Looking for izakaya in Shinsekai, Osaka? This guide covers six old-school pubs — from standing bars in Jan Jan Yokocho to sit-down spots with sake lists and doteyaki — that suit solo drinkers, couples, and anyone who wants to eat and drink the way locals actually do in this part of town. Budget ¥1,500–3,000 per person. For more, see the best food in Osaka.
MICHI’s Pick — Selected by our Osaka-based team, based on places we’ve visited and on research using Tabelog and Google Maps ratings. In Japan, a Tabelog score of 3.4+ is genuinely high — Japanese reviewers are famously strict, and most locals consider anything above 3.4 a place worth a detour. We feature venues meeting at least one of: Tabelog 3.4+, Google Maps 4.3+, or 100+ reviews — the kind of spots locals quietly trust.
Tabelog and Google Maps scores are accurate as of the time of writing.
1. Ganso Kushikatsu Daruma Shinsekai Sohonten (元祖串かつ だるま 新世界総本店)
📍 2-3-9 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka
🕐 Mon–Fri 11:00–22:30 (L.O. 22:00), Sat–Sun 10:30–22:30 (L.O. 22:00) (as of May 2026)
💰 ¥1,000–2,500 (food only) / ¥1,500–3,500 (with drinks)
🚃 Ebisucho Station (6 min walk) / Dobutsuen-mae Station (6 min walk)
⭐ Rating: Tabelog 3.52 / Google 4.2 (5,000+ reviews) (as of writing)
🗺 Open in Google Maps
📋 Tabelog
🌐 Official site
What to order: Doteyaki (beef tendon simmered in white miso) (¥330), kushikatsu from ¥110/skewer
The original Daruma — the shop that put Shinsekai kushikatsu on the map — still draws queues out the door, and the “no double-dipping” rule is enforced with cheerful seriousness. Order the doteyaki first, let it arrive with a cold beer, and work through skewers from there.
2. Yaegachi (八重勝)
📍 3-4-13 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka
🕐 Mon–Wed, Fri–Sun 10:30–20:30; closed Thursday (as of May 2026)
💰 ¥1,000–2,000 (food only) / ¥1,500–2,500 (with drinks)
🚃 Dobutsuen-mae Station (3 min walk)
⭐ Rating: Tabelog 3.72 / Google 4.3 (1,800+ reviews) (as of writing)
🗺 Open in Google Maps
📋 Tabelog
What to order: Kushikatsu assortment (from ¥110/skewer), doteyaki (¥330)
Deep inside Jan Jan Yokocho, Yaegachi is the one locals point to when they want to settle an argument about who does kushikatsu best. The batter is lighter than most — almost airy — and the doteyaki in sweet white miso is a genuine reason to arrive before the lunchtime rush.
3. Tengu (てんぐ)
📍 3-4-12 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka
🕐 Daily 11:00–21:00 (as of May 2026)
💰 ¥800–2,000 (food only) / ¥1,200–2,500 (with drinks)
🚃 Dobutsuen-mae Station (3 min walk)
⭐ Rating: Tabelog 3.55 / Google 4.2 (900+ reviews) (as of writing)
🗺 Open in Google Maps
📋 Tabelog
What to order: Kushikatsu (from ¥100/skewer), cold draft beer (¥500)
Tengu sits right next to Yaegachi, and the rivalry is friendly but real. The skewers here are slightly crunchier, the sauce a touch sharper, and the counter seats fill up fast on weekends. A good call if Yaegachi has a queue and you’d rather drink standing up.
4. Tsurukameya (鶴亀家)
📍 3-6-1 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka
🕐 Daily 11:00–22:00 (as of May 2026)
💰 ¥1,000–2,500 (food only) / ¥1,500–3,500 (with drinks)
🚃 Ebisucho Station (3 min walk)
⭐ Rating: Tabelog 3.41 / Google 4.1 (600+ reviews) (as of writing)
🗺 Open in Google Maps
📋 Tabelog
What to order: Kushikatsu set (¥1,000 for 10 skewers), cold Sapporo draft (¥500)
The giant crane-and-tortoise sign out front is impossible to miss, and the 200-seat interior is the most spacious izakaya in the neighbourhood — useful if you’re with a group. The Showa-era decor is genuine, not curated, and the kushikatsu-and-beer combo at lunchtime draws a solid crowd of regulars. Explore more of Shinsekai to find what else is worth your time in this part of Osaka.
