About Osaka

There is an old saying that "Kyoto is all about clothes, Osaka is all about eating." This means that Kyoto is all about kimonos, and Osaka is all about eating and drinking, and people will lose their fortunes in luxury. In simple terms, it is a mockery of the fact that people in Kyoto are generous and don't hesitate to spend a lot of money on clothing, while Osakans value food and spend money to enjoy it, and have a gourmet culture. Osakans are passionate about food, and they cook with a "spirit of disposal" that discerns the quality of ingredients and uses up every last bit of good ingredients.

Osaka has always been blessed with bounty from both the sea and the mountains. Osaka Bay was so rich in seafood that it was nicknamed "Naniwa," meaning "fish garden," and a wide variety of vegetables was grown there. Furthermore, during the Edo period, ingredients from all over the country were gathered here, earning the city the nickname "the kitchen of the world." Sakai boasted an environment where high-quality ingredients were readily available, sharp knives for cooking them were made in Sakai, and there were also many good eaters. As wealthy merchants frequently used restaurants for business negotiations, chefs honed their skills and cuisine became more refined. Furthermore, with the nearby breweries of Ikeda, Itami, and Nada, the quality of the food, which accompanies the cuisine, improved to match the fine sake. The phrase "eat to your heart's content" embodies Osaka's history, environment, and the spirit of its people.

Wealthy merchants frequently used restaurants to conduct business negotiations, which led to chefs honing their skills and the refinement of their cuisine. Furthermore, with the nearby sake-producing areas of Ikeda, Itami, and Nada, the quality of the food also improved to match the high-quality sake. The phrase "kuidaore" (to eat to your heart's content) embodies this history and environment of Osaka, as well as the spirit of its people.