Osaka, Japan's second largest city, is extremely popular among foreign tourists with many famous attractions like Universal Studios Japan and Osaka Castle. However, Osaka's appeal goes far beyond theme parks and tourist spots.
Osaka is also known as one of Japan's top gourmet cities, with many food stalls and restaurants lining the streets, exuding delicious aromas everywhere. Whenever I visit Osaka, I enjoy sampling local foods like okonomiyaki and takoyaki. This time, I'll introduce 8 of the best yakiniku / Japanese BBQ restaurants in Osaka for 2024, highlighting the city's developed food culture.
What is Yakiniku in Japanese Cuisine?
Outside Japan, yakiniku is often served in Korean restaurants, so many people may think it's a Korean dish. However, yakiniku actually originated in Japan, created by Korean residents.
It's said that in the post-war food shortage era, Korean residents in Japan started food stalls selling grilled offal that was previously discarded. The deliciousness of this horumon-yaki spread nationwide, and the culture of grilling meat over direct fire took root in Japan. Later, a diverse lineup including roast and kalbi was added, evolving into the current style.
In other words, yakiniku was born and developed in Japan. Now, it's firmly established as a staple meal for Japanese people.
Best Yakiniku / Japanese BBQ Restaurants in Osaka 2024
Yakiniku Lab Umeda Branch
source：Tabelog
Yakiniku Lab Umeda Branch is conveniently located near Umeda Station. The restaurant is stylish yet warm, with private rooms for a quiet dining experience. You can enjoy an all-you-can-eat menu with over 100 dishes including wagyu and fresh raw meat dishes, plus 120 minutes of unlimited drinks, for 5,000 yen at lunch and 6,000 yen at dinner.
While the basic course is satisfying, I recommend the "Tannou Course" to fully experience Yakiniku Lab. The Tan Burian included in this course is a rare cut from the cow's tongue, offering a perfect balance of tenderness and texture with concentrated meat flavor. Paired with yakiniku-specific rice, you won't be able to stop eating. As it's a popular spot, make reservations early.
Yakiniku Lab Umeda Branch
・Address: 3F, Dai-3 Kawai Building, 2-10-21 Sonezaki, Kita-ku, Osaka
・Closed: 12/31, 1/1
・Phone: 050-5456-0889
・Hours: 12:00 - 23:00
・Official website: https://yakinikulab.owst.jp/
Kitashinchi Yakiniku Kiraku
source：Tabelog
Kitashinchi Yakiniku Kiraku is a high-end yakiniku restaurant about 5 minutes walk from JR Kitashinchi Station. With a castle-like exterior, the interior offers a sophisticated adult atmosphere with all private rooms. Kitashinchi Yakiniku Kiraku is known for its high-quality meat, handling top-grade brand beef like Omi beef and Noto Premium beef.
Several course menus are available, but if you're unsure, I recommend the "Kiwami Course" (13,800 yen) which includes their signature Super Negi Tan Shio. You can savor premium meat sourced from Kamiya Shoten, a renowned Japanese meat wholesaler known to all meat lovers.
When eating, try combining it with wasabi. Enjoying top-grade yakiniku in this luxurious setting will be an unforgettable experience.
Kitashinchi Yakiniku Kiraku
・Address: 2F palmary_inn, 1-2-7 Dou-Jima, Kita-ku, Osaka
・Closed: None
・Phone: 050-5589-4759
・Hours: Mon-Sat 17:00 - 24:00, Sun 17:30 - 23:00
・Official website: https://kecw800.gorp.jp/
Umeda Private Room Yakiniku Gyujiro
source：Tabelog
Umeda Private Room Yakiniku Gyujiro is a yakiniku restaurant where you can enjoy the highest A-5 grade wagyu at affordable prices, thanks to its direct management by a wholesale company. The interior has a calm atmosphere with table seats, counter seats, and private rooms to meet various needs.
