We never got to try this popular 24-hour ramen spot in Dontonbori:
Instead, upon the recommendation of the “concierge”, we went to this Hakata ramen shop near our hotel in Shinsaibashi:
Unfortunately, it has no English name, neither did they have business cards.
“The main characteristic of Hakata ramen is the white, thick soup that is made from pork bones, also called tonkotsu (pork bone) soup/ramen. Some of the other differences in character it has from other types of ramen are thinner noodles, and the simple decorative toppings of cha-shu , chopped scallions, red colored ginger, and sesame seeds.” (Source: http://www.shinsengumigroup.com/ramen.php)
I liked what I had, which is the Akamaru New.
Akamaru New.
Osaka is also know for its takoyaki, ball-shaped dumplings with chopped octopus inside. Alas, not all takoyaki are made equal. For me, this stall in Dontonbori did it best:
If you are coming from Shinsaibashi, they’re the first octopus stall on the left as you enter Dontonbori.
We ordered the Half and Half: four balls of bacon and cheese takoyaki ; and four balls of regular takoyaki. Be careful not to burn your tongue on these steaming hot balls!
Maybe we should have gone for fugu (pufferfish) afterwards but we heard that the okonomiyaki was a popular Osakan dish so we had to try it. It tasted exactly like the takoyaki flattened into a pancake-omelette. It was doughy and the sauce too cloyingly sweet. Ana, Chelu and Nicolas hardly ate while I picked the seafood from the batter. Takoyaki overload!
Back in Shinsaibashi, look for Dolphin Boulangerie:
They sell some sort of cream puff (- go for the custard!), similar to Beard Papa, also a Japanese creation, but the shell has this funky, crunchy texture to it.
I must have eaten three or four of these. (Photo c/o Ana Marques.)
I also recommend the following:
- Killing time tripping in those funky photo booths before hitting the clubs.
- Partying at Live and Bar 11 (Onzieme).
- Giving the Osaka Castle a miss. Seriously.
If ever I go back to Osaka, I would probably want to do the following:
- Try the ramen at that Kinryu (Golden Dragon) place.
- Eat fugu.
- Eat more wagyu.
- Eat at Koyoshi Sushi, which was featured in Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations”.
- Visit the Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine.
- Party at the back room of Compufunk Records.
- Go clubbing at Zing.
Looks like I have enough to do for another weekend in Osaka!