Located in “Shinsekai”, the popular sightseeing spots in Osaka, “Janjan Yokocho Alley (Nanyo Dori Shotengai Street)” is the origin of “Kushikatsu (deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables)”, that is Osaka’s local favorite typical dish of what is called class B Gourmet (dishes that are delicious but cheap).
How about eating and walking around an area where overflowing lively of Osaka?
Please also use this by all means as a reference to Osaka sightseeing.
Contents
What kind of place is “Janjan Yokocho Alley”?
The history and origin of Janjan Yokocho Alley
Opened in 1921, it is a shopping street that is located in the southeast part of Shinsekai.
The official name is called as “Nanyo Dori Shotengai Street”.
In the early Showa, the street was very crowded and lively, and it is said that because, in such bustle, Shamisen (a three-stringed musical instrument similar to a guitar) was strummed around.
And Shamisen sounded like “jan-jan”, it was named as “Janjan Yokocho Alley”.
Now it is a retro sightseeing spot!
The total length of “Janjan Yokocho Alley” is about 180 m and the width is 2.5 m.
After going through under a narrow arcade, the retro restaurant of the local favorite typical dish come appeared.
It became the sightseeing place where families and young tourists visit feeling as if doing treasure hunting.
This time, we will introduce you with the center at “Kushikatsu”, the local favorite typical dish of what is called class B Gourmet, which represents “Janjan Yokocho Alley”!
Ganso Kushikatsu Daruma Shinsekai So-Honten
The largest Kushikatsu chain, flying high around the world.
It is a long-standing Kushikatsu store.
It is the main store of the largest chain that embraces more than ten stores in Japan, and branches even in overseas.
A thin coating makes a savory sound with unique food texture like chewy crispy, and is perfectly matching with smooth sauce!
You can, of course, order a single item, but also there are set menus, and as it is easy even for a beginner of Kushikatsu to make a choice, it is the store of recommendation.
Note that double-dipping is prohibited for consideration of the sanitary aspect.
When you wish to add, please scoop it by a cabbage.
From a window of the second floor, an owner-chef doll welcomes you with “Thanks as always!”
The main store is treated as a sacred place for Daruma fans.
Customers also sometimes make lines for waiting in a row during dining hours.
Ganso Kushikatsu Daruma Shinsekai
Address: Ebisu-Higashi 2-3-9, Naniwa-Ward, Osaka-City, Osaka-Prefecture
Opening hours: From 11 AM to 10:30 PM (Last Order at 10 PM)
Holiday: January 1st
Average budget: Lunch Yen 2,000 to Yen 2,999, Dinner Yen 2,000 to Yen 2,999
Yaekatsu
Crispy and fluffy!
A representative of Osaka Kushikatsu!
It is a Kushikatsu store of high approval even from residents with a history of more than fifty years.
Crispy and fluffy coating makes light texture, and it is no doubt that you become wanting to order one after another.
As oiliness is modest, it is the recommended store to those who like light Kushikatsu.
It is an unspoken rule that you order skewers together as much as you can.
This “Doteyaki (beef sinew stewed in miso and mirin)” are served in skewered.
It is the dish that makes you get hooked on sweetness and flavor of white miso seasoning on tender beef sinew.
Before the opening hours, people begin to gather here and there, and it will be occupied fully at the same time of opening.
There are around some 50 seats, and even if there is a waiting line a bit, rotation is quick.
Address: Ebisu-Higashi 3-4-13, Naniwa-Ward, Osaka-City, Osaka-Prefecture
Opening hours: From 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Holiday: Every Thursday and the third Wednesday
Average budget: Lunch Yen 1,000 to Yen 1,999, Dinner Yen 1,000 to Yen 1,999
Yakko
Came back! Kushikatsu of warm and fluffy type.
One of the big four of Shinsekai Kushikatsu.
The texture of fluffy and soft is characteristic.
It has high approval even from children to ladies, and as the coating has Umami taste, you can eat it as it is without dipping in the sauce.
It is an exquisite skewer.
There was a closed period of about a half year, but it re-opened now with more regular holidays.
Inside of the store is compact with 16 counter seats.
An owner-chef, known as specialty big buddy of Yakko, fries deeply Kushikatsu one after another.
An unspoken rule is set as you frequently order thinking about timing.
It now became a popular store where even tourists rush in, but it is said that originally it was an existence like a hideaway where only residents visit.
Address: 2-chōme-3-10 Ebisuhigashi
Naniwa-ku, Osaka
Opening hours: From 12:00 AM to 18:00 PM
Holiday: Every Monday, Tuesday, Friday
Average budget: Lunch Yen 1,000 to Yen 1,999, Dinner Yen 1,000 to Yen 1,999
Tengu
Refined and crispy! It is an exquisite skewer that ladies like!
