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Osaka is known as the “kitchen of Japan” — no small moniker for a country famous for incredible food. The city has historically played the role of a major trading center for rice and other goods, and all of those merchants coming in and out helped build a thriving food culture. High-end seafood restaurants share must-eat status alongside street food stalls serving up classics like takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (a type of savory pancake), and all manner of traditional Japanese desserts. There’s even a word for overindulgence in Osaka: kuidaore, or “eating until you drop.” The lively Dotonbori District is the place to go for the best street food and nightlife in the city.
