Osaka, Where Well-Established Restaurants Cause a Buzz in the Gourmet World Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jan 30 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Osaka

Osaka, Where Well-Established Restaurants Cause a Buzz in the Gourmet World

Choosing a restaurant based on review sites is a big mistake. Why don’t you try discovering a truly delicious restaurant, uninfluenced by the words and opinions of others? You can never go wrong with a well-established restaurant that pursues the unwavering flavors of long ago. Here is a list of several restaurants, of various types, that have caused a buzz amongst the gourmets of Osaka.

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Osaka.

1. Hatsuse

This old okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake) restaurant in Namba was established in 1945. It offers only private seating areas where customers can enjoy cooking own okonomiyaki and yakisoba (fried noodles). With a careful selection of natural dashi (broth) and flour, here, you can eat okonomiyaki designed to be delicious no matter who cooks it.

Created by an Osaka native, anyone in Osaka will recognize the superior combination of ingredients in the [Mixed Okonomiyaki].

Thanks to their private rooms, you can relax and enjoy okonomiyaki as a couple or with your family.

Hatsuse

Open: 11:30 am - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
*Open from 11:00 am on Saturday, Sunday, and National Holidays.
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY *Buta-tama costs 735 JPY, Beer costs 525 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY *819 JPY for the ladies-only Mix-dama that's available on weekdays until 6:00 pm
Access: Take Exit B21 at Namba Station, and then walk 3 minutes straight down Nankai Street to find the restaurant on the right-hand side. As it is inside an arcade, there is no need for an umbrella even when it is raining.
Address: 2F, Hatsuse Bldg., 11-25, Namba Sennichi-mae, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Map)
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2. Taiseikaku

Taste authentic Beijing cuisine at this old and elegant restaurant that was established in 1957. They can accommodate from 1 person up to around 600 people. Which floor you'll dine at depends on the occasion, but they have the suitable tables for everything, whether it be lunch, dinner, a party, or wedding reception. Enjoy the seasonal flavors of authentic Beijing cuisine here!

Full of elegance, there are 2 stylish Western-style rooms of different sizes. The restaurant is also equipped with seven differently sized compartments, which give off a Chinese atmosphere.

They also have their traditional [Special Buta-man] (steamed bun with minced pork filling)!

Taiseikaku

Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, Dinner 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY *Course menu starts from 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 840 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from Exits 5 and 6 of Shinsaibashi Station
Address: 1-18-12, Higashi Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Map)
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3. Yakiniku Heiwa

Since its founding in 1956, this restaurant has used a skipjack tuna-flavored sauce that has been continuously passed down. The sauce has an elegant and easy-going flavor that complements meat and vegetables. The owner has been in the yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) business for 40 years. Here, you can eat high-quality meat, procured daily, at affordable prices.

[Gukbap] is a dish from the main menu that is easy on the stomach, featuring tender meat beautifully paired with a light egg-based soup.

The [Deluxe Assortment] offers a selection of 5 best cuts of meat.

Yakiniku Heiwa

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 11:30 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Sunday
*Even open on national holidays!
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY *Average cost for a party starts from 4,000 JPY
Access: Cross the pedestrian crossing in front of the North Exit of Tennoji Station to find the restaurant.
Address: 4-17, Hidenin-cho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Map)
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4. Meijiken

Established in 1926, Meijiken is a long-established restaurant that has been serving up the same genuine yoshoku (Japanese-style Western cuisine) in Shinsaibashi for 88 years. For example, its [Omu-rice] (omelet filled with rice) is prepared with the same recipe as when the eatery first opened. The filling is made into a moist paste, creating a texture for which the restaurant is known. They continue to offer the same nostalgic fare in hopes that customers will want to come back to eat it again.

For those who want to eat until overstuffed, get unlimited rice with the [Meijiken Special Set].

Their famous [Omu-rice] has had the same flavor since 1926. It features a moist filling.

