OsakaFood

Browse kimchi and Korean food ingredient shops in the maze-like arcade

About this spot

A massive market area surrounding Tsuruhashi Station, where three rail lines (JR Loop Line, Kintetsu, and Subway) converge, with roots in the postwar black market. The maze-like covered arcades are densely packed with shops selling kimchi displayed in barrels, homemade side dishes, pajeon (savory pancakes), Korean food ingredients, and brightly colored chima-chogori costume shops. The moment you step inside, you're enveloped in the elation of wandering through a foreign market. The aroma of grilled meat and kimchi that wafts through the area around the station was even selected as one of the "100 Fragrant Landscapes" by the Ministry of the Environment, making it a true specialty of Tsuruhashi. The time spent peeking into shops and examining goods is enjoyable in itself, and if you're with friends who love Korean food, you'll find that conversation flows endlessly as you walk.

Tips

Just outside Tsuruhashi Station on the JR Loop Line, Kintetsu Line, and Subway Sennichimae Line. Some shops don't open in the early morning, so the best time to walk is around 10 a.m. or later. As passageways are narrow and barely passable, avoid large luggage and travel light. Cash payment is the norm for market shopping, and store holidays vary by shop, so confirm in advance if you have a specific shop in mind.