Dotonbori（どうとんぼり）, Osaka's landmark food district, has authentic takoyaki and okonomiyaki

If Tokyo is a city that pays attention to "dressing", then Osaka is definitely a place that pays special attention to "eating". Osaka has always been famous for "eating until you are exhausted" and is known as the "kitchen of the world". Dotonbori is the birthplace of Osaka's "eating until exhausted" food culture. Some people say that this is the place where the essence of Osaka cuisine is concentrated. Whether it is Hozenji Yokocho or Takimi Koji, the unique retro street shops can take you to taste the most typical Osaka folk flavors. So today, let's talk about one of Osaka's best B-level food streets, Dotonbori (どうとんぼり)~



Dotonbori is a canal located in Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, famous for its nearby theaters, commercial and entertainment venues. It was built in 1612 by Yasui Doton, Yasui Michibu and Ando Fujitsugu of Hirano Township with their private property, and was completed in 1615. Matsudaira Tadaaki named the canal Dotonbori after Doton's achievements.



Since the Edo period, the Bentenza, Asahiza, Kakuza, Nakaza, and Takemotoza (Naniwaza) theaters in Dotonbori have flourished like Broadway, with people coming and going, and it is very lively~~

In addition, the large outdoor billboards on both sides of the Dotonbori River Canal are also a major attraction here. The most eye-catching one is undoubtedly the running Glico billboard, which has become one of the most famous outdoor billboards in the world. I believe that many people must have seen it on TV or in magazines even if they have never been here.



Glico billboards have undergone 80 years of historical changes, from the first generation established in 1935 to the sixth generation updated in 2014. Although the style has not changed, the latest billboards have been connected with current technology. Not only do they use energy-saving LED lights for the first time, the background images will also change over time, presenting famous attractions in Japan and the world in turn.





In addition to Glico, there are also signature delicacies such as Kani Doraku's big crab, octopus, dumplings, and weird uncles...

10 B-level delicacies to eat while walking

Since you have come to Dotonbori, you must "eat your way down" to make the trip worthwhile. The Dotonbori River is crowded with various large and small shops, with all kinds of delicacies, and you are guaranteed to enjoy the food. So what am I waiting for?

1｜アンドリューのエッグタルト / エッグタルト



When you come to Dotonbori Food Court, don't miss this dessert shop selling classic egg tarts. Andrew's egg tarts are super famous in the local area. Not only does it have a store in Dotonbori, Osaka, but it also has branches in different areas such as Nagoya and Kagoshima.



The golden and crispy crust, take a bite, the rich egg filling bursts out in an instant, the delicate taste mixed with the milk aroma overflows in the mouth, absolutely delicious! Whether you eat it yourself or buy it as a souvenir, it is great, and it will definitely give you extra points among your relatives and friends~~

Basic Information
Name: Andolew's Eater Dotonbori Store
Address: 1-10-6 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Tel: 0662143699
Hours: 10:00-24:00, you can enter the store after 10 pm, open on Sundays
Regular holidays: No holidays

2｜Takoyaki Dorakana(たこ焼き道楽わかな)



Takoyaki is known as the national snack of Japan, and its origin is in Osaka. This small shop in Dotonbori has made a new version of the famous product - the original takoyaki pancake, which is different from the ordinary~~



The so-called takoyaki pancake is to put the cute takoyaki balls in two crispy pancakes, add cheese, chopped green onions and other ingredients, crispy and fragrant, satisfying!

Basic information
Name: たこ焼き道楽わなかDotonbori store
Address: Dotonbori Gokuraku Shopping Street, 5F, Semiron Plaza, Dotonbori 1-8-22, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Time: 11:00-23:00, open after 10 pm, open for lunch and Sundays
Closed: Open all year round

3｜かに道楽正店 / カニ炭火焼



What is the most famous food in Dotonbori? If you ask 100 people, 101 will tell you that it must be Kani Doraku! Originated in Osaka, Kani Doraku has chain stores all over Japan. Walking on the Dotonbori food street in Osaka, the most eye-catching thing is of course Kani Doraku's crab sign.

The crabs are all airlifted from Hokkaido. There are many ways to cook a crab, including steaming, roasting, baking, and boiling. The store serves Hokkaido's most famous snow crabs, king crabs, and other specialties such as "Japanese crab banquets", "crab hot pot sets", and "charcoal-grilled crab sets" all year round. The fresh, sweet, and tender crab meat has no fishy smell, and the soup in the set pot has a rich taste. It is said that many foodies will choose to use it to cook a bowl of rice in the end, which shows its great charm.

Basic information
Name: Kanimoraku Main Store
Address: 1-6-18 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Tel: 0662118975
Time: 11:00-23:00, you can enter the store after 10 pm, open for lunch, closed on Sundays
Regular holidays: No holidays

4｜551の蓬莱(ほうらい) / 豚まん



551 Horai is known as the "super popular meat bun shop" in Osaka. Its average daily sales in Japan are as high as 100,000 meat buns. This incredible sales volume alone is enough to make me drop my jaw. The "551 Horai (ほうらい)" I will introduce to you today is its main store, located in Chuo-ku, Osaka, and is also one of the most popular stores in Osaka.



Delicious steamed buns with Japanese pork as the main ingredient, white and translucent bun skin, wrapped with fresh meat filling and sweet soup, one bite instantly ignites the taste buds, leaving people with endless aftertaste (by the way, I really want to take my "steamed bun lover" brother Dafeng to taste it...)

