Tondo Matsuri: New Year’s Osaka Food & Restaurants Festival

People from Osaka love their food so how could I resist a classified ad for ‘Japan’s Best Food Stalls’. Fine foods from restaurants in the city, like an Osaka food tour where all the culinary delights are in one place.

It was a cold day in early January when I set off for Tondo Matsuri. At this point I didn’t know it as anything more than a food festival.

I love food, I love Japanese food even more. And Osakans love food more than anyone else in Japan. It was already a fantastic day before I’d arrived.

Tonjiru – Pork and Vegetable Soup in Miso

After having a good look around I opted to try something that looked and smelled familiar. I’d later learn from Shinksay – the ‘Master’ at my local izakaya – that the soup is called Tonjiru.

On a day when the temperature was a cold 5°C, the soup proved to be appreciated and very tasty winter warmer. It was easy eating, comfort food full of vegetables, tofu and enough pork to give the soup a meaty edge.

At the bargain price of 100 Yen (reduced price as the soup had nearly sold out) it was fine fooder for a chilly winter’s day.

As I moved around the shrine I came across an area with smoke billowing from a few stalls and the unmistaken smell of BBQ meats. The Yakitori stall had at least 20 people queuing up so I decided to try the BBQ Pork.

Yakiniku – Chargrilled BBQ Pork Marinated in Sake

Japan has a high quality food approach to food and the meat is no exception. It usually tastes excellent so I delved in and ordered some BBQ Pork.

I was in for a treat as it was cooked to perfection, exactly how BBQ meats should be. It was slightly burned and crisped which brought out a richer flavour in the pork, whilst on the other hand, on the whole it was very tender and succulent.

The meat had been marinated in sake which gave it a lovely flavour. Maybe shochu (Japanese distilled spirit) was in the marinade but I’m not sure as the lack of Japanese language skills got the better of me.