Osaka, a charming city in Japan, is where old meets new, East meets West. It is best known for the Osaka Castle, the seat of the shogunate in the 1500s, standing amidst peach, plum, and cherry blossom trees. A marvelous scenery. A short drive from the castle is the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shinto shrine, which is equally as stunning.
But, in spite of its clinging to tradition, Osaka has vastly transformed into a modern city that can challenge the likes of world cities like New York or Hong Kong, filled with futuristic architecture, nightlife, and, of course, hearty street food. So hearty you won’t get enough.
Yet, wouldn’t you think it is fantastic to take a breath of fresh air from the nitty-gritty of those gastronomic streets and discover restaurants that serve yoshoku? In the simplest terms, yoshoku are fusion dishes featuring Japanese and Western cuisine. Where to eat the best yoshoku in Osaka? Read on.
1. Hokkyokusei Shinsaibashi Honten
Listed number one on Tripadvisor’s best yoshoku restaurants in Osaka, Hokkyokusei Shinsaibashi Honten’s interior will make you feel you are at a beach resort while being inside a temple conducting a tea ceremony.
The omurice is the star dish here, the certified favorite of diners, so the way they create their yoshoku is centered on this cuisine. You can try their Domestic Beef Stew Omelet Rice, regarded as the “king of Western cuisine,” and the Beef Stroganoff Omelet Rice.
Price: From 1,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-10 PM
Contact: +81 6-6211-7829
Address: 2-7-27 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 542-0086, Japan
2. Bifuteki no Kawamura Premium Kitashinchi Ten
While this Yoshoku restaurant is in the more expensive range, offering private dining rooms and private chefs, it will be worth your money and time here because their Yoshoku selections are unlike the rest.
For instance, you can enjoy their lunch-exclusive “overwhelmingly popular” Kobe beef hamburger lunch meticulously crafted from carefully selected meat grilled to perfection by your private chef. Did you know it also melts in your mouth? Try their Kobe beef steak course, which has everything from appetizers to desserts. Gourmet dining at its finest.
Price: From 8,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-3 PM, 5-10 PM (closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: +81 50-5456-8444
Address: 1-4-20, Sonezakishinchi, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 530-0002, Japan
ALSO READ: BEST KUSHIKATSU IN OSAKA
3. Red Rock Amemura
Located near attractions such as the Monument and the Site of Osaka Stadium, Red Rock Amemura is the best place to stop by for lunch if you are coming from this place. They just opened at this hour, so you can expect incredible service. Their yoshoku dishes are something to look forward to, which include Roast Beef Rice Bowls, steak bowls, wagyu, burgers, and more. Prices? Very affordable.
Price: From 1,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-9:30 PM Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 AM-3 PM, 5-9:30 PM Monday to Friday
Contact: +81 6-6214-8119
Address: 2-10-21, Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 542-0086, Japan
4. Innovative French KUNSEI
There’s no reason to think twice about speaking with the receptionist when you visit this restaurant as its name is screaming “Yoshoku!” French-Japanese fusion cuisine is their specialty, which you can enjoy atop the Centara Grand Hotel Osaka. Smoked dishes, handcrafted wines, cocktails, you name it. Prices are mid-range.
Price: From 6,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-2:30 PM, 5:30-10 PM Saturday and Sunday; 5:30-10 PM Monday, Thursday, Friday (closed on Tuesdays to Wednesdays)
Contact: +81 50-5600-5690
Address: 2-11-50, Namba Naka, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 542-0076, Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, 33F, Japan
ALSO READ: BEST TONKATSU IN OSAKA
5. Meijiken
Also listed by Tripadvisor, this restaurant partly carries the name of the era where yoshoku originated from. Meijiken serves both Japanese dishes and fusion meals, with their yoshoku catalog including beef steaks, hamburgers, grilled chicken, beef stew, and the like. Gobble up on some plum wine, non-alcoholic beer, or oolong tea, among others. Among the lowest prices around town.
Price: From 1,000 yen
Hours: 11 AM-3 PM, 5-8 PM Tuesday and Thursday to Sunday, 11 AM-3 PM Monday (closed on Wednesdays)
Contact: +81 6-6271-6761
Address: 1-5-32, Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 542-0085, Japan
6. Three Broomsticks
Don’t be surprised if the name of this restaurant sounds very much like a diner in the “Harry Potter” novels and movies. It should be since this Tripadvisor-recommended Yoshoku restaurant is located right within the Wizarding World theme park at the Universal Studios Osaka. No explanation is needed because, like eateries at Disneyland parks worldwide, you can expect the dishes to fuse Japanese and Western-style cooking. But be prepared to spend a little bit more, too.
Price: From 2,000 yen
Hours: Park hours
Contact: Visit the official website of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Address: 2-1-33, Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 554-0031, Japan
ALSO READ: BEST SAKE IN OSAKA
7. Secret Base Atelier Kitchen
Several things are happening with its name, but it is a humble restaurant that offers yoshoku dishes and more at very reasonable prices. First-timers can start with fusion fried chicken that goes perfectly with booze or try their deep-fried chicken prepared in the restaurant’s own way, and hamburgers are only available at night. What an experience.
Price: From less than 999 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-2:30 PM, 5:30-10:30 PM Monday to Friday, 5:30-10:30 PM Saturday (closed on Sundays)
Contact: +81 50-5570-8189
Address: 7-6-14, Takaidahonmachi, Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 577-0011, Japan
Yoshoku will take you away from your usual Japanese favorites. So, to enjoy yoshoku, you simply need to embrace the flavor fusion, be sure to try them with the side dishes, dip them in sauces, go for the classics, don’t forget to order drinks, and share the food adventure!
Want to discover more of Osaka with a local? Join our Osaka Free Walking Tour and experience Osaka’s rich food, culture, and history.
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