It is a popular Kushikatsu store that is one of the best in Shinsekai.
A bit small skewer and refined crispy coating, which is firmly deep-fried are characteristic.
As it is a refined texture, there are also many lady’s fans.
A recommended skewer is not a quail’s egg but “skewer egg” that one whole chicken egg is fried.
It is a light, dry texture, and is very well filling.
“Doteyaki” is simmered dynamically in front of your eyes.
Once you see this, you cannot help but order.
A big Tengu mask is a placemark!
Inside of the store are only counter seats, but there is cleanliness, so it is the recommended store also to a ladies only group and a couple.
Address: Ebisu-Higashi 3-4-12, Naniwa-Ward, Osaka-City, Osaka-Prefecture
Opening hours: From 10:30 AM to 9 PM (Last Order)
Holiday: Monday
Average budget: Lunch Yen 1,000 to Yen 1,999, Dinner Yen 1,000 to Yen 1,999
Kushikatsu Echigen
A hidden store of a high level! and of good value for money!
It is a Kushikatsu store located just at the center of Shinsekai.
It is a talented store that continues expanding fan base gradually in a hot spot where famous stores spark.
A thin coating covers closely surface of the foodstuff and locks up Umami taste.
Texture that includes both crispy and fluffy is of a high degree of addiction!
The reasonable price of “from 90 yen per one skewer” is also attractive.
Surprisingly, this “egg skewer” is a soft-boiled egg!
The thick and creamy yolk overflows from inside.
As it is seasoned, a sauce is not needed.
You can eat it tasty as it is.
It is at a place after entered a narrow alley, and a jet black appearance is a placemark.
Inside the store is only counter seats.
These are 16 seats, and it is a compact space.
The skewer is a high level, which is competitive with that of famous stores, and is good value for money!
When you wish to eat delicious Kushikatsu relaxed, it is the recommended store.
Address: Ebisu-Higashi 2-chome 3-9, Naniwa-Ward, Osaka-City, Osaka-Prefecture
Opening hours: From 12 PM to 9 PM (Last Order at 8:30 PM)
Holiday: Thursday
Average budget: Lunch Yen 1,000 to Yen 1,999, Dinner Yen 1,000 to Yen 1,999
Shinsekai Kankan
If Takoyaki in Shinsekai, it is here!
It is OK to dine-in and to-go!
It is a Takoyaki specialized store that cannot miss out from eating and walking of Shinsekai.
Sauce taste is the only choice, so the shop is frank.
The price is reasonable as one pack is 300-yen level that includes 8 pieces of voluminous Takoyaki.
It is recommended to put toppings plenty of dried bonito flakes.
As you will be asked if you need mayonnaise or not, please reply as you like.
Outside is savory, and a big piece of octopus and thick and creamy dough comes out from the inside.
Dried bonito flakes soak in a thick salty-sweet sauce.
And the sauce can be mixed very well with Takoyaki!
As it is very hot, please take care not to get burnt.
A corner of the storefront is a space for dining-in.
As it is a stand‐up meal style, “to-go” is recommended if you wish to eat relaxed.
Address: Ebisu-Higashi 3-5-16, Naniwa-Ward, Osaka-City, Osaka-Prefecture
Opening hours: From 10 AM to 7:30 PM
Holiday: Monday/ Tuesday (* Opens if holiday)
Average budget: Lunch: up to Yen 999, Dinner: up to Yen 999.
Azuma
Unexpectedly good! Off-menu items of Shinsekai.
It is a well-known long-standing inexpensive restaurant in the neighborhood of Tsutenkaku Tower.
It is also famous that it serves “udon noodle stew” as “off-menu item of Shinsekai”.
It is not a typical chowder-type stew but is a light stew of pot-au-feu style that is of clear soup.
Simple foodstuffs like an onion, a potato, and beef also match well with udon noodles.
The characteristic of Osaka udon is a bit weak in chewy and is soft.
Good in digestion, it is not to burden to a stomach, so it is perfect as finishing off of a night drink, also as a breakfast of a hangover morning!
Transferred from the old store, it became tidy also in appearance.
Besides the specialty “udon noodle stew”, there are also menus with the center of Udon noodles, Soba noodles, a bowl of rice with a topping, so it is a store convenient where you can easily satisfy when you are a bit hungry.
Address: Ebisu-Higashi 2-chome 5-7, Naniwa-Ward, Osaka-City, Osaka-Prefecture
Opening hours: From 9 AM to 3 PM. (Opening hours were changed only during lunchtime. Please note that the store does not open at night.)
Holiday: Every Wednesday and the tenth day of a month.
Average budget: Lunch: up to Yen 999.
Taiko Sushi Honten
The bargain-priced sushi restaurant is proud of the best value for money!
Tasty! Cheap! It is an inexpensive sushi restaurant that is famous for good value for money.
