After satisfyingly finishing the “best takoyaki in Osaka” at Takoyaki Kun, the next stop for food in Dotonbori was the famous octopus ball restaurant, Wanaka Takoyaki Dōraku (Japanese: たこ焼き道楽 わなか), located on the same street (after the Big Camera electronics store) as Jiyūken Namba Honten where we dined a few days ago. We tried a variety of their unique takoyaki flavors and evaluated their octopus and scallop balls to see just how delicious they are.
Don’t want to miss any delicious food? Check out the highly rated Dotonbori restaurants by netizens: Must-eat restaurants in Dotonbori, Osaka
Information of Takoyaki Dojo “WANAKA” Branch
The popular takoyaki chain “WANAKA” has over 10 branches in Osaka, most of which are located around the main store in Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori, such as in America-mura and Kuromon Ichiba Market. There are also branches in Osaka Castle Park and Shin-Osaka. For detailed locations and business hours, please refer to the official website. Below are only the branch information that is most easily accessible for tourists:
Takoyaki Do-Le “WANAKA” Namba Store (Most Popular)
- Address: 3-7-24 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Business hours: 10:00~22:00
- Closed on Wednesdays (open on national holidays, closed on other days)
Octopus Takoyaki Dole “WANAKA” Thousand Days Ago Main Store
- Address: 11-19 Namba Sennichimae, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Business hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00~23:00, Saturday, Sunday and national holidays: 8:30~23:00 (open all year round)
Actually, the main store of Sen-nichi is not far from the Namba store. It is only a 6-minute walk from Namba Station on the Midosuji Subway Line, an 8-minute walk from Osaka Namba Station on the Kintetsu Namba Line, and a 4-minute walk from Namba Station on the Nankai Main Line. If you are strolling along the Sen-nichi Doguyasuji Shopping Street, it is more convenient to dine at this restaurant.
Read More: A Travel Guide to Dotonbori, Japan
Octopus Takoyaki at “WANAKA” Menu & Prices
The takoyaki at Wanaka, a popular takoyaki restaurant, is quite unique because it comes with a variety of sauce flavors. A must-try is the combination set “OOIRI,” which includes four different flavors in a large portion. Another highly recommended dish is the “takosen” (octopus and senbei takoyaki).
When ordering, the staff will ask if you want to add options such as mayonnaise. After ordering and paying, you can stand and watch the staff make takoyaki and other dishes!
Just a little story, I found that the attitude of the service staff in Osaka is much less patient than before (before 2018) when I came to Osaka this time. Maybe it’s because there are more tourists and they have to deal with foreigners who don’t speak the language all day long, which is very tiring. Whenever they encounter a word they don’t understand, the staff in cheaper restaurants (especially in the Dotonbori area) tend to roll their eyes at you… Anyway, it may also be because the weather is hot in summer (above 35 degrees) and their patience has been worn down!
Octopus Balls at “WANAKA” for Dine-In Seating
WANAKA, the Takoyaki restaurant, has indoor seating available. After receiving your Takoyaki, you can go upstairs to dine and enjoy free ice water.
However, there aren’t many seats on the second floor of Takoyaki Dōraku “WANAKA”.
OOIRI (Large Portion) 8 pieces for 500 yen
This time I ordered the Ooiri with beautiful bento box packaging. In addition to the basic flavors of “sauce, soy sauce, and salted green onion” for takoyaki, there will also be a limited-time flavor, for a total of four flavors of takoyaki.
The takoyaki at “WANAKA” is more of a Kansai-style, with a focus on the batter, but it’s not too heavy. Because of the unique sauce, there are many different flavors when you eat it.
The size of the octopus is considered medium to large, and it tastes fresh. However, I personally think that the classic WANAKA is better. As I have previously evaluated in the “Koka Style” ranking, I am a fan of scallion-flavored takoyaki. Therefore, I also recommend the salt and scallion flavor. As for other flavors, I don’t think they have any special characteristics, just a change in taste.
If you don’t choose from the four flavor series, but the standard Takoyaki, there are also flavors to choose from such as salt, Japanese soy sauce, slightly spicy sauce, and even mentaiko flavor for those who love it. However, this flavor is usually salty and greasy.
Takosen (Octopus and Scallop) 200 yen
WANAKA, the octopus ball shop, is where Piaoruo thinks the most delicious specialty is the “octopus scallop (たこせん)”. The crispy and fragrant shrimp-flavored scallop is sandwiched with hot octopus balls and coated with special sauce, providing a dual feast for both taste and texture.
The octopus and scallop takoyaki from Takoyaki Senbei is a classic takoyaki sauce with a lot of green onions. However, because the shrimp flavor and crispy texture of the scallop are combined, it feels like eating a snack. Previously, when I ate a similar Akashiyaki scallop “Hanaon” in Koedo Kawagoe, I also liked this kind of snack that combines scallops with takoyaki.
Although the takoyaki from “WANAKA” in Osaka is already considered less salty, Taiwanese people still need to drink hot water to avoid getting tired of it. The store also provides ice water for self-service.
About Takoyaki DoLek WANAKA, My Experience
Zhangyu Shao Dao Le WANAKA is a classic “Osaka-style” takoyaki, which is a batter-based dish with soft and tender outer layer and filling. It is very different from the crispy outer layer of Kanto-style takoyaki. If you haven’t tried Osaka-style takoyaki yet, this specialty offers a variety of sauce options and even includes octopus scallops, providing a crispy scallop option for those who are afraid of Kansai-style takoyaki.
Dotonbori Takoyaki Grand Prix, every restaurant competes to impress you: Recommended Takoyaki in Osaka
More Osaka Cuisine
Everything You Need to Know about Osaka
Explore more of our adventures around Osaka:
- Travel Guide: A Pocket Osaka Travel Guide
- Attractions: Top 15 Things To Do In Osaka
- Food: Ultimate Osaka Food Guide
Simplify Your Osaka Trip