GARLIC POWER!

When: November 2009

Where: Near Hanazono-cho Station, on the Yotsubashi line

What: Garlic! With ramen and gyoza. Hooo boy, there was a lot of garlic. The next day I was still smelly and I've decided from now on, only go before my day off. It wasn't expensive at all and just a small place with all counter seats. The ramen came in these massive stone bowls and just the broth alone was heaven. Mmm-mm mm-mm mmm!

彩鶏キッチン 八女小町

When: I think March 28, 2009. We used someone's wedding present money.

Where: Namba, Osaka (near Yoshimoto) 大阪府大阪市中央区難波千日前13-16 ＫＳなんばビル1Ｆ

What: Izakaya (like a pub), most dishes involving chicken. It doesn't make sense why someone who is allergic to chicken would go but A. The shop is so cramped and cute and I had been wanting the window seat for ages and B. I can't or don't read kanji much so I was oblivious to the chicken aspect until we sat down. It was a bit expensive but we were happy and I ATE OSTRICH! RAW!! It tasted a bit like beef.

http://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000716962/food/#category003

Salon de The Alcyon/ サロン・ド・テ アルション

When: September 16, 2009

Where: Hozenji area, Namba, Osaka
〒542-0076
大阪市中央区難波1-6-20

What: Afternoon tea (or high tea if you like). This was such a cute shop we found by accident, because Hozenji is my favourite little shrine. Anyhow, the cafe's on the 2nd floor, which was of course packed with ladies. They have a huge tea selection and the best part was a half-size afternoon tea is only 1050 yen! We opted for full size which was 550 yen more. It was very yummy with a fancy cake, canapes, quiche and scones. I had the maron (chestnut) tea and Kenji had their original blend, Alcyon. Very nice!

http://www.anjou.co.jp/shop/saronhouzenji/

ファンファン Giant Onigiri Shop!

(The onigiri was giant, not the shop! Jeesh)
Date: August 26, 2009
Where: Universal City Walk (ground floor, by Mosburger)
Price: under 200 yen for the regular sizes, over 500 yen for Biggie
What: Freakin' onigiri! There was a menu of all different types and, in a bid to woo the fussy foreign crowds, there was a "no nori" option too. But get this... we ate an onigiri that was the size of a small rabbit. Awesome! It was "hamburg" too, mmm. Next time, I'll have the takoyaki rice ball!

http://www.ucw.co.jp/shop_restaurant/fum/

有機茶寮 (Organic cafe)

When: April 2009

Where: Namba city, 2nd Floor 大阪府大阪市中央区難波5-1-60

What: They sell soy ice cream! Billed as an organic cafe. You order your food at the counter and take it on a tray to your table. Small but interesting menu, had the vegetable curry set which was very good and not so expensive. I'm most interested in the soy ice cream, though unfortunately you can't buy it to take home (they sell a lot of food as well). Warm and cosy atmosphere, friendly staff, bit of a "ladies" vibe.

http://r.gnavi.co.jp/k195077/

Tennfuu

Date: May 2009

Where

: Kuromon Street, Nipponbashi 〒542-0073 大阪市中央区日本橋2-11-2

What:

Desserts! Taiwanese style! Specialty seems to be iced things. We had something called "MenMen Mango" (メンメンマンゴー) which was milky shaved ice topped with mango. We also had some mini heart-shaped waffles with chocolate sauce. The girl at the counter recommended the tapioca milk tea, aka bubble tea. Not too expensive and small but cute shop. We'd meant to visit for awhile.

http://tenn-fuu.jp/shop/index.html

Naked Fish's

Date: January 2009

Location: Nipponbashi, across from the Gundam Shop

大阪府大阪市浪速区日本橋3-4-10‎

Price: Pretty reasonable

What: California rolls in Japan! Here I could finally satisfy my cravings for mashed crab and avocado in rice. Even better were the cream cheese rolls, which sound a bit icky but were actually quite nice. Only drawback- it's a bar style restaurant which means it was pretty smokey. Oh, and they also do a 500 yen buffet breakfast!

Kokyuan (Tea Shop)

Hey! I made this blog to keep track of places I go to eat. This is my first post, and although I'm not expecting any readers, welcome to the blog!
Date: Fall-ish 2008

Location: Sakai, Osaka

Price: Bit expensive for the cake, lunch menu is reasonable

What: Well, it's a shop that makes castella cakes dusted in edible gold. How is the cake? Yeah, for some reason, I didn't try it, I had a delicious stew(?) instead because I wanted a lunch set. The place was built on the grounds of some ancient tea master's residence and behind the shop there's a charming garden and tea house. We wanted to have our wedding reception here until they told us they don't have a liquor licence D: Anyhow, it is a lovely place so by all means check it out.

http://www.kokyuan.jp/