While I haven’t yet made it back to Osaka since my trip last April, I got a little taste of the city last night with a delicious home cooked meal.  I MAY have mentioned to a family from Osaka that my favorite Japanese food comes from their home city. And MAYBE the husband just happens to be a professional  chef. But truly it was just coincidental that they invited me over for a home cooked okonomiyaki dinner.  I’m sure it had nothing to do with me drooling each time I said the word Okonomiyaki in front of them.

The fixin’s before they go in the batter

Veggies and seafood to go in the Okonomiyaki

Almost ready!

But seriously, it is so kind when a family invites you into their home and shares their food, their culture and their hospitality with you.  I got to eat Japanese food, drink Japanese beer, and listen to the rapidly spoken langage while trying to pick out the few words I remember from my college Japanese classes.  What a great night of food, friends and adorable children (the family has three kids plus two more than came with a family friend.

Okonomiyaki – the finished product

For those who’ve not had the chance to try Okonomiyaki, I always describe it as a savory pancake mixed with whatever meat, vegetable or seafood you like then once its cooked in a frying pan, its covered with a slightly sweet brown sauce and mayonaise.  At an Okonomiyaki-ya (okonomiyaki restaurant), you are given the batter and the ingredients you order to go in it and you cook it yourself on a hot grill at your table, so its very casual and everyone gets involved.  While I left the cooking to the chef last night, it was still a very relaxed and laughter filled atmosphere.

And one to make you smile

Smiles all around

A huge thank you and Arigato gozaimas goes out to the Ueda family for the delicious food and for making me feel so at home.

And after my great night of food from Osaka, I had another Osaka surprise waiting for me when I got home today. Last year, I lost one of my favorite earrings in Universal Park – Osaka.  Without any hope in the world, I filled out a Lost and Found report and believe it or not, they found it the next day.

Reunited!

Unfortunately, I had already left the city for Kyoto, but my friend held on to it for me for months.  When one of her friends from California came for a visit she gave her the earring to bring back to me and after a trip via mail from Gardena to Culver City, the long-lost, well traveled earring is finally back home with its mate. I may not know what I’m wearing to work tomorrow, but I DO know that I will be wearing my returned treasures