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From one foodie to another, here is the ultimate guide to some of THE best cheap eats in Osaka—from life-changing udon to the most flavorful katsudon ever, a locally loved takoyaki spot, and more!
You are visiting Osaka, and I am honestly SO excited for you!
Osaka is indisputably one of the best places to visit in Japan for first-timers, and one of my absolute favorite cities in the world!
While being dramatically smaller than the popular capital, what Osaka lacks in land size, it makes up for with its lively atmosphere, unexpected local warmth, and mind-blowingly delicious food!
As soon as you step foot in Osaka you will notice that food plays an important role in this city’s life, with small eateries everywhere, filled with locals, eating, drinking, and laughing.
From locally loved udon restaurants, hole-in-the-wall takoyaki food stands, and even coffee shops in Osaka serving up delicious breakfast icons—there is simply so much incredible food to try!
This is why diving into the food scene should be an essential part of your Osaka itinerary.
And to help you have all hits and no misses, I have compiled this foodie guide of my absolute favorite places I discovered, and frequented, during my three months living and eating my way around incredible Osaka.
So let’s get to it, the best cheap eats in Osaka, that won’t break the bank but will break your heart once you have to leave the city and say goodbye to all its delicious food…
Dramatic? Maybe. True? Absolutely.
The Best Cheap Eats In Osaka: A Foodie Guide
Cafe Tales: Best breakfast in Osaka
While thinking of all the delicious things you will eat in Osaka, you probably don’t think much about breakfast food.
But the beauty of the Osaka foodie scene is that restaurants will take one dish and perfect it to a T—and this is the case with the french toast at the charming Cafe Tales.
Cafe Tales is a warm and welcoming specialty coffee shop that is well worth visiting for its carefully prepared coffee and its delicious French toast—the best breakfast in Osaka, in my humble opinion.
This is probably the meal I ate the most during my three months living here, as I am a breakfast person through and through, plus I just loved visiting this spot and its friendly staff.
The French toast can be ordered either savory or sweet. While I love them both, the homemade whipped cream on the sweet version makes it the winner in my books!
- Price: ¥1,500–¥2,000 ( 10–13 USD) for french toast and a coffee
- Address: Japan, 〒541-0056 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Kyutaromachi, 2 Chome−5−19, Maruchu 3rd.Bldg., 1階
Kawafuku Honten: Traditional udon restaurant
One of the best things to eat in Osaka is the locally loved udon, and a classic spot to try them is at Kawafuku Honten.
Kawafuku Honten is a traditional restaurant known for its flavorful udon noodle dishes, accompanied by crispy, delicious tempura sides—my favorite one being their shrimp tempura.
This popular spot is a favorite among both locals and tourists, as it is one of the best cheap eats in Osaka, offering delicious and affordable meals for lunch and dinner.
With extra seating space on their second floor, this is a relatively spacious restaurant in Osaka, perfect if traveling with “bigger groups”—by that I mean more than two people.
If you want to avoid waiting in line for this popular udon spot, make sure to arrive as soon as they open for dinner, or more towards the end of lunch hours.
- Price: ¥800–¥1,200 (5–8 USD), depending on the dish
- Address: 1 Chome-14-17 Higashishinsaibashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0083, Japan
Daiki-suisan Kaitenzushi Dotonbori: Delicious conveyor belt sushi
Eating your way around Dotonbori is a must in any Osaka itinerary.
With its main street lined with many vibrant, eye-catching street food stands to snack on, there is plenty you can tick off your foodie list here.
But if you are in need of a proper sit-down meal in this bustling area, then Daiki-suisan Katenzushi is the perfect stop for you.
Conveniently located in the heart of Dotonbori, this conveyor belt sushi spot comes to save the day, offering great quality food at an affordable price. Plus, it’s such a fun eating experience!
The final price will depend on the color of the plates you take from the conveyor belt, and whatever extra things you order directly from the touch screen.
Considering that I didn’t go ordering sea urchins—which are a bit expensive—and mostly stuck to salmon and tuna-based sushi, I always had a delicious and affordable meal when visiting.
