/ck/ - Food & Cooking

The Kansai region, located in the central part of Japan’s main island of Honshu, is known for its unique and diverse cuisine. Here are some of the most popular dishes and food items from the Kansai region:

1. Okonomiyaki: Often referred to as “Japanese pancake,” okonomiyaki is a savory dish made with a batter of flour, eggs, and cabbage. It is cooked on a griddle and topped with various ingredients such as pork, seafood, and vegetables. Okonomiyaki in Kansai is usually thinner and has a larger proportion of cabbage compared to its Osaka counterpart.

2. Takoyaki: These are ball-shaped snacks made from a wheat flour-based batter and filled with diced octopus (tako), tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger, and green onion. Takoyaki is cooked in a special takoyaki pan with half-spherical molds and served with takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and dried bonito flakes.

3. Udon: Udon is a type of thick noodle made from wheat flour. It can be served hot or cold and is often topped with various ingredients such as tempura, green onions, and grated daikon radish. Kansai-style udon tends to be thicker and chewier than other regions in Japan.

4. Kitsune Udon: A popular variation of udon that originated in the Kansai region, kitsune udon features a large piece of deep-fried tofu (aburaage) on top of the noodles. The name “kitsune” (meaning fox) comes from the belief that foxes are fond of aburaage.

5. Soba: Soba is a type of thin noodle made from buckwheat flour. It can be served hot or cold and is often dipped in soy sauce-based soup before eating. In Kansai, soba is typically served with a side of wasabi and grated daikon radish.

6. Oden: Oden is a type of nabemono (one-pot dish) that consists of various ingredients such as fishcakes, boiled eggs, and daikon radish simmered in a dashi-based broth. It is commonly eaten during the colder months and can be found at convenience stores and street vendors throughout the Kansai region.