About Food 食べ物について

This article features foods that are special to the Kinki region!

① Kobe Beef

Kobe Beef is one of Japan's most prominent beef. The meat comes from the best Tajima cows and is known to be very expensive and is considered gourmet. You may have heard of the recently passed professional basketball player Kobe Bryant. His father loved Japan's Kobe Beef so much that they decided to name their child after the famous beef.

② Takoyaki

Takoyaki is one of Osaka's most prominent foods. Although it is quite filling and savory, most people would rather eat it as a snack rather than for dinner. Takoyaki is prepared by filling an egg, flour, and broth batter with octopus, pickled ginger, green onion, and cabbage and then cooking it in small balls. The price to buy Takoyaki is rather cheap and is considered casual food such as french fries. Takoyaki is most commonly found at stands during festivals or food courts in the mall. It's also common to make this delicious snack easily at home and many Japanese people casually have "Takoyaki Parties" to enjoy this yummy food.

I personally love eating Takoyaki as a quick mid-day snack and because they are so small, I keep eating more! One of my favorite memories with Takoyaki was when I had a Takoyaki Party with my friends, where we made and ate Takoyakis and had a great time!

③ Botan Nabe

Botan Nabe is food specific to the Tamba Sasayama Hyogo prefecture. Botan Nabe uses boar as its main meat and it has been consumed in Japan since the Jomon Period. Botan Nabe refers to the boar meat being placed

in the shape of a peony or a "Botan" flower. This food is not eaten regularly and is served on occasions such as when you have guests over. Botan Nabe is made from boiling broth and miso and then placing boar, vegetables, and tofu in the pot.

④ Kaki no Ha Sushi

Kaki no Ha Sushi is food that is local to Nara, Wakayama, and Ishikawa prefecture. It is sushi that has mackerel or salmon wrapped in a persimmon leaf. You would typically eat this at festivals or special occasions. If you are visiting, you can find this dish at bento shops or sushi restaurants in those prefectures. When you eat this dish, make sure to unwrap the persimmon leaf from the sushi as it is not meant to be eaten and rather is used as packaging and anti-bacterial protection.

⑤Kishu Nanko Ume

Kishu Nanko Ume is known to be the top Ume brand in Japan. It originated in the Wakayama prefecture and is harvested there and turned into various Ume products such as Umeboshi, Umeshu, Ume juice, and much more! Usually, Ume is known to be quite sour, however, since Nanko Ume is a fruit, eating it with honey gives you a sweeter alternative.