The Best Okonomiyaki

Trip Start Jun 24, 2005
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Trip End Mar 24, 2008


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Flag of Japan  ,
Sunday, December 11, 2005

Osaka is the second biggest city in Japan and akin to younger brothers always trying to differentiate from their older brother, Osaka tries to differentiate from Tokyo. One amusing manifestation of this is in how people use the escalators. In Tokyo, people who are not walking up the escalator, stands on the left side. In Osaka, people strictly stand on the right.

We met up with Kiyo's buddy Yas, a very friendly and funny guy. Together we visited the Osaka castle and did some Karaoke together.

Outside the Osaka castle was a battle of the bands with 5 bands playing simultaneously along a strip in the park. From far away, it was just a ball of noise. The bands seemed to attract some rather strange fellas. They would stand by themselves right in front of a band, hike one trouser trunk with their hand and shake the corresponding leg in the most awkward way. I will refrain from commenting on how they dressed.

Did I mention that Osaka has some of the best Okonomiyakis: bar none? Okonomiyakis are Japanese pancakes with an assortment of vegetables, eggs, batter and a choice of meat inside. It is served with sweet soya sauce, handfuls of Bonito flakes (dried fish shreds), seaweed sprinklings and generous squirts of Kewpie Mayo. The Osaka style Okonomiyakis are mostly served at small joints where you sit around the chefs. The food is cooked, served and sizzling right before you on the metal grills that line the tables. The experience is tops.
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