Osaka is home to a multitude of popular okonomiyaki restaurants, and many locals enjoy this dish regularly. Okonomiyaki from Osaka is not only a favorite among local people but also beloved by tourists from around the world. If you’re planning to visit Osaka, why not take the opportunity to savor this popular treat?
In this article, we introduce 12 popular okonomiyaki restaurants in Osaka. Each restaurant is conveniently located within the city, making it easy to visit any of them.
1.Osaka: The Birthplace of the Delightful “Okonomiyaki”
Okonomiyaki is a beloved dish cherished by many Japanese. It consists of a batter made from flour, water, eggs, and finely chopped cabbage, cooked on a griddle and often referred to as “Japanese pizza.” It is typically enhanced with various ingredients like seafood, pork, and cheese, and topped with sauce, mayonnaise, seaweed flakes, and bonito flakes before serving.
There are regional variations of okonomiyaki. For example, in Hiroshima, it is characterized by layers of egg and noodles along with the batter, all cooked together. However, Osaka is renowned as the heartland of okonomiyaki, boasting a plethora of restaurants specializing in the dish.
Okonomiyaki allows diners to choose their preferred ingredients, making it a versatile option even for those with particular food aversions. It is often cooked on an iron griddle right at the table, and the appetizing aroma as it cooks is sure to whet your appetite. The dish resembles a pancake about one inch thick and is flipped to cook on both sides. Some restaurants offer a DIY experience, allowing patrons to enjoy making their own okonomiyaki.
2.Top 12 Delicious Okonomiyaki Restaurants in Osaka
Osaka boasts a variety of okonomiyaki restaurants, each with unique toppings, flavors, and cooking styles. We’ve selected particularly recommendable okonomiyaki spots where you can enjoy the best of what Osaka has to offer. Here are 12 recommended establishments for top-quality okonomiyaki.
2-1.Jibunji
Located just a 6-minute walk from Honmachi Station in Osaka, Jibunji offers creative okonomiyaki dishes. Their okonomiyaki, served with a choice of five different sauces and made from a batter using chicken and pork broth, is exquisite. As a teppanyaki restaurant, Jibunji also serves appetizers such as skewers and roast potatoes. It’s a bit pricier than other places, but you can enjoy gourmet okonomiyaki in a sophisticated atmosphere.
2-2.Mitsuno
Near the famous Dotonbori Arcade and recognized by the Michelin Guide, Mitsuno is a long-standing establishment founded in 1945. Always bustling, its most popular menu item is the mixed grill containing squid, shrimp, octopus, and pork belly. The menu is available in English and Chinese. Vegetarian options with mushrooms and scallions and gluten-free choices using yam-based batter are also available.
2-3.Aji no Ie
Also near Dotonbori Arcade, Aji no Ie has been beloved by locals for over 50 years and is a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recipient. Reservations are recommended. Their batter, rich with domestic cabbage, creates a fluffy pancake-like okonomiyaki. With a variety of toppings like pork belly, cheese, squid, shrimp, and scallions, there’s a wealth of flavors to enjoy.
2-4.Kiji
A perpetual favorite also featured in the Michelin Guide, Kiji is known for its unique addition of shiso leaves, a refreshing Japanese herb, to the okonomiyaki. This combination offers a delightful contrast between the rich flavors of the okonomiyaki and the crisp zest of shiso. Kiji’s main shop is located in Shin-Umeda Shokudogai, in Osaka’s Kita area, with a branch beneath the Umeda Sky Building.
2-5.Chibo
At Chibo, you can enjoy not only the classic pork and seafood okonomiyaki but also Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, scallion pancakes, and crepe-style variations. As a popular chain with locations throughout Japan and overseas, Chibo provides an English menu. The main store is in Namba at Sennichimae, but there are also accessible locations in Dotonbori and Umeda, making it easy to visit while sightseeing.
2-6.Bonkura-ya
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Bonkura-ya, frequented by celebrities and the media, operates several outlets in Osaka, including in Dotonbori and Sennichimae. Their okonomiyaki is known for its melting texture of yam and finely chopped cabbage. The menu features unique creations like the “Ahobon-yaki,” which includes pork, squid, scallops, octopus, beef tendon, and whole shrimp. They also offer a wide variety of yakisoba dishes, with the “Negitoro Tsukimi Yakisoba” (spring onions, grated yam, and egg) being particularly popular.
2-7.Kyoto Chabana
Just a one-minute walk from JR Shin-Osaka Station, Kyoto Chabana offers a healthy dining experience with a focus on vegetable-rich dishes. In addition to okonomiyaki, they serve teppanyaki, yakisoba, and creative dishes made with selected fresh vegetables. Their specialty is the tomato okonomiyaki, making it a perfect choice for those looking to enjoy Japanese cuisine while maintaining a healthy diet.
2-8.Botejyu
Founded in 1946 and having expanded to 52 locations across Japan by April 2024, with international branches as well, Botejyu is a popular chain. The main store in Dotonbori offers traditional okonomiyaki made with a secret broth, including the “Dotonbori Mix Tamago.” With a variety of okonomiyaki and yakisoba options available, this is a must-visit while touring Dotonbori.
2-9.Okonomiyaki Sanpei
At Okonomiyaki Sanpei, you can enjoy okonomiyaki loaded with green onions from Yao, Osaka. Their batter, made with soy milk and cream, creates a smooth texture, while their special sauce made from Hiroshima oyster soy sauce is exquisite. They also offer Osaka specialties like tonpei-yaki (pork wrapped in egg) and beef tendon stir-fry. Located on Shinsaibashi-suji, a street lined with clothing and food stores, it’s a great place to dine after shopping.
2-10.Negiyaki Yamamoto
Negiyaki Yamamoto is the originator of “Negiyaki,” an okonomiyaki loaded with green onions. Known for its thin batter and well-matched soy sauce-based sauce, the restaurant offers both okonomiyaki and negiyaki menus, with options for various toppings such as scallops, squid, shrimp, beef, and pork. With four locations in Osaka, including the main shop in Yodogawa Ward, it’s conveniently accessible.
2-11.Okonomiyaki Omoni
Located a 10-minute walk from Tsuruhashi Station in Osaka, Okonomiyaki Omoni offers thick, hearty okonomiyaki. “Omoni” means “mother” in Korean, and the signature “Omoni-yaki” is inspired by the mother of Tsuruhashi. The menu also features unique options like special okonomiyaki created from actors’ ideas.
2-12.Tsuruhashi Fugetsu
With over 60 years of history, Tsuruhashi Fugetsu began as a small shop and now has outlets across Japan and in the USA, Taiwan, Korea, and Thailand. The main shop is just a minute’s walk from Tsuruhashi Station. They are particularly meticulous about their cabbage, varying the source and cutting method with the seasons. The skilled staff at Tsuruhashi Fugetsu carefully prepare each dish, ensuring a professional taste. Their modern-yaki with thick noodles is also renowned.
Conclusion
Okonomiyaki, often called “Japanese pizza,” is a popular gourmet dish from Osaka. For the people of Osaka, okonomiyaki is a very familiar treat. Loved not only by locals but also by tourists from around the world, Osaka’s okonomiyaki has a wide appeal.
In this article, we introduced 12 delicious and popular okonomiyaki restaurants located in Osaka. Each of these establishments is bustling with regulars. Not only locals, but many tourists from across the globe visit these spots. If you’re planning a visit to Osaka, be sure to enjoy the authentic okonomiyaki experience.
*This article is based on information available as of May 2024.
