Deep-fried skewers of meat and vegetables, kushikatsu is crispy golden goodness through and through. Savour this essential Osaka delicacy in the bowels of the labyrinthine Shin-Umeda Shokudogai, a cluster of nearly 100 small eateries and bars, where the standing-only Matsuba Sohonten has been doing brisk business for over 70 years now.
Eating here is as simple as it gets: find an open spot along the counter, grab any of the skewered delights (from ¥120) lined up on the silver trays, dip your pick in the thick, brown sauce provided and dig in. But whatever you do, remember never to sauce up the same skewer more than once – double dipping is a cardinal sin at any self-respecting kushikatsu joint.