Try kushikatsu at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai! ORA Gaisyoku Pavilion is full of fun things to do.

It’s been a month since Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai opened! Every day, many visitors from Japan and abroad are visiting the expo. The Japanese media and social media are buzzing with topics such as the highlights of the pavilions and recommended gourmet information.
This time, Kodawari Times visited the ORA Food Pavilion “Utage” to showcase Osaka and Japanese cuisine to the world! We will introduce the scene of the Osaka gourmet kushikatsu event that was taking place at the time, as well as how to enjoy the ORA Gaisyoku Pavilion.

What is the ORA Gaisyoku Pavilion?

ORA (Osaka Restaurant Management Association) opened the ORA Gaisyoku Pavilion “UTAGE.” It will be located outside the Grand Roof Ring, in the West Gate Zone. The eye-catching signboard of a treasure ship loaded with food ingredients and the bright red noren curtain will serve as landmarks.

The first floor has a takeout corner with permanent and temporary restaurant booths, where you can enjoy a variety of gourmet foods and drinks.

The second floor is an experiential zone and exhibition corner for events and cooking classes. Visitors can learn about the techniques and creativity of creators, producers, and manufacturers, and gain insight into the behind-the-scenes world of eating out.

You can learn about Japanese food culture while enjoying the cuisine itself. This pavilion offers a truly UTAGE (festive experience.)

A Osaka gourmet staple! We went to a kushikatsu event

On May 1, when we visited, there was an event featuring kushikatsu, a popular Osaka delicacy. As we climbed the stairs to the second floor, we were drawn to the booth by the lively background music typical of Osaka and the voices calling out, “Free kushikatsu samples available!”

This was a joint exhibition booth by the Japan Kushikatsu Association, a general incorporated association based in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, and Seiwa Co., Ltd., headquartered in Shimotsuke City, Tochigi Prefecture.

The Japan Kushikatsu Association provided samples of kushikatsu.
This time, three types of kushikatsu made with different ingredients were offered.
・Nippon Chikusan Co., Ltd. “Seto no Mochi Pork”
・Sagane Farm “Manganji Togarashi (Manganji pepper)”
・Agri Station Seiwa “Eggplant”

Seiwa Co., Ltd. is an agricultural equipment manufacturer that also provides distribution and cultivation support to producers. The ingredients used for the tasting are vegetables and pork provided by producers registered on DO MARCHE, a matching platform that connects producers and consumers with direct delivery from the production site!
The vegetables look big, fresh, and delicious! I’m getting hungry… lol

On the other hand, the Japan Kushikatsu Association is an organization dedicated to promoting “kushikatsu”—a dish beloved in Osaka and the Kansai region centered around Shinsekai—to the world. They have designated September 4th as “Kushikatsu Day” and are actively promoting kushikatsu culture through various initiatives, including the sale of merchandise featuring the kushikatsu fairy “Kushinyoro.” Apparently, some of these Kushinyoro merchandise items are sold nationwide in Japan.

Incidentally, the background music playing at the booth was an original song commemorating “Kushikatsu Day,” which was announced on the day of the event. Surprisingly, it was produced by HAN-KUN (Shonan no Kaze), a famous reggae artist in Japan!
The song is so catchy that you can’t help but sing along to the refrain, “Age, age!”

Let’s try the three types of kushikatsu!

After learning about the activities of Seiwa Co., Ltd. and the Japan Kushikatsu Association, it’s time for the much-anticipated kushikatsu tasting!

First up is pork, a staple of kushikatsu. Even when sampling, we adhere to the kushikatsu culture rule of “no double dipping” and dip the skewers in sauce. It was my first time trying Seto mochi pork, and it was incredibly delicious, with tender meat and a concentrated flavor!

The eggplant recommended by the Japan Kushikatsu Association becomes sweeter and juicier when skewered. You will be surprised by the size of the Manganji Togarashi. Although they are chili peppers, they are sweet and satisfying, making them perfect for kushikatsu!

When visiting Osaka, kushikatsu is a must-try dish. All of the ingredients were delicious. Thank you for the meal.

After finishing the tasting, I looked behind me and saw a long line! Many people were enjoying kushikatsu!
I usually eat kushikatsu without thinking much about it, but after learning about the activities of the companies and organizations involved in its production and consumption, I was able to appreciate the value of eating out and feel a sense of specialness.

In addition, the booth also displayed pictures of Kushinoro exhibited at Billiken Creators Osaka. The collaboration between kushikatsu and Billiken, which is famous in Osaka, gives me a sense of excitement that is unique to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai!
Biliken is known as the guardian deity of Tsutenkaku, a famous tourist spot in Osaka. He is considered to be a god who brings good luck.

▼Click here for detailed information on kushikatsu

There are still plenty of culinary experiences to enjoy!

Various events are planned for the experience booths on the second floor during the Expo.
For example, the “Wabi” booth, operated by 1&D Co., Ltd, will hold a monthly tea ceremony. Visitors can casually enjoy tea while watching a theater performance that conveys the beauty and spirit of Japan.

From May 13 to August 12, Gourmet Kineya Co., Ltd., which operates Japan’s first udon chain restaurant, will offer an “udon noodle making experience.”
▼Click here for the reservation page
https://www-gourmet–kineya–hd-co-jp.translate.goog/udon-workshop/?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja&_x_tr_pto=wapp

From September 13 to October 13, Daiki Suisan Co., Ltd., a conveyor belt sushi chain, will offer an “Osaka-style Hakozushi experience” and other activities. (Advance reservations required)

Hako-zushi is the colorful array of bite-sized sushi shown at the top of the photo. If you want to try your hand at making Japanese udon noodles or experience traditional local cuisine from Osaka, be sure to visit the ORA Gaisyoku Pavilion.

Takeout and souvenir purchases are also recommended

After enjoying a dining experience on the second floor, we recommend picking up some takeout from the restaurants on the first floor. The restaurants and food courts in the Official Participants’ Pavilion tend to be crowded, but the ORA Gaisyoku Pavilion is for takeout only, so you can purchase food without having to wait in line for a long time. There are many different types of food available at reasonable prices, so you can choose whatever you like!

ONIGIRI WOW!, a store owned by rice cooker manufacturer Zojirushi, specializes in onigiri, Japan’s national food. Using Zojirushi’s home pressure IH rice cooker, Enbu-daki, you can enjoy hot, delicious onigiri made with freshly cooked rice.

In addition to standard ingredients such as ume (plum) and salmon, there are also Expo-style dishes such as Korean chapuche and Swiss cheese fondue!

At UTAGE Burger, operated by Ito Ham Yonekyu Holdings, you can enjoy hamburgers made with soy meat in the style of okonomiyaki, as well as wrapped pizza.

I tried it myself, and it tasted like real meat, not soybeans! I recommend it for halal and vegetarians.

In addition, there was also a section selling Japanese sweets, so you can buy souvenirs! There was a wide selection of classic sweets, such as Japanese confectionery from Chidoriya Soke in Osaka and chocolate from Furuta Confectionery.

The places introduced here are permanent booths, but there are also temporary booths available for a limited time. You are sure to have new experiences and discoveries every time you visit the ORA Gaisyoku Pavilion! Please come and learn about Japanese food culture, eat, shop, and enjoy yourself.

▼ See more articles about the Expo2025