Kushikatsu Daruma - Namba Main Shop — Restaurant in Osaka

After Shinsekai and Umeda, I made my way to the Namba branch of Kushikatsu Daruma — tucked away in the underground shopping arcade right beneath Namba Station. This one’s a bit of a hidden gem: it’s not as flashy as Dotonbori or as iconic as Shinsekai, but the convenience and speed here were top-notch.

I went during lunchtime, and despite the location being compact and buzzing, I was seated almost immediately. The staff were just as energetic and funny as in the other locations — within seconds, I got the classic “Only one sauce dip!” reminder, delivered with a grin.

I ordered the standard kushikatsu set and added quail egg, shimeji mushroom, and camembert cheese. The batter here was noticeably lighter and crispier, which made each bite feel a little less heavy — perfect for lunch. The quail egg was amazing — still warm and slightly creamy in the middle, wrapped in a crunchy golden shell.

Compared to the busier, tourist-packed branches, this one felt more local. I noticed several solo office workers grabbing a quick bite, which gave it a relaxed, real-Osaka feel.

Final bill came to just under 2,000 yen with a cold beer — fair, fast, satisfying. Not flashy, but if you’re transiting through Namba and need a kushikatsu fix, this is...

Even though it is a chain kushikatsu restaurant, Daruma still holds its own against higher end kushikatsu. There may be a line at typical lunch and dinner rush times. We got there a little too close to dinner and waited in line for 30 minutes, but the wait was totally worth it. First off, this place has such character. It has a mascot statue in the front and the walls are plastered with autographs from celebrities international and domestic. We ate on the basement floor. The tables were a bit crowded but manageable. I would recommend one of their standard courses if it is your first experience with kushikatsu. I also highly recommend splurging for their higher quality meat selection, it will be the highlight of your meal! The special menu included A4 wagyu, kurobuta pork, and high quality chicken. Remember to review kushikatsu etiquette pertaining to using the communal dipping sauce. The cost of the meal was extremely low compared to the quality and quantity of food. We paid about $100 a person at an upscale kushikatsu restaurant, but honestly it couldn’t pass the standard set by Daruma. Definitely come here to have a great experience with one of Osaka’s food...

I visited Kushikatsu Daruma - Namba Main Shop by accident and had a pleasant experience overall. The restaurant offers a variety of kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) that were delicious, and the dipping sauce complemented the flavors well. The bustling atmosphere added to the dining experience. However, I deducted one star due to the chicken skin, which was not as enjoyable as the other items(soggy not crispy). Despite this, the overall quality of the food and the friendly service made the visit worthwhile. It's a great spot for anyone looking to try authentic kushikatsu in Osaka at an...