The standard course, which includes 9 types of yakiniku including A-5 grade meat, appetizers like meat sushi, dessert, and all-you-can-drink, is very reasonable at 5,500 yen. While enjoying the course is great, I recommend the "Toro Niku Don Three Sisters". This Instagram follower-exclusive menu offers three types of rice bowls combining fresh meat with seafood like sea urchin and scallops. It's a highly satisfying dish in terms of appearance, taste, and volume.
Umeda Koshitsu Yakiniku Gyujiro
・Address: 1F, Nihonbashi Patio Sonezaki, 2-5-22 Sonezaki, Kita-ku, Osaka
・Closed: 12/31, 1/1, 1/2, ⅓
・Phone: 050-5456-9798
・Hours: 17:00 - 23:00
・Official Website: https://gyujiro-umeda.owst.jp/
Osaka Yakiniku Nandaimon
source：Tabelog
Osaka Yakiniku Nandaimon is located near Shinsaibashi Station, one of Osaka's busiest shopping districts. It's a sister store of a super popular long-established yakiniku restaurant with over 60 years of history in Shizuoka. The energetic owner and homey atmosphere are characteristic, always providing a comfortable space. The interior decor and presentation are unpretentious, focusing solely on providing delicious meat, which is my favorite point.
The top recommendation is the "Thick-cut Tan Moto Steak" (2,800 yen). This luxurious steak allows you to enjoy a whole wagyu tongue, rarely found elsewhere. The melting fat and charcoal aroma stimulate your appetite. Osaka Yakiniku Nandaimon is perfect for a fun and delicious meal with friends or family.
Osaka Yakiniku Nandaimon
・Address: 1F, Nakasho Building, 1-8-15 Higashi Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka
・Closed: Tuesdays and 3rd Wednesday of the month
・Phone: 050-5869-1845
・Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat 17:00 - 00:00, Sun & Holidays 16:00 - 00:00
・Official Website: https://www.instagram.com/niku.nandaimon/
Kitashinchi Wagyu Yakiniku Gokan
source：Tabelog
Kitashinchi Wagyu Yakiniku Gokan is a top-class yakiniku restaurant that retains the dignity and substance of a long-established shop while also embracing a modern atmosphere. This restaurant serves Matsusaka beef, a representative Japanese brand wagyu. I remember being shocked and moved beyond my previous image of yakiniku when I first ate Matsusaka beef here.
For first-time visitors, I recommend the "Gokan Standard Course". At 9,900 yen, it's not cheap, but you'll definitely feel it's worth more than the price. When eaten with the secret sauce that has continued for 50 years since the restaurant's founding, you can enjoy a refreshing taste within the richness, making even fatty cuts enjoyable without getting tired. The smokeless roaster that prevents yakiniku smell from sticking to your hair and clothes is also a nice point. This is a must-visit restaurant once in your lifetime, with an impressive atmosphere, presentation, and taste.
Kitashinchi Wagyu Yakiniku Gokan
・Address: 2F, J Pride Building, 1-11-24 Sonezaki Shinchi, Kita-ku, Osaka
・Closed: Sundays and public holidays
・Phone: 050-5590-0563
・Hours: Mon-Fri 17:30 - 02:00, Sat 17:30 - 00:00
Official Website: https://gokan-yakiniku.com/
Sumibi Yakiniku Da-Wa
source：Tabelog
Sumibi Yakiniku Da-Wa is one of the most popular yakiniku restaurants in the Fukushima Station area, known for its many dining establishments. While yakiniku is usually served seasoned with sauce or salt, Sumibi Yakiniku Da-Wa is a rare restaurant where you can simply enjoy the umami of the meat grilled plain. The monochrome interior exudes a stylish, adult atmosphere.
