Nagoya Food Guide: Must-Try Local Dishes & Where to Find Them
- Hitsumabushi (Grilled Eel)
- Miso Katsu (Pork Cutlet with Miso Sauce)
- Tebasaki (Chicken Wings)
- Kishimen (Flat Noodles)
- Miso Nikomi Udon (Miso Stewed Udon)
- Nagoya Cochin (Local Chicken)
- Tenmusu (Rice Balls with Tempura)
- Ankake Spaghetti
- Doteni (Stewed Beef Tendon)
- Ogura Toast
- Uiro (Sweet Rice Cake)
- Final Thoughts on Nagoya's Must-Try Dishes
- FAQs
Nagoya is a city in Japan known for its exceptional local dishes. From savory meals to sweet snacks, there's a lot to enjoy.
This guide will show you the best Nagoya food and where to find it. Whether you love trying new foods or want to taste something different, food in Nagoya will surely be a highlight of your visit.
Explore what to eat in Nagoya to experience its culinary delights fully. Japanese food is renowned for its diversity and unique flavors.
Nagoya's cuisine stands out with its comforting and home-style appeal. The local cuisine, Nagoya Meshi, offers distinctive regional specialties that reflect the area's rich culinary traditions.
Hitsumabushi (Grilled Eel)
Hitsumabushi is a famous Nagoya dish featuring grilled eel served over rice. Its uniqueness lies in how it is eaten.
The meal is divided into four parts. First, you eat the eel and rice as they are. Add green onions, wasabi, and nori (seaweed) to the second portion to enhance the flavor.
The third part is eaten with a light dashi broth poured over the eel and rice. The last portion can be enjoyed in any previous styles you liked best.
Where to Try Hitsumabushi:
Atsuta Horaiken: Known as the birthplace of Hitsumabushi, this restaurant has been serving it for over 140 years. It's located near Atsuta Shrine, making it a popular spot for locals and tourists.
Maruya Honten: A well-known restaurant chain in Nagoya that specializes in Hitsumabushi. The eel is perfectly grilled, with a crispy outside and tender inside.
Experience a unique and unparalleled cultural experience with Nagoya Endoji Food and Cultural Tour!
Miso Katsu (Pork Cutlet with Miso Sauce)
Miso Katsu is Nagoya's take on the traditional fried pork cutlet. Instead of the usual tonkatsu sauce, the cutlet is topped with a thick, rich miso sauce from fermented soybeans.
The intense flavor of the miso sauce pairs perfectly with the crispy fried pork.
Where to Try Miso Katsu:
Yabaton: This restaurant is the most famous place for Miso Katsu in Nagoya. They serve a generous portion of crispy pork covered in their signature miso sauce. With multiple locations around the city, finding one nearby is easy.
Misokatsu Yabaton Honten: This is the original Yabaton location in Sakae. You can enjoy miso katsu's authentic taste in Nagoya's heart.
Tebasaki (Chicken Wings)
Nagoya is well-known for its seasoned chicken wings, known as Tebasaki. These crispy wings are seasoned with sweet, spicy, and savory flavors and often topped with sesame seeds.
Tebasaki is not battered but fried directly, unlike regular fried chicken, giving it a unique texture.
Where to Try Tebasaki:
Sekai no Yamachan: This chain is famous for its Tebasaki and has become a Nagoya icon. Its wings are spicy, crispy, and perfectly seasoned. There are multiple locations throughout the city.
Furaibo: Another popular restaurant for Tebasaki, Furaibo offers a milder version than Yamachan but is equally delicious. The wings are crisp, juicy, and flavorful.
Kishimen (Flat Noodles)
Kishimen, a signature dish of Nagoya, is a flat variation of udon noodles served in a light, dashi-based broth. The dish is often topped with tempura, green onions, and dried bonito flakes.
It's a simple yet comforting meal, perfect for any time of the year.
Where to Try Kishimen:
Yamamotoya: This restaurant is known for its Kishimen and has been a local favorite for years. They offer various toppings, including tempura, beef, and vegetables, to suit all tastes.
Miya Kishimen: Located near Atsuta Shrine, this small shop is a great place to try Kishimen while exploring Nagoya's cultural sites. Their broth is light and flavorful, perfectly complementing the flat noodles.
Miso Nikomi Udon (Miso Stewed Udon)
Miso Nikomi Udon is a popular Nagoya dish showcasing the city's miso love. This hearty udon noodle soup is made with a rich, thick, and flavorful miso broth and served with various toppings, such as green onions, tempura bits, and aburaage (deep-fried tofu).
The miso used in this dish is typically a combination of white and red miso, which gives the broth a deep, savory flavor. Miso Nikomi Udon is a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for cold winter days.
Where to Try Miso Nikomi Udon:
Yamamotoya Honten: A well-known restaurant specializing in Miso Nikomi Udon, offering a rich and flavorful broth that perfectly complements the thick udon noodles.
Miso Nikomi Udon Yamamotoya: Located near Nagoya Station, this restaurant is famous for its hearty miso broth and generous portions, making it a must-visit for udon lovers.
Nagoya Cochin (Local Chicken)
Nagoya Cochin is a local chicken breed known for its rich flavor and firm texture. The chicken can be prepared in many ways, including yakitori (grilled skewers), hot pot, and raw as sashimi.
Its quality and taste are well-recognized across Japan.
