Osaka Soul Food Cooking Class: Takoyaki, Yakisoba, and Fruit Daifuku

About

Osaka is famous for food, and two of its flagship dishes are takoyaki and yakisoba. Options abound when it comes to trying these two street foods, whether in the many stalls on the neon-lit streets of Namba or among sleek skyscrapers in Umeda. But if you want to learn to make these foods so you can enjoy them even after your visit, this cooking class will teach you all you need to know. Make these two Osaka soul foods and complement your meal with a traditional Japanese dessert!

In this cooking class, friendly local hosts Arisa and Maya will share their love for Osaka foods they inherited from their grandmother, who ran a shabu-shabu (hot pot) restaurant in the city. Raised with a passion for cooking from a young age, they will teach you in a fun and engaging way how to make takoyaki and yakisoba from scratch using original recipes and traditional ingredients.

Discover how to make an authentic batter for takoyaki, and then grill and shape the octopus dumplings until they turn golden brown. Complete your meal with stir-fried yakisoba noodles topped with cabbage, pork, red pickled ginger, and bonito flakes, made with a special sauce to enhance umami. Once you've finished cooking, you can indulge in these two delicious Osaka specialties.

One can of Beer or other alcohol is complimentary. Enjoy both over conversation with your hosts as you learn more about Osaka’s food culture and what makes it special.

Menu

• Osaka Style Takoyaki (Octopus Balls) Enjoy making Osaka's most famous street food! These savory, ball-shaped snacks are made of a wheat flour-based batter and filled with octopus, pickled ginger, and tempura scraps. You will master the fun technique of "flipping" the balls with a pick on a special griddle to make them perfectly round. We can substitute the octopus with cheese or corn for a vegetarian option.

• Savory Yakisoba (Stir-fried Noodles) A hearty dish of stir-fried noodles with crisp vegetables and a special savory-sweet sauce. It’s a classic comfort food in Japanese homes. We cook it together in a frying pan so you can easily recreate this delicious meal at home!
• Handmade Fruit Daifuku (Mochi Dessert) A trendy and beautiful Japanese sweet. You will wrap fresh seasonal fruits and sweet red bean paste in soft, stretchy mochi. We will cut them in half to reveal a stunning, colorful cross-section—perfect for your travel photos!
• 1 Complimentary Drink (Beer or Alcohol) Celebrate your cooking success with a "Kanpai!" (Cheers). Choose one drink from Japanese beer, a fruit cocktail (Chuhai), or a refreshing non-alcoholic option.

Schedule

• Meet at our nearest station
• Presentation of all ingredients and equipment slated for use.
• Start of the hands-on cooking session.
• Indulge in the culinary delights crafted during the class.
• End of the experience.