Kaisenmonogatari Namba Dotombori Kaisen-izakaya at Dotonbori, Osaka

Dotonbori seafood izakaya famed for overflowing sushi and prawn shabu-shabu with canal views.

Kaisenmonogatari is a sushi-and-izakaya restaurant right in the centre of Dotonbori, three minutes from Namba station. The kitchen is built around port-direct seafood, and the signature dish is the eye-catching "kobore sushi", an overflowing seafood bowl designed to be photographed before it is devoured. Prawn shabu-shabu, where fresh red prawns are eaten raw then swished through hot dashi, is another house special. The menu also takes in sashimi platters, Osaka's beloved kushikatsu and a malatang prawn course, with courses starting at very reasonable price points. A range of seating, including a tatami room overlooking the Dotonbori river, night-view tables and horigotatsu sunken seats for groups of 20 to 30, makes it flexible for everything from dates to company parties. For an izakaya that balances photogenic dishes with genuinely fresh fish and a lively Dotonbori backdrop, Kaisenmonogatari is a strong pick. English, Korean and Chinese menus ensure international guests feel well looked after throughout.