13 Restaurants in Osaka Recommended by Japanese Master Chefs Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 05 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Osaka

13 Restaurants in Osaka Recommended by Japanese Master Chefs

Osaka, a city that attracts thousands of tourists from everywhere, is also crowded with restaurants offering multiple gourmet options. The 13 places listed here were selected by Japan's most renowned chefs, which means that they definitely won't disappoint you!

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Osaka.

1. Naniwa Kappo Kigawa (Namba)

14 Restaurants in Osaka Recommended by Japanese Master Chefs

This is a famous Japanese restaurant with a history of over 50 years. While upholding the traditions of Japanese cuisine, the 2nd generation chef also makes use of French techniques to offer gorgeous dishes that go way beyond any pre-existing food genre. For example, thin slices of black abalone from Tokushima served with a ginger-flavored sauce made with shallots and white wine; or marbled flounder and red clam sashimi seasoned with a herb dressing or a mix of basil, vinegar, and miso. You can also pair these exquisite dishes with a rich variety of carefully selected sake (Japanese alcohol) from all over the country, as well as champagne and wine.

Naniwa Kappo Kigawa (Namba)

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays]　Lunch 11:30 P.M.-2:00 P.M. Dinner 5:00 P.M.-9:30 P.M.
Closed: Mondays
Average price: [Dinner] 15,000 JPY / [Lunch] 8,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from Namba Station on the Osaka Municipal Subway Midosuji Line
Address: Dotonbori 1-7-7, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka (Map)
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2. Osaka Osake Dining Tsugumi (Kyobashi)

Head here to have fresh chicken dishes. The chicken meat used is "Asa-biki Dori", delivered daily from a well-established chicken wholesaler. You can have it in many different ways, such as charcoal-scorched or fried. The most recommended dish is the [Asa-biki Dori no Rare Cutlet (680 JPY)], which is a rare chicken cutlet that you can only have when it's this fresh. Season it with shoyu (soy sauce) or rock salt. Alternatively, you may want to try their supreme version of Osaka's casual fast food, "Tako-yaki", which they enhanced with ingredients like rock salt and cheese, and renamed as [Takotama (350 JPY plus tax)].

Osaka Osake Dining Tsugumi (Kyobashi)

Open: [Friday, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 3:00 am (L.O. 2:30 am)

[Monday - Thursday] 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)

Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY
Access: Get off at Kyobashi Station, walk along the Keihan Mall, located on the second floor of the building across from the Kyobashi police box.
Address: Nagai Bldg. 2F, 2-2-20 Higashi Noda-cho , Miyakojima-ku, Osaka, Osaka

3. Ukon (Fukushima)

Come here to have Japanese dishes made exclusively with seasonal products. Every morning, the chef heads to the market and buys the best ingredients he can find. Their menu consists of lots of different dishes, many of which are ordered à la carte. For example, the original [Amadai Shin-jaga-yaki (1,500 JPY plus tax)] consists of horsehead fish grilled with salt, then drizzled with cream sauce and topped with julienned fried potatoes, while the [Kisetsu no Yaki Hassun (1,800 JPY plus tax)] is an appetizer made with seasonal products from both the land and sea. They also have a wide selection of jizake and sake (types of Japanese alcohol) - with a focus on Osaka - as well as other drinks that match with their menu.

Ukon (Fukushima)

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays]
Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY
Address: 8-14-13, Fukushima, Fukushima-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Map)

4. Jiman ha Shizen Tori Ryori Kawadaya (Minami Kawachi)

Thanks to its elevated position, this popular restaurant offers not only delicious food, but also a great panorama. Their menu focuses on chicken. Their famous [Satsuma Chiran-dori], made with charcoal-grilled chicken from Kagoshima, and [Purupuru Collagen Tappuri Kawachi Mizutaki (4,900 JPY)] - a hot pot with plenty of chicken bones stewed for 10 hours in the famous water from the foot of Mt. Kongo (Kongo-san) - come highly recommended. Other frequently ordered items are their rice and handmade soba (buckwheat noodles), which are cooked in a unique method using a wood stove.