Definitely one of the best cheap eats in Osaka—depending on how much you eat, of course—plus, its central location makes it an easy and convenient lunch spot while exploring the city.
- Price: ¥1,000–¥3,000 (6–20 USD) depending on how much you eat
- Address: Japan, 〒542-0071 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Dotonbori, 1 Chome−7−24 道頓堀ビル １F 四海樓
Izakaya Toyo: Famous street food stand with tasty tuna
Izakaya Toyo is a popular street food stand made famous by the Netflix show “Street Food: Asia”, particularly due to its chef Toyo who hand grills tuna with a flame thrower(!)
As a foodie, I was intrigued to find out if it was all just Netflix hype, or if the food was actually worth it—and I would like to report back, that it’s worth it!
While the flame-thrower grilling technique does sound like a lot and definitely gets most of the attention, the food is delicious, with the star of the show being their tuna.
Their specialty is the grilled tuna cheeks, which was Toyo’s creative way to ensure no part of the tuna goes to waste, and while tasty and a must-try, my favorite dish has to be their fresh tuna maki.
You are almost guaranteed to wait in line here—as with most good places in Japan—but the line moves quite fast, as the service is very efficient.
Definitely an unmissable spot in Osaka for a unique experience and delicious food!
- Price: ¥1,000–¥3,000 (6–20 USD) per person, considering you share a few dishes
- Address: 3 Chome-2-26 Higashinodamachi, Miyakojima Ward, Osaka, 534-0024, Japan
Mill Pour Coffee: Tiny cafe with a great breakfast
If you, like me, don’t know how to survive without breakfast food, another spot to add to your list is Mill Pour Coffee.
Mill Pour Coffee is a tiny neighborhood cafe with barely enough space for a handful of people—in true Japanese fashion.
This cute spot offers all your typical coffee needs along with a few bites, such as their classic French toast—which I love!—and the Japanese cafe staple, hotdogs—which I have yet to try…
Tucked away in a quiet street in Osaka, this cafe is a great place to enjoy a slow morning, sitting on their outdoor benches with a coffee and seeing the locals go about their day.
One of my go-to places for a delicious and affordable breakfast, accompanied by a strong latte to fuel a day of exploring Osaka.
- Price: ¥500 (3 USD) for a latte, ¥650 (4 USD) for French toast
- Address: 1F Sanei Moor Building ３丁目 ８ 7 ８, 8 Minamisenba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0081, Japan
Niigata Katsudon Tarekatsu Shinsaibashi: The most delicious katsudon. Ever.
One of the best things to eat in Osaka—and the world, probably—is the katsudon at Niigata Katsudon Tarekatsu, a hidden gem in the bustling Shinsaibashi district.
This simple-looking restaurant specializes in katsudon (pork cutlet rice bowls), and while they also offer different variations of rice bowls topped with other options, like tempura, you need to try the original one.
Katsudon consists of crispy, thinly breaded pork fillet pieces, soaked in a heavenly sauce and placed on top of a rice bowl, letting the flavorful sauce sink into the rice… it’s just so, so, SO good!
And you have to try it.
With their set menus including Katsudon, miso soup, a side salad, and unlimited tea refills starting at 1040 yen, this is one of the best cheap eats in Osaka. And, overall, one of the best things I have ever eaten.
And it’s not just me, every single friend that I took here, or that went after my recommendation became as obsessed with it as I am. So don’t miss it!
- Price: ¥1,000–¥1,500 (6–10 USD) for a set meal
- Address: 1 Chome-2-25 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0085, Japan
Hommachi-seimenjo Honten: Best handmade udon restaurant in Osaka
Now, for one of my all-time favorites!
Hommachi-seimenjo Honten is a tiny udon restaurant that fits only about seven customers and it’s run by one man—which is why service might take a bit longer, but it is all worth it!
I discovered this casual udon restaurant after noticing locals lining up outside in the brutal summer heat, almost every day—and if there’s a line, then you know something must be good!
