aoi

I'm not too sure when I bookmarked Aoi but it may have been after I saw Phil's post.

Aoi is a teeny ramen shop nearby (about 7 seats) and if you don't get there early, be prepared to wait.

Even then, if they run out of noodles or soup, they are done for the day.

This past Saturday, I got Satoshi out and about and we were there a little after they opened at 11:30.

Since the turnover of this place is rather high paced, a guy that was waiting for a friend to show up was bypassed and we were seated before him...

Satoshi went with their tan tan men...800 yen.

I think it was quite spicy with their housemade ra-yu (chili oil) because he was perspiring a LOT.

I went with their abura soba...800 yen

Thicker noodles than their ramen, this came with char siu, menma (pickled bamboo shoots), a soft boiled egg, mizuna, a thick shoyu based miso sauce and what I think was fish powder and yuzu sesame powder.

Mixed all together this was so good!

You can also add some of their housemade ra-yu and/or their housemade vinegar.

Both ways were good.

I really liked their char siu, porky goodness.

Unfortunately, I had a hard time finishing this so I gave the last bites to Satoshi.

He agreed this was good.

When we left, there was a line outside of the door as well as a few people waiting inside.

We'll be back.

Aoi
3-1-23 Hachizuka
Ikeda, Osaka
Phone: 072.761.0125
Monday-Saturday 11:30-14:00 (lunch), 18:00-22:30 (dinner)
*if soup or noodles run out they will close

nutria

I'm amazed at all the different creatures we have in our neighborhood.

Of course there are all sorts of different birds (ducks, herons), and we sometimes see a carp swimming around in the river.

We also have fireflies during the summer.

The other day as I was crossing over a footbridge, I noticed what looked like a rabbit feeding on some grasses below near the river.

I stopped to look at it because I've never seen a rabbit down near the river.

Sorry the picture is teeny but that was as far as my iPhone's lens could zoom in.

It was my first time seeing a creature like this and after searching the internet it turns out that it was a nutria.

Here's a link on Wikipedia (apparently it is also called coypu), there's even a short video there as well.

Love technology!

Hope you have a nice weekend.

haconeco-do

Sunday, we checked out Haconeco-do, a relatively new cafe near the Hankyu Sakurai station.

In Japan, there are cat cafes, dog cafes even owl cafes.

From what I understand, cat cafes are where the cafe owner's cats are roaming around inside the cafe.

Dog cafes are usually cafes that you can bring your dog with you to.

Owl cafes are like cat cafes where the owner has an owl (or two) around...

Anyway, we visited Haconeco-do and it is a cat cafe.

While the atmosphere of the place was laid back, this place was EXPENSIVE...1200 yen for two cups of coffee and 300 yen for a teeny doughnut...

Dunno that we'll be back soon.

Haconeco-do
1-13-19 Sakurai
Minoo, Osaka

questionnaire

A couple of weeks ago, we filled out an enquête (questionnaire in French) for the gas company.

To tell you the truth, the form was poorly made and we really didn't know if we answered it properly.

The thing about questionnaires in Japan is that they usually "reward" you for answering them.

I asked Satoshi why companies do this and he said that if they didn't reward you, most people wouldn't take the time to fill them out.

So the other day, the gas company sent us our "reward"...a gift certificate for 1000 yen, which we used at our neighborhood conveyor belt sushi shop.

Do companies usually reward you for answering their questionnaires where you live?

yubeshi

When we visited Totsukawa, we picked up a yubeshi. A hollowed out yuzu (citron) that is filled with savories like katsuobushi, sesame seeds, miso.

One way that we were served the yubeshi was thinly sliced on top of cheese, so that is one way that we had it at home.

Good with beer.

Another way that was suggested was as chazuke (with tea and rice).

So we tried it this way as well.

I like the yuzu flavor with the tea.

I froze most of this and will take it out every so often for us to have as pupu (appetizer) with cheese.

gyoza & beer

Saturday, it rained all.day.long.

Friday, I stocked up on foods so that we wouldn't have to venture out in the rain.

For dinner, I made gyoza.

I think I finally got the cooking of gyoza down...

The bottoms came out crisp and the tops were chewy.

I tried this beer by Minoh Beer called Godfather 4 dedicated to their founder who passed away a couple of years ago.

This stout was nice with a hint of yuzu.

How was your weekend?

critters burger & streamers coffee company

Thursday, I had a dental appointment.

Afterwards, I ran some errands and then snagged the last table at Critters Burgers.

This time around I had their BBQ Cheeseburger.

The burger was a bit too salty this time around.

I'm glad they are still in business though...I'll be back to try their sandwiches.

Just around the corner is Streamers Coffee Company...they closed at their previous location back in 2014 and re-opened in their new location the other week.

I tried their military latte...I think they call it military because it sort of looks like camouflage.

Matcha, white chocolate and espresso...780 yen...it was pricey but the cup was HUGE.

I hope to bring Satoshi to try this place...

Our weather is still krazy, hope you have a nice weekend!

Streamers Coffee Company
1-10-19 Nishi-Shinsaibashi
Chuo, Osaka
Phone: 06.6252.7088
Hours: 8:00-22:00
Days off not set