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9 must-try places (ramen/noodles/cafes) to eat in Osaka Japan!

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Compilation of the places I visited during my Osaka trip last year! So sad that I can't go overseas this year due to COVID-19, but good to add these into your itinerary for your future trips to Osaka.

Ramen/Noodles

Hanamaruken Namba Houzenji 花丸軒 法善寺店 is another popular ramen joint in Dotonburi. 
As compared to Kinguemon, this one has a significantly long queue. As it located within the shopping district, I do not have freeze queueing up! yay! It's a small and quaint place but can sit about 20 people inside. Expect to queue for this as this place is very popular.
Their specialty is Tonkotsu broth ramen so I ordered the slow-cooked pork rib ramen. Just look at the glorious thick broth! So rich and flavourful. The ramen is also topped with a huge torokotsu (pork rib). As the original shop, this was really one of the best tonkotsu I have had in Japan.
As my hotel in the Namba area, this ramen shop was walking distance for me, however, you can alight at Nipponbashi Station, Osaka-Namba Station, or Kintetsu-Nippombashi Station.
Address: 1 Chome-2-1 Nanba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076, Japan
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours

Hanamaruken Namba Houzenji English Menu 1

Hanamaruken Namba Houzenji English Menu 2



Award-winning Kinguemon Dotonbori 金久右衛門 キングエモン is one of the must-try during my trip as they have won No. 1 for the best ramen in Osaka for consecutively three years. They are famous for their shoyu ramen! I ordered the Gold Shoyu Ramen as it doesn't have a stronger flavor and has a light soy sauce base. They also have other options such as Black Shoyu Ramen, Red Shoyu Ramen, Osaka Black, or Naniwa Black. If you're looking for stronger flavors go for the black, balanced ones that can go for Red.
As my hotel in the Namba area, this ramen shop was walking distance for me, however, you can alight at Nipponbashi Station, Osaka-Namba Station, or Kintetsu-Nippombashi Station.

Address: 1 Chome-4-17 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan
Opening Hours: Mon -Thurs 11am - 8am
Fri 11am - 12am
Sat - Sun Open 24/7



Chuoken 中央軒 has been around for more than 60 years since 1958 serving delicious Nagasaki Champon noodles in Osaka. This champon noodle features full-bodied pork bone broth that's typically cloudy in appearance with 12 types of seafood and vegetables. I can see ingredients such as vegetables, shrimp, pork, and boiled pink fish cakes. The soup is so creamy and rich! I love it! 🍜
Nearest train station is Shinsaibashi and Yotsubashi Station.
They have many outlets all over Osaka. Check it out here http://www.chuoken.com/shop/

Address: 1 Chome-3-9 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0085, Japan
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 11am - 10pm
Sun 11am - 9pm

Chuoken English menu



Cafes

I went cafe hopping at Nakazakicho in Osaka during my trip last year. I was mainly here at Cafe Arabiq 珈琲舎・書肆アラビク for the Maria Theresa drink but the eclectic interior design wowed me as well. The place is cluttered with knick-knacks, drawings and paintings, dolls, and many other artistic items with bookshelves lining up the walls in the cafe.

The drink is basically a coffee-based drink with orange liqueur and topped with whipped cream and colorful konpeito (small sugar candies). It's slightly bitter with a burst of orange and deliciously sweet. Does it look otherworldly with the sugar candies on top? You can reach the cafe in a 3-minute walk from Nakazakicho station.

Address: 3 Chome-2-14 Nakazaki, Kita Ward, Osaka,
530-0016, Japan
Opening Hours: Monday, Thursday - Saturday 
1:30pm - 9pm
Sunday 1:30pm - 8pm




Tonton cafe's トントンカフェparfait is just one of a kind! As my trip was in December last year, they are serving Christmas themed desserts! Look at my Christmas parfait~ So intricately decorated with a mini tree, presents, and a cute snowman made of mochi. Tonton cafe is a little hard to find though as it is located on the 3rd floor of a building. Look out for the huge Tontoncafe sign at the window.
In addition, I believe they have themed designs for festive seasons. Must visit if you like desserts!
The nearest station is Nakatsu station.

Address: Japan, 〒531-0072 Osaka, Kita Ward, Toyosaki, 3 Chome−17−2 豊崎エムエービル3階 １７
Opening Hours: 12pm - 6.30pm
Closed on Tuesday


 
 


Wad Omotenashi Cafe is the first cafe that I visited during my trip last year. So near to my hotel too! Loving the calm and zen vibes inside the cafe as opposed to the hustle and bustle of Osaka. They serve traditional desserts such as shaved ice, red bean soup (Zenzai), and mochi with Japanese tea. Not sure why I ordered Iced Hojicha during the winter but the roasty flavors of the Hojicha 🍵 are really strong with every sip. This was so good! I also ordered the Matcha Kakigori. Love how uneven this is. I totally enjoyed this one hell of a Bittersweet matcha Kakigori, although this toppled while I was taking pictures~ 
The nearest station is Shinsaibashi and Hommachi.

Address: Japan, 〒542-0081 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Minamisenba, 4 Chome−9−3 東新ビル 2F
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 7pm
Sat - Sun 10am - 7pm

Wad Omotenashi English menu 1

Wad Omotenashi English menu 2




Pennennenemu ペンネンネネム is one of the IG worthy cafes in Osaka where you literally walk into a cartoon world filled with picture books and stuffed animals. I love that The cafe is centered around the theme of the forest with the pancake set following suit with elements of the forest incorporated such as wild blueberries, nuts, and random twigs decoration surrounding the Japanese buttermilk pancake. The fluffy and rich pancake is down-home hearty and nothing beats having this for breakfast! I wanna be back in Japan! Happiness is indeed a pancake breakfast, especially this Classic Japanese buttery pancakes 🥞 I also ordered an ice cream soda 🥤 to go with my breakfast. It seems like this cafe also has themed items during festive seasons. There are a couple cafes at Nakatsu. You can consider cafe-hopping in Nakatsu.
The nearest station is Nakatsu. 

Address: 3 Chome-6-4 Toyosaki, Kita Ward, Osaka, 531-0072, Japan







A Happy Pancake THE LABO 幸せのパンケーキ THE LABO was one of the random breakfast places I walked past near to my hotel when I was in Osaka last year. They're open at 7am so this is a great place to stop by early for breakfast before you explore the rest of Osaka. I ordered buckwheat pancakes with egg benedict. This was accompanied by bacon, avocado, and cherry tomato. My order also came with pumpkin soup.

Address: 2 Chome-11-30 Minamisenba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0081, Japan
Opening Hours: Tues - Fri 7am - 5pm
Sat 9am - 6pm
Closed Monday and Sunday




Excited to be at the Pokémon cafe again to try their new menu featuring the new Galar region starters. These were released in conjunction with the release of Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield on November 15th. You can also visit the new Pokemon Center Osaka DX which is just next door. This is also a permanent cafe and is not a pop-up.
Here’s my Scorbunny’s 🐰 cheerful energy tomato 🍅 meatball plate which features an Endearing Scorbunny 🔥 shaped rice and meatballs in a rich tomato sauce. Taste-wise average but it is so adorable~
I also had the Moltres Float which matches the fiery image of the great First Gen legendary Pokémon.
You have to make advance reservations for this as strictly no walk in. 👌🏻 This is a must-visit cafe in Osaka if you love Pokemon! 

Address: Daimaru Shinsaibashi Main Building 1 Chome-7-1 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-8501, Japan
Opening Hours: 10am - 9.30pm daily
Make your reservation here https://osaka.pokemon-cafe.jp/








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