If Tokyo is Japan’s refined, polite, and sharply dressed older sibling, Osaka is the loud, drinking, heavily-tattooed renegade who insists on picking up the tab. Filming No Reservations in 2006, the mission was to embrace Kuidaore—the local philosophy that loosely translates to ‘eat yourself to ruin.’ Osaka is legendary as the street food capital of the nation, famous for its searingly hot takoyaki, deep-fried kushikatsu, and the magnificent, savory mess that is okonomiyaki. The angle for this neon-drenched adventure was to dive into the unapologetic, blue-collar joy of a city that prioritizes flavor and fun over formal etiquette. It was a celebration of standing at cramped counters, burning the roof of your mouth, and drinking cold beer alongside raucous baseball fans. If you want to experience the true, unbuttoned soul of Japanese comfort food, you have to wander the chaotic streets of Dotonbori and let your appetite lead the way. Here are the essential, blisteringly hot stops.
When Anthony Bourdain visited Osaka, Japan on his show No Reservations, he and his crew picked many restaurants. Here are all the addresses and the dishes showcased in a convenient list.
This is No Reservations, season 2, episode 1. It first aired on March 27, 2006.
READ MORE: OSAKA : TOKYO’S LITTLE BROTHER WHO LIKES TO EAT
DISH – Seafood Dishes and Beer – Anthony Bourdain Osaka
WHAT IS IT?
Anthony Bourdain had a cheese fries, chicken wings, sushi and local beer.
“In the end there was indeed joy in Osaka ville this night. The Tigers beat the Yokohama Baystars, 3-nothing and that triggered the Gosakudon tradition, that really won my heart.” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT? – Anthony Bourdain Osaka
Gosakudon Tennoji-koenmae
13-14 Horikoshicho, Tennoji Ward, Osaka, 543-0056, Japan
Osaka, Japan
DISH – Takoyaki
WHAT IS IT?
Anthony Bourdain had Osaka-style Takoyaki, he made his own takoyaki with cheese and spicy mustard, vegetables and bonito or fish flakes also local beer.
“Good and hot, that’s how they like things in Osaka.” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
Takonotetsu
Japan, 〒530-0001 Osaka, Kita Ward, Umeda, 1 Chome−9−20 大阪マルビル B2F
Osaka, Japan
DISH – “Japanese-Style Western Food”
WHAT IS IT?
They had beer and curry rice with egg.
“Temperature-wise it’s hot. It’s like a spicy risotto.” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
Jiyuken
3 Chome-1-34 Nanba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076, Japan
Osaka, Japan
READ MORE: JAPAN: ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED BY ANTHONY BOURDAIN ON NO RESERVATIONS
DISH – Kushikatsu – Anthony Bourdain Osaka
WHAT IS IT?
They had kusikatsu or deep-fried skewered meat and/or vegetables. Specifically, Anthony Bourdain ate kushikatsu with beef, shrimp and tomato.
“It’s beginning to dawn on me that Osakans expect food to provide along with flavor a mouth-searing second degree burn with nearly every molten bite. The words “very hot” are not so much a warning it appears. It’s a promise of good things to come.” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT? – Anthony Bourdain Osaka
Kushikatsu Daruma Dotombori
Japan, 〒542-0071 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Dotonbori, 1 Chome−6−8 道頓堀だるまビル 2F
Osaka, Japan
DISH – Grilled Crab Legs – Anthony Bourdain Osaka
WHAT IS IT?
They had a grilled crab legs from the cart in front of Kani Doraku Dotombori Main Branch located at Osaka, Japan.
“It’s easy to eat here, you just walk out the street, food is everywhere right?” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT? – Anthony Bourdain Osaka
Kani Doraku Dotombori Main Branch
1 Chome-6-18 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan
Osaka, Japan
DISH – Okonomiyaki – Anthony Bourdain Osaka
WHAT IS IT?
They had okonomiyaki which is a Japanese pancake dish made of flour, grated ham, water, bacon and egg with Japanese sweet sauce and mayonnaise.
“You can fit in pretty much anything, there are many regional variations to this dish, but Hiroshima lays claim to be the original old-school method. With all the elements cooked separately and meticulously stacked. As you might expect tho, Osakans favor in all-at-once, anything goes freestyle approach.” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
福太郎
2 Chome-3-17 Sennichimae, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0074, Japan
Osaka, Japan
DISH – “Meat Variety Dish” – Anthony Bourdain Osaka
WHAT IS IT?
They had tripes, liver, tongue, kidney, meat fat and heart and some local beer.
“I hated all of these when I was a child, now, it’s…my favorite.” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
Honke hormone dojo
3 Chome-2-23 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0002, Japan
Osaka, Japan
DISH – Sushi – No Reservations Osaka
WHAT IS IT?
Anthony Bourdain had different kinds of sushi like otoro tuna, anago, hamo eel, unagi and abalone.
“The kind of place I’m most likely to experience perfect dining happiness. A moment of clarity, calm, peace and total self-indulgent pleasure.” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
Koyoshi Sushi OSAKA
1 Chome-3-12 Shibata, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0012, Japan
Osaka, Japan
NOTES – No Reservations Osaka
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
READ MORE: ANTHONY BOURDAIN TOKYO : ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED ON A COOK’S TOUR
Japan was famously Bourdain’s ultimate culinary obsession, but Osaka held a special place in his heart for its complete lack of pretense and its ferocious dedication to pure pleasure. He respected the fact that the food here is designed to be eaten quickly, joyously, and often with a beer in hand. This episode is historically significant for showcasing the gloriously messy, working-class side of Japanese dining, proving that the country’s food culture extends far beyond silent, reverent sushi counters. It served as a love letter to the sheer hedonism of Kuidaore. The legacy left behind is an invitation to let go of your inhibitions. Wander down a neon-lit alley, order something deep-fried on a stick, and embrace the burn.
