Introduction
About Kansai’s Local Cuisine
The Kansai area boasts a multifaceted natural geography, flanked by the Sea of Japan to the north, Pacific Ocean to the south, and the Seto Inland Sea at its center. Visitors to the region will find a striking brocade of different landscapes await here, like the rugged mountains at spots like the Kii Peninsula, as well as countless different ways of living to match.
Osaka is the urban hub that sits at the region’s center, beloved in Japan for its tasty smorgasbord of different foods. Among them, “konamon”, or battered delights like takoyaki and okonomiyaki still reign supreme among the hungry tourists who come for a taste from near and far.
Below is breakdown of “kushikatsu”, “takoyaki” and “okonomiyaki”, 3 foodie picks to try among all the local goodies found in Kansai.
Recommend #1
Freshly fried kushikatsu skewers, dipped in a delectable sauce.
Kushikatsu is the word for skewered meat, seafood, or veggie bites, which are dredged in a wheat flour/water batter and coated with bread crumbs before finally hitting the fryer. In many kushikatsu spots you’ll find a tin of dipping sauce waiting to take the plunge with your choice of skewers. Each bite features a crispy, crunchy outside and delicious, succulent center for an irresistible taste that simply can’t be beat. Just be sure to note that it’s considered a faux pas to dip your skewers more than once – so no double-dipping!
Recommend #2
Takoyaki with a crispy outside and ooey-gooey center.
Takoyaki is a fast food staple icon in Osaka, made by pouring a batter of wheat flour, broth and water into a specially designed iron griddle with small round molds. Bite-sized fillings like octopus are then added to each piece, and swirled continuously by hand until they become evenly cooked into little orbs of flavor. While the outside crisps up, the inside keeps a remarkably soft and gooey center. Then they’re finished with toppings like the standard savory sauce and mayonnaise drizzle to serve.
Recommend #3
Okonomiyaki with its mouthwatering, saucy aroma.
Okonomiyaki is made by mixing heaps of cabbage with a wheat flour-based batter that’s then grilled on an iron flattop. Added ingredients can vary, but usually includes a mix of ingredients like pork or even squid. Each savory pancake is cooked up to fluffy perfection on the griddle, before the final brush of savory, aromatic glaze that’s sure to drum up an appetite. To finish, this Osaka soul food favorite is topped with a hefty sprinkle of green seaweed flakes and mayonnaise.
Information provided by: GOOD LUCK TRIP