The best place to try udon (thick Japanese noodles made out of wheat flour) in Osaka, Imai Honten is as old as a restaurant could possibly get and sits in the middle of Dotonbori, the city’s nightlife giant. The tranquil zen-style facade of this place, replete with willow trees, is hard to miss and stands in stark contrast to its dynamic location. While the interiors are quite unassuming, with basic chairs and tables and modest crockery, the servers at this traditional eatery are thoroughly polite and indulgent. The most comforting item on their menu is the ‘Nabeyaki Udon’, a noodle soup with vegetables, chicken, eggs and fish cakes, all served in a signature clay bowl. The noodles are perfectly chewy, just the way Udon should be, and the broth is heart-warming. If you are not very fond of experimenting, order their shrimp tempura or one of their rice and tofu preparations. Make sure you polish off your meal with a Mochi dessert.

While the fare served at Imai Honten can be a wee bit expensive, the flavours, presentation, service, and the quality of ingredients collectively make up for the price you pay. The presence of an English menu is a massive plus and reservations are not essential.