The moment that sushi graced my palate, I knew I had been mistaken all this time.
I was known in my circle as the guy who hated Japanese food. Well, ‘hated’ would be quite a stretch. I was just not a fan. At lunch or dinnertime and a friend would suggest a Japanese restaurant, I’d be the first to run to the opposite direction (unless they’re treating me). I’d always found sushi weird-tasting and many other dishes too dry. If there was one thing I wasn’t looking forward to in my first trip to Japan, it was the food.
But that changed as soon as I had my first meal in Osaka.
Apparently, Japanese food in Japan is lightyears better than those I had tried in the Philippines. Duh?
My first authentic Japanese meal came in the form of a sushi set from Endo Sushi, a humble yet legendary gastronomic oasis in Osaka’s wholesale fish market area. They have been operating for over a century, perfecting the art that is sushi. The freshest ingredients and the delicate manner it was prepared produced the best dish that had ever gone through my lips. I could say that probably the most unforgettable — and enlightening — lunch I had. One bite and I died in an instant, only to be resurrected with a whole new appreciation for the Japanese cuisine.
Here are some of the dishes, snacks, desserts, and drinks that I tried.
Sushi
Sushi Overload: Ebi (shrimp), Tamago (sweet omelet), Awabi (abalone), Tekka (tuna roll), and Tako (octopus)
Okonomiyaki and Negiyaki
Okonomiyaki. Osaka’s famous traditional pancake made of wheat flour, cabbage, and eggs (JPY 819)Negiyaki. Kyoto’s version of Okonomiyaki. Made of wheat flour, eggs and kujo onions. (JPY 735)
Fugu
Fugu. Widely considered the second most poisonous vertebrate in the world (next only to the Golden Poison Frog), the PUFFERFISH carries tetrodotoxin, a substance that is 1200 times more potent than cyanide, mostly in the fish’s ovaries and liver. One pufferfish can kill 30 adult humans. There is no known antidote. In Japan, it is popularly served as sashimi and sushi topping. The toxic parts have been removed of course.
Yakitori
Yakitori. But this is not chicken. In this part of Kyoto, yakitori is traditionally quail or pigeon.
Ramen
Miso ramen with Gyouza and Chicken KaraageKyushu Shoyu Ramen, tastes like Lucky Me Pancit Canton, except better. Much better.
Takoyaki
Takoyaki. Wheat and cabbage balls with octopus core.
Japanese Dango
Mitarashi Dango. Barbequed rice on stick. Sweet and very filling!
Kakigori
Kakigori. Regarded as the ancestor of the Philippines’ halo-halo. It is said that the origins of the halo-halo can be traced back to prewar Japanese who introduced us the idea of “beans in syrup.” This one is matcha (green tea) flavor.
Sake
Sake (JPY525) vs Chu-hi (JPY399)
Taiyaki
Taiyaki. Fish-shaped cakes.The toppings of my TaiyakiYUMMY! The taiyaki, not the vendor.
Bonus
Green tea ice cream. You’ll find booths selling these in almost every tourist spot in Osaka and Kyoto.Hamburg Steak. Not really a Japanese dish but it’s pretty popular in Kansai region. Available in most restaurants and even convenience stores!
In the course of my backpacking journey across the Kansai region, I fell in love deeper and deeper with what the kitchens here had to offer.