As soon as the chef welcomes you in, you will see him spring into action behind the counter—working the noodles in the sink, carefully placing the tempura in the hot oil, and meticulously plating his udon bowls.
It is so fascinating to see him prepare every step of your meal in front of you and is easy to see the dedication this man puts into his craft, the final result is just incredible!
You can customize your udon in the machine by the entrance, or gamble and take something from the recommendations board outside—like I did on my first visit, and every time since.
If they still have the beef sweet sour udon on the board outside (check with your Google Translate camera) do not skip it, it’s my absolute favorite!
This little local spot is one of the best cheap eats in Osaka and one of my favorite places in this foodie guide!
- Price: Less than ¥1,000 (6.5 USD) for a bowl of udon
- Address: 2 Chome-6-13 Kitakyuhojimachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 541-0057, Japan
⭐️ Tip: Show up more towards the last hour of service for lunch, since most office people will have gone back to work by then and the waiting time should be shorter.
Chao Chao gyoza: Cheap and delicious gyoza
Chao Chao gyoza is a small gyoza restaurant tucked away in the streets of Umeda, serving various types of flavor-packed gyozas, and tasty side dishes, all for very affordable prices.
I ended up here many times while being out and about in the shops in Umeda, as this place is open from 4-11 pm, making it a perfect stop for when you are hungry at a “random” hour.
The service is quick, the food is tasty, and you will be out in no time ready to keep exploring.
Make sure to try their original Chao Chao pork gyoza, the shrimp gyoza and their delicious spicy pickled cucumbers—so good!
Ideal for a super quick, efficient, and affordable lunch, you will want to pin this one on your maps!
- Price: ¥1,000–¥2,000 (6–13 USD) depending on how many gyozas you order, clearly.
- Address: Japan, 〒530-0012 Osaka, Kita Ward, Shibata, 1 Chome−3−14 エンジェルビル 1F
Hiyoko Takoyaki: Locally loved hole-in-the-wall takoyaki spot
If the overwhelming amount of flashy food options as you walk around the city has you wondering “Where do locals eat in Osaka?”, Hiyoko Takoyaki is the place.
I came across this hole-in-the-wall takoyaki spot while walking back to my hotel one night, decided to give it a try—and loved it!
While I was honestly never a takoyaki fan, I knew I had to try it here—as is one of the unmissable foods to eat in Osaka—and this place truly converted me.
I was quickly validated when my favorite barista at Cafe Tales mentioned that this has been her neighborhood go-to takoyaki spot for years.
This casual takoyaki stand is everything you need from an Osakan restaurant, tiny, and unpretentious, and the food is prepared to perfection!
Definitely one of the best local cheap eats in Osaka, and a must-try, as takoyaki is an iconic local dish.
- Price: ¥350–¥1,000 (4–6 USD) for takoyaki, depending on the amount
- Address: Japan, 〒542-0081 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Minamisenba, 2 Chome−10−21 日宝サンキュービル
Hakodate Gourmet-kaitenzushi Kantaro Grand Front Osaka: High-quality conveyor belt sushi
Another one of my favorite cheap places to eat in Osaka is Hakodate Gourmet-Kaitenzushi Kantaro, a top-quality conveyor belt sushi.
Located in Umeda, this popular conveyor belt sushi restaurant is the perfect lunch spot if exploring this northern region of the city—like visiting the Nintendo and Pokemon centers.
Hidden inside the Grand Front Osaka South Building, this sushi spot might be a little bit tricky to find, but the effort is totally worth it!
The service is foreign-friendly, the food is delicious, and I just love the practicality of conveyor belt sushi restaurants.
It’s the perfect pit stop if you’re starving and want something quick, easy, and affordable, without compromising on the quality of the food.
