food and travel
- Cherry Rhymes
- Sep 13
- 2 min read
The kitchen of Japan is Osaka. The food capital of Japan.
It is known for their casual and accessible food culture particularly it's variety of street foods
and comfort food that are a core part of the city's identity".
My daughter was born and raised in NYC so she has the world as her dining room.
It is not a surprise that I have a 10 - year old with varied palate.
She loves Japanese cuisine among many others.
One of her favorite is Okonomiyaki.
A type of savory pancake made of flour, eggs and cabbage.
"Okonomi" literally means " how you like it"
allowing a wide variety of ingredients to be mixed in or added.
It is a popular comfort food often cooked in a griddle served with sweet and savory sauce , mayo and flakes.
Whether you are vegetarian, omnivore, carnivore or pescatarian, anyone can enjoy this dish because it can be made in a variety of ways. When we climbed Mt. Fuji, we found it difficult but as soon as she was at the summit,
we cheered for her and she said and I quote, "I want to eat Okonomiyaki. 10 Okonomiyaki. "
She did not get to eat her favorite Okonomiyaki .
We only had light Ramen soup at the summit which I personally considered one of my favorite meals of the trip because after that climb, we needed it. My daughter still did not get her wish to eat Okonomiyaki for dinner the day she climbed.
We arrived in Osaka after a bus and train ride from Mt. Fuji to join the rest of the family.
In Japan's food capital, her fist meal was in the train station. She chose an egg sandwich which she shared with me.
She had to wait for days before she got to enjoy her favorite Okonomiyaki and other dishes.
The best part is sharing it with family.
It is a Japanese delicacy made from pufferfish,
a fish known for it's potentially deadly flesh due to the the presence of tetrodotoxin
which is concentrated in the liver, ovaries and skin. It is fatal with no antidote.
When prepared by highly trained chefs who are skilled in removing the toxins in organs and skin, it is edible and delicious.
I ate the skin and flesh of Fugu at Osaka's market and lived to tell the tale. Thankful for the hands that prepared it.
Traveling is not just about sight seeing. I encourage my child to understand other people's culture.
Food is just one of the many ways to connect with each other. There is less conflict and hate when there is more understanding of each other. Some through food, some through music, literature and art.
When we open ourselves to understanding other people, it's amazing how long held perceptions may change.
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