Usami-tei Matsubaya: The Birthplace of Kitsune Udon Since 1893
Usami-tei Matsubaya is widely credited as the birthplace of kitsune udon: founder Yotaro Usami, drawing on an earlier apprenticeship at a sushi shop, is said to have had the idea of serving a piece of seasoned fried tofu (the kind used in inarizushi) alongside a bowl of udon rather than folded into another dish. The restaurant has kept to a short, traditional menu centered on that dish since 1893, with the fried tofu still sourced from Kyoto. For travelers who want to taste the dish at the place credited with inventing it rather than at a generic udon chain, it's one of the few addresses in Osaka that can make that specific claim.
- Kitsune Udon
- Shinsaibashi
- Under ¥1,000
Last updated: 2026-10-05
Featured in Best Cheap Eats in Osaka: 6 Spots Worth Trying → Featured in Best Udon in Osaka: 4 Shops Worth Trying → Featured in Udon: A Guide for International Travelers →
Good to Know
- Budget per person
- Under ¥1,000
- Hours
- Mon-Thu: 11:00 AM-7:00 PM. Fri-Sat: 11:00 AM-7:30 PM. Closed Sundays and public holidays.
- Address
- 3-8-1 Minami-Semba, Chuo-ku, Osaka
- Nearest station
- Shinsaibashi Station
- Walk time
- 7 min
Last verified: 2026-10-05. Hours and prices may change — please confirm with the restaurant directly before visiting.
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Post photos & a review ↓What to Order
- Kitsune udon (about 650 yen) -- the dish this restaurant is credited with inventing in 1893.
How to Order
- Order from a short, traditional udon menu at the counter or table.
First-Time Visitor Guide
- Tourist-friendliness: 3 / 5
Location
3-8-1 Minami-Semba, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Near Shinsaibashi, on the Shinsaibashi/Namba border. (Shinsaibashi Station / 7 min on foot)
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get to Usami-tei Matsubaya?
- Near Shinsaibashi, on the Shinsaibashi/Namba border. (Shinsaibashi Station / 7 min on foot)
Information on this page is compiled and checked by our editorial team from the restaurant's official information and public data. Details we could not verify are not listed.
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