When a city's being is inextricably linked to the maxim, "To eat oneself into ruin" (kuidaore), it's a foregone conclusion that the city is serious about its food. Such is the case of Osaka, Japan's second-largest city and gateway to the Kansai region.

Osaka's soft water is said to effectively extract the umami flavor from ingredients. | GETTY IMAGES
Osaka's soft water is said to effectively extract the umami flavor from ingredients. | GETTY IMAGES

Historical factors