Osaka is famous for its many flour-based delicacies, such as okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and kushikatsu. One of these flour-based delicacies, negiyaki, is a local B-class delicacy beloved by the locals.

Let's explore the characteristics and history of Negiyaki.

Characteristics of Negiyaki

Negiyaki is similar to okonomiyaki, but the ingredients and the way of eating it are slightly different. Negiyaki is made by mixing wheat flour dissolved in water with plenty of chopped green onions and frying it. It is an irresistible dish for those who like the flavor of green onions.

Also, Negiyaki is eaten with dipping sauce such as dashi soy sauce or lemon soy sauce, rather than sauce. It is not as heavy as okonomiyaki, but has a refreshing taste, and is very popular among women. Even if you eat a lot, it doesn't make your stomach feel heavy.

Ingredients other than green onions may also be added. The most popular is sujikon negiyaki, which contains stewed beef tendon and konnyaku. The dough, which is filled with plenty of green onions, has a crispy, fragrant exterior and a fluffy texture inside.

You can enjoy the rich flavor of beef tendons and the texture of green onions and konnyaku. It is light and tasty, yet has a deep flavor. There are also other versions of Negiyaki that contain squid, shrimp, pork, and other ingredients.

The history of Negiyaki

The famous restaurant known as the birthplace of Negiyaki is "Negiyaki Yamamoto." Around 1965, Takae Yamamoto, who lost her husband, opened a small shop with six counter seats in Juso to support her family.

Takae's children would always come home from school to help out at the shop. In a corner of the counter, Takae would cook her growing children okonomiyaki, a twist on the "Issen Western Food" that she ate as a child, and feed them.

Soon customers began requesting it, so the restaurant started serving it. Three years later, the okonomiyaki topped with plenty of green onions was named "Negiyaki" and added to the menu.

Negiyaki Yamamoto is particular about the ingredients it uses. The green onions are freshly harvested duck onions. To maintain freshness, they are shipped from contracted farmers without being washed. They are cooked when they arrive at the central kitchen at 5am the following morning, and sent to each store in time for opening time on the same day.

One of Yamamoto's most popular dishes is "Sujinegi" (green onion). It is a leek dish made with Japanese beef tendons and domestic konjac simmered in a sweet and spicy sauce. The red pickled ginger is from Kochi Prefecture.

The refreshing taste of Negiyaki, served with special soy sauce and lemon juice, attracted a lot of attention and is still a beloved Osaka dish today.

Osaka tourist information

Osaka, one of the largest cities in the Kansai region, has many tourist attractions. This time, we will introduce three popular tourist spots.

Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan is a Hollywood movie-themed theme park with a wide variety of attractions, rides, seasonal events and shows.

Both adults and children can lose track of time as they become absorbed in the park. It is popular and gets particularly crowded on holidays, but there is also a "Universal Express Pass" that can shorten the waiting time for attractions. There are also limited-time events such as Christmas and Halloween, making it a dream theme park that you will want to visit again and again.

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

"Kaiyukan" is an aquarium that has one of the world's largest tanks where whale sharks can swim freely. In this magnificent 8-story aquarium, you will be greeted by the tunnel-shaped "Aqua Gate" where you can observe various fish as if you were walking through the ocean. You will have a mysterious experience surrounded by colorful fish such as blue and yellow fish and large shrimp.

This is a popular aquarium where you can enjoy a fantastical space. There is also a "New Experience Area" where you can interact with seals, and the sea creatures are soothing.

Expo Memorial Park

Expo '70 Commemorative Park is a cultural park built on the site of Asia's first World Expo, which was held in 1970 with the theme of human progress and harmony.

The Tower of the Sun, designed by artist Taro Okamoto, has an overwhelming presence, and if you make a reservation by the day before, you can tour the inside. Currently, there is also a Natural and Cultural Garden where you can enjoy nature, a Japanese garden area, and the National Museum of Ethnology.

There are also a variety of leisure facilities, including one of the world's largest athletic towers, "Expo Beast," the forest aerial observation walkway, "Solado," a gigantic three-dimensional athletic maze, and more, all of which are extremely popular with children.

How to get to Osaka

There are various ways to get to Osaka. If you are travelling by plane, Itami Airport (Osaka International Airport) is popular as it has many domestic flights and has excellent access to Osaka city. If you are heading from Itami Airport to Osaka city, we recommend using a limousine bus. The travel time and fare of the limousine bus may be subject to change.

Limousine buses heading to Osaka city depart every 10 to 15 minutes. The fare to Osaka Station (Umeda Station), Namba Station, and Abenobashi Station (Tennoji Station) is 650 yen for adults and 330 yen for children. It is convenient because you can choose from pick-up and drop-off locations around Osaka Station, such as Osaka Marubiru, New Hankyu Hotel, Herbis Osaka, and Hotel Hanshin.

There is also a direct limousine bus to Universal Studios Japan. The fare is 940 yen for adults and 470 yen for children. It takes about 40 minutes to get to Universal Studios Japan.

We also recommend taking a leisurely drive to Osaka. Find the best way to get there.

Location of Osaka Prefecture

summary

Negiyaki is a light Japanese-style dish served with soy sauce and lemon instead of sauce. It is available for takeout, but it is a dish we recommend eating at the restaurant. The hot, freshly cooked Negiyaki cooked on the hot plate in front of you will whet your appetite.

If you visit Osaka, be sure to try Negiyaki.

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