Osaka city, the prefectural capital of Osaka Prefecture, is the second largest city in Japan, reputable for its diverse array of delectable cuisines available. It used to be nicknamed as the Nation’s Kitchen (天下の台所 tenka no daidokoro) during the Edo Era as it was the centre for rice trading. Even up till today, the foodie capital lives up to its historical nickname with over 200 restaurants being recommended on the coveted Michelin Guide Kyoto Osaka 2017. Follow me on a gastronomic journey to 8 of the Michelin one starred restaurants awarded in 2017!
1. Pierre - contemporary French dining
The Japanese not only whip up delicious local meals, but also does a great job with international cuisines. At Pierre, Hotel InterContinental Osaka’s signature restaurant with 1 Michelin star, you can enjoy contemporary French dining in an exquisite restaurant overlooking Osaka City. Using fresh seasonal ingredients, dishes at Pierre are prepared with a mix of Japanese and French cooking techniques. Your dining experience at Pierre is not just a feast for the tastebuds, but also a feast for the eyes. Choose from over 400 types of wine to pair with the delicate French courses for an unforgettable meal.
Pierre French restaurant (ピエール)
Address: 3-60 Ofukacho, Kita Ward, Osaka City
Price: From 5,500 JPY (48.80 USD) per person for lunch, 10,000 JPY (88.75 USD) per person for dinner.
Opening Hours: Lunch - 11.30 am to 2 pm; Dinner 6 pm to 9.30 pm. Not open holidays.
Access: 5-minute walk from JR Osaka Station, or Umeda Station on Osaka Municipal Subway Midosuji Line and Hankyu Railway.
Contact: +81 5055897580 (reservations only); +81 663745700 (inquiry only).
2. Again - deep fried Japanese dishes with a twist
Kushiage, a Japanese dish of deep fried skewered meat and vegetables, is a popular street food that you can find easily anywhere in Japan. However, if you feel like tucking into some creative kushiage with unforgettable taste, head to Again (アゲイン). There are 17 omakase (a Japanese tradition where the chef decides what to cook for you) sets available at the cosy restaurant, headed by an amiable chef who did not receive any formal culinary education. At the start of your meal, whet your appetite with Again’s refreshing salad with sesame dressing. Thereafter, tuck into the diverse range of kushiage fried in healthier plant oil. Popular dishes at Again include the truffle buttered potatoes and fried-egg-and-hamburger-curry skewer.
Again (アゲイン)
Address: 3F, Umebachi Bldg, 1-5-7 Sonezakishinchi, Kita Ward, Osaka City
Price: 10,000 to 15,000 JPY (88.75 to 133.10 USD) per person on average.
Opening Hours: 6 pm to midnight (last order) from Monday to Saturday. Open for reservations for at least 4 persons on Sundays and national holidays.
Access: 2-minute walk from JR Kitashinchi Station exit 11 to 21.
Contact: +81 663460020
3. Chouraku - traditional Japanese cuisine
Located on the 9th floor of Matsumoto Kosan Building, Chouraku (長樂) is a traditional Japanese restaurant decked in wood, with counter seats as well as private tatami rooms for dining. As the restaurant is on a high floor, you can enjoy beautiful views of the city at night through the large windows while tucking into delicious kaiseki cuisine. Savor the fresh delicate taste of each dish, such as raw oysters, soft yuba and tender beef in this multi-course dinner made from the freshest local ingredients. Do remember to book a table in advance to secure a seat at this popular traditional kaiseki cuisine restaurant.
Chouraku (長樂)
Address: 9F Matsumoto Kosan Building, 1-5-21 Sonezakishinchi, Kita Ward, Osaka City
Price: 15,000 to 20,000 JPY (133.10 to 177.50 USD) per person on average.
Opening Hours: 5 pm to 10 pm from Monday to Saturday. Closed on Sunday, national holidays and year-end holidays.
Access: 3-minute walk from JR Kitashinchi Station.
Contact: +81 5055924096 (reservations only); +81 647958424 (inquiry only).
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4. Tominoya - Japanese one-pot winter dish
Oden, the popular Japanese winter dish where you cook varied types of ingredients such as boiled eggs, konjac, and processed fishcakes stewed in a light, soy-flavored dashi broth in one pot is a common street food like kushiage. It may look like a simple dish to prepare, but try it at Tominoya (とみ乃家), and you will be pleasantly surprised with your fine dining oden experience here. Let the chef decide your menu of the day. Delight in the wide selection of oden specialties served, including rare delicacies like snake tongue, which has a unique flavour in tendon-like texture. Finally, complete your sumptuous meal with a rice dish personally prepared by the head chef. It is certainly a one-of-a-kind oden dining experience you would not regret trying.
Tominoya (とみ乃家)
Address: 5F, Hill Bldg, 1-2-33 Dojima, Kita Ward, Osaka City
Price: 15,000 to 20,000 JPY (133.10 to 177.50 USD) per person on average.