Meijiken

Open: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm) *Closed from 3:20 pm - 5:00 pm on weekdays. Every Tuesday, the L.O. is 9:00 pm and it closes at 9:30 pm.
Lunch 11:00 am - 3:20 pm (L.O. 3:20 pm) *The lunch menu changes daily.
Closed: Wednesday
*Closed the following Thursday if Wednesday falls on a national holiday
*Closed for Golden Week from May 8 - 10
Average price: [Dinner] 1,500 JPY *Parties, banquets, and gatherings can be booked. Prices start from 3,000 JPY. / [Lunch] 850 JPY *Daily specials and set lunches are available.
Access: From Shinsaibashi, head south towards Shinsaibashi-Suji. Turn left at the South Exit of Daimaru and walk for 70m.
Address: 1-5-32, Shinsaibashi-suji, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Map)
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5. Joyato Toyosaki Honke

Oden (boiled ingredients) is also known as "Kanto-daki" (Kanto cooking), in Kansai. However, stating that their flavors are different from Kanto-daki, this long-established restaurant came up with the name "kansai-daki." No effort is spared in preparation when creating the flavor. This restaurant is not a fancy place, yet comfortable, and they offer a taste loved by the Osaka locals.

This masterpiece is created by adding more dashi to rice cooked in oden dashi.

If you want to experience what Naniwa (old name for Osaka) is all about, sit at the counter seats.

Joyato Toyosaki Honke

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 1:30 pm *Closed for lunch on Saturday
[Weekdays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
*Closed for lunch on Saturday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 800 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from Exit 1 of Nakatsu Station
Address: 2-8-14, Toyosaki, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Map)
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6. Kitazuien

Established in 1868, this is kaiseki (traditional Japanese course cuisine with tea) restaurant that's run by a long-established inn. Every dish is finely detailed and has a sense of quality - from the vivid [Grilled Hassun] (the assortment of small items) that are made with great skill to the [Wan-mono] (soup dish) that involves carefully selecting ingredients like dashi. Capturing the hearts of those who eat their food, this restaurant offers a new take on kaiseki cuisine while also respecting tradition.

The recommended course for lunch is the [Furumai Tenshin].

Staff in kimono provide attentive customer service that you'd normally find at traditional inns.

Kitazuien

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] 11:00 am - 10:00 pm *Closed from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
[Saturday, National Holidays] 11:00 am - 9:00 pm *Closed from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Closed: None
*Closed during the beginning and end of the year (December 29 - January 4)
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk from Exit 9 of Nishi-Umeda Station
Address: 3F, Ax Bldg., 2-3-21, Sonezaki-shinchi, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Map)
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7. Naniwa Kappo Kigawa

Located in Hozen-ji Alley (Hozen-ji Yokocho), this is a well-established, traditional Naniwa eatery that even takes in French techniques to bring itself to the next level. They make sure not to waste anything, using as much of their ingredients as possible, drawing out their flavors. Their food is delicious to eat, and it is for that reason that they are willing to surpass any single genre of cuisine in pursuit of deliciousness.

The open counter shows the pride associated with Naniwa cuisine.

Private rooms are handy for those who want to leisurely enjoy their meals and chat.

Naniwa Kappo Kigawa

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 15,000 JPY / [Lunch] 8,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from Namba Station on the Midosuji Line
Address: 1-7-7, Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Map)
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8. Wa Dining Hotaru

This Japanese restaurant with a night view is located on the 8th floor of Hotel Ichiei, which is directly connected to Namba Station. Using only seasonal ingredients, their dishes are cooked in a manner that's faithful to tradition, creating masterpieces that are just as much a feast for the eyes as the tongue. There is no doubt that both your stomach and heart will be satisfied! This restaurant can also be used for various functions, thanks to a private room that can be used for occasions like entertaining clients and a large banquet hall that's suitable for a larger group of people.

The restaurant offers a night view of Minami. The private rooms require advance reservation, and can be booked for groups of 4 people or more.

This hotel restaurant offers a night view over Namba. Popular for anniversaries and dates.

Wa Dining Hotaru

Open: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00) *Can only make reservations for lunch, Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm) *Children younger than elementary school age cannot partake in the dinner service
Closed: Beginning and end of the year
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY *3,500 JPY or 5,000 JPY for the Monthly Hana Kaiseki. Reservations possible until the day before. / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY *Applies to all 10 of the dishes on the lunch menu. You can also make reservations for the dinner course.
Access: Connected directly to Exit 6 of Namba Station from the Midosuji Subway Line.
5-minute walk from Namba Station on the Yotsubashi Subway, Nankai, Kintetsu, and JR lines.
Address: 8F, Hotel Ichiei, 1-6-8, Namba-naka, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Map)
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.