Whoever thought this post wouldn’t be coming out today because it is April Fools’, bet you are feeling real silly now aren’t you? 4 years without visiting Japan is 4 years too long, and our gianness to experience Nihon once again has been brewing all throughout covid.
This was one of the many planning sessions in my room where some people would shamelessly lie down on my bed wearing their outside clothes. While my psycho-ing efforts failed to attract Kl, Yc, Ck & Eug onboard the trip, we managed to get Kenneth and Shanelle to travel with us for the first time.
A total of 9 pax participating on our adventure this time round, and before you start counting the number of people in the picture, know that my maths isn’t off. This also marked Th and Kenneth’s virgin trip to Japan so i had to blast water and dig out all the best food spots to impress them.
We began by not saying hello to each other when everyone gathered at the airport. Then we had the most non-Japanese supper we could find, a 24/7 Burger King.
As per our usual SOP, we caught a red eye flight so we could get a full first day upon landing.
Took a wefie on the plane before getting some much needed shut eye, but Jl 很累 so she shut hers first.
For breakfast, i uncharacteristically opted for a light airline meal in anticipation of all the shit we will be putting into our bodies for the next 11 days. Too bad it wasn't Vietnamese collagen porridge because that shit would absolutely sell like hotcakes.
My first JAL flight and although it was pretty comfortable, i was disappointed that the air stewardesses do not accommodate to certain commands like “time stoppu!”.
Unfortunately, since our flight out from Changi Airport was delayed, we failed to catch our connecting flight from Tokyo to Osaka.
But after a rough time communicating with the JAL staff and deciphering her instructions, we were able to get rebooked on a later flight. Thankfully, the only change was that we would reach Osaka later in the day and no further plans would need to be aborted.
Ironically, we now had a long time to kill before our next flight so we spent it the best way we knew how, by eating.
We split into team soba and team Yoshinoya, and while i usually lean towards the latter, i was conned by the chefs making fresh buckwheat noodles in the kitchen window.
The soba was strangely tough and it was akin to chewing on a bunch of rubber bands. I know proper noodles are cooked till al dente but after finishing this we may need an al dentist.
After many trials and tribulations, we finally arrived in Osaka.
Jh flaunting his lupsup airport fashion as if he’s going downstairs to dabao cai fan but who cares as long as he’s not killing any babies?
After consuming a bottle every day, i can confirm that this beverage does not in fact, reduce body fat.
One benefit of arriving at Itami airport is its proximity to the city centre.
A brief 30 mins bus ride later and we would arrive at Namba, our home base in Osaka.
Checked into our hotel and we were pleasantly surprised by the size of the room. But let’s save the room tour for another day and go food hunting inside the heart of Japan’s kitchen.
Our first stop is at Takoyaki Wanaka to try Osaka’s quintessential snack.
Don't be fooled as these balls contain molten lava inside and takes three business days to cool down before you can consume them. Jokes aside, the takoyaki was fluffy, creamy and absolutely delicious, a far cry from our pasar malam’s version made by your neighbourhood matrep.
So yummy that it makes me want to open up instagram to read some inspirational quotes and possibly click on a link to buy some meatballs.
We then split into team ramen and team sushi because there was a massive line at Kaminari Sushi, and definitely NOT because someone from each team disliked one another.
I was a little worried while queuing because this place was packed with Korean tourists. I knew this because the namja behind us was standing so close that i could smell the kimchi from his breath.
But once i saw the grumpy looking sushi chef, i knew this place would be awesome.
We started off with a sushi roll stuffed with a thousand different ingredients and only 10% rice. What a gorgeous sight.
It was promptly outshined by their sushi platter assembled with all the seafood that i love, featuring fatty tuna, salmon, unagi, red shrimp & sea urchin.
Not forgetting the sweetest, plumpest scallops that were simply heavenly, with an ideal sushi ratio of 70% fish and 30% rice. Couldn't ask for a better meal to kickstart our trip, and this is just dinner part 1 mind you.
We took a walk around the crowded Dotonbori area to digest and soak in the Saturday night vibes.
Konnichiwa, Glico san.
When in Osaka... do as the other gaijins do. Oi Sj why group photo you not inside? Is it you sneak away to eat soba by yourself again?
It would have been rude of me to post pictures of a couple who are no longer together. Luckily with my photoshop skills, i am able to help Ken update into his new girlfriend.
A halal Ichiran Ramen... Nani kore??
Of course we couldn't miss the massive donki, even though there is an outlet at Tampines 1 that i visit at least once a week.
Felt a couple of familiar faces staring at us from afar. Matsumoto, Hamada, OUTTO!
Happy faces before i reminded them that we are returning to Singapore in 10 days.
When the "take solo picture in case you all break up" joke becomes actually relevant for once..
Exhausted from a full day of travelling but not willing to end the night, we split up yet again into team tsukemen and team faggot.
Been craving for a good tsukemen since we had Fūunji back in 2015. This time, we are at Niboshi-Ramen Tamagoro in search of that taste once again.
On first glance, it looks impressive. Thick, springy noodles, well marbled slices of pork and a beautiful ajitama egg. Could this be the end of my streak of having average tsukemen?
Sadly it was not, as the broth was not thick and gao enough to latch onto the noodles. Instead it was oily and salty, and had no depth in flavour. Still, the other ingredients carried it to a decent 6.5/10 rating.
No night in Japan is complete without visiting one of their many konbinis, and i am ashamed that it took us so long to visit one. Mina san, gomennasai!
We returned to our hotel satisfied and ready to finally get some sleep. Being the only 2 single dogs here, my roommate and partner in crime was Sj. Happy to report that we lasted longer than some other couples on the trip wink wink. Turns out us rooming together was a bad idea as we kept jiao wei-ing until i lost my voice and Sj even said "我怕我太兴奋睡不着" before generating thunderous snores just 5 seconds later. Hais.. guess i'll see this liar in the morning for breakfast.
- End of Day 1 -
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