Make sure to order the chutoro! It’s *chefs kiss*
- Price: ¥2,000–¥3,000 (13–20 USD) depending on how much you eat
- Address: Japan, 〒530-0011 Osaka, Kita Ward, Ofukacho, 4−20 グランフロント大阪ショップ＆レストラン南館 ７Ｆ
Ichiran Ramen: A Japanese classic
If you have been traveling around Japan for a few days already, and visited Tokyo, you will probably know about Ichiran Ramen by now. But if you don’t, let me introduce you.
Ichiran Ramen is an iconic Japanese ramen spot, famous for its affordable and flavorful tonkotsu style ramen, its unique service style, and for most of their restaurants being conveniently open 24 hours.
The ramen is a flavorful pork-based broth, you can customize a few elements of it, but the classic style is the way to go—just make sure to add a half-boiled egg.
Their unique service style is perfect for introverts or solo travelers, as you fill out your order on a piece of paper, hand it through the window in front of your seat, and wait as your ramen is placed in front of you.
Once the curtain closes, you’re left to enjoy your meal in peaceful solitude within your own little cubicle. Love it!
This Japanese icon is a simple, delicious, and incredibly affordable meal that you cannot miss while visiting Japan.
I think we were at Ichiran at least once a week during our nine months living in Japan. It’s just that good and convenient!
- Price: ¥1,000–¥1,500 (6–10 USD) for a bowl of ramen with an egg
- Address: 1 Chome-4-16 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan (This one is the one open 24 hours)
Tenpei gyozas: Flavorful gyoza in locally loved spot
We stumbled upon Tenpei Gyozas after returning to Osaka from a night of drinking sake by the river in Kyoto—that’s how close the cities are—and noticed the locals going in and out of this small eatery.
We knew we struck gold!
Tenpei Gyozas is a hidden gem, tucked away in a quiet street of Umeda, with locals coming and going all night.
It conveniently stays open until midnight, making it the perfect pit stop to fuel up after some sakes… as we and most of the locals there were doing.
The gyozas are crispy, packed with flavor, and ordered by a minimum of 20 per person, but don’t worry, they are quite small—but preferably come hungry.
While finding it was just a coincidence, these ended up being some of the best gyozas we ever had—my foodie friends agreed—but then again, Osakans just know how to make incredible food!
- Price: ¥2,000–¥3,000 (13–20 USD) for 20 gyozas and a drink
- Address: 1 Chome-8-12 Sonezakishinchi, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0002, Japan
Ramen Zundo-Ya Shinsaibashi: 24-hour life-saving ramen restaurant
One of the best cheap eats in Osaka, and an absolute lifesaver, is Ramen Zundo-Ya in Shinsaibashi.
Ramen Zundo-Ya is a relatively spacious—by Japanese standards—and casual eatery that offers various types of tasty ramen, flavorful gyozas, crispy karaage, and infallible fried rice.
Everything is delicious and affordable, and one of the best things about this place is that it is open 24 hours, which is very convenient after a night at one of the many cool bars in Osaka.
No, I’m not always drinking, but is good to know where the food options are if needed…
So make sure to pin this one on your maps for later in the evening, or for a random meal in between lunch hours when other restaurants might be closed.
- Price: ¥1,000–¥2,000 (6–20 USD) for ramen and a drink
- Address: Japan, 〒542-0085 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Shinsaibashisuji, 1 Chome−5−7 セーナビル 1F 周防町通り
Final thoughts on the best cheap eats in Osaka
Osaka food is simply like nothing else. The amount of dedication and passion that people put into the food they prepare is noticeable as you eat your way around the city.
And the incredible thing about Osaka, is that you will find incredible food at every corner, and all of it for very affordable prices—because great food is meant to be for everyone.
While there are more incredible eateries in Osaka than anyone can visit on a given trip—or even three months living here—this curated list offers a great place to start diving into the incomparable Osaka foodie scene.
Compiling my absolute favorite places that I discovered, and visited multiple times, I hope this foodie guide helps you complement your activity-packed itinerary, to guarantee the ultimate trip to the foodie capital of Japan.
My mouth was watering while writing this whole post, so please go and eat all the things for me!
Is there one thing you are specifically looking forward to eating in Osaka? Let us know in the comments.