Kushikatsu Daruma

Overview

Established at the base of the Tsutenkaku Tower, Kushikatsu Daruma claims to be the original purveyor of kushikatsu — deep-fried meat and veggies on skewers — and it remains one of the area's most popular kushikatsu restaurants.

In these marvellous no-frills snack spot and drinking establishment, you can try everything from quail eggs and chicken skin to beef tongue meatballs and lotus root all served on a stick, crumbed and fried. Try them all and wash them down with a crisp Japanese draft beer or a bottle of cold sake.

The restaurant now has several other locations across the city, but the home venue is the one you should ensure you visit — just look for its distinctive black and white sign and its angry man mascot holding two skewers in the shape of an X. This is a cute homage to the traditional rule of kushikatsu: never double-dip your skewers!