Osaka is the origin of Okonomiyaki. It’s a pancake with cabbage or Japanese yams as filling. You can get the toppings of your choice as well.
If you take a stroll around Osaka, you will find many different Okonomiyaki restaurants around the city. Each one has a different technique and style of cooking. Okonomiyaki is not only found in the restaurants but also in the small stalls along the streets. At some places, you can even prepare it yourself.
The restaurant provides you with the batter and other ingredients, and you can make the Okonomiyaki yourself. And if you are in Osaka, you undoubtedly need to try the Okonomiyaki. So, these are some of our restaurants picks where you can try Okonomiyaki.
Okaru
This restaurant has been a part of the city since the last 60 years. The traditions of Japan are reflected in the architecture of the restaurant. This restaurant is located on the side street of Namba.
The Okonomiyaki is prepared in front of your eyes and freshly served. The specialty of this restaurant is that once your Okonomiyaki is served, the chef will come out and draw different characters like a flower or a dog on your pancake with mayonnaise. After that, you can complete your Okonomiyaki with two different types of toppings.
Chigusa
If you want to experience the okonomiyaki that the locals enjoy, Chigusa is the correct place for you. However, you need to work a bit to find this place as it’s not easy to find in plain sight.
It’s in a small alley near the Tenjinbashi-suji shopping street. The atmosphere here is very traditional, and this place has a very loyal customer base. There is one Okonomiyaki which you can not find anywhere else in Osaka called “Chigua Yaki.” It’s an Okonomiyaki with a pork rib filling inside of it which is grilled to perfection. The restaurant is just 2 minutes away from Tenma Station.
Fukutaro
The restaurant is a 5 minute walk from Namba station. It’s a cozy and warm space. The environment is calm and soothing. Due to its popularity, there is always a line outside the restaurant. But take our word for it – the food you get inside is definitely worth the wait. Their most famous delicacy is Nagi Yaki. It’s thinner than the standard Okonomiyaki and is filled with green onion.
Kiji Main Branch
Kiji is one of the most famous restaurants in the neighborhood of Osaka. It’s highly popular, which results in people lining outside the restaurant waiting for their turn. Again, it’s undoubtedly worth the wait. In their Okonomiyaki, they use fresh and seasonal vegetables. But their crowd pleaser is a beefsteak plant topped Okonomiyaki. It certainly enhances the flavor of the treat and is a must try.
Ajinoya Main Branch
With the Okonomiyaki Ajiyano, they also serve some amazing yakisoba. So, if you go there do try both the dishes. The most popular choice of the restaurant is a Ajinoya Okonomiyaki mix. It is a flavourful combination of squid, shrimp, octopus, pork, minced meat, and eggs. They serve the Yakisoba just as good as the Okonomiyaki. And the price of both is equal. So, you can either eat one of them. Or you can go big and eat both of them.
The city of Osaka proudly dons the badge of Creator of Okonomiyaki on its chest. And the restaurants around here are working hard to maintain their reputation. Every restaurant on this list has its unique style of preparing the delicacy. But one common thing between all of them is their intention to serve you good food. They want people to taste the essence of the country — the real culture of their home. There are more such places around the city.
We hope you taste the best Okonomiyaki once you visit Osaka. The list above will surely help you find some of the best servers of Okonomiyaki in town.