Osaka –

The belly is a crucial gateway to promoting soft power. And at the 2025 Osaka Expo, the British clearly didn’t get the memo as they unwittingly created the Expo’s first viral food story, albeit for less than enticing reasons.

Guests to the British pavilion commented on its pricey afternoon tea set being served in shabby paper cups, prompting the U.K. Embassy to replace them with ceramics to cool down the situation.

In such a grandiose gathering of the world’s nations, visitors looking for a taste of overseas food want authenticity — teacups and all. It’s no surprise that nearly every big pavilion on the Expo grounds was serving up representative eats for attendees.

Italy rotates items from various regions weekly at its rooftop eatery (most recently, truffle pasta from Marche), while Belgium’s restaurant sells a variety of street food, like their famous waffles and fries. France flaunts its Champagne, while the Thai space offers rich aromas of curry and pad thai.

The charm, though, lies in finding dishes harder to come by in Japan. Middle Eastern nations such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have built restaurants serving mifa (Arabian flat bread) and traditional lamb and rice dishes like the Arabian mandi and the Kuwaiti machboos, plus local varieties of coffee for those looking for a pick-me-up. The PanAf African Dining Hall, meanwhile, allows countries from across the continent to share dozens of dishes, in a space housing local musical performances.

Other participants explore ways of crossing their culinary traditions with that of the host nation. The Nordic Circle pavilion has called on Stockholm-based Japanese chef Ai Ventura to curate a menu featuring Swedish favorites like cinnamon rolls and meatballs, along with fusion creations such as the Nordic Chirashi Sushi, a riff on the Japanese sushi rice bowl using salmon and pickled vegetables.

As for the host region, it’s a chance to zoom in on Kansai favorites, with local chains specializing in takoyaki (fried octopus dumplings), okonomiyaki (savory pancake), kushikatsu (breaded skewers) and more in a food court. Conveyor-belt sushi chains Sushiro and Kura Sushi are also taking the opportunity to showcase future additions to the regular menu. The latter offers a “world menu” that includes Singaporean chili crab, Fijian kokoda or ceviche, and a somewhat hilariously disproportionate American cheeseburger that’s like 80% bun.

The wait to get into Kura Sushi can last for hours on certain days, a situation that is true of many of the pavilions’ restaurants, and one of the biggest challenges at the Expo. Some take reservations — Kura Sushi, for example, allows you to do so via the Line app — but many others do not.

Queues aside, a valid complaint about much of the food at the Expo is the price. While few pavilions skimp on presentation like the British did, the price tags can still be eye-popping, for example, the German food offerings, which find appetizers averaging ¥2,000 and some like the hearty Bavarian Pork Knuckle going beyond ¥7,000. Some common sense applies — understand that the Japanese art of adding “wagyu” to any dish’s name equals a baseline cost of ¥2,500 — but it is still surprising how much eating at the expo can hit your wallet (plus, you need some spare change to buy the mascot merchandise).

Seeking out faster, cheaper options sometimes makes sense — snack hacks do exist. Run over to Ora Gaishoku pavilion to buy a “Swiss onigiri” stuffed with melted cheese and sausage for about ¥500. Or head to the far corner of the grounds, near the outdoor arena, to find a Japanese food court selling dishes at prices under ¥1,000, including the cheapest beer around (¥500 a cup).

All three major convenience store chains also have outposts at Expo 2025, offering elevated takes on the konbini experience. Family Mart goes big on video displays while offering familiar items, while Lawson has a special cafe next to its gateside store allowing visitors to enjoy some coffee and tea. The biggest swings by far come from 7-Eleven: It is running self-order kiosks and a variety of new menu items that point towards a bold future — made-to-order pizza.

Their prices are no different from those in the convenience stores outside of the festival grounds, too, making them the best cost-conscious option at the Expo while still doing a great job spotlighting Japan’s casual bites. There’s plenty of chances to experience foreign cuisines within the grounds, but sometimes you want the taste of something familiar — and more financially bearable.

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