French Food 101: Learning about French food in Japan

Posted by Jamie Rockers on July 06, 2009

I have found, in my own experience, that the best way to learn something is to go out and try it. So, if you want to learn karate, it’s better to join a class than read about it out of a book. At least that’s what I think. The same is true with food. And since I am self-confessed foodaholic, I was ecstatic to discover that from June 1^st to August 31^st, six hotels in Osaka are hosting a French “Summer Gourmet Tour.”

French food in Japan is often expensive, however, which is why I was even more ecstatic to discover that ANA Crowne Plaza, Hotel New Hankyu, Ramada, Hotel Granvia, Hotel Hankyu International, and Hotel Hanshin are all offering French lunch courses for 2,000 yen, available everyday of the week. Most of the hotels are located around Osaka station, making them an easy and convenient place to eat lunch. French food is often seen as a kind of luxury or status symbol in Japan, because of the price tag that is attached to it. But alas, our wishes have been granted and we can now enjoy reasonably priced French food in Japan. At least until August 31^st that is.

However, the French food being offered on the “Summer Gourmet Tour” has a distinct Japanese influence, in that the combined theme of all of these courses is green tea. While most of the dishes stick to French fare, some things combine both Japanese and French taste. For example, at Hotel New Hankyu next to Osaka Station, the hor d’oeuvres are a Japanese-French fusion. The green tea tempura eel, draped over a crepe drizzled with chocolate and cream sauce, was an interesting and delicious change for my taste buds, as well as the green tea pasta topped with fresh sashimi and chunky mango sauce.

Each lunch course is served with a variety of French breads, cold soup (potato, pumpkin, pea, etc.) hor d’oeuvres, and a main dish. The main dishes all include steak, seafood, or pork. If you are a non-French native and are feeling particularly adventurous, you can try the course at Hotel Hankyu International, which offers escargot as one of its hor d’oeuvres.

Of course, no meal is truly complete without dessert. For an additional 500 yen, you can sample a plate of truly delicious desserts, followed by tea or coffee. The dessert plate of melt-in-your-mouth green tea crème roll cake, refreshing and light oolong tea ice cream, and the cool berry gelatin offered at the Hotel New Hankyu silenced my sweet tooth, at least for awhile anyways.

On your way out, don’t forget to ask for a stamp card from the staff at any of these hotels and they will give you a stamp. If you make it to all six hotels and get six stamps, you can send your card in to be entered into a drawing for a chance to win 50,000 yen, travel or meal vouchers, or a bottle of expensive Bordeaux.

ANA Crowne Plaza offers this course lunch from 11:30 to 15:00 (LO 14:30), Hotel New Hankyu from 11:00 to 17:00, Ramada from 11:30 to 14:30 (LO 14:00), Hotel Granvia from 11:00 to 17:00, Hotel Hankyu International from 11:00 to 16:00, and Hotel Hanshin from 11:30 to 14:30.

If you are looking for reasonable French food in the Shinsaibashi area, there is also another option. Les Garcons, which is located just over the Dotonbori Bridge on the north side and to the left, offers set courses from 2,000 and 3,000 yen all-year round. The chilled pumpkin soup, pate, and fois gras are excellent. Course menu includes bread, chilled soup, hor d’oeuvres, main dish (lamb with couscous, coq au vin, pot au feu), and dessert with coffee or tea.

So who made the rule that French food in Japan had to be expensive? Apparently, it doesn’t have to be, so stop thinking about éclairs, crème brulee, and chocolate mousse and get yourself to Umeda or Shinsaibashi for your French fix.

Tags: cuisine, French, gourmet, hotel, Kansai, Osaka, Shinsaibashi, Summer Gourmet Tour

Filed in Food & Drink