Cooking Japanese Street Food with Eat Osaka

Okonomiyaki—that savory Japanese pancake was the reason I set my sights on Osaka. My love affair with this dish began during a visit to Hiroshima, and I’ve been dreaming about it ever since. So, when I discovered Eat Osaka’s Japanese street food cooking class, which not only teaches you how to make Okonomiyaki but also puts a fun twist on it by serving it on a stick, I was instantly sold. My mission was clear: head to Osaka and master the art of making these delicious savory flapjacks. Here’s my review of this unforgettable Osaka cooking class experience.

Eat Osaka – What’s on the menu

After a day of touring the city on my own I met up with Arisa and Mai under the Tsūtenkaku Tower– not the Hitachi tower as noted in my idiots guide to Osaka. From there we we’re taken into Eat Osaka’s small cooking classroom and given a rundown on what was on the menu. Yakitori, homemade udon noodles and of course, Hashimaki – Osaka’s street food version of okonomiyaki.

New skills

After our menu rundown and some fun banter with the hosts it was time to get cooking. In doing so I added to my Japanese higher learning that has already included a night photography tour and a sushi making class. Eat Osaka taught me a couple interesting skills – Making Ramen noodles with my feet (and my ass), and learning to use a knife properly. More specifically, after flattening out our Ramen noodles with our feet it was placed in our back pockets to utilize body heat for the dough to rise.

Just think about that the next time you’re at one of my dinner parties.

Eat Osaka also showed me that my knives at home are garbage and that I cut like a two-year-old. Using high-quality Japanese blades (available for purchase from Eat Osaka) Mai demonstrated with tremendous ease how to properly cut vegetables. Mind blown.

Flip that pancake

Armed with my newly acquired skills, Yakitori skewers sizzling on the grill and Ramen noodles set to cool, it was time for the star of the show: Hashimaki. Preparing the batter and assembling the ingredients for this iconic Eat Osaka dish was surprisingly straightforward—but the real challenge began when it was time to cook. Balancing precision and technique, it became clear just how much artistry goes into crafting this Osaka street food classic.

In a fun, hands-on Osaka cooking class, we stepped into the role of chefs to create our own Hashimaki—a savory Japanese street food favorite. Just like a cooking show challenge, each student took a turn demonstrating their Hashimaki-making skills under the guidance of our expert instructor, Mai. Using chopsticks and a spatula, we carefully rolled this delicious pancake-wrapped treat, which proved to be trickier than it looked. Mai made it look effortless, but trust me, perfecting that roll took practice and patience!

This Osaka cooking class wasn’t just about learning techniques—it was a deep dive into local flavors and culture. Hashimaki, often sold at festivals and markets, captures the essence of Osaka’s street food scene. It was rewarding to create this dish from scratch and even more satisfying to enjoy it afterward. Whether you’re a foodie or just curious about Japanese cuisine, this class is a must-try experience in Osaka!

Tuck in to this Osaka Cooking Class

With our freshly cooked Hashimaki proudly perched on chopsticks, it was finally time to enjoy the delicious rewards of our Eat Osaka cooking class. Every dish we made was incredible, but the standouts for me were the “Osaka Style” Ramen noodles and, of course, the Hashimaki. Topped with a generous drizzle of Japanese mayo and a sprinkle of bonito flakes, the Hashimaki was the perfect combination of flavor and fun—a true taste of Osaka’s street food culture.

Eat Osaka – so much more then Okonomiyaki on a Stick

I initially joined the Eat Osaka cooking class to learn how to make Okonomiyaki, but within minutes of starting, it became clear this experience was so much more. Arisa and Mai have crafted an evening that blends fun, flavor, and culture into a well-organized and mouthwatering journey through Osaka street food. Their expert guidance and infectious enthusiasm made this class not just educational but one of the highlights of my time in the city.

Now, armed with new skills and inspiration, I can’t wait to recreate these flavors back home—from rolling Okonomiyaki on a stick to serving up bum-risen Ramen, this Osaka cooking class has left a lasting impression on my culinary journey.

What say you?
Thoughts on this Eat Osaka cooking class?
Let’s hear it!

For more reviews from Asia and beyond see HERE.

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Although I was provided a complimentary class with Eat Osaka,
the experience, opinions, and foot-formed ramen are my own.