Osaka’s famous street food got the full treatment as we tasted our way through the bright, busy streets of Dotonbori, chasing crispy outsides and molten insides.
You can’t come to Osaka and not eat takoyaki. That’s just a fact. And there’s nowhere better to hunt it down than Dotonbori—neon-lit, loud, packed with food stalls, and buzzing with energy from afternoon to midnight.
We made it our mission to find the best, most authentic takoyaki in the area. Not the flashiest or most Instagrammable—but the ones where the locals actually queue.
Follow your nose
We passed Kani Doraku: Japan’s iconic crab restaurant, the one with the massive 3D snow crab hanging over it—can’t miss it.
We weren't here for the snow crab, and the smell of Takoyaki hit us before the sign did. Crispy, salty batter, and that roasted smell of dashi and seafood in the air, mmm.
Through the Steam and Lantern Light
There are a dozen stalls in every direction, each pumping out trays of golden orbs. Some had staff calling out to passers-by, some quietly focused on their grills. We skipped the flashy ones. We weren’t here for gimmicks—we wanted the good stuff.
Eventually, we spotted the queue. A big one. Locals, tourists, a mix. People holding trays and doing that little dance you do when you bite into something that’s still lava-hot but too good to wait.
Takoyaki Juhachiban, Dotonbori.
That was the one!
My dad couldn't quite work out where the queue started and ended, but soon realised the way to order was via a vending machine, so he got his wallet out and made an order, then we found the beginning of the queue.
Crisp Shell, Soft Centre
The takoyaki at Juhachiban lived up to the hype. Crisp on the outside, almost custardy in the centre.
The octopus was generous—proper chunks with just the right bite. Topped with their house blend of sauce, mayo, dancing bonito flakes, and seaweed dust.
Salty, sweet, umami. All of it.
Osaka in a Bite
We grabbed a spot to the side, eating out of the paper trays while people streamed past. Neon signs flickering above. Steam rising off the griddles. Everyone doing the same thing—eating, pointing, laughing, licking sauce off their fingers.
We thought about trying a few other stalls, but honestly, Juhachiban nailed it. Anything after that would’ve just been chasing second place.
Final Thought
There’s something unbeatable about Osaka street food. It’s not just the flavour—it’s the noise, the glow, the heat coming off the grill and the city all at once.
We came looking for the best takoyaki in Dotonbori. And maybe we found it. Or maybe the best part was just being there—standing in the heart of Osaka, burning our tongues, and loving every second of it.
“We should bring the whole family next time,” said one of the kids. Honestly? We might just do that.