Eating in Japan has got to be my favorite thing to do when I’m there. You can pretty much walk into any restaurant or stall and have a delicious and memorable meal. On a recent trip to Osaka, I indulged in some incredible Japanese dishes that I cannot recommend enough. Known in Japan as the Nation’s Kitchen, Osaka is a haven for food lovers, offering an exciting variety of culinary delights.

If you’ve never been to Japan, their restaurants usually specialize in one dish, perfecting it to the highest level. So whether you’re craving sushi, sukiyaki, or onigiri, here are the five best places I tried during my trip to Osaka:

1. Omakase (Sushi Course) from Sushi Hoshiyama

If you’re going to have sushi in Japan, might as well go big. Sushi Hoshiyama, a one-star Michelin restaurant, offers a roughly 20-course omakase sushi experience that will blow you away. Omakase means leaving it up to the chef to serve you whatever they want during the meal.

At my dinner at Sushi Hoshiyama, I was treated to the finest pieces of raw fish and cooked seafood atop warm, flavorful rice. My favorites included the different cuts of stunning tuna, the sweet uni (sea urchin), and a melt-in-your-mouth anago (eel). The restaurant also boasts a beautiful view of the river, which you can enjoy while watching your chef work their magic right in front of you.

2. Onigiri from Onigiri Gorichan

Onigiri, a stuffed Japanese rice ball often wrapped in seaweed, can be found at any Japanese convenience store. But if you’re willing to brave a bit of a line, Onigiri Gorichan is worth the wait.

This spot serves extra-large onigiri stuffed to the brim—no skimping here! They are also prepared right in front of you, so you know they're not cheating you. Some onigiri can have too much rice or too much filling, but these are perfectly balanced. My favorites were the salted salmon roe and salmon, which was delightfully salty, and the jammy egg yolk & minced meat combo, delivering an incredible mix of sweet and savory flavors.

3. Eel with Fluffy Omelet Rice Bowl from Unagi Kushiyaki Izumo

Unagi lovers, take note! Unagi Kushiyaki Izumo serves a large, grilled, and perfectly sauced slice of tender eel atop a thick, fluffy omelet, which rests on a generous serving of rice cooked in the unagi’s sweet sauce.

When the rice bowl arrives, it’s quite the sight to behold. If the portion is too much, you can ask for less rice or explore other unagi dishes from their menu. And here’s a fun bonus: if you can’t finish your meal, the staff can transform your leftovers into onigiri for you to take home. This dish is indulgent and completely worth the calories—you can always walk them off while exploring Osaka afterward!

4. Sukiyaki & Shabu-Shabu from Harijyu

The sukiyaki and shabu-shabu served at this century-old establishment are unlike the ones you may be used to. Harijyu offers a traditional dining experience, with older Japanese women in kimonos bringing a platter of thinly sliced beef and a plate full of fresh vegetables, all to be cooked in an aromatic broth right at your table.

They also hand you a bowl of raw egg, which serves as the dipping sauce for the beef. It might sound strange at first, but trust me, it’s life-changing. The beef gets coated in the egg, which slightly cooks from the heat, resulting in a creamy, rich flavor that perfectly complements the meat.

5. Strawberry Millefeuille from Grenier Patisserie

Osaka may be known for its savory food, but it also has amazing desserts. One standout is Grenier, a French-inspired bakery known for its viral cream-filled strawberry millefeuille.

This pastry absolutely lives up to the hype. A large, buttery, flaky puff pastry filled with sweet custard cream and topped with a fresh, juicy strawberry—it’s simply delightful. The strawberry version is seasonal, but if it’s not available, the shop’s signature brûlée millefeuille is just as delicious, featuring a perfectly crackly caramelized top that resembles a crème brûlée.

These are just five must-try places in Osaka, a city that continues to be the beating heart of Japan’s food culture. Osaka is also particularly famous for its takoyaki and okonomiyaki, which can be found all over the city, so make sure to try those too. Japan is one of those places where you can eat almost anywhere and have a great meal—even at a convenience store! So go out, explore, and savor every bite in this vibrant, diverse city.