Jiman ha Shizen Tori Ryori Kawadaya (Minami Kawachi)

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, Dinner 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: Turn west at the Tsuzuyama south intersection on highway 170, and travel 100m.
Address: 20-1 Tsuzuyama , Tonda Bayashi-shi, Osaka (Map)
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5. Nikusho Sakura (Temmabashi)

This is a clean and fancy yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant. This is the only place in Osaka where you can have [Abe Gyu] - a beef brand from Shiraoi, Hokkaido, that was highly praised by representatives of various countries during the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit in Hokkaido. The 3-year-old beef that they serve is particularly delicious, as it literally melts in your mouth. Another remarkable product you can have here is a popular sort of Japanese Black Wagyu called [Kobe Beef]. Don't miss the [Honjitsu no Gensen Kiwame Gyu Moriawase (6,480 JPY plus tax)]! It is an assortment of many different parts of the cattle, including rarer ones.

Nikusho Sakura (Temmabashi)

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] Dinner 5:30 pm - 12:30 am (L.O. 12:00 am) *Last entrance is at 11:00 pm
[National Holidays] Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm) *Last entrance is at 10:00 pm
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Address: B1F, Tanimachi Three Threes Bldg., 2-7-4, Tanimachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

6. Matasaburo (Nagai)

This is a stylish yakiniku restaurant that's located on the 1st floor of a hotel. It is ideal if you're in the mood for quality "Jukusei Niku", which is dry aged inside the restaurant. The beef they use is either Japanese Black from farms in northeastern Japan or Kochi's special "Tosa Aka Ushi", which refers to a rare variety of red cattle. Only 2,000 of these are being raised at the moment! These meats are carefully grilled for over 30 minutes to preserve and enhance their taste, aroma, and juiciness. Some recommendations are the [Jukusei Niku no Atsugiri Steak], which combines a mellow aroma with a rich taste, and the [Jukusei Niku no Meat Pie] that's made with 1cm dry-aged meat cubes.

Matasaburo (Nagai)

Open: [Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday - Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Monday, Thursday
Average price: [Dinner] 8,500 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Address: 2-13-13, Nagai, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Map
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7. Rokukakutei (Nippombashi)

This famous restaurant can be found in the arcade of Kuromon Market (Kuromon Ichiba), which is a market and shopping street known as "The Kitchen of Naniwa in Osaka". Their signature product is their crispy [Kushiage], which consists of fresh seafood and meats from the market that have been coated in fine panko (breadcrumbs), and deep-fried in an original oil blend. Make sure to try their [Tako] (octopus) for a crunchy texture and light sweetness, or the medium rare [Kuruma Ebi] (Japanese tiger prawn) if you prefer something tender. You'll be served 6 uniquely crafted sauces to choose from.

Rokukakutei (Nippombashi)

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, Holidays, Day Before Holidays] 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm　
Closed: Monday, Second Tuesday of the month
Average price: [Dinner] 15,000 JPY
Access: 160m from exit 10 of Kintetsu Nippombashi Station.
Address: 2F Takoso Building, 1-21-16 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka (Map)
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8. Ajisai (Uehommachi)

In this restaurant, you will find lots of unique Japanese dishes. Made with generous amounts of seasonal ingredients, they are not only tasty, but also beautifully and creatively arranged. Among them, you should definitely try the [Kani to Yasai no Kanimiso Steak] that's made with vegetables coated in rich crab innards, or the [Awabi to Kinoko no Iwanori Sauce Yaki], which is a delicious abalone and mushroom sautée. A lot of drinks are available, including famous brands of sake and shochu (types of Japanese alcohol) supplied from various areas of the country.

Ajisai (Uehommachi)

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays]
5:30 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY
Address: 11-2, Higashikozu-cho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

9. Higobashi Yamamoto (Higobashi)

This restaurant offers a nice and clean space where you can have Japanese dishes that vary from season to season. The only item on the menu is the [Kaiseki Course (10,000 JPY / 15,000 JPY)] (Japanese banquet cuisine with alcohol), which is a course meal comprising of the chef's recommended delicacies. They are all colorful and made with plenty of seasonal ingredients that'll please all 5 of your senses. The dashi (broth) is made with natural water and flavored with tuna, bluefin tuna, and kombu (seaweed) to make it mild. The resulting flavor is sophisticated and deep, enhancing the taste of all the other delicacies. They also have many alcoholic drinks that go well with Japanese food, from sake to wine!

