There is so much Japanese food to choose from, but that can sometimes make deciding what to eat even harder! When you visit Japan, you might find yourself looking at all the restaurants around you and wondering, “What should I actually eat?”
Well, I hope I can help!
Since living in Japan, one of my favourite things to do is simply try different restaurants and see what I find. Sometimes it is a traditional Japanese meal, sometimes it is a café dessert, and sometimes it is Japan’s take on food from another country.
Recently, I have visited a few places that I really enjoyed, so I wanted to share them with you! From nabe to a beautiful bento box, here are some of my latest food finds in Japan.
So, if you’re visiting Osaka and have no idea what to eat next, here are four places and dishes I’ve tried recently that might give you some inspiration!
Kinnobuta: Nabe and Surprisingly Cheap Desserts
If you want to experience nabe in Japan, Kinnobuta (きんのぶた) is one place I recommend checking out.
Nabe is Japanese hot pot, where ingredients such as meat and vegetables are cooked together in a pot at your table. It is especially satisfying during the colder months, but I could happily eat it throughout the year!
One reason I like Kinnobuta is its lunchtime deals. Lunch is often a great time to visit restaurants in Japan because you can find sets and special menus at much better prices than you might expect. Kinnobuta is a good example of this, with some great-value hot pot options available during lunchtime.
Another thing that surprised me was the desserts. They are very affordable, making it dangerously easy to convince yourself to order one after your meal!
If you are looking for a Japanese restaurant where you can sit down, relax and enjoy nabe without spending too much, Kinnobuta is definitely worth considering! Especially for lunch.
Chapeau Rouge: Delicious Japanese Omelet Rice
Next is Chapeau Rouge (カジュアルレストラン しゃぽーるーじゅ), specifically the restaurant inside the OMM Building in Temmabashi, Osaka.
My recommendation here is the omurice!
Omurice is a popular Japanese omelet rice dish consisting of rice and egg, usually served with a sauce. It is one of those dishes that feels simple but can be incredibly satisfying when done well. It is also a great example of yōshoku (Western-influenced food) that developed its own identity in Japan.
The omurice at Chapeau Rouge was delicious and is something I would happily order again.
One tip, though: pay attention to the portion size!
For most people, I would recommend ordering the small size. Don’t let the word “small” fool you! It should be plenty for a normal meal. However, if you have a big appetite and can eat a lot, go for the medium.
I eat quite a lot myself, so I know how tempting it can be to automatically choose a bigger size. Japanese restaurants can sometimes surprise you with their portions!
Sakura Coffee Nagai Park: A Beautiful Bento-Style Café Set
If you want something a little different, Sakura Coffee at Nagai Park is another place I recently enjoyed.
My recommendation is the Seasonal Sandwich & Sweets Set (季節のサンドイッチ＆スウィーツセット).
What makes this set particularly fun is its presentation. The food comes beautifully arranged inside a bento box, with a mixture of sandwiches and Japanese-style sweets.
When you hear “bento,” you might immediately picture rice, meat, fish and vegetables packed into a lunch box. However, this café set shows how the bento-style presentation can be used in a much more creative way.
Having sandwiches alongside traditional Japanese sweets makes it feel like a mixture of café culture and Japanese presentation. It is also a fun choice if you want to sample several different things rather than ordering one large dish.
They also have a cake that reminds me a little of a trifle, with different textures and layers making it feel more interesting than a standard slice of cake.
If you’re spending time around Nagai Park and fancy a café break, this is one I’d recommend.
Ohsho: Ramen, Chahan and Japanese Dumplings
Finally, we have one of my personal favourites: Ohsho (王将).
Ohsho is a Chinese restaurant chain in Japan, but the experience is very much part of Japan’s casual dining culture. Chinese food has been adapted in Japan over many years, creating dishes and combinations that can feel quite different from what you might find elsewhere.
On my recent visit, I ordered a ramen set.
It came with ramen, chahan and gyoza.
Chahan is Japanese-style fried rice, while gyoza are the Japanese dumplings that have become incredibly popular both in Japan and overseas. Crispy on the bottom and juicy inside, gyoza are one of my favourite things to add to a meal.
Now, I should give you a warning about this particular set: it was A LOT of food!
I consider myself someone who can eat quite a bit, and even I thought the portion was huge. You get ramen as the main dish, fried rice on the side and gyoza as well. You definitely shouldn’t arrive without an appetite.
That said, it was so good.
If you’re hungry and want to try several Japanese-style Chinese favourites in one meal, I would absolutely recommend giving a set like this a try.
There Is Always Something New to Eat in Japan
One of the things I love most about eating in Japan is the variety.
You can have traditional nabe for lunch, try Japanese omelet rice at a casual restaurant, finish with sandwiches and sweets from a beautiful bento box.
And these aren’t necessarily expensive or fancy dining experiences. Some of my favourite discoveries come from casual restaurants, cafés and chains that people in Japan visit every day.
I’m sure this won’t be the last time I share what I’ve been eating in Japan.
After all, there is always another restaurant to try… and probably another dessert too!