Meoto Zenzai

The alleyways of Osaka are filled with stories and places to eat, as different people with different experiences come to congregate every evening.

There are many shops along the street leading to the Hozenji Temple that catered to the people who came to pray.
In 1883, under the wisteria tree of the Hozenji Temple, a shop started selling sweets and eventually became the “Meoto Zenzai Ofuku” store.
Rather than sell a large portion in one bowl, the store served portions in two bowls, improving customer satisfaction because it looked like they received more.
This is a classic example of the ingenuity and imagination of the Osaka merchant. The dish became very popular.
The store also became the setting for one of the most famous Osaka based stories, Meoto Zenzai.
It was written by Sakunosuke Oda and set in Hozenji Yokocho.
The serial novel and later film is also known as “Hooray for Marriage” in English and was a popular hit in 1965, winning awards for best director, best actor, and best actress.
In 1964, the shop moved to its present location.
Because the orders are served in two bowls, a local legend took root that if the order was eaten by two people together, the bond between the couple would become stronger and more harmonious.

The main sweet sold at the store is a delicious traditional Japanese desert of red azuki beans simmered with sugar.