【Local Specialties】5 Osaka Exclusives

Osaka, known as the 'world's kitchen' and a paradise for food lovers, is a city where you 'eat until you drop.' Do you know which local specialties can only be bought here?

Here are five recommended specialties, including seasonings and snacks!

**Hermes Sauce (ヘルメスソース)**

Yakitori, takoyaki, and okonomiyaki—these Osaka delicacies are incomplete without their signature sauce. The 'Hermes Sauce' is so hard to find recently that it's been called 'dream sauce.' According to its website, Hermes Sauce is made by simmering carefully selected vegetables, fruits, sugar, and salt, then adding ginger, pepper, vinegar, and other seasonings. The key to its flavor is a blend of over ten original spices. It's characterized by a refreshing sweetness and a spicy aroma, perfect for dipping fried foods.

Available at department stores and Shin-Osaka Station on the Shinkansen line. Be sure to look for it!

■ Hermes Tonkatsu Sauce 900ml – 756 yen (tax included)

[Retailers] Osaka Station, department stores, etc.

**Asahi Orange Vinegar (旭日橙醋)**

This is a citrus-based seasoning mixed with vinegar and soy sauce, known in Japan as 'ponzu.' Among ponzu producers, 'Asahi Orange Vinegar' uses Japanese fruits and kelp from Hokkaido, giving it a refined taste.

It's great for dipping boiled pork with vegetables, or even for dumplings.

■ Asahi Orange Vinegar (360ml: approx. 600–800 yen)

[Retailers] Supermarkets, department stores, etc.

**Jagariko (じゃがりこ) – Takoyaki Flavor**

Jagariko is a popular snack in Japan. Regular supermarkets carry butter and salad flavors, but in Osaka you can find the sauce-and-mayonnaise flavor.

Individually wrapped inside the box, it's very convenient as a souvenir for friends and family.

■ Takoyaki Flavor Snack – 864 yen (tax included)

[Retailers] Kansai stations, airports, highway rest stops, souvenir shops, etc.

**Red Ginger Potato Chips**

Red ginger is made by pickling ginger root in plum vinegar. In Japan, only Osaka has the custom of eating red ginger as tempura.

These chips recreate Osaka's 'common' taste—a perfect balance of sourness and saltiness. Many people buy them as a 'partner' for alcoholic drinks.

■ Osaka Red Ginger Potato Chips – 378 yen (tax included)

[Retailer] JR Shin-Osaka Station

**Grand Calbee Chips (グランカルビー)**

Regular chips are available at supermarkets, but these special Grand Calbee chips are only sold at Hankyu Umeda Main Store.

They use potatoes from Hokkaido cut to Calbee's unique thickness and fried slowly.

In addition to three basic flavors (original, butter, plum), there are four more: barbecue, soy sauce, grilled cod roe, and cheese & black pepper.

The cute packaging is popular among young people!

■ Calbee Chips – 580 yen (tax included)

[Retailer] Hankyu Umeda Main Store

There are many more souvenirs only available in Osaka. Be sure to find your favorite!

▼ For more information, see the comments...

**Table of Contents**

1. A Dream Treasure from the Sauce Kingdom, Osaka! 'Hermes Sauce'

2. A Popular Local Hit! 'Asahi Orange Vinegar'

3. Cute Packaging! Takoyaki-Flavored Snack by Jagariko

4. Great Food with Fine Wine! 'Red Ginger Chips'

5. Locking in the Potato's Flavor – 'Grand Calbee'

[Travel info directories and links omitted for brevity]