Sachiko in Osaka

Nabe season has come! Japanese enjoy Nabe , Japanese steamboat dishes mainly in winter season. We have many variety of Nabe . Crub Nabe , Fugu Nabe ( blow fish ), Chiken Nabe , Sukiyaki, Botan Nabe (wild boar), Sea food Nabe and so on. This pictures are taken when we had a family gathering we all went to eat Udonsuki Nabe . Udon , Tofu, lot of veggies, some sea food and Udon . You can see how much we enjoyed the food here :) The restaurant is called " Mimiu " Their official sight; http://www.mimiu.co.jp/mimiu/top.html

Me and my mother went to the Chinese tea house in Kitahama , Osaka. My mother with a hat on the picture looking at the menu of so many variety of Chinese tea. The Chinese tea set is so cute. The tea with little Chinese sweets. They also sell tea leafs, tea pots, cups,bowls, small sake cups and so on. My mother bought me some tea leafs, bowls and a small sake cup.(I don't drink sake....) Their official web sight, but only in Japanese. http://www.hinopharm.co.jp/tozentei.htm

If you ask "What is the famous food in Osaka?" 9 out of 10 Japanese say "Takoyaki" Takoyaki (literally fried or baked octopus) is a popular Japanese dumpling made of batter, diced or whole baby octopus. Making takoyaki requires a takoyaki pan, a special frying pan made of cast iron with hemispherical molds. It is usually considered to be fast food and mostly sold on the streets. If you want know how to cook Takoyaki. Visit this web sight. http://www.hotland.co.jp/english/wthas-tako.html

Me, Ami and mother-in-law. (my husband Iwao is taking a picture...) We had a lunch at restaurant called Mimiu . They are specialized in Udon noodles. From the left, Udon noodle with Uba (tofu skin), Tenpura , dessert ,pickles,rice, Soba noodles (type of noodle made out of buckwheat flour) with lots of toppings... Mimiu official web sight http://www.mimiu.co.jp/mimiu/top.html

Taiko -en is a famous exclusive hotel in Osaka. People often use this hotel for wedding reception. Actually, it is 5min walk from our apartment . This place was used for the banquet when the G8 Finance Ministers Meeting was held in Osaka2008.6.13. http://www.g8summit.go.jp/eng/venue/osaka_04.html We went there for a dinner on Saturday and we had a great time. This is an appetiser . Each plates are just an art. Little plates and bowls like this comes one after the other. Kaiseki style. What is Kaiseki: kaiseki is a type of art form that balances the taste, texture, appearance, and colors of food.To this end, only fresh seasonal ingredients are used and are prepared in ways that aim to enhance their flavor. Local ingredients are often included as well. Finished dishes are carefully presented on colorful plates that are chosen to enhance both the appearance and the seasonal theme of the meal. Dishes are beautifully arranged and garnished, often with real leaves and flowers, as well as ed...

There are big summer bargains going on in Japan right now. I went to the department called Daimaru in Shinsaibashi . I had a tea break at place called Afternoon tea room in Daimaru . restaurants I ordered Organic Cassis tea with peach compote. yummy !!! It was soooo refreshing!