Osaka is arguably the best food city in Japan, which by extension makes it one of the best food cities in the world. In fact, the Japanese have a nickname for Osaka — Tenka no Daidokoro (天下の台所), or “The Kitchen of the Nation.” While it originally referred to the city's role in the trade of ingredients like rice and dashi, it is now primarily used to celebrate Osaka’s vibrant street food culture and its reputation as a gastronomic playground. If you’re planning your first trip to Osaka, let this guide serve as your introduction to the city’s most iconic dishes. Follow my tips and you too can take part in the time-honored Osakan tradition of Kuidaore (食い倒れ) — “eat until you drop!”