Top 8 Takoyaki Shops to Make Your Osaka Experience Complete

1. Wanaka

Wakana is a popular takoyaki shop among Osaka locals. Located on the side of Namba Grand Kagetsu Theater, Wakana is always packed with customers lining up to get their fill of menu items such as takopon, ooiri, and takosen. Be entertained as you wait by watching the shopkeepers cook up succulent takoyaki in large quantities on the massive iron grill. It's the perfect shop for a cheap and tasty snack while walking around the area.

Open Mon. thru Fri. 10:00 am to 11:00 pm, Sat./Sun./holidays  8:30 am to 11:00 pm

HP: takoyaki-wanaka.com

HP: takoyaki-wanaka.com (中文)

HP: takoyaki-wanaka.com (Japanese)

Address: 3-7-24 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka  (Google Map)

2. Umaiya

Listed in the prestigious Michelin Guide Kyoto Osaka, Umaiya is a well-known takoyaki shop on Oideyasu Doori Street. Just one bite of this original takoyaki as well as the pickled ginger will keep you coming back for more. You won't be able to get enough of Umaiya's takoyaki with a crunchy outside and tender, juicy inside.

Open 11:30 am to 7:00 pm

Closed on Tuesdays

Address:  4-21 Naniwa Machi, Kita-Ku, Osaka (Google Map)

3. Hanadako

Hanadako features large, plump takoyaki. Hanadako's distinct feature is takoyaki topped with copious amounts of negi and mayonnaise. Another characteristic is the the absence of nori. Dine-in/takeout options are both available for Hanadako's fantastic takoyaki. For even more convenience, Hanadako also has a food cart near the train station.

Open daily 10:00 am to 11:00 pm

HP: shinume.com (Japanese Only)

Address: Located on the Shin Umeda restaurant street,  9-16 Kakuda-Cho, Kita-Kku, Osaka (Google Map)

4. Naniwaya

This well-established takoyaki shop is famous for its great deal on an 8-pack of takoyaki for only 250 yen. Not only is it known for a fantastic price, but a superb flavor as well. Choose from 3 flavors: soy sauce, sauce, or mayonnaise. Naniwaya is always packed with customers lining up to try the tasty morsels.

Open 10:00 am to 19:30 pm

Closed on Wed. and Thu.

Access: JR Hanwa line, 2 min walk from the Nagai station

HP: takoyaki-naniwaya.com (Japanese Only)

Address: 4-6-8 Nagaihigashi, Sumiyoshi-Ku, Osaka (Google Map)

5. Aizuya

Aizuya is perhaps the most well-known takoyaki shop as it is rumored to be the very first shop in Osaka to serve takoyaki. Aizuya's takoyaki is prepared without the tare sauce as the seafood-based dashi alone makes them masterpieces. Aizuya has had tons of regular customers for ages.

Open Mon. thru Fri. 11:00 am to 10:30 pm, Sat. 10:00 am to 10:30 pm, Sun./holidays 10:00am to 9:30 pm

HP: www.aiduya.com (Japanese Only)

Address: Located in Umesankouji.  3-2-136 Umeda, Kita-Ku, Osaka  (Google Map)

6. Yamachan Honten

Yamachan Honten is a popular Takoyaki shop in Abeno Ward. Lunch time is always packed with customers yearning for their special takoyaki. The batter is made with soup from chicken bone stock to create delectable takoyaki which is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside and a flavor to die for. Yamachan Honten is not only adored by locals, it also earned enough recognition to be listed the Michelin guide Kyoto Osaka.

Open Mon. thru Sat. 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, Sun./holidays 11:00 am to 10:00 pm

Closed on the 3rd Thursday of the month.　

HP: takoyaki-yamachan.net (Japanese Only)

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

7. Kogaryu

The popular Kogaryu is also listed in the Michelin Guide Kyoto Osaka. The long-standing shop has 40 years of  history. The particularly popular "sauce-mayo" is a sauce made with a blend of apples and onions to create a sweet, savory masterpiece. The original black pepper-salt & mayonnaise takoyaki is also a must-try.

Open daily 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, Fri./Sat./holidays until 10:00 pm

HP: www.kougaryu.jp (Japanese Only)

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

8. Akaoni

Akaoni is famous as the healthy takoyaki shop. Choose from flavors of sweet sauce, spicy sauce, and Shoyu. The takoyaki is made from select ingredients and starting from fresh, raw octopus as opposed to pre-boiled octopus used by other takoyaki shops. The crunchy outside and tender, juicy inside make Akaoni's takoyaki overwhelmingly popular. The ample amount of flavor in the dashi is absolutely irresistible. It's no wonder that Akaoni is a well-known store with many fans.

Open daily 11:00 am to 10:00 pm

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

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

Also check: An Eating-and-Walking Guide to Osaka

Also check: How to Get to Osaka from Tokyo