Tag Archives: Osaka Travel Guide

Kuromon Ichiba — Is This Famous Seafood Market In Osaka A Tourist Trap Or Worth The Hype?

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KUROMON MARKET TEXT

Fondly known as ‘Tenko No Daidokoro’, which translates to ‘The Nation’s Kitchen’, Osaka should be your one-stop destination in Japan if you’re on a gastronomic pilgrimage for some solid Japanese cuisine.

This food-focused metropolis is home to a plethora of delectable Japanese delights. From the humble street stall vendors selling piping hot takoyaki to the large restaurant chains that churn out plates of kaiten sushi, the vast variety of food here is sure to leave your stomachs hankering for more.

If you’ve been to Osaka or have done extensive research on it, you would probably have come across Kuromon Ichiba, a popular market that has been around for almost 170 years. Despite being a seafood market, the 580-metre stretch also has shops that sell fresh local produce as well as restaurants that serve up local cuisine.

A staggering average of 23,000 people visit Kuromon Ichiba a day and the market is said to not attract just tourists, but locals too. However, over the years, does the place continue to be an accurate representation of a Japanese seafood market or has it slowly evolved into just another tourist trap?

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Takoyaki-Juhachiban — Is This Popular Takoyaki Stall In Osaka Worth Queuing Up For?

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TAKOYAKI JUHAICHIBAN COVER PHOTO

For an all-rounded experience of authentic Japanese cuisine, there is no better place to visit than Osaka, fondly known as “The Nation’s Kitchen”. The vibrant, bustling city is known to be the place for foodies to fill their bottomless pits, and you can easily find something to eat at every corner of this gastronomic paradise.

While there are plenty of options that you can stuff your faces silly with, one popular street snack that is a must-try here is takoyaki. For the uninitiated, takoyaki refers to a spherical Japanese appetiser that is made from a wheat flour-based batter that gets its shape from the unique moulded pan it’s cooked in. It usually comes stuffed with ingredients such as diced octopus, but these days, you can also get fillings such as tempura scraps, ham and shrimp.

Dotonbori is a great place to head to if you’re keen to try some authentic takoyaki. However, the streets here are lined with multiple stalls that sell the same thing, so which stall truly has the best takoyaki? Like the true blue Singaporeans we were, we decided to find the Takoyaki stall with the longest queue. Alas, this led us to Takoyaki Juhachiba, which had a snaking long queue that stretched on for about half an hour.

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Wakasaya Nankai Namba - Affordable Sashimi Bowls In The Heart Of Dotonbori

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Wakasaya Nankai Namba

There is something oh-so-magical about the hustle and bustle of fast-paced Dotonbori, an iconic street in Osaka that is packed with a never-ending array of things to see and do. If you’re an unashamed foodie like us, you’ll also be glad to know that the area is a fantastic place to try some authentic Japanese fare.

However, the crowd does sometimes get to us and some of the prices for food here can be rather steep as Dotonbori is, at the end of the day, still a tourist hotspot. Many a time, we wished that there was somewhere we could settle down for a quiet meal to get away from the crowd for a bit.

We are glad to say that if you search hard enough, you can actually find some gems that are a little less hectic than the places in the main area of Dotonbori. That was how we came across Wakasaya Nankai Namba along a random street. This humble restaurant is great for people who love raw seafood as they specialise in wholesome sashimi bowls at wallet-friendly prices.

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5D4N Itinerary For Osaka — What To See, Do And Definitely Eat In The Kitchen Of Japan

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OSAKA ITINERARY COLLAGE COVER PAGE

If you’re a foodie who’s heading to Japan for the first time and you’re not sure which city you should start with, we highly recommend that you slot in Osaka at the top of your list.

Endearingly known as “Tenka no Daidokoro”, which translates to The Nation’s Kitchen, Japan’s second largest metropolitan area is home to a plethora of food options that are sure to leave you spoilt for choice. From bite-sized balls of takoyaki to piping hot bowls of ramen, there is something to eat in pretty much every corner of Osaka. You’ll never go hungry in this gastronomic paradise!

Aside from being a glutton’s idea of heaven, the fast-paced city is jam-packed with plenty of things to see and do. From one of the largest pokemon centres in the world to the majestic Osaka Castle, Osaka is truly a one-stop destination where you can experience the beauty of Japan in a nutshell.

For those of you who need some help with your itinerary, here is our 5D4N guide on what to eat, see and do in the kitchen of Japan.

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Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum, Osaka – Create Your Own Instant Noodles!

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Instant Noodles 2
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Some days we just thank the universe for giving us this integral part of our daily lives—instant noodles. Instant noodles have been a saviour of many, from late nights in the office to sustenance during your dreary student days.

Did you know that instant noodles (or instant ramen) were first invented by Momofuku Ando in Osaka? Nissin Foods was the first company to create and distribute it to the masses.

To celebrate this amazing creation that many around the world are thankful for, the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum was born in 2011 and is open to the public to come forth and understand the history and significance of this iconic food.

Best part here? You can D.I.Y your perfect instant ramen bowl! Here is what you can expect from this mind-blowing museum.

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13 Things Every First-Timer Should Do When In Osaka

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Osaka Things To Do

Osaka is the second largest city in Japan after Tokyo, and has made its way to almost every traveller’s bucket list. It is also affectionately known as the Kitchen of Japan.

You have seen many guides and lists on things to do when in Tokyo, but what about Osaka? If you have yet to visit Osaka or need a reason to, this will help you out and convince you to visit the wondrous Japanese city.

Here is your definitive guide to 13 Things Every First-Timer Should Do While In Osaka.

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8 Affordable Hotels in Osaka You Can Stay At For Under S$200 A Night

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Osaka Hotels

Osaka is the second most popular Japanese city after Tokyo. Japan itself is always brimming with culture and beautiful sceneries that are enchanting in many ways, and Osaka is no different. Experience both a fast-paced city life and also the quaint suburbs where you can kick back and relax.

Many families travel to Osaka because it is less hectic and the kids can enjoy a fun day out at places such as Universal Studios Japan, the Osaka Aquarium and the Osaka Castle, one of the most coveted places to view cherry blossoms when the season comes.

However, we all know that Japan can be pretty pricey, especially when it comes to accommodation. But you can definitely find an affordable hotel that is both convenient and comfortable for you and your travel partners. To aid you in your quest to find the perfect affordable hotel option, here are 8 Affordable Hotels in Osaka Under S$200 A Night That Will Not Burn A Hole In Your Wallet.

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Okonomiyaki – A Popular Street Food In Osaka And Where To Eat It

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Okonomiyaki

Osaka is the birthplace of Okonomiyaki, an all-time favourite street snack in Japan. Okonomiyaki is a savoury pancake that is mostly made out of the pancake batter and cabbage as the base. Sometimes meats or seafood are also added to finish it off, such as slices of pork or octopus. Then, some sweet sauce will be brushed on top, together with mayonnaise.

This popular street snack is synonymous with Osaka’s cuisine and having a piping hot Okonomiyaki on a chilly night in Osaka is one of the best things to do if you ever visit the prefecture.

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