Rikuro Ojisannomise りくろーおじさんの店 (新)なんば本

Rikuro is the ultimate Japanese cheesecake in Osaka! Unlike the typical dense and heavy cheesecake, the Japanese style cheesecake is super rich but light and fluffy; kind of like a sponge cake! This Rikuro shop in the Namba district is the busiest so they always have the freshest cakes!

The line up outside is for customers that’s buying the whole cake (only￥675). So if it’s your first time and want to see what the hype’s about, you can go inside and order a slice to skip the line up. While you’re seated, you can see the whole production line. There’s nothing as satisfying as seeing those bouncy cheesecake come fresh out of the oven!

There’s quite a few locations but this one is most popular and convenient. But if you’re just making a pit stop at the Shin-Osaka station, you can find a Rikuro booth on the 3rd floor. It’s just a booth so the cheesecake are pre-packaged. Although it’s not freshly made, but it’s still damn good after you heat it up a little.

When in Osaka, Rikuro is a must for me! Highly recommend it!

Address \\  3-2-28 Nanba Chuo-ku Osaka Osaka
Phone Number \\  0120-57-2132 (Takes reservations)
Hours \\ Monday – Sunday: 9:30am – 9pm (Last order)
Average Price \\  ￥999
Payment Method \\   Cash Only
Rating \\   3.54/5
Website \\   Rikuro Cheesecake (Japanese Only)

Fukutarou 福太郎

Fukutarou is reasonably priced and the second highest rating okonomiyaki restaurant in Osaka. Fukutarou is a local favorite hidden in the beaten path. While all the tourists are lining up for okonomiyaki in the busy streets of Namba,  Japanese locals are lining up here.

The chefs would cook your okonomiyaki at the front of the shop and then shift to the teppanyaki grill in front of you. You can cut portions onto to your plate and leave the rest on the grill to keep it warm. Aside from the famous okonomiyaki, they also have other side dishes like yakisoba, baked scallops and oysters. Fukutarou is opened everyday throughout the year but only serves lunch on weekends and holidays. If you’re craving for a late night snack, this would be a popular spot to hit up!

FYI, there’s a few locations but this location is the highest rating. There’s also a store in Tokyo Skytree so if you’re in Tokyo, you can still try this local favorite!

Address \\  2-3-17 Sennichimae Chuo-ku Osaka Osaka
Phone Number \\  06-6634-2951 (Does not take reservations)
Hours \\ Monday – Friday: 5pm – 1am
Saturday & Sunday: 12pm – 12am
Average Price \\  ￥1,000 -￥1,999
Payment Method \\   Credit Card Accepted
Rating \\   3.63/5
Website \\   Fukutarou (English & Japanese)

Takonotetsu 蛸之徹 角田店

Takonotetsu was featured on Anthony Bourdain’s show No Reservation Osaka so we had to swing by. Osaka’s known for takoyaki and okonomiyaki so at Takonotetsu, you can experience cooking it yourself. It’s gotten popular amongst foreigners so I recommend to go earlier to skip the line up.

Other than the traditional takoyaki, they have different twists to choose from like green onion, shisho cheese, corn, pineapple and spicy cod with cheese. Each table has their own set of sauces and toppings so you choose what to add onto your takoyaki. And if you’re still hungry, the okonomiyaki and yakisoba will for sure fill you up. It’s a great place for travellers on a budget!

Address \\  1-10 Kakudacho Kita-ku Osaka Osaka
Phone Number \\  050-5869-8099 (Takes reservations)
Hours \\ Monday – Friday: 11:30am – 3pm
Saturday & Sunday: 11:30am – 10:30pm (Last order)
Average Price \\ Lunch – ￥999, Dinner – ￥1,000～￥1,999
Payment Method \\   Cash Only
Rating \\   3.52/5
Website \\   Takonotetsu (English & Japanese)

Demmaru 伝丸 銀座店

Demmaru is a local ramen chain with multiple locations in Kanto and Chubu regions. It’s a Hokkaido style miso ramen base with curly thick noodles. I thought they had spicy ramen but it wasn’t spicy at all. They’re known for thick soup base but I think it was a bit too oily for me.

A lot of shops and restaurants are closed early in Ginza so if you’re hungry in the middle of the night, this ramen shop is opened a little later. It was convenient for us when we stayed at at Hotel Monterey Ginza Hotel, it was only a minute walk away so it’s convenient to satisfy your ramen craving in the middle  of the night.

Address \\ 2-11-12 Ginza Chuo Tokyo
Hours \\   Monday – Sunday: 11am – 11:30pm (Last order)
Average Price \\   Lunch: ￥999 – ￥1,999
Payment Method \\   Cash Only
Rating \\ 3.00/5
Website \\  Demmaru (Japanese only)

Dolce MariRisa ドルチェマリリッサ

Dolce MariRisa is a little cafe/cake shop tucked away in Omotodesando. They may be a small shop but they have a ton of cakes to choose from. When in Japan, you must try their Strawberry Cake and Mont Blanc Chestnut cake! Those are the two most popular cakes in Japan and you’ll find it in every cake shop.

Although Dolce MariRisa’s rating is lower, but I think that reflects more on the lunch menus they offer. I personally think their cake is pretty good. It’s a nice little shop to stop by for a little tea break.

Address \\ 3-7-4 Kitaaoyama Minato Tokyo
Phone Number \\ 03-3400-1245 (Takes reservations)
Hours \\   Monday – Sunday: 11:30am – 10:00pm
Average Price \\   Lunch: ￥1,000 – ￥1,999
Payment Method \\   Credit Card Accepted
Rating \\ 3.23/5
Website \\   Dolce MariRisa  ( English & Japanese)