The price is set from 50 yen per one piece of sushi, so you can fully satisfy your appetite with tasty sushi.
One dish is served with three pieces of sushi, so if you visit by more than two persons, you can also fully enjoy various kinds of fish.
Besides sushi, it is fulfilled with à‐la‐carte dishes including sashimi and steamed egg custard.
You are not in trouble also with finger foods for alcoholic beverages.
It can be also used for drinking a bit during lunchtime.
Once you see it, you cannot forget it.
It is a powerful appearance!
As popular menus are shown at a storefront, if you come for the first time, you need to check it!
Address: Ebisu-Higashi 3-2-18, Naniwa-Ward, Osaka-City, Osaka-Prefecture
Opening hours: From 11 AM to 9 PM (Last Order)
Holiday: Thursday (* Minami-ten does not close on Thursday. * Opens if a holiday.)
Average budget: Lunch Yen 1,000 to Yen 1,999, Dinner Yen 1,000 to Yen 1,999
Niku no Sakamoto
Beef cutlet sandwich of a meat shop that you can select a rank.
It is a meat shop that also sells ready-to-eat food of deep-fried.
It is a popular store that is known for of course deliciousness of meat but also “beef fillet cutlet sandwich“.
You can select the size and quality of meat from exceptional, extra-large, and normal, and it is a high-class sandwich that you will be stunned with deliciousness and tenderness of a meat.
A fillet cutlet is a bit heavy…
When you feel that way, what is recommended is the classic of ready-to-eat food, “a croquette”.
Outside is crispy, inside is soft and flaky, and it is perfect also for eating and walking!
Meats are lined in a row in a display case, and next to it, ready-to-eat foods are sold.
There is also a dining space in a corner.
Address: Ebisu-Higashi 1-22-6, Naniwa-Ward, Osaka-City, Osaka-Prefecture
Opening hours: From 10 AM. For deep-fried items, a fryer will be off at around 4:30 PM, so better to go early.
Holiday: Closed on Thursday
Average budget: Lunch: up to Yen 999.
Grill Bon
A king store of a present that praised even by celebrities.
It is a long-standing Western restaurant famous for “fillet cutlet sandwich“, established in 1961.
It advanced also to Tokyo and is often introduced as a present that celebrities recommend.
It is a premium sandwich satisfactory on every count such as rare feeling, the quality of meat, and tenderness.
Good for dine-in the store, also OK for to-go.
Here, there exists also a luxury menu called “curry stewed fillet cutlet“.
Besides, there are also lined up with classic menus, including Hamburg steak and beef stew.
It is an appearance like an isolated house in down-town.
Inside the store is a compact space that has 15 seats.
As there are also counter seats, it is a recommended store also for lunch.
Address: Ebisu-Higashi 1-17-17, Naniwa-Ward, Osaka-City, Osaka-Prefecture
Opening hours: From 12 PM to 2 PM, and from 5 PM to 8 PM
Holiday: Every 6th, 16th, and 26th day of a month
Average budget: Lunch Yen 1,000 to Yen 1,999, Dinner Yen 2,000 to Yen 2,999.
Shubo Handaya Shinsekai Store
It is a long-standing Izakaya that is lined up with various menus, having a history of more than 80 years.
You can enjoy menus to start with a seafood dish, tempura (deep-fried fish and vegetables in a light coating) and oden (fishcake, egg, and vegetable stew), also to creative cuisines.
In a relaxed atmosphere, it is perfect when you wish to enjoy dining and alcohol drinks.
Sold out appear on the popular menus one after another!
So, it is recommended to enter the store in the early hours.
“Yamaimo (Japanese yam) steak” is a popular menu among all ages of men and women.
Yamaimo (Japanese yam), which is grated yam, is baked on an iron plate and is poached with an egg.
You can taste fluffy and thick and creamy texture, and it can also prevent swelling after drinking alcoholic drinks.
Inside of the store is only with counter seats, so it is a recommended store also for drinking alone.
Address: Ebisu-Higashi 2-4-19, Naniwa-Ward, Osaka-City, Osaka-Prefecture
Opening hours: Weekdays: From 12 PM to 9 PM, Sat/Sun/holiday: From 12 PM to 9 PM
Holiday: Wednesday. Thursday every other week.
Average budget: Lunch Yen 1,000 to Yen 1,999, Dinner Yen 1,000 to Yen 1,999
How did you like it?
We have introduced you to the local favorite restaurants of what is called Gourmet of “Janjan Yokocho Alley” in Shinsekai, where is the home turf of Tsutenkaku Tower.
While enjoying a retro atmosphere, it is a town where you can look for cheap and tasty food.
How about “eating and walking in Shinsekai” on your holidays?
Please, try checking the store if you’re interested in!
Map of the restaurants of Janjan Yokocho
