Eat Like A Local In Osaka

Tired of eating with tourists? Want to eat where Osaka locals actually eat? Then check out our guide to some of Osaka’s best local restaurants.

[Witch’s Red with ramen egg and extra chashu © Florentyna Leow]

If you crave authentic local food and want to dine with the locals, this page is for you. The other restaurants on this site are all great, but they’re all fairly well known to tourists. The restaurants on this page are largely unknown to foreign travelers and have a local clientele. However, most have some form of English menu. In cases where they don’t, we give you some menu translations so that you can order with confidence.

Most of the places listed here are reasonably priced, because locals certainly know the best values. The restaurants here are divided by district, so you can easily find a great local restaurant near you.

Osaka Holiday Essentials

[The kasujiru set at Futsu no Shokudo Iwama with omelette and fried chicken © Florentyna Leow]

Central Osaka Eat Like A Local

• Futsu no Shokudo Iwama
  For cheap and cheerful homestyle Japanese cooking, Futsu no Shokudo Iwama in Namba is the place to go. It’s ultra-local and ridiculously good value for money. Just don’t sweat the minor things - like the mild stuffiness inside.

[Bukkake udon with maitake tempura, simmered beef, and a soft-boiled egg © Florentyna Leow]

Kita Eat Like A Local

• Odoru Udon
  If you’re looking for a super-fast, cheap, hearty meal, udon is the way to go. Odoru Udon near Umeda Station is a great place to get your fix without the crowds.
• Tonkatsu Kobayashi
  If you enjoy your battered, deep-fried pork cutlets in atmospheric surroundings, Tonkatsu Kobayashi near Umeda Station is the place to go. It’s delightfully retro and serves up a delicious, reasonably-priced set lunch — perfect for your porcine fix.
• Sekai Ichi Hima Na Ramen-ya (The Most Deserted Ramen Bar in the World)
  Looking for ramen to warm you up without the feeling of having downed a ton of bricks? Sekai Ichi Hima Na Ramen-ya, located a hop and a skip from, Umeda serves up soulful, flavourful noodle bowls perfect for a chilly night.

[The duck broth soba and tempura set © Florentyna Leow]

Minami Eat Like A Local

• Akari Soba
  Looking for an escape from Dotonbori’s relentless crowds? Akari is a charming, homey soba shop will whisk you away to a calmer, quieter world - along with some delicious soba and tempura to boot.

[Toriten-kare udon © Florentyna Leow]

Osaka Castle Eat Like A Local

• Yatagarasu UDON
  Looking for a bowl of curry udon to warm your heart and soul - without the queues? When you’re near Osaka Castle, head just slightly further afield to Yatagarasu UDON in Tanimachi Yonchome.
• Endo Sushi Kyobashi
  If you’re looking for decent, affordable sushi, Endo Sushi Kyobashi is the place for you. It’s a great pitstop if you’re travelling between Osaka and Kyoto via Kyobashi Station!

[Doteyaki skewers © Florentyna Leow]

Shinsekai Eat Like A Local

• Yaekatsu
  Who doesn’t love hot, cheap, greasy food made with good ingredients? Get your kushikatsu fix at Yaekatsu in Shinsekai, where they’ve been perfecting the art of deep-fried skewers since 1949.
• Daiko Sushi Minamiten
  Visiting Shinsekai but not keen on deep-fried food at all the kushikatsu restaurants? Check out Daiko Sushi in Jan Jan Arcade for a cheap and cheerful meal. It’s perfect budget traveller fare.

Northern Osaka Eat Like A Local

• Tendon Kaneko Hannosuke
  The Banpaku Memorial Park outpost of the famous Kaneko Hannosuke tendon serves up a solid and perfectly decent bowl of tempura. Don’t expect the nicest surroundings though - you’ll be chowing down in a food court.

Where Are These Places Located?

• Open the Osaka map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

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