Okonomiyaki is one of Osaka’s most famous dishes, which is a savoury style pancake usually consisting of flour, eggs, cabbage, pork belly and a selection of various toppings…

akoyaki is one of Osaka’s most popular street food and directly translates to ‘Octopus’ (Tako) and ‘Fried’ (Yaki). They are great to eat on the street or even to make at home with friends and family!..

Osaka squid is referred to as Ikayaki. Ika means squid and yaki means fried. There are actually two types of Ikayaki, one is simply grilled squid that is then cut…

Kushikatsu (also known as kushiage) is one of Osaka’s most well known dishes, amongst the ranks of Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki. It’s a a great meal to have with some drinks and relax with friends…

Hakozushi is a traditional take on the regular nigiri sushi. It is compressed in a wooden box (oshibako), creating a compact, beautifully sculptured piece of sushi…

Opened in Nanba, Osaka, Jiyuken Curry is steeped in history. Instead of having the curry and rice separately, a unique Japanese curry roux mixed with rice to form into one…

Imagine a cold winter’s day and you’re searching for something to warm your heart. Now imagine a hot pot filled with your favourite vegetables, meats, seafood, and some delicious, chewy noodles…

Tonpeiyaki is a variation of one of Osaka’s most popular dishes, Okonomiyaki (you can view my guide to okonomiyaki here!). Due to the growth in popularity of Okonomiyaki…

There are two main cuisines in Japan, one being ‘Kaiseki’ and the other being Izakaya style food. Kaiseki is a refined Japanese course dining experience, featuring some of the best seasonal ingredients around the country.

There are two main cuisines in Japan, one being ‘Kaiseki’ and the other being Izakaya style food. Kaiseki is a refined Japanese course dining experience, featuring some of the best seasonal ingredients…

Taiko Manju is a type of baked sweets made from batter and steamed bean paste. The batter consists of flour, eggs, sugar, and milk, which is then baked in a steel or copper…

Japanese offal, known as ‘Horumon’ or refers to the edible organs of animals such as cows and pigs. In a narrow sense, horumon refers to the small and large intestine…

Also referred to as Fox udon, this noodle dish is topped with fried tofu. It is given the name ‘fox udon’ because it is said that foxes love fried tofu and that the golden brown….

When thinking of Osaka food, takoyaki, okonomiyaki and kushikatsu are the first dishes that springs to mind. However, one speciality that often goes under the radar is Kasu Udon…

These buns are made from flour, water, sugar, and yeast. The filling is usually made from pork and onion, however, places use different ingredients such as bamboo shoots or shiitake….

Doteyaki is a slowly simmered stew using beef tendon, konjac, and miso. Originally, it used to be made using an iron pot or plate and then stewed in miso until deliciously tender….

The Sakai Festival takes place just south of the centre of Osaka, in Sakai city. It’s the largest festival in Sakai City that involves various performers, food from across the...

Shitennoji Wasso is an event that celebrates the short reign of Osaka as the capital city of Japan (646-745). This was during the Nara Period and is sometimes referred...

Kishiwada Danjiri Festival separates into two, one held in September and the other in October. The festival in September takes place in Kishiwada district and Haruki district…

Tenjin Matsuri is also called the festival of fire and water. It combines the elements throughout its procession. It is amongst one of the largest events in the whole of...

Tanabata (七夕) translates to the “Evening of the seventh” and coincides with July 7th every year. Strips of colorful paper, called tanzaku, line the city streets….

For anyone traveling to Japan, staying at a ryokan is one of the best ways to experience Japanese culture. Scattered throughout all of Japan, these traditional inns…