If you’re travelling to Osaka, you’ll most likely visit the popular tourist strip of Dotonbori. The area runs parallel to the Dotonbori canal and is mostly famous for its street food and shops. There are many local specialties to try in the area, so to make it easy we’ve put together a list of the top 10 street foods you must try in Dotonbori and its surrounding areas!

1. Takoyaki from Kukuru

Photo via Tripzilla

Takoyaki is a delicious savoury ball of batter filled with octopus. It is one of Osaka’s most famous dishes. The batter consists of tempura scraps, onion and pickled ginger. It is then topped with a tangy sweet barbeque sauce, mayonnaise, dried green seaweed and bonito flakes. The streets of Dotonbori are lined with countless stalls selling Takoyaki, but Kukuru is the most famous. Their menu lets you try tasty unique Takoyaki flavours such as squid ink and cheese and bacon. So why not come here for something different!

【Address】 1-10-5, Dotombori, Chuo, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture

【Opening Hours】 12:00-23:00

2. Melon Pan from Melonpan-ice America-mura

Photo via Angsarap

Melon bread is a popular sweet bun in Japan consisting of a fluffy dough topped with a thin layer of sweet crisp cookie. The name for the bread comes from the unique melon shape and pattern etched into the top of the buns. It is delicious on its own, but this store takes it a step further and fills the fresh buns with creamy icecream. They are still warm as they are baked fresh, turning the icecream into a yummy melty filling. You can choose from flavours such as matcha, vanilla and crème brulee, so there’s a flavour for everyone to enjoy!

【Address】 2-11-9 Nishishinsaibashi Re-011 1F, Chuo, Osaka 542-0086 Osaka Prefecture

【Opening Hours】 11:00-20:00

3. Charcoal Grilled King Crab from Kani Doraku

Photo via Living Nomads

If you’re a seafood lover, this crab will be your number one food in Dotonbori. Kani Doraku’s store in Dotonbori is the original restaurant from 1960 of the now popular chain. They’re famous for their king crab that is grilled on charcoal giving it an extra smokey charred flavour unique to the store. They use super fresh sweet crab, making it super succulent, juicy and tender. This store is hard to miss with their famous moving crab billboard, so make sure you give it a try!

【Address】 1-6-18, Dotombori, Chuo, Osaka 542-0071 Osaka Prefecture

【Opening Hours】 11:00-23:00

4. Okonomiyaki from Mizuno

Photo via MyTravelBuzzg

Osaka-style okonomiyaki is a savoury battered pancake filled with cabbage, ginger and meats. Like Takoyaki, it is topped with a sweet and tangy barbeque sauce, mayo, dried green seaweed and bonito flakes. You can find it all over Osaka, but Mizuno is a Michelin restaurant with some unique menu options. One of their signature flavours is nagaimo using mountain yam in the batter for a tasty gooey texture. Their mixed okonomiyaki is filled with delicious fresh squid, oysters, prawns and pork. If this sounds up your alley, make sure to give it a try on your next trip!

【Address】 1-4-15, Dotombori, Chuo, Osaka 542-0071 Osaka Prefecture

【Opening Hours】 11:00-22:00

5. Pudding from Sweets Champion Mattari Purin

Photo via Gansopurinya

You may be surprised to hear how popular pudding is in Japan. The first mention of pudding in Japan in writing dates back to 1872, and it has become a popular dessert with many premium specialty stores opening for the delicious sweet treat. One of these stores is Sweets Champion Mattari Purin, who make the puddings using fresh quality ingredients that you can taste. What separates this pudding is the velvety smooth and delicate texture, making for a silky and decadent flavour. We recommend you try it for yourself!

【Address】 1-9-17, Dotombori, Chuo, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture

【Opening Hours】 11:00-22:30

6. Pork Buns from 551 Horai

Photo via 551 Horai

Butaman is steamed pork buns filled with pork and encased in a fluffy flour dough. 551 Horai is a store famous for this popular street food and you can watch them making the buns fresh each day. They are huge and fluffy, with a juicy filling which manages to be both sweet and savoury at the same time. So if you’re a meat lover, make sure to check it out!

【Address】 3-6-3, Namba, Chuo, Osaka 542-0076 Osaka Prefecture

【Opening Hours】 11:00-22:00

7. Cheesecake from Rikuro Ojisan no Mise

Photo via SOFY on Weheartit

Jiggly Japanese cheesecake has been a trend in recent years online. Osaka’s local specialty store dedicated to the fluffy treat is Rikuro Ojisan no Mise. The shop uses fresh ingredients and a signature recipe to create one of the most popular desserts in the area. Since they’re so popular, you will often see them baking them fresh in store so you can enjoy the hot cake straight from the oven. The cakes are big, so make sure you come and enjoy it with friends (or on your own… we won’t judge).

【Address】 3-2-28, Namba, Chuo, Osaka 542-0076 Osaka Prefecture

【Opening Hours】 9:30-21:30

8. Kushikatsu from Kushikatsu Daruma

Photo via Sweetcumi

Kushikatsu is another famous dish from Osaka. It is usually a variety of meats, seafood, eggs and vegetables which are skewered, crumbed and fried. They make for great bar food and are enjoyed dipped in a sweet and savoury tonkatsu sauce. While the dish is simple, there isn’t much not to like with kushikatsu. Make sure you give this place a try to experience the famous dish!

【Address】 1-6-4, Dotombori, Chuo, Osaka 542-0071 Osaka Prefecture

【Opening Hours】 11:30-22:30

9. Mozzarella Hotdog from 5 Star Hotdog Sarang

Photo via The Smart Local

While it may not be a traditional Japanese food, these hotdogs of cheesy fried goodness are a popular street food in Dotonbori. These hot dogs originate from street stalls in Seoul. Firstly, they are skewered, coated in mozzarella, rolled in breadcrumbs and fried. Finally, they are dusted with even more cheese and topped with mustard and tomato sauce. If you love stretchy cheese and fried goodness, look no further than this popular store!

【Address】 Not on Google Maps, Dotonbori Riverwalk near Glico Man

【Opening Hours】 14:00 – sold out

10. Takosen from Kogaryu

Photo via itisapieceofcake2011

While you may have already tried Takoyaki while in the area, you haven’t tried it like this before! If you’re craving something a bit different, try the Takosen from Kogaryu. This dish is almost like a Takoyaki taco – with Takoyaki and cheese sandwiched in between two senbei rice crackers. The crackers offer a whole new crunch and texture to the popular Osaka dish and is definitely worth a try!

【Address】 2-18-4 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo, Osaka 542-0086 Osaka Prefecture

【Opening Hours】 10:30-20:30

No matter where you eat in Dotonbori, you’re sure to treat your tastebuds. If this list has made you hungry, make sure to give some of these places a visit on your next Osaka trip! What are your favourite foods from Osaka? Let us know in the comments below!