lemiOpposites attract in Japan—ancient traditions fuse with advanced technology while minimalism meets kitsch
The Talk-oyaki of the Town
Osaka
Munch on a little dough bomb ready to burst with savory flavors and interesting textures! Takoyaki (たこ焼き, Japanese for “grilled octopus”) is a popular snack in Osaka. The batter is poured into spherical moulds, then filled with grilled octopus, pickled ginger, and green onion. When the Takoyaki sizzles to a golden brown, it’s served and drizzled with special sauce. Commonly found streetside, it’s best enjoyed piping hot off the griddle while wandering the streets of the city. You might burn your tongue at first bite, but it’ll all be worth it in the end!
If rumors are to be believed, Takoyaki can be traced to Aizuya. The humble Takoyaki shop has been open since 1935 but they’re still taking chances. You can opt to swap out the octopus for something a little heftier like beef tendon, and even the dough and fillings are so tasty that they don’t serve anything with sauce. Big risks like theirs pay off, because The Michelin Guide Kyoto and Osaka has awarded them consistently with the Bib Gourmand (an award for restaurants with exceptional food at moderate prices) from 2016 to 2018. Order the sampler and try out what other surprises Aizuya has cooking in the kitchen!
- +81 6 6649 7708
Basement Floor, Namba Chikagai Nan-nan Town, 5-4-1, Namba, Osaka-shi Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan
大阪府大阪市中央区難波5-4-1ナンバ地下街なんなんタウン B1F- https://www.aiduya.com/
On the other hand, Kougaryu prefers to stick strictly to basics. The shop has been passed from father to son, along with it, a tried-and-tested recipe from almost 40 years of Takoyaki domination. Mr. Tadaka, the founder’s son and the current owner, focuses on refining their solid recipe. They even whip up a homemade mayonnaise to mix with their Takoyaki sauce. Mr. Tadaka has experimented with tomato-garlic and bacon-corn fillings. What’s worked, though, is Moroccan octopus and “yamaimo” (Japanese yam)—an improvement on the original recipe. Kougaryo’s most adventurous hit is a Black Pepper, Salt, and Mayonnaise combo you can squeeze a little Lemon onto. It’s a simple improvement that goes a long, long way. Customers that knew Mr. Tadaka’s father, The Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand, and the area’s fashionable crowd all seem to agree that classic and simple never goes out of style.
- +81 6 6211 0519
2 Chome-18-4 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo, Osaka, Japan
大阪府大阪市中央区西心斎橋2-18-4 甲賀流ビル 1F- http://www.kougaryu.jp/
Only a few people know, like those at Takoyaki Yamachan, that the secret to a tasty batter is the broth. They boil their broth-base for four hours with chicken bones and a handful of different fruits and vegetables. Kelp and bonito flakes soup are blended in for even more dynamic tastes. The flavor shines through, earning it an honorable mention as a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand restaurant from 2016 to 2018.
- +81 6 6622 5307
1-2-34 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan
〒545-0052 大阪市阿倍野区阿倍野筋1-2-34- https://takoyaki-yamachan.net/
Takoyaki Wanaka's sauce is specially tangy, almost fruity, and loved by patrons of all ages. Mix four different sauces on one plate: original, Okinawan salt, Dashi soy sauce, or spicy sauce. Sometimes, they even have a seasonal flavor available for a limited time. Their location in Sennichimae is the stall where it all started, and now they have branches all over Osaka. The friendly chefs nimbly flip the batter with chopsticks until each globe cooks evenly. Each ball is crisp on the outside, but fluffy on the inside. The octopus fillings and savory sauces just add flavor upon flavor. Even the Michelin Guide has taken notice and awarded Wanaka with a Bib Gourmand for three years straight from 2016 to 2018.
- +81 6 6631 0127
11-19 Sennichimae Nanba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, Japan
大阪府大阪市中央区難波千日前11-19- http://takoyaki-wanaka.com/en/index.html
The Bib Gourmand finds the total steals out there, but on an even tighter budget, Takoyaki-kun is a winning deal with seven pieces at 280JPY (2.62USD)! They play with Takoyaki’s signature texture—in just a single bite, you’ll feel the “tenkasu” (Tempura flour crisps) embedded into the batter. It’s a common enough ingredient with classic Takoyaki, but this shop takes it to the next level. The entire bite is crisps bathing in sauce.
- +81 6 6632 8899
10-13 Sennichimae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan
Add some sweet shrimp into the Takoyakikun’s tenkasu recipe and you have Juhachiban’s takoyaki. Their batter is made of milk and dashi broth, plus a special powder made from dried Sakura shrimp for an indescribable flavor—you’ll just have to taste for yourself! They’re so addictive that it’s estimated they make and sell 10,000 pieces a day. Keep an eye out for the small stall and the line that stretches from it because you just might miss this little snack stall.
- +81 6 6211 3118
First Floor, Nakajuma Kudari Building, 1-7-21 Dotonbori, Osaka 540-0077, Japan
〒540-0077 大阪市中央区道頓堀１－７－２１中座くいだおれビル１F- http://d-sons18.co.jp/
Soggy Takoyaki is sad Takoyaki, which is why Hanadako keeps its recipe grease-free. Their little trays of Takoyaki are bursting with green onions, and their creamy batter is chunky with fresh octopus. Brave the line for a filling snack before hopping onto a train as Hanadako is wedged just a few minutes from Osaka Station.
- +81 6 6361 7518
Shin-Umeda Shokudogai, 9-26 Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan
End your Takoyaki adventure with Acchichi Honpo, on the street food thoroughfare of Dotonbori! It's the perfect stall to cap off as they’re generous with their octopus—brought fresh from the central market. Their soy-mayonnaise sauce is also just the right blend of tang and saltiness; and their method of cooking Takoyaki keeps the balls in the sweet spot of crispy and fluffy. Acchichi Honpo is not about the frills and thrills—Instead it aims to bring balance in all elements, staying true to what Takoyaki is meant to be. As you’ve made it to the end of the Takoyaki travels, embark on another one right on Dotonbori. Just follow your nose, and your stomach. There are many ways to build a winning Takoyaki recipe, whether it’s through a long-brewed broth, a homemade sauce base, or novel fillings. Osaka is exactly the place to be to try it all!
- +81 6 7860 6888
7-19 Souemoncho, Chuo, Osaka, Japan
- http://www.acchichi.com/about/
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