Life in Japan - Food

The other day my friends and I were out at a local Izakaya (which is basically a bar/restaurant) and we were enjoying the incredible menu from Yakitori (chicken on a stick) and Korean seaweed (which goes well with alcohol) to pizza and fried Camembert cheese. It made me think about all the fabulous dishes that I've had and how amazing the food is here in Japan. I ended up going to Wikipedia to find out some information regarding restaurants and it was there that I learned Tokyo has the most amount of restaurants in the world (160,000). NY came in a distant second (25,000). Now while I live in Osaka I must say that the food here is among the best I've ever had.

What makes the food so good here?! Here are a few reasons I came up with.

1. Japanese people care about quality over quantity.

2. Japanese fruits, vegetables and meats, while expensive, are extremely high quality. (When I first came here I felt that $6 for a box of strawberries was ridiculous but now I feel that it's justified and actually think they're undervaluing them).

3. Japan has four seasons so they adjust their menu accordingly.

4. Willingness to embrace other countries foods. (Some of the best Italian and French food I've eaten was prepared by Japanese chefs)

It's hard for me to explain how delicious Kobe beef is or the difference in quality of expensive sushi. For those of you that are planning on coming to Japan you're in for a treat. I've written a short list with some restaurants/foods that you should try if you're lucky enough to have them available in your area.

Chain restaurants

- Katsukura (the best Katsu, which is fried pork cutlet, I've ever had. The sets come with fantastic rice)

- Shanghai Shokuen (has great Chinese dimsum)

- Shabu Tei (great Shabu Shabu restaurant, where you dip meat in hot water to cook it, and has just amazing sauce. It's very reasonable and the ice-cream is lovely)

- Mosburger (while it might be more expensive than McDonald's the Mos Cheese Burger is a winner if you ask me and the Strawberry Mos Shake is simply the best around)

Restaurants in Osaka

- Uzuraya (a fabulous Yakitori place which is basically chicken on a stick about 10 minutes from Kyobashi station)

- Portugalia (a great Portugese restaurant about 10 minutes from Yodoyabashi station)

Restaurants in Hirakata (my neighborhood)

-Amico Amica (the finest restaurant I know, it's the only place I know that for a price, you can have the restaurant to yourself. For dinner, it's reservation only so you can choose anything you like and they will give you a quote)

-Punraku (just a great place to drink and meet friends; pretty much everything on the menu is great)

- Tsune-Zune (first class steak restaurant, a must-go to. Needs reservations)

Restaurants in Kyoto

- Fuu (the most romantic restaurant I know)

There are many more that I could mention but those should get you started. I would like to say that for me food is the one thing I believe in spending money on. I have had the opportunity to eat at some fabulous restaurants in Thailand, The Philippines and the States (thanks to my family) but if I were to say my top 10 places in the world 6 or 7 of them would be in Japan. If anyone is interested I'd be happy to write up my TOP 10 one day : - )