Hi,I’m Keiko from Osaka!
Kushikatsu is one of the signature food items in Osaka.
Along with takoyaki and okonomiyaki, kushikatsu became first popular in Osaka.
In order for you to experience the deep food culture of Osaka, you MUST experience kushikatsu!
Kushikatsu is a deep fried skewed meat or vegetables.
As the menu continued to develop in and beyond Osaka, the list of items on kushi (skewers) expanded.
Now you can enjoy anything from various meat, vegetables, pickles, eggs, fish cakes, cheese, sausages… literally anything you can imagine.
At kushikatsu restaurants, deep fried skewers are served by the chef in front of you.
You dip kushikatsu into a pot of sauce which is commonly shared among customers.
Double dipping is prohibited.
So, make sure you don’t dip your kushikatsu into a common sauce pot after you bite into it.
Commonly, a bowl of or all you can eat cabbages are also provided, so you can let your cabbages soap up excess sauce from your kushikatsu.
Here are top 5 kushikatsu restaurants in Osaka!
Local tells Top 5 best kushikatsu restaurants in Osaka!
1.Daruma Shinsekai sohonten
Daruma might be the most popular kushikatsu restaurant in Osaka.With 14 branches across Osaka, you will likely find one nearby where you are staying.
The scary looking old guy standing outside or looking down from the restaurant signage is watching out to see who would dare to try to double dip!
So stick to the golden rule of kushikatsu restaurnats!
You order whatever item you would like from the menu or order a set menu such as shinsekai set, which is a nice combination of meat and vegetables for those who don’t know what to order.
Kushikatsu here are famous for the fluffy and almost chewy texture of their breading.
Make sure to try pickled ginger and camembert cheese.
The price depends on how much you eat, but you can get full with around 2,000 to 3,000 yen.
For those touring around, the branches in Shinsaibashi, Tsutenkaku, Dotonbori, or Luqua Osaka might be convenient.
Address: 2-3-9 Ebisuhigashi Naniwa-ku Osaka
Location:3 minutes from Subway Sakaisuji-line Ebisucho station.
Phone: 06-6645-7056
Open Hour: Mon-Sun11:00〜21:00 (L.O. 20:40)
Closed:12/31-1/1
Price:1500~2500 yen
2.Ueshima
This is a hidden charm located in Amemura.You might find it a bit intimidating there is no menu and no price.
But the system is fairly easy.
The master Ueshima will prepare whatever are the best ingredients of the day, fry them and place it on your plate one by one.
When you are full, just inform him to “stop.”
He picks the best ingredients in the market every day.
It is part of the fun to see what you will get to eat.
You might find very interesting that might pleasantly surprise your taste butts.
For the quality of ingredients and superior service, Ueshima is the top notch kushikatsu restaurant.
The price will depend on how much you eat but it can get up and beyond 10,000 yen per pax.
If you have a certain budget, you might want to inform the master first.
Address: 2F Ueshima Bldg. 1-6-5 Nishishinsaibashi,Chuo-ku, Osaka
Location: 3 minutes from Midosuji-line Shinsaibashi station
Phone: 06-6241-9433
Open Hour: Mon-Sun 17:00〜23:00
Closed: No fixed holidays
Price:10000~15000 yen
3.Rokkakutei Kuromon Honten/六覺燈 黒門本店
If you are looking for a high-end, great ambiance kushikatsu restaurant that you can go on a date or for a business dinner, this is a place to go.Earning one Michelin star in 2016, Rokkakutei is very popular with international and local guests.
Just like Ueshima, there is no menu or price.
The chef will prepare based on what is the best for the day and you just ask them to “stop” when you are done.
The chef will fry each item and place it on a piece of bread, which soaks up the excess oil.
They will prepare several sauces and a few types of salt.
Perfectly fried, you will be amazed how “light” these deep fried items feel.
I am sure the Chef will surprise you with some combinations.
It will cost around 5,000 to 10,000 yen per person, though it depends on how much you eat.
Rokkakutei is within a walking distance from Nipponbashi station.
Address:2F Takoso Bldg.1-21-16 Nipponbashi,Chuo-ku,Osaka
Location: 3 minutes from Subway Nipponbashi-line Shinsaibashi station, 3 minutes from Subway Sakaisuji-line Shinsaibashi station
Phone:06-6633-1302
Open Hour: Tue.-Sun.17:00~23:00
Closed: Monday,Summer holidays in August,New Year holidays
Price:10,000~15,000 yen
Others:10% Service charge
If you want to try Kushikatsu and other finest Osaka’s food, try this
Osaka Bar Hopping Food tour with Magical Trip.
They’ll get to experience authentic Osaka foods and drinks by pub crawling local izakaya bars that travelers normally couldn’t find.
Next,let’s go to the small kushikatsu restaurant in Shin-sekai!
4.Yakko
This is a small counter only restaurant located in the kushikatsu capital of Shinsaibashi.You might have to line up a bit, but usually people eat quickly and leave (as kushikatsu are more like snacks for the locals), so you won’t be waiting much.
Kushikatsu here are very light as the breading is so fine.
You will get to experience the perfect match of deep fried kushikatsu with the perfect sweet sauce.
You can order whatever you like from the menu written in Japanese, and your bill is calculated based on the number and type of skewers left on the table.
One skewer is between 100 to 200 yen.
Address: 2-3-10, Ebisuhigashi,Naniwa-ku, Osaka
Location:3 minutes from JR Shinimamiya station
Phone: 06-6643-6954
Open Hour: Wed-Sun 12:00〜20:30
Closed: Mondays,Tuesdays
Price:2000~3000 yen
5.Yaekatsu
Another favorite among the locals, Yaekatsu has been in business for about 50 years.Located in Shinsaibashi, this restaurant is very homey.
The chefs deep fry kushikatsu of your choice from around 30 items menu, standing around the small counter seats.
You can have all you can eat cabbages.
Skewers here are fairly larger size but with light batter.
Another popular item besides kushikatsu here is doteyaki, a beef tendon stew, a popular dish in Osaka that you must give a try.
Address: 3-4-13,Ebisuhigashi,Naniwa-ku,Osaka
Location:5 minutes from JR Shinimamiya station
Phone: 06-6643-6332
Open Hour: Mon-Wed,Fri-Sun 10:30〜21:30
Closed: Thursday, 3rd Wed.
Price:1000~3000 yen
I hope you can enjoy best kushikatsu in Osaka!
If you’re looking for unique activities and experiences in Osaka,you can find them here:
If you want to try Izakaya and other finest Osaka’s food, try Osaka Bar Hopping Food tour with Magical Trip.
They’ll get to experience authentic Osaka foods and drinks by pub crawling local izakaya bars that travelers normally couldn’t find.
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