Basic Information
Name: 551 Penglai Main Store
Address: 3-6-3 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Tel: 0666410551
Time: 11:00-22:00 (L.O21:30), open for lunch and Sundays
Regular holiday: the third Tuesday of every month

5｜キャベツ焼きNamba Store / キャベツ焼き



Follow the Glico billboard in Osaka towards Nankai Namba Station, and you will see a small shop called "キャベツ焼き". Although the shop is not very eye-catching, it has attracted much attention on the whole street for its delicious cabbage okonomiyaki.

This thing called "Japanese pizza" has always been a popular snack for ordinary Japanese people. The okonomiyaki mixed with various ingredients has a super rich taste, and it is delicious with the sauce~~140 yen each, good value, large quantity, and cheap.

Basic information
Name: キャベツ焼Namba Store
Address: 1-18-18, Nanba-naka, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Time: 10:00-1:00 the next day, open for lunch and Sunday
Regular holiday: No holiday

6｜だるま / 串カツ



How can you come to Japan without eating skewers and beer once! "Original Kushi Daruma" is a famous skewers chain store in Osaka. The skewers here are different from ordinary skewers. The outside of the ingredients are wrapped with special fabrics. After frying, they become crispy and golden, and the taste is excellent.



Many tourists say that they must have eaten the original skewers to be considered to have been to Osaka, which shows everyone's joy for it~~ Daruma's skewers hide three flavors, sauce, batter, and juicy oil. These three materials balance out the wonderful taste. On a hot summer day, a plate of skewers and a glass of beer are refreshing.

Basic information
Name: だるま Dotonbori Store
Address: Erika Building, 1-6-4 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Tel: 0662138101
Hours: 11:30-22:30, open after 10pm, open for lunch and Sundays
Closed on: No holiday

7｜Ajinoya / Okomi Yaki(味乃家 / お好み焼き)



As a shop that sells one of Osaka's most attractive delicacies, the long-established Ajinoya uses 100% domestic cabbage, and its soft crust and fluffy texture are favored by many diners.



Ajinoya Mix Yaki 1300 yen, its popular menu is definitely "Ajinoya Mix Yaki", wrapped with luxurious ingredients such as pork, octopus, squid, shrimp, etc., destined to make it an extraordinary Osaka-yaki, one bite, full of freshness, as if eating the whole ocean!

Basic information
Name: Ajinoya
Address: 1-7-16, Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Phone: 0662110713
Time: [Tuesday to Friday] 12:00-22:45 / [Weekends, holidays] 11:30-22:45 / [Monday] 18:00-22:45 ※ Orders are accepted until 22:00
Closed on the second Monday of each month

8｜千とせ / 肉吸い



Sentose is located near the Namba Yoshimoto Kogyo Theater (comedy theater). The "niku slurp" sold here is a special delicacy that can only be found here in Osaka!



The meat dish is 650 yen. The rich soup is filled with sweet beef, and a half-cooked onsen egg is added. If you like, you can also add a bowl of tofu. I like beef the most...

Basic information
Name: Sentosho Main Store
Address: 8-1, Namba Sennichimae, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Tel: 0666336861
Time: 10:30-14:30※Once sold out, it will be closed. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and Sundays
Closed on Tuesdays

9｜Dotonbori Imai Main Store / Udon(道頓堀今井本店 / うどん)



Founded in 1946, Kanai is famous for its deep-fried tofu udon noodles in Osaka. This is a traditional Japanese-style house, hidden in the bustling Dotonbori shopping street, with a willow tree standing quietly in front of the store.



Udon noodles are made on site in the store. The signature fried tofu and chopped green onion udon noodles are made with the broth of natural Hokkaido kelp and Kyushu bonito. The udon noodles are refreshing and elastic, and paired with the golden fried tofu, it really brings out the deliciousness of a bowl of noodles.

Basic Information
Name: Dotonbori Imai Main Store
Address: 1-7-22 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Tel: 05055705507
Time: 11:00-22:00 (L.O. 21:30)
Closed: Wednesday (business days are different for New Year, Bon Festival, GW, and holidays)

10｜Daikoku / Kayakugo Rice(大黒 / かやくご飯)




The last one I would like to introduce to you is a very ordinary old shop with a history of more than 100 years. It mainly serves local cuisine of Osaka. If you want to know what real Osaka people eat, this is the right place to come.



The rice itself is different from other places. Grains are mixed into the premium rice, and finally some shredded aonori is sprinkled on it. Everyone who has eaten it will never forget it~

Basic Information
Name: Daikoku
Address: 2-2-7 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Tel: 0662111101
Time: 11:30-15:00 17:00-20:00

If one word is used to describe the characteristics of Osaka's food culture, it would be: light, but flavorful. The soup dishes here are even more special. Osaka, known as the "kitchen of the world", can find fresh delicacies from all over the country, such as Hokkaido's kelp and Tosagi fish. The special products with good quality and low prices have attracted batches of diners~~Kan Doraku, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, conveyor belt sushi, puffer fish dishes, grilled skewers, and beautiful and cute desserts...As for vegetables, there are water eggplants and scallions from Quanzhou, red taro dried, broad beans, Ishikawa small taro, shrimp taro and other specialties from Hanoi. It can be seen that the title of the kitchen of the world is not in vain~

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