Higobashi Yamamoto (Higobashi)

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays]
Dinner 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm *Last entrance at 9:00 pm
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY
Address: 1-18-20, Edobori, Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

10. Genji (Tsukanishi)

This is a charming restaurant that's famous for its many gourmet options. They offer more than 150 different dishes of all kinds: Japanese, Western, Chinese, ethnic, and more. Aiming to serve "dishes that touch the hearts of people", they arrange each and every plate beautifully. In addition, they carefully select their ingredients, taking the production area, harvest season, and environmental conditions into consideration. Their [Zensai Moriawase] contains 5 - 6 types of colorful, cold Japanese and Western appetizers. It's fun to ponder on which one to pick first! After that, you can have the [Kawachi Gamo no Grill], which consists of a freshly caught local duck with crispy skin and firm meat, served with a different homemade sauce every season.

Genji (Tsukanishi)

Open: [Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays]
Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm)
[Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays]
Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Monday *Closed for lunch every Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Address: 1F, Grace Tezukayama Bldg., 2-14-4, Tamade Higashi, Nishinari-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Map
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11. Ichirin Osaka Eki-mae Branch (Umeda)

12. Ichirin Osaka Eki-mae Branch (Umeda)

This restaurant, where you can have creative Japanese cuisine, is only 3 minutes away from Umeda Station by foot. Here, you'll find super fresh seafood and meat dishes, such as the [Kuroge Wagyu no Toban-yaki (1,580 JPY)] that uses selected domestic Kuroge Wagyu Beef, or the [Aigamo no Koso Mushi - Tomato Ponzu Gelèe-gake (780 JPY)] that literally melts in your mouth. In fact, the menu is rich in sashimi, stews, tempura, sushi, and other dishes made with premium seafood that is directly delivered from various parts of the country. For example, their raw uni (sea urchin) and black abalone come from Hokkaido. The drinks menu is quite diverse as well, offering lots of options to match with your food, with a particular focus on sake and shochu from all over the country.

Ichirin Osaka Eki-mae Branch (Umeda)

Open: 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Food L.O. 10:30 pm, Drinks L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Beginning and end of the year (December 31, January 1)
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Address: 5F, Excel Umeda Bldg., 2-3-9, Shibata, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Map)

12. Sumiyaki Shoten Yo Horie Branch (Yotsubashi)

13. Sumiyaki Shoten Yo Horie Branch (Yotsubashi)

If you're looking for a nice and relaxing place to eat and drink, this restaurant should be the right place for you. Their dishes are all carefully made and extremely delicious. Whether it is Yamato or Satsuma, the jidori (local chicken), being their specialty, is prepared in ways that best enhance the original flavor of the meat. The restaurant's signature dish is the [Yakitori Moriawase], which is well-grilled on charcoal to let you taste the true flavor of chicken. Their fresh seafood dishes are also highly recommended, especially the voluminous [Honjitsu no Sengyo Otsukuri Moriawase (From 780 JPY)]. They stock super fresh ingredients from a contracted fish shop. Also, the owner regularly visits sake cellars to select the best sake, shochu, and wines to treat his customers with.

Sumiyaki Shoten Yo Horie Branch (Yotsubashi)

Open: Lunch 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Dinner 6:00 pm - 5:00 am (Food L.O. 3:00 am, Drinks L.O. 4:30 am)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 780 JPY
Address: 2-16-14, Kita Horie, Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

13. Fukushige Horumon Osaka-shinmachi Branch (Yotsubashi)

14. Fukushige Horumon Osaka-shinmachi Branch (Yotsubashi)

This is a yakiniku restaurant that's located a 1 minute walk away from Yotsubashi Station. In its lively interior that used to be an old Japanese house, you can enjoy quality Wagyu beef. The menu focuses on A4-rank Kuroge Wagyu lean meats and entrails. The most popular item is their tender [Harami (650 JPY)]. After marinating in a sweet marinade, it is grilled and dipped in a spicy sauce, resulting in a combination of sweet and spicy flavors that match divinely with rice. Another highly appreciated delicacy is their thickly sliced [Tongue], whose umami (Japanese savory taste) will explode in your mouth with every bite. To finish off the meal, you can order their refreshing [Reimen (800 JPY)] (Korean-style cold noodles).

Fukushige Horumon Osaka-shinmachi Branch (Yotsubashi)

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 800 JPY
Access: One minute walk from Yotsubashi Station on the Osaka Subway Yotsubashi Line.
Address: 1-8-9 Shinmachi , Nishi-ku, Osaka, Osaka (Map)
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If you're looking for a luxurious gourmet option in Osaka, you should be able to find the ideal restaurant among these!

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.