snackage

Found these Ritz Bits at the convenience store recently.

They are filled with chocolate cream.

The sweet-salty combination is really nice.

I like that these are really teeny too.

I'd defnitely get this again.

What have you been snacking on?

foodie friday in osaka

Friday the weather was cold, a bit rainy but I was happy that I got to meet Dennis of Radiused Corner.

After getting lost on the JR loop line, we finally made our way to Namba Jiyuken.

This shop has been in business since 1910 and is totally B-kyu Gurume.

Dennis asked what the difference between Namba Jiyuken and Senba Jiyuken was, well, I found out. They are two separate companies.

In fact, Senba Jiyuken's main shop is in Tokyo. Namba Jiyuken is only found in areas around Osaka.

The funny thing is that they sell almost the exact same menu items.

We shared their curry rice, this comes with a raw egg on top.

If there is one place you could safely eat raw eggs I would say it would have to be in Japan.

Taste the rice..the curry is spicy.

Add a dash of their sauce (worchestershire) and the flavors become a bit bolder.

Then mix in the egg and it all mellows out.

We also tried their ebi cream croquette (shrimp cream croquette). The coating is so crispy and the inside so creamy with lots of shrimp in it.

It comes with some cole slaw and some macaroni coated with their tomato sauce.

Soul food at its finest.

The turnover is pretty fast. And you'll have to share your table with others.

I'm glad I took Dennis to the "real" Jiyuken.

After lunch we went to check out Doguyasuji, where Dennis bought a lot of gadgets for his kitchen.

We then headed to Hanshin Department Store to check out more B-kyu Gurume.

Their ikayaki is a thin crepe filled with ika (squid) and their sauce, similar to the kind used for okonomiyaki. Apparently they sell over 10,000 of these in a day!

This was simple but a really nice snack.

We also tried their negiyaki (the ikayaki with green onions), but this one was a bit bitter.

The snack park, a standing eating area was great for people watching. All sorts of B-kyu Gurume (ramen, omurice, takoyaki, and much much more)

Dennis was nice to give Satoshi this In-n-Out Burger t-shirt and some stickers.

We'll have to travel to California so that I can let him taste an In-n-Out burger.

He also gave us some Gomatamago, a Japanese sweet filled with black sesame paste.

The day went by so quickly but I'm glad we got to meet up, lots of eating, lots of walking and lots of talking.

Thanks for a great day Dennis!

Namba Jiyuken
3-1-34 Namba
Chuo, Osaka
Phone: 06.6631.5564
Closed Mondays
Hours: 11:20-21:20

Hanshin Meibutsu Ikayaki
Hanshin Department Store B1
Umeda, Osaka
Phone: 06.6345.1201

kick-a

Spotted this teeny can of Pepsi in a vending machine I walk past often...Pepsi Refresh Shot...100 yen

It has 2 times the amount of caffeine as a regular can of Pepsi.

200 milliliters (about a cup) of soda...Boy, was it potent!

Had a slight headache after drinking it.

Tried it but won't drink it again...If you spot it and try it, let me know what you think...

It's Friday. I hope you have a great weekend.

It may be a little quiet here, we have some friends visiting over the next couple of days...talk to you again soon!

west wood bakers

Went to check out West Wood Bakers for lunch the other day.

They are the people who make the scones and muffins for Brooklyn Roasting Company.

The cafe side of the store has about 5 or 6 tables. They also have large leather arm chairs at the front of the store, perfect for people watching while listening to the 80s & 90s music they had playing!

I ordered their bacon egg pancakes...1000 yen. This came with 3 large pancakes, 2 pieces of bacon (please cook it longer to make it crispy!) and a scrambled egg.

The food takes awhile to come out but it was delicious and really filling.

I also had a glass of grapefruit juice...200 yen.

I wouldn't mind coming back to try their sandwiches, I'll be back.

West Wood Bakers
1-16-9 Minami Horie
Nishi-ku, Osaka
Phone: 06.6538.0022
Closed Wednesdays
Hours: 8:00-20:00

langherino

We recently tried this Langherino.

An Italian cheese made with cow & sheep milk. The rind is whitish and very thin.

At 125 grams it was quite small, but perfect for sharing.

We liked how creamy this one was.

it's beginning to look like christmas...

Actually, right after Halloween, up went the Christmas decorations in Osaka.

How is this huge deer?! 6 meters tall (19 feet) and bursting through the window of the Herbis Plaza Ent building...

Here it is from the outside.

And at Tokyu Hands, they had their army men decorated and ready for Christmas.

Christmas is quickly coming, are you ready?!

odds & ends

Randomness...this super cookie by Michel et Augustin was delicious. Ganache in the center as well as hazelnuts sprinkled here and there.

Seijo Ishii's premium cheesecake...a sponge cake bottom, raisins and almonds worked into the cream cheese filling, topped with a crunchy cookie topping...wow!

Our train station recently opened a Beard Papa. I'm not sure if this is still the rage in Hawaii, but it was crazy here. Depending on the time of day, you need to stand in line if you want to purchase some cream puffs...this particular one was filled with sweet potato & custard...yum!

This year's batch of yuzu marmalade. I think it came out pretty good, if I do say so.

Another recipe from Masakichi's book...kabocha topped with a thick "ankake" sauce and soboro (seasoned ground chicken)...tasty!

1st time trying Bak Kut Teh (sparerib noodle) at Singapore Seafood Republic.

These ribs were fall off the bone tender! I was instructed to dip them into a dark soy & chili sauce which was very delicious.

I got away from my strawberry-banana smoothie and came up with this one...baby leaf mix + mint + pineapple juice + banana + yogurt.

Okay, so it still has banana in it...this was super refreshing!

Buta kakuni over age soba (ah-gay-so-bah) at Toshunkaku.

Tender pork belly topping deep fried noodles...comfort food!

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Tully's honey cheese pancakes.

Oozy savory cheese sauce sandwiched between two pancakes. Honey drizzled and powdered sugar sprinkled...Filling but really delicious combo!

What have you been enjoying these days?