Best Food at Kansai Airport: 12 Superb Japanese Restaurants For a Preflight Meal

Sushi, ramen, tonkatsuーthere are so many choices for a final meal in Japan! Thankfully, Kansai International Airport in Osaka is packed with fantastic Japanese restaurants serving top-quality cuisine to gorge on before boarding your flight. In this article, we’ll list our picks for the best food at Kansai Airport to help you satisfy those last minute cravings!

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1.Tonkatu KYK (とんかつKYK)

This is a franchise shop of the famous tonkatu (とんかつ- deep fried pork) restaurant chain in Kansai area. Pork meat covered in fresh breadcrumbs is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It tastes sublime together with sweet sauce. Here you can have as much shredded cabbage as you like with your tonkatu, which is a very Japanesey and delightful service.  

https://www.tonkatu-kyk.co.jp/tonkatu

3F, Terminal 1 Building

2. Honmamon (ほんまもん)

This sushi restaurant is produced by a fishmonger in Osaka, so the freshness of ingredients is unbeatable. There are table seats but you can have a good time by the counter as you watch the chef preparing your very own sushi.

Dining Court Machiyakoji, 2F Terminal 1 Building

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3.Ryukishin (龍旗信 -りゅうきしん)

This chain of restaurant specializing in Shio Ramen (塩ラーメン - ramen noodles with salt flavored broth) was founded in Sakai, Osaka, and appears frequently on media. It even has a collaborative shop in London.  Noodles served are thin and goes well with translucent, light broth.  Its ramen is so popular you'd normally have to form a long line when you visit any of its shop in Kansai, so it's quite a treat to beat the crowd at this particular branch.  It even serves exclusive dishes available only at Kansai International Airport.http://www.ryukishin.com/ (Japanese only)

 Dining Court Machiyakoji, 2F Terminal 1 Building

4.Takomasa (たこ昌 - たこまさ)

This is where you can eat the specialities of Kansai, Takoyaki (たこ焼き- octopus balls) and Akashiyaki (明石焼 - octopus balls in broth). Here at Takomasa each takoyaki is cooked by hand on a copper griddle.  It is seasoned with soy sauce, making it delicious with or without additional sauce. Octopus balls for Akashiyaki are made of fresh eggs and yam. Their soft texture is perfectly matched with flavorsome clear broth.
 
http://www.takomasa.co.jp/ (Japanese only)

Dining Court Machiyakoji, 2F Terminal 1 Building

5.Sukiya (すき家)

Sukiya is a nationwide restaurant chain of Gyudon (牛丼), a beef rice bowl.  It suits anybody's appetite and extremely popular. You can choose toppings on a standard bowl that comes in various size, from mini to mega large. Dishes like curry rice and set meals are also available. And the good news is, it's open 24/7. http://www.sukiya.jp/ (Japanese only)

Dining Court Machiyakoji, 2F Terminal 1 Building

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6.Dotonbori Kamukura (どうとんぼり神座 -かむくら)

Kamukura started in Dotonbori Osaka and has grown to a popular chain of ramen restaurant.  Its signature dish "Oishii Ramen (おいしいラーメン)", which literally means "Tasty Ramen", is a  healthy ramen with plenty of chopped chinese leaves. You can add chinese chives for an extra topping.http://www.kamukura.co.jp/ (Japanese only)

3F, Terminal 1 Building

7.Botejyu (ぼてぢゅう)

Another speciality of Osaka and Kansai area as a whole is Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き). Botejyu serves Osaka-style Okonomiyaki and Yakisoba (焼きそば). The best of both is a hearty dish called Modern-yaki (モダン焼き), a savory pancake of secret ingredients with thick yakisoba noodles and plenty of shredded cabbage, topped with sweet and savory sauce, mayonnaise, and mustard.  http://www.botejyu.co.jp/

3F, Terminal 1 Building

8.Kamado Gohan Sachifukuya (釜戸ごはん さち福や)

You can feel the heartwarming, Japanese sincerity at this traditional set meal eatery. Dishes served are made from fresh and healthy ingredients. Delectable rice is cooked with cauldron. If you want your final fix of  typical Japanese home cooking like grilled fish (焼き魚) or chicken karaage (鳥の唐揚げ), this is the place to be.http://www.fujiofood.com/english/

3F, Terminal 1 Building

9.The U-don (ざ・U-don -ざ・うどん)

The U-don serves Sanuki Udon (讃岐うどん), a type of udon noodle from Shikoku region. It's a self-service, Japanese version of fast food restaurant. You select your udon noodle first, then the toppings. Cold udon is available during summer, a perfect dish for hot and muggy season.  

Kanku Minami Norengai, 2F, Terminal 1 Building 

10.Sojibo (そじ坊)

Sojibo serves Shinshu soba (信州そば) from Nagano. Zarusoba (ざるそば) is served with a piece of raw wasabi and a grinder. Slurping is not regarded as bad manners, in fact it is encouraged to eat noodles wholeheartedly.  Make sure you inhale the rich aroma of soba as you slurp in. https://www.gourmet-kineya.co.jp/brands/11/ (Japanese only)

3F, Terminal 1 Building

11.*Closed Ganko Sushi International Gates Shop (がんこ寿司 -国際ゲート店)

This shop could only be approached after you complete the boarding and immigration procedures. The menu offered is limited but the likes of tasty curry rice and rice bowls are available along with sushi.  It's open till late so you can have a last-minute fix of Japanese meals even you are flying out at night. 

KIX Airside Avenue, Terminal 1 International Gates

12.SKYTERIA

This cafe is located at the departure gate of Terminal 2.  Light meals such as curry rice, rice bowls and udon are available. You can also buy pastries and sandwiches to eat on board. 

Terminal 2 International Gates 

 

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(Thumbnail image: taka kyuu/Flickr)

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