Summer is here!
Last year was super hot, but perhaps this year will be a little bit cooler… but even so, summer in Japan is SO SO HOT.
When it’s hot you just want to eat something refreshing, right? Surely, a warm soup doesn’t really seem all that appetizing when it’s so hot outside.
What do you eat to cool down…?
Come and take a look! We will bring you the best summer food listings in Osaka!
■THE BEST SUMMER FOODS
①Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Ramen)
There’s nothing better than hiyashi chuka on a hot summer day! You can still get satisfy your ramen cravings, without all the heat with these chilled ramen noodles.
Eat it at home or at a ramen shop, it doesn’t matter: it makes for a great lunch wherever you are!
You have chilled ramen with a variety of toppings to make for a refreshing dish: eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, sashimi, etc.
It’s a lighter taste than the usual bowl of ramen–but it’ll hit the spot perfectly for a summer meal.
②Somen
Somen is a popular choice for a summer meal in Japan! But actually it’s popular in other countries such as Korea, China, and Thailand as well.
What’s somen? Glad you asked!
Somen is an ultra thin noodle that can be used in many different types of dishes. In other countries it is often used in spicy dishes, but in Japan it’s applied in lighter dishes. A great dish for summertime!
It provides entertainment too with “Nagashi Somen”!
First, you have a piece of bamboo (or other tubes like material) but in half, and run water down it. This bamboo is used as a mini-water slide for the somen. The somen noodles jet down the bamboo flume with the running water and as it passes by you can pluck it up and eat it on the spot. Make sure you’re fast so you can grab the noodles before someone else!!
Usually, nagashi somen is done outside… but you can try your hand at it in Umeda!
Nishiya is the only place in Umeda to provide a full-scale nagashi somen experience at any time–as long as you have a reservation. While you’re here in Osaka, make sure to try it out!
Nishiya 西屋 Address: 大阪府大阪市北区鶴野町4-4B コープ野村梅田 4-4B Tsurunocho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Contact Number: +81 06-6377-0248 Hours: – Monday~Saturday: 18:00~03:00 AM the next day (Last Order: 02:00) – Holidays, Sundays: 18:00~-01:00 AM the next day (Last Order: 24:00 [midnight]) Nearest Station: – Nakazakicho Station – Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line – ~7min. on foot Tabelog Page:https://tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270101/27045728/ **Reservation required for nagashi somen |
■THE BEST SUMMER SWEETS
①Shaved Ice
You haven’t really experienced summer in Japan if you haven’t had shaved ice yet!! It’s a must for sure.
There’s the traditional style, or updated versions, whatever you want you can try.
For a retro feel, you can get the shaved ice with topped with a syrup flavor only. Or you can try out more modern twists on the popular sweet!
We recommend trying out FRUIT GARDEN Yamaguchi Fruits in Uehonmachi–after being around for 100 years, this shop definitely knows what they’re doing when it comes to shaved ice. As you can guess by the name, it’s in fact a fruit shop–and the fresh fruits are made use of as toppings for the shaved ice. Yum!
FRUIT GARDEN Yamaguchi Fruits 山口果物 上本町本店 Address:大阪府大阪市中央区上本町西2-1-9 宏栄ビル1階 2-1-9 Uehonmachinishi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Hours: 10:00 – 20:00 (Last Order:19:30) **May close early if they run out Closed on: Irregular holidays Nearest Station: Tanimachi 6-Chome Station – Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line (Exit 3) – 7min. on foot Homepage: https://www.fruit-garden.net/ |
②Smoothies
In this day and age, it’s not just the taste that’s important but also the look right? It needs to look so good you want to snap a shot to remember it!
Why not try the picture perfect smoothie for it? You know of latte art? Well, now there’s smoothie art! It’ll look just too good to drink.
How to order? Choose your favorite colors!
If you have a favorite fruit you want to be used, feel free to ask about it. They’ll make your smoothie to order.
With how colorful it is you may worry about artificial coloring–but don’t fret, the colors are all natural from the fruits and veggies themselves!
JTRRD Cafe ジェイティード カフェ Address: 大阪府大阪市北区天満3-4-5 タツタビル 1F 1F 3-4-5 Temma, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Hours: 12:00-17:00 Closed on: Mondays Nearest Station: JR Tozai Line [Osaka Tenmangu Station] ~5min. on foot Tabelog Page: https://tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270104/27098116/ |
③GariGarikun – Popsicle
Looking for something to pick up at the convenience store? Grab a GariGarikun Soda popsicle! Not only is it offered at a great price, but it’s also super refreshing to eat on a hot day!
Any apartment that you stay at has a convenience store nearby–so you can easily grab it during your stay in Osaka wherever whenever you are!
Homepage: https://www.akagi.com/brand/garigarikun/index.html
~BONUS ROUND: HOT ON HOT~
So far we’ve introduced items meant to cool you down on a hot day…
But sometimes you just want to eat something hot, regardless of the weather! Sometimes maybe that’s the best thing for it.
So, what’re the best hot dishes to eat on a hot day??
①Curry
Curry is originated from India, where it can get to be over 40° (Celsius) a day…! Maybe eating hot food on a hot day is a good idea after all…??
But don’t get this mixed up with Indian curry–Japan has its own style when it comes to curry. Try out Japan’s take on curry at CoCo Curry House!
CoCo Curry House (Kitahorie) Coco壱番屋 西区北堀江一丁目店 Address: 大阪府大阪市西区北堀江1-2-16 1-2-16 Kitahorie, Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Hours: 11:00-01:00 AM the next day (Last Order) Nearest Station: Yotsubashi Station – Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line – ~1min. on foot **CoCo Curry House has many locations throughout Japan Homepage: https://www.ichibanya.co.jp/ |
②Ramen
You’ve come to Japan–of course you want to try a standard bowl of ramen! It doesn’t matter if you sweat while eating it–sweating is good for your health after all. While you’re here–it doesn’t matter that it’s summer–ramen is a must!!
In our previous blog we introduced Kinryu Ramen to you here:
It’s a great place to start for your ramen dining journey~
Kinryu Ramen (Dotonbori) 金龍ラーメン 道頓堀店 Address: 大阪府大阪市中央区道頓堀1-7-26 1-7-26 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Hous: 24/7 Nearest Station: Namba Station – Osaka Metro Midosuji, Sennichimae Line(exit 14) – ~5min. on foot Tabelog Page: https://tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270202/27001495/ |
Hot? Chilled? However you like it!! Enjoy refreshing meals this summer in Osaka!
Source of Cover Image: oonnuuoo