When you think of Osaka, you think of takoyaki! That’s the simple thought process of a Kanto native like myself. But who doesn’t love flour-based foods?
On a trip to Osaka for my favorite artist’s concert, my friend put together a packed schedule for us to follow. The weather was great, the heat was intense, and that meant one thing—drinking outside is going to be amazing! So, we headed to ‘Acchichi Honpo,’ one of the many takoyaki shops along the riverside.
The Pre-Activity Was a Ferris Wheel Ride
As the saying goes, "Fools and smoke like high places," and I’m one of those who loves heights. I purposely didn’t gather any information beforehand and went to take in the panoramic view of Osaka with my acrophobic friend.
While I was excitedly shouting, "So high! Amazing! Fun!!", my friend, who questioned their trust in the steel structure, seemed to be clinging to life. Hence, our post-survival celebration involved takoyaki.
You can read about that experience in this series.
Winning with the ‘Takoyaki + Alcohol Set’!!!
Is this set made just for us? I thought, though I’m sure many others have had the same idea. Isn’t day drinking just the best?
The menu really felt like Osaka. In my hometown’s takoyaki shops, it’s all about sauce and mayo. But in Osaka, salt is a common option, which makes me happy. I love takoyaki with salt.
Last year, I also had takoyaki and beer outside, and I was thrilled to find salt kelp as a topping.
With the influence of inbound tourism, the menu is multilingual. I expected to see English and Chinese, but I also heard some languages I wasn’t familiar with. Japan is truly becoming an accessible destination.
Salt Mayo and Soy Sauce Mayo for a Light Taste
Without the sauce, the takoyaki had a clean, simple look.
The salt mayo was as refreshing and light as it looked, with a strong umami flavor from the dashi.
The soy sauce mayo had a wonderful, savory aroma that I really enjoyed.
Spacious Indoor Seating with Air Conditioning
The interior of the shop was quite spacious, with both counter and table seating.
The counters had plenty of depth, and the chairs were well-spaced, so there was enough room even if you had some baggage.
The tables could comfortably seat six people, making them quite roomy.
There weren’t that many seats overall, but since takoyaki is fast food, the turnover seemed quick. Even if there’s a long line outside, you’ll probably be able to enter once the people ahead of you have received their food.
Look for the octopus lantern—it’s located at the end of the bridge.
Dotonbori is a popular tourist spot. Although there were many tourists from both Japan and abroad, it wasn’t overwhelmingly crowded, and we could enjoy our time comfortably.
If you’re planning a cheerful sightseeing trip to Osaka, why not stop by ‘Acchichi Honpo’?
