When people think of food in Japan, they think Sushi and all things raw. But it's not the case. Japan caters to a wide range of tastes and palettes. And surprisingly, KFC's, McDonald's and Burger King's are plentiful. But unlike the West, where there's 1 fast food chain, there are about 5 eateries within the vicinity offering tastier meals, better value for money and a menu consisting of meals which are a bit more Japanese than french fries and meat in a bap. I mean, why travel hundreds of miles around the world to eat stuff you can eat at home every day!? Okay... I confess to having eaten some McD's, KFC and Burger king whilst on my travels in Japan. But I didn't make a habit of it, and did enjoy some lovely Japanese cuisines.I can add food and cuisines to things I associate with Japan, alongside the typical things like cool technology, karaoke, cool architecture, bright lights and an awesome night life. You're never shy of a place to eat in Japan, and food is moderately priced. It's actually rather cheap for what you get and much more filling then you'd expect.
The meal above, is what I ate at a restaurant in Osaka, that I regrettably didn't catch the name of. And it cost me no more than five pounds. FIVE POUNDS!! The rice was refillable, as was the water. Value for money at its finest. I mean, look: you got everything! Some meat, some rice, some soup - everything to give you a substantial meal, with all nutrients and good stuff you need. Not that I was caring about that. I just loved how much I got for FIVE POUNDS!
I'm pissed I can't remember the name of the place. Not that I could pronounce it even if I could. But it was a great little spot right around the corner from where we were staying. The eatery must've seen my gaijin posse and I coming, because we didn't even have to speak to the waitresses. Some restaurants in Japan feature ticket machines, and the 'Wicked cheap restaurant around the corner from the weekly mansion' (as I will refer to it as) had said machine. You select what you want from the machine, you put in your money, you get a ticket, you sit down, a waitress takes your ticket, gives it to the person in the kitchen and within minutes your meal is with you. I swear, some of these restaurants get your food quicker to you than fast food chains in the UK. And the food is always well presented and tastes nice. I don't think I ate at a single place where the food wasn't nice and it didn't look as neat as it did in the menu's pictures. Almost a curse, because certain places were so nice I didn't want to go anywhere else! I'm thinking you of you: curry place in Asakusa, and Ramen place in Shinjuku. Mmmm...
I didn't get to try Okanamiyaki though, which I really wanted to try. But that's something for me to try on my next visit.