Osaka Food Guide

It has been said that the people of Osaka spend more on food than on anything else, and the term "kuidaore" ("eat until you drop") is used to describe the food culture here. At the same time, the locals have high expectations towards the quality of their cuisine, and restaurants have to maintain high standards or face closure.

Not surprisingly, Osaka is famous for various local dishes, some of which have attained nationwide and even international fame. Luckily for the budget traveler, most of these dishes are economical fares:

Where to eat

The best place to experience Osaka's food culture is the neon-laden Dotonbori district near Namba Station, which is packed with all types of eateries along its main thoroughfare and many side streets.

For a nostalgic atmosphere of past decades, the Shinsekai district with its kushikatsu shops and shogi parlors cannot be beaten. Another major dining district is Kitashinchi, a ten minute walk south of Osaka Station, while Osaka Station City itself is a safe destination for the less adventurous diners with its multiple elegant restaurant floors.