Eating Osaka

 

Osaka was my first taste of Japan and after the 4 days we had stayed I did not want to leave! My introduction to Japan was certainly overwhelming but I really, really loved Osaka, and you know what, I don't even know what it was about Osaka that stole my heart, it just felt... good.

When I was growing up, we took family holidays in Hong Kong, and that city and Osaka give me similar vibes- crazy but really safe. It's busy and old and new and delicious smells waft around every corner, the districts have distinct personalities and getting lost is just FUN. I think Osaka was my favourite.

A great start was the fabulous hotel we stayed in. I wasn't familiar with the Hotel chain 'Citadines' but both of the Citadines we stayed in (Osaka and Tokyo) were outstanding. The rooms were big and beautiful and had living space and kitchenettes. Pour over coffee was supplied in the rooms (and was DELICIOUS). We also had breakfast included with this stay and although not massive, the breakfast spread was varied and all very good.

The hallways still have an Art Deco vibe: building built in 1920s

pour over coffee sachets: game changer

Lets head down to breakfast. 

For a small buffet, the Citadines really offered everything anyone could want and dare I say, more. The classics of cereal, yoghurt, fruits, coffee and juice, breads, rolls pastries, cheeses and cold cuts, salads, all the Western hot breakfast staples as well as a good Japanese and Eastern selection.

coffee, juice, yoghurt and mixed berries, croissant, cold meats, cheeses, potato salad, pinkish bread

coffee, juice, inari, steamed chicken, potato salad, and a really nice pickled veg side

soft boiled egg, smoked salmon, steamed chicken, salad, seaweed salad, and what I believe is braised burdock root.

Japanese curry and rice, pickled ginger, okonomiyaki, braised greens

I'm not a big breakfast eater but really enjoyed breakfast every day. Dad combined East and West on his plates, and the eggs, bacon, sausage were all great quality.

A beautiful and wonderful surprise, we stumbled across by accident while looking for a loo. We found the epic, posh, stunning food hall of Daimaru. Daimaru is a department store chain and maintains that beautiful elegance and nostalgia: when department stores were a destination in themselves. I love a food hall and have not had such a delightful experience since visiting the Harrods Food Hall.

Everything on display was pristine, expensive and divine. We also made an effort to visit another Daimaru food hall in Kyoto and the meat, seafood, fruit and veg areas were something to behold ($90 for a bunch of grapes?)

We spent the first day exploring and found the cutest cafe for some caffeine and a little bite in one of the many miles of underground subway malls.

Finger sandwiches and flat whites served in Wedgewood China. Perfect after a day of exploring.

I couldn't say no to the opportunity to see a whale shark, so a visit to the aquarium was a must. Lunch was one of Osaka's signature foods: Takoyaki- octopus balls. Delicious!

Whale shark encounter

Next up was another lovely find in the underground world of subway malls was a very unpretentious eatery (Dad's only proviso was somewhere he could get a beer- my proviso is no tourists)

Miso, rice, fish croquette, big, crumbed, deep-friend prawn and one large beer. A perfect meal. It was this cafe where the older waitress spoke no English at all that I suggested to dad that he let he know the meal was meccha oiishi (super tasty) and oh my goodness, the squeal of joy and delight that the waitress emitted, I will never, ever forget. #perfecttravelmoment

We did two visits to Dottenbori, but it was very busy and hectic, we didn't eat there, but the photos are lovely.

After Dottenbori by night, and a wander through Namba Parks illuminations (Christmas lights), we headed to a izakaya near the hotel.

I'm not even going to try to attempt the name so here it is:

Unassuming but warm and the salerymen that surrounded us looked like they were enjoying the food and drink and merriness very much.

We ordered beers and highballs and tried the mixed sashimi as well as the tuna sushi. Both were wonderful.

I really enjoyed Osaka, I think I could easily spend a good amount of time there and eat a lot more food there.

Still to come in my Japan series is my post on Tokyo, the amazingness that is Convenience store foods and eating on Shinkansen. Thanks so much for reading.

Eating Hiroshima

 

Atomic Bomb Dome

Hiroshima was lovely. A destination chosen from my fascination with military history and boy did I get out of it all that I'd hoped for.

Apart from visiting the Atomic bomb dome, the Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Memorial Museum, we were also treated to lovely gardens at Shukkeien Garden, we also wandered aimlessly through downtown, browsed antique and curio stores, took in the Christmas lights with childlike enthusiasm and thorough enjoyed staring out of the window of our lovely hotel, The Knot Hiroshima.

The Knot Hotel

One of my must-dos over here was visit a conveyer-belt sushi, a sushi train. At lunchtime after the gardens we found ourself near Kura Sushi, we took a number and waited for a table to become available.

These are a BIG deal over here, this pic from their website gives an idea of the proportions of the restaurants.

photo courtesy of Kura Sushi

Plates were available to order on screen, or as they passed around the conveyer belt and the menus was vast, and very good prices.

Dad ordered a beer and a ramen, and I got a mandarin juice, fried chicken and tempura udon. I had heard that Japanese fried chicken was pretty good and was happy to give it a go. It is, without doubt, the best fried chicken I have ever tried. Dad went on to get an order as well.

Takoyaki which I thought were better than the ones I had in Osaka, the home of Takoyaki. Takoyaki is a very boiling hot ball of just set dough with octopus pieces. They are umami and very good. 

I simply HAD to try the cheddar cheese tempura Sushi, and I can safely say, it was one of the best things in the world.

melty

I also had a very nice pork sushi. And lets talk about value... at the moment AUD1 is about 100Yen, so 200 yen is $2, 1000Yen is $10 and so on. Have a look at how cheap these plates were! Crazy!

I really enjoyed our visit to Kura and I'm quite sad we only got to one on our trip.

Afternoon martini and view from the hotel Rooftop.

Next door to our hotel was a very charming looking French bistro. On our first night I had some wines on their front terrace and it was just lovely, so on the second night we decided to have dinner there.

Bistrot de Paris Otemachi was such a surprise. If I had known how good the food was going to be I definitely would have ordered entrees. Alas, I ordered the roasted duck breast and dad had the lamb, and also made his a set meal which included garlic bread, salad and French fries. The sides came out before the mains and all the were just perfection.

Our mains came out not long after and looked divine. But it wasn't untill I cut into and tasted it that I realised this was way, way beyond my expectation. I ate so slowly, savouring every chew. This was literally Michelin Star, or Hatted Restaurant quality, it was utter, utter perfection. The quality of both meats, how they were cooked and seasoned, the sauces and sides were all literally perfect.

We were so happy with our meals and decided to go desserts. A gorgeous baked cheesecake and chocolate mousse French Bulldog.

Both were divine.

Breakfast the next day was a coffee, muffin and white chocolate and macadamia donut from Starbucks, which is SO popular in Japan. And these muffins poo-poo all over McMuffins.

Mmmmmm Delicious. Thanks for your time.