Opening Hours: 11.30 am to 1.30 pm (last order) and 5 pm to 10 pm (last order) from Monday to Saturday. Closed on Sunday and national holidays.
Access: 3-minute walk from Oebashi Station.
Contact: +81 663412381
5. Ishii - grilled chicken skewers
Yakitori, or grilled chicken skewer, is a perennial favorite for both locals and tourists alike. If you want to enjoy yakitori without all the smoke, and made with superior quality chicken meat, Ishii (いし井) is the place to go to. Using only Kumano chicken from Mie, the flavorful grilled skewered meat fills your mouth with a hint of charcoal fire taste. Most places overdo the marinating such that the seasoning overpowers the real flavor of the chicken, but not at Ishii. It also does not feel overly greasy as the meat used has just the perfect amount of fat for a subtle sweet fragrance. Opt for the omakase set which includes appetizers, salad and grilled vegetables besides its signature yakitori for a uniquely Ishii experience.
Ishii (いし井)
Address: 2-3-23 Fukushima, Fukushima Ward, Osaka City
Price: From 3,000 JPY (26.60 USD).
Opening Hours: 6 pm to 11 pm. Closed on Monday.
Access: 4-minute walk from Shin-Fukushima Station exit 2.
Contact: +81 647971129
6. Shiotsu - exquisite touches for a fine sushi dining experience (15,000 to 20,000 JPY (133.10 to 177.50 USD) per person on average.)
Sushi is usually considered a Japanese casual food, but you will be pleasantly surprised by how the owner-chef at the 14-seat Shiotsu (鮨 しお津) can do wonders to your sushi meal with his creativity. He is meticulous in the way he prepares each and every small piece of sushi, emphasizing on the flow of flavors as he serves you each plate of sushi. Alongside the wholesome sushi rice topped with fresh seasonal ingredients, the chef’s impeccable service will surely leave a favorable impression for the Michelin dining experience too.
Shiotsu (鮨 しお津)
Address: 4-1-2-3 Nishitenma, Kita-ku, Osaka City
Price: 15,000 to 20,000 JPY (133.10 to 177.50 USD) per person on average.
Opening Hours: 5.30 pm to 11 pm. Closed on Sunday and national holidays.
Access: 6-minute walk from JR Kitashinchi Station or Yodoyabashi subway station.
Contact: +81 663671018
Make reservation here!
7. Nakatani - friendly conversations over fine sushi
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Unlike other Japanese restaurants where you take your pick from fixed set menus, at Nakatani (鮨処 なかたに), you can simply sample dishes freely according to your mood, without the restriction of just having certain items on the set menu. The highlight of your sushi meal at Nakatani is none other than the aromatic rice, which is seasoned with rice vinegar and a little sugar for the subtle sweet taste. The sushi rice may be so addictive that you might be popping more sushi into your mouth than intended while chatting with the friendly owner-chef!
Nakatani (鮨処 なかたに)
Address: 1-1-7 Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka City
Price: 15,000 to 20,000 JPY (133.10 to 177.50 USD) per person on average.
Opening Hours: 5 pm to 11 pm. Closed on Wednesday.
Access: 5-minute walk from Namba subway station.
Contact: +81 662114158
8. Terada - traditional Japanese cuisine
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Terada (日本料理 寺田) is a traditional Japanese cuisine restaurant tucked away on the second floor of the Tamatsukurisuehiro Building in the old Tamatsukuri shopping district in lavish red cedar furnishings. Enter the restaurant with an entirely different ambience from the vibrant scene out on the streets. The hospitality of the owner-chef in this cosy restaurant makes you feel at home, and his lovely presentation of the flavorful dishes add to the pleasure of dining at Terada. The best part of it all? Terada’s prices are reasonable despite it being awarded a Michelin star, especially value for money during lunch hour!
Terada (日本料理 寺田)
Address: 2F, Tamatsukurisuehiro Building, 2-35 Tamatsukurimotomachi, Tenoji Ward, Osaka City
Price: 3,000 to 4,000 JPY (26.60 to 35.50 USD) per person for lunch, 10,000 to 15,000 JPY (88.75 to 133.10 USD) per person for dinner.
Opening Hours: 11.30 am to 2 pm (last order 1 pm) from Wednesday to Sunday, 6 pm to 10 pm (last order 8 pm) from Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday.
Access: 1-minute walk from Tamatsukuri subway station.
Contact: +81 661913237 (by appointment only).
Enjoy your Michelin starred food trail in Osaka
When it comes to dining, Osaka certainly has lots to offer for the foodie traveller, from street food to casual eateries and Michelin starred restaurants. The above 8 recommended restaurants are just a tiny fraction of the vast selection of award winning dining spots you can look forward to when exploring the Nation’s Kitchen. Enjoy your Michelin foodie trip in Osaka!
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