Kushikatsu Daruma - Dotombori

It was an overall fun experience with a very lively, energetic vibe, which is clearly one of this place’s main attractions. Unfortunately, the food itself didn’t quite work for me. Everything we tried felt overly doughy, which some people may enjoy, but it wasn’t to my taste. We ordered three ¥2,300 combo sets and added a few extra skewers, including ox tongue. While the presentation looked appealing, most of the skewers were heavily coated in thick batter with very little filling inside. The oysters were small, the beef was thin, and the balance between batter and ingredients felt off. As a result, the meal was underwhelming and, in my opinion, not worth the price. On the positive side, the servers were friendly, attentive, and did a great job maintaining the upbeat atmosphere. Taking everything into account, the lively vibe, good service, heavy batter, and high cost. I would only recommend this place to those who truly enjoy deep-fried, corndog-style food and don’t mind paying a premium for it.

A tiny spot, but I really liked the experience at Kushikatsu Daruma. The owner and staff were warm and welcoming, which made the whole visit feel easy and relaxed. I also appreciated that there were English and Mandarin menus available, even though the options were limited to set meals on those versions. It’s a simple place, but it left a very good impression.

As someone who doesn’t speak Japanese, from the outside this could be daunting since they have no English signs. I was greeted and seated at the bar instantly. They patiently served me despite the language barrier - what’s helpful is they have English menu and guide you using the online ordering system. Ordering went smoothly. I didn’t expect these fried skewers to be so good! I ordered, chicken breast with yuzu, mozzarella, prawn, young corn, chicken skin, and garlic chicken. I love them all - just maybe the chicken skin needs more seasoning. I feel comfortable eating here as a first-timer in Osaka and solo diner!

This is a very popular restaurant chain in Osaka, best known for its signature dish, kushikatsu — deep-fried, breaded skewers with a variety of ingredients like meat, seafood, and vegetables. It’s an iconic spot and one of the most famous in the city, visited by both locals and tourists. One important rule: no double dipping. The sauce on the table is shared, so you’re only allowed to dip your skewer once before eating — part of the experience and something they take seriously. They offer over 40 types of skewers, including shrimp, cheese, and asparagus. The most famous is the original kushikatsu: beef skewers coated in a very light, crispy batter using their house recipe. If you’re not sure what to order, go for a combo set (like the Shin-Osaka set), which includes a selection of their most popular skewers along with doteyaki.

Food: We ordered the usual samplers but it had the fugu. First time to eat it but it was just like any breaded skewered fish. The kushikatsu set was quite oily and would think we can get these anywhere in Osaka. The saving grace was the beef stew soup. I wish they had rice. Service: no complaints Atmosphere: We had a good location in front of some wall murals but the location was tight and cramped.