The most popular menu item is the "Today's Special Omakase Course" (6,600 yen). This course includes tender and light filet meat. Try eating it first without any seasoning. You should be able to directly taste the deliciousness of the ingredient itself. Sumibi Yakiniku Da-Wa is a yakiniku restaurant praised by meat lovers for allowing you to enjoy the best beef in the best way.
Sumibi Yakiniku Da-Wa
・Address: 3F, Fukumoto Building, 7-8-3 Fukushima, Fukushima-ku, Osaka
・Closed: Irregular
・Phone: 050-5570-1004
・Hours: 11:30 - 14:30, 17:00 - 00:00
・Official Website: https://www.instagram.com/sumibiyakiniku.da_wa/
Sumibi Yakiniku Liberty
source：Tabelog
Sumibi Yakiniku Liberty is recommended for those who want to casually enjoy wagyu. The bright and warm interior has an unpretentious atmosphere, perfect for meals with friends or family. The must-try dish here is the "Nira-maki Roast" (1,780 yen), which is wagyu roast wrapped around garlic chives. The high-quality fat of the meat combined with the sharp flavor of the chives is sure to be addictive once you try it.
There's also a wide variety of appetizers like low-temperature cooked exquisite wagyu yukhoe and grilled scallops, which pair well with drinks. The experience of cooking on traditional clay grills is also one of the enjoyable aspects of this restaurant. It's a highly recommended spot with excellent cost performance, offering delicious charcoal-grilled yakiniku at low prices.
Sumibi Yakiniku Liberty
・Address: 3F-1, Dojima Linden Building, 1-3-8 Dojima, Kita-ku, Osaka
・Closed: Sundays
・Phone: 050-5600-5705
・Hours: 17:00 - 00:00
・Official Website: https://ke2j513.gorp.jp/
Kitashinchi Yakiniku Kikuchi
source：Tabelog
Kitashinchi Yakiniku Kikuchi is a hidden gem yakiniku restaurant in Kitashinchi, a gourmet district. It offers a relaxed, stylish space like a cafe, with the 3rd floor VIP private room being especially recommended for couples due to its exclusive feel.
This restaurant focuses on fresh raw meat dishes made possible by thorough ingredient management. In addition to the standard yukhoe, try challenging some unique menu items rarely found elsewhere, like raw beef heart or stomach.
The recommended menu is the "Filet Kaiseki Snow Course", which features my favorite filet steak as the main dish. Using A5 grade wagyu, the umami and tenderness of the meat are beyond words. Pay attention to the beautiful presentation that follows the traditional Kyoto kaiseki style. This is a special restaurant recommended for commemorative days or birthdays.
Kitashinchi Yakiniku Kikuchi
・Address: 2F & 3F, Morita Building, 1-5-40 Dojima, Kita-ku, Osaka
・Closed: New Year's holidays
・Phone: 050-5872-0744
・Hours: 12:00 - 15:00, 17:00 - 00:00 (Lunch only on public holidays)
・Official Website: https://kikuchi.owst.jp/
Points about Yakiniku
First, there are yakiniku restaurants where you grill the meat yourself and those where the staff grills and serves the meat. Most yakiniku restaurants adopt the self-grilling style.
The key to grilling deliciously is not to flip the meat too many times. Basically, try to grill each side only once. It's also important not to overcook the meat. Overcooking will make even good meat tough. Many restaurants provide lemon or yakiniku sauce, so use them according to your preference.
Conclusion
Osaka, the gourmet city, has many delicious yakiniku restaurants. The 8 restaurants introduced here are especially recommended as the best yakiniku / Japanese BBQ spots in Osaka for 2024. You can enjoy high-quality wagyu yakiniku in comfortable spaces at any of these restaurants. Each restaurant has different charms, such as modern interiors, beautiful presentations, or homey atmospheres.
Many also offer fresh raw meat dishes, allowing you to enjoy uniquely Japanese side dishes. Please try dining at these restaurants during your Osaka tour. Eating wagyu yakiniku in the best settings will surely provide a satisfying Japanese food experience.