Expo 2025 is a foodie’s paradise! Many people visit just to sample the array of delicacies from around the world!
In this edition of Expo news, we’ll be reporting on some of the delicious dishes on offer at the Expo! We’ll be introducing some foods that not only taste amazing but also look great in photos. So why not experience some scrumptious food that you can’t find in your everyday life?
*The information provided is accurate as of writing this article at the end of April. Menus and prices may be subject to change.
“PANAF’ African Dining Hall” opened in late April on the second floor of the Ringside Marketplace West.
The main menu changes every two months with the recommended set consisting of a main dish, salad, and drink.
The signature dish when our reporter visited was a West African groundnut stew called “maafe” which is served over rice (front left of photo).
The beef is tender and succulent and the creamy peanut based sauce combines with the meat to create a rich flavor. The unique blend of African spices lend the dish a gorgeous aroma.
The African doughnuts (back left of photo) from the dessert menu are one of the most popular items. The subtle scent of cardamom and the unique, satisfying texture are addictive!
If you order doughnuts, be sure to also order the “Ethiopian Coffee Porter” (front center of photo). At first glance, it looks like iced coffee, but it’s actually beer! The aroma of bitter chocolate-like coffee fills your senses and even the foam is delicious! The perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness is a great complement to the doughnuts.
The African lassi “Baobab” (front right of photo) is also worth checking out! Yes, it’s the baobab juice that appears in “The Little Prince.” It grows in the savannah and is a superfood said to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that has been popular in Africa for a long time. Its subtle sweetness and unique aroma make it easy to drink and a great pairing with any menu item!
But African cuisine isn’t the only thing to enjoy here! The main appeal of PANAF’s lies in its colorful interior and the opportunity to experience African music.
Each staff member is decked out in stylish African prints and colors adding to the vibrant atmosphere. In addition, African textiles are displayed around the sofas at the back of the restaurant. The eye-catching colors and patterns really stand out against the yellow walls! You can’t help but stare at them while you’re eating.
PANAF’ regularly holds mini live music events, providing vibrant entertainment to enjoy with your meal. Sometimes you can even try out some African instruments for yourself. It’s a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the rhythm and soul of African music – an experience that it bound to lift your spirits.
Whether you’ve been interested in African food and music for a while, or only just became interested after visiting some African countries in the Commons Pavilions, be sure to stop by to discover authentic tastes and sounds from across the continent!
You can find more recommendations of mouthwatering international cuisines on the official Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan X feed under the hashtag “#NomNomExpo”. If you want to know more about international gourmet foods, be sure to check it out!
⇒ expo2025大阪・関西万博公式Xはこちら
Chances are you probably rode the Osaka Metro Chuo Line on your way to the Expo site. Now your lunch can ride in on it too in a special lunch box that looks like an Osaka Metro Chuo Line train!
These fun lunch boxes are available for takeout at “Metro KITCHEN” in the “Future Food and Culture” zone in the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion (entry to this area does not require a reservation).One of the Expo’s special supporters HAGA Rei from the pop groupNMB48 recommended it on our official blog!
The cool Chuo Line package combines metro and futuristic vibes and contains a lunch box filled with prepared foods made with local Osaka ingredients, and four menu items with three types of drinks, including alcohol.
The lunch box contains an assortment of items, including al ajillo, meat dishes, soy meat bao made with rice flour, and a dessert! It looks great in photos even with the lid open. The inside is divided into four removable compartments, making it easy to share with multiple people!
Don’t miss this opportunity to ride, eat, and take photos of the Osaka Metro Chuo Line!
At the Expo, you can try a variety of international delicacies including beloved Japanese dishes!
The popular Japanese chain “Hokkahokkatei” has a stall in the “Food and Culture of the Future” zone of the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion. They are offering a unique twist on bento (Japanese style lunch boxes) with “one-handed BENTO”.
As the name suggests, these “one-handed BENTO” are like a cross between bento, onigiri (rice balls) and a sandwich that is easy to eat while walking around the venue. The layers of ingredients make it very photogenic!
We recommend the “nori bento” flavor which is based on Hokkahokkatei’s original “Nori bento” . The fried white fish and fish cakes are warm and soft, giving it a hearty, comforting taste that will help you re-energize after having all of your five senses stimulated around the Expo site.
The fried chicken set is also recommended and is seasoned with a special blend of spices developed exclusively for the Expo.
Other “One-handed BENTO” flavors available include Wagyu beef, pork and egg, and veggie curry, so there’s something for everyone!
The “Tsukigesho x Unagi Pie Expo Store” is located on the east side of the Grand Ring, next to the Malaysia Pavilion. Here, you can rest your legs and enjoy freshly made sweets and drinks against a background of cute characters and vibrant, eye-catching trucks!
Tsukigesho is one of the most popular confection companies in Osaka. Their freshly baked, golden brown manju has an exceptionally smooth filling and is only JPY ¥ 200 making it one of the most affordable items at the Expo. The price to satisfaction ratio is fantastic!
At the back of the area, you can find a giant gacha machine! Not only does the device look great in photos, but the way it spins also makes for cool videos too! You can spot people of all ages and genders having fun trying it out and posting it to social media.
The Unagi Pie is not to be missed either! The Unagi Pie truck offers Unagi Pie flavored gelato topped with Noto aged roasted chestnuts!
In addition to the delectable sweets, you can also buy something you wouldn’t expect to see at the Expo site – suitcases! An Ungi Pie themed suitcase may seem a little unconventional, but if you’re looking for a unique design that no will stand out on the luggage carousel, it might be worth considering.
Did any of the dishes catch your eye? The menus at the venue are constantly changing with the seasons, so there’s always something new to try!
So, be sure to visit Yumeshima and enjoy sampling all the different options!