Hanadoko

Located in Shin-Umeda Shokudogai near Osaka Station, this standing takoyaki bar is an ideal stop for a quick bite – whether you’ve just arrived in the city or are about to depart via the bustling transport hub.

At Hanadoko, the takoyaki are cooked over high heat, resulting in a batter that's light and fluffy yet creamy on the inside. More importantly, the shop uses only raw octopus to allow its natural umami to seep into and season the batter as it cooks, while the meat remains plump and springy.

A small serving of six takoyaki will only set you back ¥570, but the standout is Hanadoko’s signature ‘negi mayo’ takoyaki (from ¥670). Here, the golden-brown balls are buried under a generous mound of crisp green onions, then drizzled with a mildly tangy mayonnaise. Delivered fresh from the market each morning, the scallions are neither sharp nor pungent; instead, they add brightness that's a perfect foil to the richness of the takoyaki.

We recommend trying the takoyaki plain first to fully appreciate the quality of the batter and octopus before adding seasoning. Options include the house special sauce, ponzu, dashi soy sauce, salt and a spicy salt-based tare.