When winter arrives in Japan, there’s nothing quite like the hot pot dishes that warm you up, body and soul. Each region in Japan has its own unique food culture, and the winter staples of sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, and oden can all be enjoyed in Umeda, Osaka. In fact, Kansai is considered the birthplace of shabu-shabu, and the region also has a deeply rooted sukiyaki culture.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best restaurants to authentically enjoy these dishes in Osaka’s central Umeda area. There are also natural hot springs near Osaka-umeda Station, perfect for a visit after you’ve had a delicious meal. When you visit Umeda in winter, come enjoy a trip that’ll warms you up, inside and out.

Popular Winter Hot Pot Dishes in Kansai to Keep You Toasty This Winter

Shabu-shabu

Shabu-shabu is one of Japan’s quintessential hot pot dishes. It’s said to have originated after World War II, when a long-established restaurant in Kyoto adapted a Chinese lamb hot pot into a Japanese-style dish. Later, a restaurant in Osaka gave it the name "shabu-shabu," and the dish spread throughout Japan. Kansai-style shabu-shabu typically features beef as the main ingredient and is generally enjoyed with two types of dipping sauce: rich sesame sauce and refreshing ponzu.

Sukiyaki

There are two types of Japanese sukiyaki: Kansai style and Kanto style. Kansai-style sukiyaki is characterized by first melting beef fat in an iron pot and quickly grilling just the meat by itself. Once the meat is about halfway cooked, sugar and soy sauce are added directly to the pot. Once infused with these rich flavors, the meat is then dipped in raw egg so you can savor its natural umami and aroma. Ingredients like green onions, napa cabbage, and tofu are added in after you’ve tasted the meat.

Oden

When it comes to warm dishes that’ll crave during the cold season, oden is a must. The defining feature of Kansai-style oden is its fragrant and refined broth, made from kelp, bonito flakes, and light soy sauce. The ingredients also reflect the local culture: beef tendon skewers and octopus legs are especially popular in Kansai.

3 Restaurants in Umeda You’ll Want to Visit This Winter

shabu SAI: All-You-Can-Eat Shabu-Shabu and Sukiyaki

shabu SAI is a specialty restaurant offering all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu and sukiyaki. It’s connected directly to Hankyu Osaka-umeda Station, so it's extremely easy to access. One reason for shabu SAI’s popularity is its commitment to the quality of its ingredients. The restaurant carefully selects safe, high-quality beef and pork, including domestically raised black pork and wagyu beef. It also makes a point not to use frozen vegetables, instead serving fresh seasonal vegetables for exceptional texture and flavor.

On top of unlimited top-ups for your meat and vegetables, you can also choose the broth you prefer. shabu SAI also offers a wide selection of side dishes, including traditional small dishes, sushi, desserts, and drinks. It’s the perfect restaurant for anyone who wants to fully enjoy shabu-shabu, sukiyaki, and sushi!

The restaurant interior is spacious and comfortable, and it’s especially popular with families. It often fills up to capacity during peak lunch and dinner times. English and Chinese menus are also available for international visitors. If you don’t have a reservation when you visit, shabu SAI recommends visiting between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., when you’re more likely to be seated relatively quickly.

Yakiniku & Sukiyaki Jun: Enjoy High-Quality Wagyu Yakiniku and Sukiyaki in One Place

Yakiniku & Sukiyaki Jun is a popular restaurant where you can enjoy high-quality wagyu yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) and sukiyaki at reasonable prices. Operated by JA Zen-Noh (the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations), the restaurant uses only carefully selected domestic Black wagyu. With rigorous standards applied to everything from sourcing to quality control, you can savor the authentic taste of wagyu with complete peace of mind here.

While many restaurants specializing in premium wagyu tend to focus on either yakiniku or sukiyaki, Yakiniku & Sukiyaki Jun lets you enjoy both: fragrant, grilled yakiniku and sukiyaki that brings out the meat's rich umami.

You can find the restaurant on the 7th floor of NAVIO DINING. Inside, you’ll be met with a calm, sophisticated atmosphere perfect for enjoying a relaxed meal. There are options for counter seating, sunken kotatsu-style seating, and table seating available, so it's perfect for solo travelers as well as dining with friends and family.

If you’re visiting without a reservation, the restaurant recommends aiming for around 5:00–7:00 p.m., when you are more likely to be seated relatively smoothly.

