Street food is a popular tradition in Japan, with massive festivals giving up tasty warm foods. Some of these delicacies are available all year in Osaka. Check out our the top street foods in Osaka.
Kushikatsu
Kushiage, or seasoned, skewered, and grilled beef, is a type of traditional Japanese street cuisine. Kushi refers to the skewers themselves, whereas katsu is a deep-fried beef cutlet. Kushikatsu can be cooked with chicken, pig, fish, or even seasonal vegetables and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. After being coated in egg, panko breadcrumbs, and deep fried in vegetable oil, they are served on bamboo skewers. They may be eaten alone or with tonkatsu sauce. This specific street cuisine is prevalent in Osaka’s Shinsekai district.
Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a Japanese version of a savory pancake stuffed with cabbage and your choice of toppings. When split down into okonomi (as you like it) and yaki (grilled), the term itself means “grilled as you like it,” implying that okonomiyaki is a particularly personal dish.
Try a pancake with mochi (Japanese rice cake), cheese, or pork; the choice is completely yours. The style of the okonomiyaki is determined by the chef, and the toppings are chosen by the customer, therefore no two meals are ever the same. The easiest way to discover a food vendor selling these delectable pancakes is to go around Dtonbori.
Ramen – The Top Street Foods in Osaka
We’ve all tasted quick noodles, but when in Japan, you have to have the real thing. Ramen is a dish of noodles with three broth options: shoyu (soy sauce), miso (soy bean paste), and tonkotsu (pork). On a side note, slurping your noodles is entirely acceptable in Japan. Kinryu Ramen in Dtonbori is one of the greatest locations in Osaka to enjoy some warm, excellent ramen. The big dragon over the store will help you identify it.
Takoyaki
Takoyaki is a classic Japanese marketplace street dish. The food is molded into a delightful ball of wheat flour in a specially built takoyaki pan. It is often stuffed with octopus chopped or diced, tempura leftovers, pickled ginger, and green onion. The takoyaki balls are then coated with a Worcestershire sauce and mayonnaise sauce before being topped with dried bonito flakes. The ideal spot in Osaka to savor this delightful Japanese dessert is when strolling through Dtonbori.
Yakiniku
Yakiniku was initially used to describe the grilling of Western meats. Today, it refers to a Japanese way of cooking bite-sized bits of meat and vegetables over a wood or charcoal fire. This type of cooking is also known as Japanese BBQ in the Western world. Yakiniku can be found in izakayas, Japanese-style bar restaurants, or even street kiosks. Head to one of Osaka’s many izakayas for some great yakiniku in a relaxing setting.
