Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [305]
Imai Honten (Map; 6211-0319; 1-7-22 Dōtombori, Chūō-ku; noodles from ¥577; 11am-10pm, closed Wed) One of the area’s oldest and most revered udon specialists and our favourite place on the strip. It’s an oasis of calm amid the chaos (their no-mobile-phone policy ensures quiet). Try the tendon (tempura over rice; ¥1575). It’s sandwiched between two pachinko parlours. There’s no English sign, but the traditional front stands out among the glitter. English menu.
Chibō (Map; 6212-2211; 1-5-5 Dōtombori, Chūō-ku; okonomiyaki from ¥850; 11am-1am Mon-Thu, to 3am Fri & Sat, to midnight Sun) A great okonomiyaki specialist. There’s an English sign in addition to the English menu. Try the house special Dōtombori yaki, a toothsome treat with pork, beef, squid, shrimp and cheese for ¥1550. Some tables look out over the canal. Last orders an hour before closing.
Ganko Zushi (Map; 6212-1705; 1-8-24 Dōtombori, Chūō-ku; set meals from ¥1000; 11.30am-11pm) Giant sushi restaurant (can order à la carte at counter) that serves just about everything else. English menu.
Zuboraya (Map; 6211-0181; 1-6-10 Dōtombori, Chūō-ku; fugu sashimi ¥1400, full dinners from ¥3000; 11am-11pm) A huge fugu (Japanese pufferfish) specialist with a good picture menu. Look for the giant fugu out front. Some English on menu.
Kani Dōraku Honten (Map; 6211-8975; 1-6-18 Dōtombori, Chūō-ku; lunch/dinner from ¥1995/4620; 11am-11pm) Popular crab specialist; look for giant crab on storefront. Limited English menu.
INTERNATIONAL
Café Slices (Map; 6211-2231; 2-3-21 Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chūō-ku; pizza slices/whole from ¥400/2500; 11am-late; Midō-suji subway line to Namba or Shinsaibashi) If you need a break from Japanese food and want something casual and easy, stop into this foreigner-friendly pizza joint for a slice or two. In addition to pizza, they serve wraps, bagels, salads and fries. There’s a big English sign.
Krungtep (Map; 4708-0088; 1-6-14 Dōtombori, Chūō-ku; lunch buffet ¥1200, dinner dishes from ¥1000; lunch & dinner; Midō-suji, Yotsubashi or Sennichi-mae subway line to Namba) Dōtombori’s most popular Thai place serves fairly authentic versions of the standard favourites like green curry and fried noodles. Look for the small English sign – it’s on the B1 floor.
Finally, if you just feel like a Western-style sandwich or a quick cup of coffee, drop into the Doutor (Map) at the mouth of the Sennichi-mae Arcade. There’s a picture menu here.
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DRINKING
Osaka is a hard-working city, but when quitting time rolls around Osakans know how to party. Take a stroll through Minami on a Friday night and you’d be excused for thinking that there is one bar for every resident of the city. Whatever your taste, you’re sure to find something to your liking among this vast array of bars and clubs.
Kita
Although Minami is Osaka’s real nightlife district, there are plenty of bars, clubs and izakaya in the neighbourhoods to the south and east of Osaka Station.
Canopy (Map; 6341-0339; 1-11-20 Sonezakishinchi, Kita-ku; 5pm-6am Mon-Sat, to midnight Sun; JR Tōzai line to Kitashinchi) Cafe-style bar that pulls in a crowd of local expats for after-work snacks and drinks. The happy-hour special here is a good and popular deal.
Windows on the World (Map; 6347-7111; 1-8-8 Umeda, Kita-ku; 11.30am-12.30am; JR line to Osaka) An unbeatable spot for drinks with a view – it’s on the 35th floor of the Hilton Osaka. Be warned that there’s a ¥1750-per-person table charge and drinks average ¥2000.
Minami
This is the place for a wild night out in Osaka. You simply won’t believe the number of bars, clubs and restaurants they’ve packed into the narrow streets and alleys of Dōtombori, Shinsaibashi, Namba and Amerika-Mura.
Hub (Map; 6211-8286; 2F Across Bldg, 2-6-14 Shinsaibashi-suji, Ch