*Reservations are required for sukiyaki. Reservations can be made through restaurant reservation websites like Tabelog and SAVOR JAPAN.

Jinbe Oden & Freshly Fried Fish-Based Foods: Enjoy Handmade Fish Cakes and Fresh Fish Delivered Directly from the Market

The main specialty at Jinbe Oden & Freshly Fried Fish-Based Foods (Age-Tate Nerimon Oden no Jinbe), as its name suggests, are its freshly fried handmade fish cakes, served up on the B1 floor of D.D.HOUSE in Osaka’s Umeda area. Unlike the typical fish cakes used in oden, these homemade fish cakes are fried fresh in the restaurant every day, giving them a pleasantly springy texture that allows you to fully enjoy the fish’s umami. The oden is slowly simmered in an elegant Kansai-style dashi broth, creating a gentle flavor that will keep you reaching for another bite!

In addition to their freshly fried fish cake oden, the restaurant is also known for its can’t-miss sashimi, grilled squid, and soba noodles. Thanks to the ownership of its own fish wholesaler, Uoya Ebisu, Jinbe can purchase the freshest fish of the day directly from the market and have it delivered straight to the restaurant, so customers can enjoy some truly delicious sashimi at surprisingly reasonable prices.

Another highlight is the chance to enjoy Osaka's famous grilled squid (ikayaki)! This casual local dish is about as popular as Osaka favorites like takoyaki and okonomiyaki, and is prepared by mixing chopped squid into a flour-based batter, then pressing and grilling it on a hot plate.

Jinbe is extremely popular with locals, and is always bustling. If you plan to visit on a weekend, you’ll want to make a reservation online via Instagram to reduce your wait time.

*After logging into Instagram, you can make a reservation directly using the "Reserve" button on the restaurant’s profile page.

After Your Meal, Take a Break at Umekita Onsen Ren Wellbeing Park

You can enjoy an authentic natural hot spring right in the heart of the big city of Osaka Umeda! There’s no time like before or after your meal to enjoy the natural springs at Umekita Onsen Ren Wellbeing Park. Located in the South Building of GRAND GREEN OSAKA, one of Osaka Umeda's newest spots, it’s directly connected to JR Osaka Station, and extremely easy to access, in addition to being one of the Kansai region's largest urban luxury hot spring resort and wellness facilities.

The facility includes natural hot springs, saunas, heated stone baths, an outdoor heated infinity pool, a gym, yoga programs, beauty services, healthy food, and more, perfect for enjoying a luxurious refresh in the middle of the city without traveling far. Especially during the cold winter months, the heated stone baths and bedrock baths are perfect for warming yourself from within and sweating it out on the natural mineral stones.

In addition to basic admission tickets, Onsen Ren Wellbeing Park sells a 1 Day Passport, which is the best option if you’re looking to enjoy all the facilities. You’ll be given a welcome drink when you first enter, and towels and other amenities are also available, so it’s easy to stop by without bringing anything with you.

FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Food and Things to Do in Umeda, Osaka

Q1: What are the best warm winter foods I can eat in Umeda, Osaka?

A1: There are three Japanese dishes you won’t want to miss in wintertime. If you want to enjoy both shabu-shabu and sukiyaki (Japanese hot pot dishes), try the restaurant shabu SAI, where you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat meal. If you care most about the quality of the meat, Yakiniku & Sukiyaki Jun, directly operated by JA Zen-Noh, serves high-quality wagyu yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) and sukiyaki. If you prefer a cozy atmosphere, Jinbe Oden & Freshly Fried Fish-Based Foods (Age-Tate Nerimon Oden no Jinbe) is a great choice, with its specialty freshly fried handmade fish cakes and dashi-rich oden (another warming winter dish cooked in broth).

Q2: What are the best things to do in Umeda, Osaka in winter?

A2: You can’t beat eating some warm food and relaxing in an onsen! First, enjoy sme piping-hot hot pot dishes or oden in Umeda, then head to Umekita Onsen Ren Wellbeing Park after your meal. Soak in the natural hot spring and relax away the fatigue of your travels. Before you head out, be sure to check out "Stay warm and stylish on your winter trip to Osaka! A guide to warm Japanese winter fashion and cold weather items" to make sure you’re comfortable and prepared for the cold on your trip.

HANKYU SANBAN GAI offers a tax-free shopping counter.

• HANKYU SANBAN GAI: South Building 1F (10:30–21:30)

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.