5. Naniwa no Kushikatsu Shichifuku (なにわの串カツ 七福)
📍 2-1-17 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka
🕐 Mon–Fri 12:00–22:00, Sat–Sun 11:00–22:00 (as of May 2026)
💰 ¥800–2,000 (food only) / ¥1,200–2,800 (with drinks)
🚃 Ebisucho Station (5 min walk)
⭐ Rating: Tabelog 3.44 / Google 4.2 (400+ reviews) (as of writing)
🗺 Open in Google Maps
📋 Tabelog
What to order: Kushikatsu from ¥80/skewer, lemon sour (¥400)
Shichifuku keeps prices lower than most of its neighbours — skewers from ¥80, house-made sauce with real depth — and the atmosphere is more local pub than tourist stop. The 120-seat capacity means you can usually walk in without a wait, even on weekends.
6. Gifuya Honke (ぎふや本家)
📍 3-5-16 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka
🕐 Daily 11:30–22:00 (L.O. 21:30) (as of May 2026)
💰 ¥1,500–3,000 (food only) / ¥2,000–4,000 (with drinks)
🚃 Dobutsuen-mae Station (4 min walk)
⭐ Rating: Tabelog 3.56 / Google 4.3 (350+ reviews) (as of writing)
🗺 Open in Google Maps
📋 Tabelog
What to order: Kushiage omakase course (¥2,200), seasonal sake (¥600/glass)
Founded in 1916 and still run by the same family, Gifuya Honke is the most serious kushiage operation in Shinsekai — fresh breadcrumbs, live seafood for sashimi-grade skewers, and a sake list that actually rewards attention. Note: a new annex (Gifuya Bettei) opened nearby in 2024 with a slightly updated menu; the Honke retains the original format. If you want to understand MICHI Osaka travel guide‘s take on why Shinsekai punches above its weight, this is the place to start.
FAQ
Q: What is the best izakaya in Shinsekai, Osaka?
A: For the most locally trusted kushikatsu izakaya experience, Yaegachi (八重勝) in Jan Jan Yokocho is the consistent favourite — Tabelog 3.72, lighter batter than most, and a doteyaki that regulars order before anything else. If you want a more formal sit-down with sake pairings, Gifuya Honke is the better call.
Q: How many izakaya restaurants are in Shinsekai?
A: Tabelog lists over 1,000 dining spots within the broader Shinsekai area, with several dozen operating as proper izakaya. The densest cluster runs through Jan Jan Yokocho (the 180-metre covered arcade between Dobutsuen-mae Station and Tsutenkaku Tower), where standing bars and counter-seat pubs sit shoulder to shoulder.
Q: Do Shinsekai restaurants have English menus?
A: Most do not — or offer only basic picture menus. The major kushikatsu chains (Daruma, Yokozuna) have some English signage and picture menus, which makes ordering straightforward. At smaller spots like Yaegachi or Gifuya Honke, pointing at what neighbouring diners are eating works perfectly well, and staff are generally patient with non-Japanese speakers.
Q: What should I order at izakaya restaurants in Osaka?
A: Start with doteyaki (beef tendon simmered in sweet white miso) — it’s the quintessential Osaka izakaya opener and pairs well with cold beer or a lemon sour. Follow with kushikatsu skewers (deep-fried on a stick, no double-dipping in the shared sauce), and finish with a glass of local sake or shochu. Horumon (grilled offal) is also a Shinsekai staple worth trying if you’re adventurous.
Last updated: July 28, 2026 · Corrections: [email protected]
