11 Osaka's Best Takoyaki Restaurants Honored by World Top Gourmands

1. Umai-ya (うまい屋) [Kita]

Umai-ya is located on the Tengo Nakazakidori Shopping Street which crosses famous Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street. Their flavorful takoyaki which is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside has been loved by locals over 60 years. Best enjoyed plain without any toppings. Priced under 500yen for 8 pieces. You can eat in or take-out.

Address: 4-21 Naniwacho, Kita-ku, Osaka (Google Map)

2. Tamaya (玉屋) [Kita]

Tamaya serves various types of takoyaki from regular stuff with choice of toppings to arranged dishes or even yakisoba and okonomiyaki. Their specialty is rich batter using the mixture of various soups consisting of lobster, chicken, pork, vegetables, and fruits. Price range from 300 to 1000yen and you can satisfy your palate and stomach. An assortment of 8 different type of flavors is recommended to people with curiosity.

HP: tamaya08.com/map/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 1-3-4 Kokubunji, Kita-ku, Osaka (Google Map)

3. Aidu-ya Namba (会津屋　難波店) [Minami]

Aiduya is said to be the inventor of takoyaki and their Namba branch can be found at an underground shopping street close to the subway Namba station. There are eat-in space to take a break and enjoy snacking during your shopping. They offer 3 types including the very original recipe of takoyaki called radioyaki. Priced from 600yen for 12 pieces.

HP: www.aiduya.com//images/commons/eng.pdf

HP: www.aiduya.com/shop.html (Japanese Only)

Address: NanNan Town B1F 5-4-1 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka (Google Map)

4. Dotonbori Akaoni (道頓堀　赤鬼) [Minami]

Akaoni uses raw octopus since their foundation while most of their rivals use boiled one. Their mild and flavorful takoyaki made from carefully selected ingredients comes at under 500yen for 6 pieces. Served in various flavor such as basic sauce, soy sauce or cheese. It’s around 5 minute-walk from both Namba and Nipponbahsi stations.

HP: www.doutonbori-akaoni.com/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 1-2-3 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka (Google Map)

5. Otako (大たこ) [Minami]

Otako has been survived from fierce competitions with many neighboring rivals over 40 years. Their feature is fresh and big chunks of octopus. Regular takoyaki is sold under 500yen for 6 pieces, while they serve kushikatsu and variety of drink menu including alcohol at eat-in space. It’s a short walk from famous Ebisubashi.

HP: tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270202/27001483/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 1-4-16 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka (Google Map)

6. Kogaryu (甲賀流) [Minami]

Originally founded in Amerika-mura, Kogaryu is so popular that they have developed into a takoyaki chain with 14 shops over 40 years. Their basic menu comes with sweet sauce and original mayonnaise. Their price is rather cheap, under 500yen, including 10 pieces of takoyaki and arranged menus. If you wish to try various flavors, assortment of 4 flavors or 2 are recommended.

HP: www.kougaryu.jp/shop/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 2-18-4 Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka (Google Map)

7. Wanaka Sennichimae Honten (わなか　千日前本店) [Minami]

Wanaka is located within 5 minute-walk from Namba station and nearby Namba Grand Kagetsu. They serve takoyaki with ideal texture: crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. You can chose from 4 basic flavors: original sauces sweet or tangy, soy sauce, and salt. There are other flavors and Oiri, assortment of 4 flavors in one plate, for those with curiosity. Priced under 500yen for 8 pieces.

HP: takoyaki-wanaka.com/04_tenpo.html (Japanese Only)

Address: 11-19 Namba Sennichimae , Chuo-ku, Osaka (Google Map)

8. Aidu-ya Honten (会津屋　本店) [Nishinari]

It is said that radioyaki, the origin of takoyaki, was created by the founder of Aiduya over 80 years ago at the very site of its main shop is. Their takoyaki is intended to be a handy snack for locals during their work, then they are served plain. Radioyaki, is made with chunks of stewed beef tendon and konnyaku. Simple yet delicious takoyaki comes from 600yen for 12 pieces. The main shop is short walk from subway Tamade station.

HP: www.aiduya.com//images/commons/eng.pdf

HP: www.aiduya.com/shop.html (Japanese Only)

Address: 2-3-1 Tamadenishi , Nishinari-ku, Osaka (Google Map)

9. Yamachan Honten (やまちゃん　本店）[Abeno]

Yamachan is a stall in 5 minute-walk from JR Tennoji station. They serve takoyaki made with well-prepared soup, mixture of long-stewed chicken based broth, and kelp and bonito soup. Their recommendation is plain takoyaki to taste the texture- crispy on the outside and soft and creamy inside, though rich taste of mayonnaise and sauce is also popular. Take out only and sold under 500yen for 8 pieces.

HP: takoyaki-yamachan.net/shop/honten/?lang=en

HP: takoyaki-yamachan.net/shop/honten/?lang=zh (中文)

Address: 1-2-34 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka (Google Map)

10. Yamachan 2go-ten (やまちゃん　2号店） [Abeno]

The second shop among Yamachan’s 3 branches in Osaka is also famed as one of Osaka’s best takoyaki restaurants. You can eat in and taste akashiyaki, takoyaki dipped in simple broth, or ikayaki, grilled squid mixed in batter. 8 pieces of takoyaki come under 500yen. An assortment of 4 varieties of takoyaki is available.

HP: takoyaki-yamachan.net/shop/honten/?lang=en

HP: takoyaki-yamachan.net/shop/honten/?lang=zh (中文)

Address: Kawakami Building 1F 2-3-53 Matsuzakicho, Abeno-ku, Osaka (Google Map)

11. Naniwaya (浪花屋) [Nagai]

Naniwaya can be found nearby subway Nagai station on Midosuji line. Their takoyaki is loved by locals of this residential area for cheap price under 300yen for 8 pieces and, of course, for its delicious taste to satisfy your palate without getting bored. You can choose from 4 flavors: basic sauce, soy sauce, mayonnaise, or sauce and mayonnaise.

HP: takoyaki-naniwaya.com/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 4-6-8 Nagai Higashi, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka (Google Map)

(Thumbnail image: Culantor Lin / Flickr)