Where to Try Nagoya Cochin:
Torikai Sohonten: This restaurant specializes in Nagoya Cochin and offers a variety of dishes featuring the famous chicken, from grilled skewers to hot pots.
Maruya Honten: This restaurant serves Hitsumabushi and Nagoya Cochin dishes. Their chicken hot pot is trendy among locals.
Tenmusu (Rice Balls with Tempura)
Tenmusu is a hybrid of two beloved Japanese foods: onigiri (rice balls) and tempura. The dish consists of a shrimp tempura placed inside a rice ball and wrapped in nori.
It's a convenient snack that's both filling and flavorful.
Where to Try Tenmusu:
Senju: Located in the Osu Shopping District, this small shop serves some of the best Tenmusu in the city. Their freshly made rice balls are perfect for a quick shopping bite.
Tsubaki: This shop offers a variety of rice balls, but their Tenmusu is a standout. The tempura is crispy, and the rice is seasoned just right.
Ankake Spaghetti
Ankake Spaghetti is a unique Nagoya dish that combines Western-style pasta with a thick, starchy sauce made from vegetables and spices. The sauce has a slightly sweet and spicy flavor, and it's poured generously over the spaghetti, creating a filling meal that's unlike any other pasta dish.
Where to Try Ankake Spaghetti:
Spaghetti House Yokoi: This is one of the most famous places to try Ankake Spaghetti. The restaurant has been serving this unique dish for decades, and it's a must-visit for anyone wanting to taste Nagoya's take on spaghetti.
Cha Cha An: Located near Nagoya Station, this restaurant offers a variety of Ankake Spaghetti dishes, including ones with sausage, vegetables, and seafood.
Doteni (Stewed Beef Tendon)
Doteni is a comforting stew made with beef tendon, konjac (a type of yam cake), and vegetables simmered in a rich red miso paste-based broth. The long cooking process tenderizes the beef, and the miso flavor gives the stew a deep, satisfying taste.
Where to Try Doteni:
Kishimen Sumiyoshi: Known for its Kishimen, this restaurant also offers Doteni as a side dish. Their stew version is rich and flavorful, making it a great accompaniment to their noodles.
Doteniya: This small eatery specializes in Doteni, which is served as a main and side dish. The stew is perfectly cooked, and the beef tendon melts in your mouth.
Ogura Toast
Ogura Toast is a breakfast dish that has become a Nagoya classic. It's made with thick slices of toast, topped with sweet red bean paste, and often served with butter or whipped cream.
This dish perfectly combines sweet and savory flavors, making it a popular breakfast or snack choice.
Where to Try Ogura Toast:
Komeda's Coffee: A famous Nagoya café chain, Komeda's Coffee is the go-to spot for Ogura Toast. Their thick slices of toast are perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, topped with just the right amount of sweet red bean paste.
Café Gentiane: Located in Nagoya Station, this café serves various breakfast dishes, including their famous Ogura Toast. It's a great place to start your day before exploring the city.
Uiro (Sweet Rice Cake)
Uiro is a traditional Japanese sweet made from rice flour and sugar. It has a soft, chewy texture comes in various flavors, including matcha, red bean, and yuzu (Japanese citrus).
Uiro has been a famous sweet in Nagoya for centuries and is often enjoyed with tea. Another traditional dish from Nagoya is miso oden, which incorporates red miso into a traditional oden recipe, enriching the flavors of simmered ingredients and providing warming comfort during colder months.
Where to Try Uiro:
Aoyagi Uiro: This shop has been making Uiro for over 150 years and is one of the best places to try this traditional sweet. They offer various flavors; you can even watch how the Uiro is made.
Osu Uiro: Located in the Osu Shopping District, this shop is known for its freshly made Uiro. The rich flavors and soft texture make it a delightful treat.
Final Thoughts on Nagoya's Must-Try Dishes
Nagoya's local dishes offer various flavors, from savory to sweet, giving visitors plenty of delicious options to explore. Each dish has its own story and place in the city's culture, making it more than just a meal but an experience of Nagoya's food heritage.
When you visit, trying these local foods is a great way to connect with the city's unique culinary traditions.
Discover Nagoya's best foods in a 3-hour guided tour.
FAQs
What food is Nagoya famous for?
Nagoya is known for several unique dishes, including Hitsumabushi (grilled eel served over rice), Miso Katsu (pork cutlet with miso sauce), Tebasaki (crispy chicken wings), Kishimen (flat udon noodles), and Tenmusu (shrimp tempura rice balls). These dishes are deeply tied to the city's food culture and offer a distinctive taste that differentiates them from other regional Japanese cuisines.
What is the difference between unagi and Hitsumabushi?
Unagi generally refers to grilled eel, while Hitsumabushi is a specific way of serving grilled eel in Nagoya. In Hitsumabushi, the eel is served over rice and eaten in stages: plain, with toppings and broth. This method of enjoying eel is a specialty in Nagoya, adding layers of flavor and texture to the meal.
What is the flavor of Ogura toast?
Ogura toast combines the sweetness of red bean paste (ogura) with the savory richness of butter on thick slices of toasted bread. The balance between the soft sweetness of the beans and the crispy, buttery toast creates a delicious mix of flavors, making it a popular breakfast choice in Nagoya.
Is Kishimen hot or cold?
Kishimen can be served hot or cold. Hot Kishimen is served in a light broth, often with tempura, green onions, or other toppings. Cold Kishimen is typically served with a dipping sauce and is a refreshing dish, especially in summer. Both versions are popular in Nagoya.
