Osaka is Famous for its Okonomiyaki - Cooking on a Teppan, The Chefs in Action

                                                  
                                                   Takoyaki (grilled octopus ball) mould

Seated behind the teppan (iron hot pan stove) and waiting to savour pipping hot food straight from the pan to the plate.

This okonomiyaki is the "noodle" version. First they fried the soba, add meat and scallions.

This restaurant is apparently quite famous around Osaka. It's a chain with many Chibo (thousand) around town and here in this three level building.

The chef is waiting for the streaky pork (similar to bacon) and prawn to sizzle.

There are two sides to a pancake. Adding cabbage to one of the cooked pancake.

 

 

A slight distraction, looking around, and saw the aquarium along the side wall.

Abalone suction on the glass of the tank makes quite an interesting feast for the eyes.

                                            Now the pancake looks well cooked and crispy.

Adding the finishing touches: generous spread of okonomiyaki fruit sauce, skilful drizzle of Japanese mayonnaise and tuna flakes.

The next dish was an omelette. Same sauces but topped with scallions instead of bonito.

Another okonomiyaki in the making. This one has root vegetables inside. Tastes soft and fluffy.

                                                                         
                                                                                 Bon Appetite!

Oh oh! We're quite full by now. But we had unwittingly over ordered, as usual, when we were hungry and tired initially. Now comes the fried noodles. Glad that it's the final dish for the dinner tonight.

Menu from another restaurant

Window shopping for what to eat tomorrow. Seriously, I kid you not!

This must be the most famous Okonomiyaki in town. Too bad we have just had the second best already. Anyway, the queue is long, snaking around a few shops.  Another time.

Casual Food - Puffer fish, Ramen, Musk Melon and Red Bean & Green Tea Ice

One can never get hungry in Japan. There are a wide variety of "fast food" in shopping areas and street food to choose from. Most eateries in big cities are open all day from late morning till late at night. These are some food we found randomly walking in the city one fine afternoon.

 

Puffer Fish anyone? There are no known cases of poisoning by eating puffer fish. I don't believe there is any cover up either. The reason is plain and simple. Japanese chefs handling the fish are highly skilled in removing the toxicity from the fish before serving it to customers. Rest assured, it is quite safe.

 

Cha-su Ramen with bamboo shoots and mushrooms

 

The world famous and very expensive but absolutely delicious Japanese musk melon - worth trying at least once if you have not had it before. Even the Japanese would reserve such purchases as special gifts to their employers, business associates or benefactors.

Desert Time

 

Festivities on Dotonburi River (Osaka)

The crowd began to gather and camp on the river bank. Early birds have the best view but it helps it you are tall or petite enough to squeeze through the gaps.

All await patiently for the ceremony to begin.

First, the drumbeats and cheers could be heard from afar but there are only lights in a distant scarcely capable of competing with the bright neon lights in the dusk.

Despite using manpower to row the boats, the speed they were travelling was much faster than one could imagine. By now, the drums and chant are visibly loud and clear.

 

 

 


This is a real close-up of the drummers and rowers dressed in traditional garb.

If you miss the first round, fret not. The two boats turned around and came back.

The audience was thrilled. To add to their excitement, the boats made a few rounds before calling it a night.

A Glimpse of the elusive Geishas in Kyoto

Geishas are a rare sight in the hustling and bustling of major industrial and commercial Japanese cities like Osaka. One has to go to Kyoto to get a glimpse of the elusive and mysterious geisha.

Geisha (芸者), geiko (芸子) are professional entertainers skilled in traditional Japanese performance arts.

Since it is impolite to be seen pursuing and photographing geishas, I had to be discreet and keep a safe distance and be contented of whatever I could get.

I love this candid shot and proud that I have captured a special moment. The contrast between the old and the new, the soft pace of the geisha and swift cyclist.

For modern and curious women who want to experience a few minutes of being a geisha, there are two studios we saw along the way to  some Kyoto temples that offer costumes for hire and photography.

Of convenient hotels and versatile Japanese toilets

We appreciated the convenience of our accommodation, just 10 minutes walk from the train station. The rooms are bigger than most available in a typical Japanese hotel. Some rooms can even accommodate a small family sharing the same room.

Within the first 10 minutes upon arrival, most first time travellers would have figured out how the toilet flush works and all the other functions. Since my last trip, there has been some improvement made to the sanitary devices. Fortunately, it only took a few minutes as it won't be nice to hold up everyone.

With a multi-day pass, travel has been made easier during peak hours as there is no hassle of queuing up for tickets and scrambling for coins. It is essential to do some homework reading guide books in your own language because most signage are in Japanese except names of stations and major attractions. 

Umeda 梅田 Subterranean shopping

Umeda is a busy commercial district in Osaka.

If you see crowds, it is a good sign that the shopping and food are great.

 

 

 Underground skylight

 

 

                                                     A European inspired fountain near Daiso

Umeda train station is surrounded by shops and restaurants. One could literally spend the whole day or a couple of days walking from North to South, East to West. But of course, there are better things to do and so much sightseeing to cover within our few days' stay.

Hanyku, the anchor tenant is the largest departmental store in the area. There are six levels of retail shopping showcasing good quality Japanese and imported goods.

Fast food outlets and cafes usually located at the basement are brimming with activities especially when there is a promotion event.

Full serviced restaurants are most likely to be on top floor of the a departmental store in the shopping centre.

 

Umeda sky building with a bridge adjoining two towers is an amazing architectural and engineering achievement.

http://www.gojapango.com/travel/osaka_umeda.htm

Dinner on the First Evening - Japanese family restaurant

Unagi (grilled eel) set in a traditional looking "calligraphy on rice paper" bento box

                                            Appetizers of tofu, burdock and cucumber pickles

 

 

 

 Miso soup and chawan mushi

                                                              



The much longed for seaweed and sesame seed rice boiled in rich dashi stock.
The main dish is actually mixed seafood and vegetable tempura at the right corner.

The dessert of cold tofu jelly with caramel seems to take centre stage

Although the décor of this restaurant looks posh in comparison with the adjacent eateries on the same floor of the shopping centre near Daimaru, the menu is not high end Japanese cuisine.  The bentos are what you would normally get in a family restaurant and prices are average by Osaka standards.