Osaka, Japan gets some props
from this writer who traveled to the city of Osaka and found a way to please her palate in one of Japan’s large,
but not Tokyo, cities. The recommendations are for more than just sushi. Much more.
Start with takoyaki—balls of octopus and chips of green onion grilled in a soft golden batter. They’re cooked at
small street stands. Look for ones with the longest queues, they’re usually the best ones. For 500 yen ($4.50 USD),
you’ll get eight to ten pieces and maybe cheese melted on top, along with sweet mayonnaise, takoyaki sauce and a
flurry of bonito flakes that dance quietly when sprinkled over hot food.