A serene, historic udon house in Dotonbori (founded 1946) famed for its golden kombu-and-mackerel dashi and signature kitsune udon. Despite the tofu topping, the broth is fish-based so it is not vegetarian or vegan, and the udon noodles contain wheat, so it is not gluten-free. Closed Wednesdays.
Premium pork tasted across rare cuts (loin, fillet, prime rib, rump)
A small counter tonkatsu specialist near Takadanobaba selected for Tabelog's Tonkatsu Top-100 across multiple years (2018-2026), known for cutlets cut from premium pork across unusual cuts and served with olive oil and truffle salt. Lunch draws long queues; evening dining is course-based.
Handmade miso soup with organic vegetables, paired with onigiri
A miso-soup-and-onigiri specialist near Kaminarimon serving dashi-based soups with organic vegetables; most bowls are dashi and miso based with no dairy (the 'creamy' soup uses soy milk, not milk). For severe allergies, confirm ingredients with staff.
Made-to-order udon, incl. cult carbonara udon & tempura
A perpetually-queued Tabelog Top-100 udon shop near Shinjuku where every bowl of springy noodles is cut and boiled to order — try the cult carbonara udon.
Yamaimo-yaki — okonomiyaki bound with grated mountain yam
A Dotonbori okonomiyaki institution founded in 1945, now third-generation and a multi-year Michelin Bib Gourmand, famous for its 'yamaimo-yaki' bound with grated mountain yam. Long waits are common; it is not suitable for vegan, vegetarian, halal or gluten-free diets, as dishes use flour, egg, pork and bonito-based dashi.
