Kushi katsu, or kushi agé, are breaded and deep-fried skewers. Osaka is famous for this casual, crowd-pleasing dish. Kushi means skewer. Katsu refers to cutlets or breaded and deep-fried foods. Agé means fried.

The fillings run the range from meat to seafood to vegetables and cheese. Order a variety of skewers and an ice cold beer. Raw cabbage, served in a simple bowl, is refreshing between the fried skewers. Some restaurants serve a dipping sauce in a large vessel that the skewers can be dipped in. This Daruma put the sauce in a pourer that could be squeezed over the skewers. Not sure if this is something that changed since the pandemic.

Daruma is a popular chain of kushi katsu in Osaka. This branch, opened in 1929, is in Shin Sekai and is at the base of the Tsūtenkaku Tower, a landmark in the area. On the top of the tower is a cool observation platform with a clear bottom floor – if you’re brave enough to look down! Daruma has branches throughout Osaka. If you’re travels are only in Tokyo you can find kushikatsu restaurants here.

Daruma だるま @kushikatsu_daruma_official

Osaka-shi, Naniwa-ku, Ebisu Higashi 2-3-9