What a depachika is
Depachika — a blend of 'department store' and 'basement' — refers to the food hall level found under almost every major Japanese department store, and Umeda's Hankyu and Hanshin flagship stores have two of the best examples in the country. Expect dense rows of counters selling everything from wagyu bento boxes and fresh sushi to French pastries and regional Japanese sweets, each counter essentially its own small specialist shop.
How to actually eat there
Most depachika are built for takeaway rather than eating on the spot, so the usual approach is to graze several counters, buy small portions from each, and either take everything back to a hotel room or find a designated eating area, since eating while walking through the hall itself is generally discouraged.
Timing for the best deals
Prepared food counters often discount unsold items in the final hour or two before closing, which is a genuinely good way to eat well on a budget if your schedule lines up with it.