5 Best Kushikatsu Spots in Osaka (2026)

Osaka Travel Restaurant List

Namba & Shinsekai Kushikatsu: 5 Personally-Funded Spots

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Words/Photos ©Haibubu

5 Personally-Funded Kushikatsu Spots in Osaka

When you think of Osaka, many foods come to mind,

but among them, Kushikatsu is a dish that almost everyone

can enjoy without strong likes or dislikes.

As the saying goes, 'Even shoes taste good when deep-fried,'

fried foods are universally delicious.

Kushikatsu, made by skewering delicious ingredients and frying them,

makes your mouth water just hearing about it.

Today, I'll introduce five places I've visited

among the many Kushikatsu specialty restaurants

in Osaka's Namba and Shinsekai areas.

And while I'll primarily focus on Namba, most of these places

also have branches in Shinsekai, so keep that in mind.

Yamatoya No. 1 (Shinsekai)

Location: 3-minute walk from Tsutenkaku Tower

Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 AM ~ 9:00 PM

Google Maps Name: Yamatoya No.1 (やまと屋 １号店)

The first must-visit spot is

Yamatoya No. 1 in Shinsekai, a truly authentic local-style Kushikatsu restaurant.

While the main street of Shinsekai is often packed with tourists,

this place is located in a side alley, making it relatively quieter,

and the atmosphere is genuinely local.

There are about 30 varieties of Kushikatsu,

and not only vegetable skewers but also meat skewers

are quite affordable at 110 yen.

Also, during my visit in August 2026,

they had a special offer where if you drank two draft beers,

the third one was free.

The batter was thin, offering a delightful crispness,

and since the prices aren't high, you can

order as many of your favorite ingredients as you like without much worry.

(The skewers aren't particularly large.)

Personally, the beef skewers really hit the spot,

and I remember ordering them multiple times.

Other menu items like pig's trotters and yakitori were also good.

As a note, since it's a local spot, I'd recommend it more for those

who prioritize atmosphere and authenticity over pristine cleanliness!

Kushiniwa (Namba)

Location: 2 minutes south of Kintetsu Nippombashi Station

Opening Hours: Daily 4:00 PM ~ 11:00 PM, additional hours on weekends 12:00 PM ~ 2:00 PM

Google Maps Name: Kushiniwa 串仁和(くしにわ)

The second restaurant is Kushiniwa,

a quiet Kushikatsu specialty spot near Kintetsu Nippombashi Station.

This place is quite well-known among Koreans,

but since it's located on the second floor of a building,

it can be a bit tricky to stumble upon by chance.

There are over 30 types of fried skewers, and prices

vary quite a bit depending on the ingredients, from 100 yen

to the 400 yen range.

The batter had a slightly darker color,

and I loved its crispy and savory taste.

Personally, the fried taste itself at this place was the best

among all the Kushikatsu I've ever had.

As of July 2025, when I visited, they also had a budget-friendly

set menu called the "Senbero Set."

This is a restaurant I'd recommend for anyone who

wants to enjoy a simple Kushikatsu and a beer.

Kushioh (Namba Main Branch)

Location: 1 minute south of Namba Station

Opening Hours: Daily 12:00 PM ~ 11:00 PM

Google Maps Name: Kushiko (串皇難波本店)

Third on our list is

Kushioh Namba Main Branch, located near Namba Station.

On Google Maps, it's listed as 'Kushiko' in English,

but I think 'Kushioh' is the correct way to read it.

Honestly, before stepping in, I was a little worried

because its Google rating was only 3.0 stars.

But contrary to my concerns, it turned out to be a pretty good kushikatsu spot!

They have over 20 types of kushikatsu,

and the prices weren't too steep, especially for Namba.

I ordered a great value set which included 7 omakase kushikatsu skewers and one drink

for 1,500 yen.

There was a young male staff member who did an amazing job

frying the kushikatsu, making them perfectly crispy.

The draft beer I ordered with it was incredibly refreshing,

so I happily had two glasses before leaving.

