When you step into an izakaya (a Japanese pub), you’ll find the essence of local life in Japan: a space woven with lively voices, fragrant cooking aromas, and warm lighting. First time visitors, though, might find unfamiliar ordering methods, manners, and menu symbols confusing or intimidating.

To help you relax and get more out of your izakaya visit, in this article, we’ll get into some basic izakaya culture, and also share three unique and carefully-selected izakaya in Osaka’s central Umeda area. You’ll be able to cover the whole process with confidence, from entry to ordering. Whether you’re looking for casual local cuisine, enjoying a little buzz, or getting deeper into Japanese food culture, Umeda has an appealing and easy-to-access izakaya experience for you.

3 Umeda Area Izakaya to Try

Shinseikai Kushikatsu Ittoku: A Classic Osaka Kushikatsu Spot Meets Everyday Flavors

Located in HANKYU SANBAN GAI, and a 2 minute walk from Osaka-Umeda Station, Shinsekai Kushikatsu Ittoku is a classic choice for enjoying Osaka’s beloved comfort food, kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers). Red lanterns and a retro-style wooden interior give Ittoku a nostalgic neighborhood atmosphere, but the golden-fried skewers are really the soul of the restaurant. There’s a variety of options, including beef, pork, chicken, vegetables, seafood, and more, and the batter is light and thin, giving a satisfying crunch when you bite into a hot skewer. It’s a great recharge meal when you’re out shopping.

Aside from their signature kushikatsu, Itokku also serves Osaka staples like okonomiyaki, doteyaki (simmered beef sinew), and tonpeiyaki (a kind of omelette with pork and cabbage). With side dishes like cucumber salad, stewed beef tendon, and fresh cut tomatoes that pair perfectly with a beer or highball, you can enjoy truly authentic Osaka flavors. Seating inside the restaurant is uncramped, with plenty of space between the tables, so even during peak hours you can relax as you dine. Whether you’re starting an izakaya crawl or just want a warm, satisfying meal, this is the perfect place to enjoy some quintessential “kushikatsu time.”

Shoya Mankichi Kijoyu Udon Noodles & Sake: A Restaurant for Enjoying the Flavors of Soy Sauce Udon with a Casual Drink

Located in HERBIS PLAZA, Shoya Mankichi’s signature dish is the soy sauce udon (kijoyu udon) referenced in its title. It’s the perfect place to stop when you want a satisfying, authentic meal to recharge you during your travels. The restaurant uses a special dashi soy sauce made by Daisho, Osaka’s only soy sauce brewery. Deeply aromatic yet light, it perfectly enhances the firm texture and wheat flavor of Sanuki udon. Simple but unforgettable, it’s a flavor that’ll keep you coming back.

At night, the restaurant interior transforms into a calm and inviting space, perfect for enjoying a drink. The menu features carefully prepared dishes that pair wonderfully with beer or highballs, including their popular fried chicken tempura, savory grilled scallops with soy sauce, premium pork loin cutlets, and Satsuma chicken tataki. From the counter seating, you can watch the chefs at work, and the warm, wood-paneled interior naturally creates a comfortable and inviting ambiance.

Shoya Mankichi is a reliable and convenient choice when you’re looking for a full meal, or just a casual drink, izakaya-style. With reasonable prices and consistently good food, it’s a place worth remembering when you explore Umeda.

Nurukan Sato Osaka: Some 80 Varieties of Sake to Savor in a Moment of Quiet

Located in GRAND FRONT OSAKA SHOPS & RESTAURANTS, Nurukan Sato Osaka is the perfect place for a deep exploration of Japanese sake culture. The restaurant offers around 80 different brands of sake, which you can savor either refreshingly chilled or gently warmed (nurukan). You can see Nurukan Sato’s dedication to preserving the nuances of sake temperature and aroma in each sake in their neatly arranged sake cups and specialized warmers.

The modern Japanese interior uses both wood and metal to create a space that’s relaxing and attractive. You can watch the chefs preparing food at the counter seats, or find a relaxed, quiet spot for small gatherings at the table seating. The cuisine focuses on seasonal flavors, from sashimi and appetizers to simmered dishes and miso-flavored grilled items, all delicately prepared to pair perfectly with sake.

Whether you’re looking for one perfect, unforgettable “drink of destiny,” curious how the flavor changes with the temperature, or are just looking to enjoy a peaceful Japanese meal during your travels, Nurukan Sato Osaka is an Umeda restaurant well worth visiting.

Japanese Izakaya Culture: Handy Tips to Know

Tip 1: “Toriaezu nama!” Start with a Draft Beer!

“Toriaezu nama!” is a phrase you’ll often hear after someone sits down in a Japanese restaurant, and especially at izakaya. It means, “For now, let’s start with a draft beer!” and signals the start of a gathering or drinking party, so everyone can begin on the same note with a shared toast and friendly energy.

In Japan, it’s customary to order drinks first and then take time to look over the menu, which is why “toriaezu nama” has become such an unspoken norm. Of course, this isn’t a strict rule, and ordering a non-alcoholic drink or other types of alcohol is perfectly fine. The important thing at a restaurant gathering in Japan is starting the rhythm of communication with a chipper, “Kanpai!” (“Cheers!”) Knowing this little cultural point will let you blend in more naturally and enjoy a more authentic Japanese izakaya experience from the very first toast.

Tip 2: The Izakaya Tradition of Otoshi: Why Do You Get a Dish You Didn’t Order?

At Japanese izakaya, you’ll often be served a small dish right after you sit down, even if you didn’t order it. This is called otoshi, and is a custom in Japan. Typically, the dish will be something like chilled vegetables, simmered foods, or a small side dish, meant to function as a tiny appetizer and seating charge, in addition to serving as a simple greeting from the restaurant.

For many international visitors, this is a moment of confusion, as, after all, “Why am I being charged for something I didn’t order?” While the practice may vary by restaurant, otoshi is usually served automatically and generally can’t be declined. If there’s something in it you can’t eat, if you politely let the staff know when you’re seated or when the dish arrives, depending on the restaurant, they may be able to accommodate you.

Understanding what the otoshi is all about can help prevent some small but awkward cultural misunderstandings, and let you focus on enjoying your time in the izakaya.

Tip 3: The Mysterious Menu Symbol “〆”: A Delicious Way to End the Meal

The “〆” (“shimé”) symbol you may see on izakaya menus refers to a dish that closes out the meal, and signals the final stages of the gathering. These are usually warm, stomach-settling, and carb-rich dishes like ochazuke (rice in tea or broth), grilled rice balls, fried rice, ramen, udon, or small desserts. The gentle flavors of dishes like these help balance the effects of alcohol and bring the whole experience to a satisfying close.

After the grilled chicken and small dishes, ending a meal with a shimé dish is considered a small ritual in Japanese food culture. Understanding the role of the shimé means you’ll be able to better appreciate the thought put into the menu, and end your dining experience with the warmth of Japanese hospitality.

HANKYU SANBAN GAI and GRAND FRONT OSAKA SHOPS & RESTAURANTS offer tax-free shopping counters.

• HANKYU SANBAN GAI: South Building 1F (10:30–21:30)
• GRAND FRONT OSAKA SHOPS & RESTAURANTS: South Building 3F (11:00–21:00)

Please be advised that some stores handle tax-free procedures individually. Please check with each store for details.

For more details on how to get to Umeda, see here.

For more information on Umeda, check out some of our Trip Ideas.

*Information in this article is accurate as of the date of posting. There is a possibility that details regarding these products and services have changed, or that some shops have since closed.