamoto Osaka

If you’re looking for some out-of-the-ordinary okonomiyaki, head to Yamamoto. Crisp green onions flavored with a specially-made soy-based sauce are paired with crispy beef tendon and cubes of konnyaku to make their popular dish sujinegi. This restaurant comes well-recommended by the locals. 

Negiyaki Yamamoto Osaka

Information

Negiyaki Yamamoto | ねぎ焼 やまもと
Umeda Est Location 
Address: E27 Est 1F 
3-25 Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 
Hours: 11:30am~10:00pm
Access: 5 min walk from the Midosuji Exit of JR Osaka Station
Website (Japanese only): http://www.negiyaki-yamamoto.com/
 

Ajinoya

Ajinoya Osaka

If you’re looking for something a little on the lighter side, try the okonomiyaki at Ajinoya. The cabbage-flour ratio of the batter swings in favor of cabbage, lightening up the meal. But what makes it truly delicious is the skill with which the chef puts it all together, frying it to an almost mysterious level of perfection. If you’re really hungry and can’t decide what toppings you want, go for the mix okonomiyaki. It comes with pork, octopus, shrimp, squid, and a blend of ground pork and beef. 

Ajinoya Osaka

Information

Ajinoya | 味乃家
Address: 1-7-16 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 
Hours: 
Mondays 6:00pm~11:00pm 
Tuesdays thru Fridays 12:00pm~11:00pm 
Weekends and holidays 11:30am~11:00pm 
Closed every second Monday
Access: 1 min walk from Exit 15B of Subway Namba Station
Website (Japanese only): http://ajinoya-okonomiyaki.com/top/
 

Do you have a favorite place to get some okonomiyaki while in Osaka? Let us know in the comments!
 

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THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM 06 30,2016 Author:Rachael Ragalye

 

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