During lunch, when I visited, they were running a happy hour,

so I could enjoy my beer at half price!

(Drinks are half price until 7 PM – what a deal!)

Personally, I was really satisfied with this place, but after reading several Google reviews,

it seems most complaints were about unfriendly foreign staff

or being charged a seating fee without prior notice.

Considering the taste alone, it wasn't a bad spot at all,

so if you're in the area, I think it's worth checking out!

Sakedokoro Daikichi Dotonbori Branch

Location: Inside Dotonbori Shopping/Restaurant Street

Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week

Google Maps Store Name: Sakedokoro Daikichi (酒処 大吉 道頓堀店)

Fourth on our culinary journey is

Sakedokoro Daikichi Dotonbori Branch, tucked away within Dotonbori's restaurant district.

This is a place I personally highly recommend!

Its somewhat humble exterior and interior packed with locals

might make it seem intimidating to enter at first.

But trust me, it's a genuine local izakaya offering incredible value,

with delicious food at super affordable prices.

The menu boasts nearly 100 items,

so you can savor a wide variety of dishes beyond just kushikatsu.

(Plus, there's no seating charge, and it's open 24/7!)

The reason I wholeheartedly recommend this place is that despite the incredibly low prices,

the ingredient sizes and food quality are remarkably good.

In particular, their kushikatsu uses some of the largest ingredients

I've encountered at any kushikatsu spot so far.

Their onion kushikatsu, specifically, used a substantial middle section of a large onion,

making it incredibly satisfying.

Other menu items were also quite generous in size for their price.

What's more, even without a seating charge, a glass of beer costs

an incredibly reasonable 300 yen,

so you can indulge without breaking the bank.

While getting in might feel a bit challenging at first,

it was personally the most satisfying place for me,

so I highly recommend you give it a try!

(Just a heads-up: indoor smoking is allowed, so be aware!)

Yokozuna Namba Branch

Location: 2-minute walk north of Namba Station

Hours: Daily 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM (Fri/Sat/Sun open until 5:00 AM the next day)

Google Maps Store Name: Yokozuna Namba (日本一の串かつ 横綱 難波店)

Our fifth and final restaurant is Yokozuna,

one of Osaka's renowned chains.

As you wander through Osaka's shopping streets, you'll spot restaurants with sumo wrestler

signs – that's Yokozuna!

The Namba branch I visited was an entire building dedicated to Yokozuna,

showcasing just how extensive and sizable this chain is.

Especially during the daytime, you can enjoy sour cocktails, highballs, draft beer, and more.

You can enjoy main alcoholic beverages for around ~$1

during their happy hour, making it excellent value for money.

(Seriously, go during the day – it gets pricey at night!)

You can think of it as a comprehensive izakaya, selling not just kushikatsu

but also a variety of other dishes like yakitori. True to its name Yokozuna

(the highest rank in sumo), it's also known for serving super-sized dishes.

The kushikatsu taste is decent, and among the yakitori,

the grilled chicken skin was perfectly salty and made for an excellent beer snack.

Honestly, while the taste is pretty average, the prices are

a bit on the pricier side compared to other restaurants.

Frankly, if you're visiting in the evening,

I wouldn't recommend this place. However, during the day,

the alcoholic drinks are so affordable that it's worth checking out!

Must-Try Food When You Visit Osaka

Today, for those planning a trip to Osaka,

I introduced five kushikatsu restaurants that serve this

absolute must-try dish.

Personally, since kushikatsu is deep-fried food,

I believe it's a dish with a very low chance of disappointment.

Therefore, during the day, I recommend going to any restaurant

that advertises a happy hour and just enjoying yourself.

For evening or night visits, I suggest trying kushikatsu at one of my recommended spots:

Daikichi (for great value) or Kushiniwa (for delicious taste)!

So, I hope you use these reviews to enjoy plenty of delicious

kushikatsu in Osaka. And if you're curious about takoyaki restaurants too,

be sure to check out the post below!

▼ 9 Takoyaki Hotspots in Osaka City ▼