To say the people of Osaka love food is an understatement. In Japan’s second city, eating is an all-consuming passion, encapsulated by the popular local motto: Kuidaore — “Eat until you pass out.” Although there are great places to eat throughout the city, kuidaore is especially synonymous with one particular area: Dotonbori. Formerly Osaka’s theater district, Dotonbori is now better known for its restaurants and street stalls, particularly in the pedestrianized street that runs parallel to the south bank of the Dotonbori Canal. Do as an Osakan: After nightfall, set off from one end of the street and eat your way to the other. It’s a journey that will prove there is much more to Japanese cuisine than sushi and sashimi. Here are stalls serving ramen noodles, dumplings, grilled crab legs, meat skewers and specialties such as okonomiyaki (freshly made savory pancakes) and takoyaki (fried octopus in balls of batter).