Nagoya Food Guide: 5 Local Specialties and Where to Taste Them

Must-Try Food in Nagoya

When visiting Nagoya, make sure to try local specialties and the B-grade gourmet foods that this city is famous for.

We introduce the most popular Nagoya dishes along with restaurants where you can try them for lunch or dinner.

Nagoya Food Guide

Misonikomi Udon
1. Yamamotoya Souhonke Honke
2. Misonikomi Takara
Misokatsu
3. Misokatsu Yabaton JR Nagoya Station ESCA
4. Kitchen Nagoya
Hitsumabushi
5. Unazen
6. Shirakawa Nagoya Station
Tebasaki
7. Torigin Honten
8. Gomidori Main Store
Kishimen
9. Kishimen-Tei ESCA
10. Kishimen Yoshida ESCA

Nagoya-meshi

Nagoya-meshi refers to the popular local cuisine of Nagoya. It gained fame during the Expo 2005 Aichi and has since become a tourist attraction.

This cuisine features a variety of dishes, including rice and noodles, most of which are prepared with miso, as hatcho miso is a local specialty of the prefecture.

Below are some of the specialties (misonikomi udon, misokatsu, hitsumabushi, tebasaki, and kishimen) along with the eateries that serve them.

Misonikomi Udon

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Misonikomi udon is prepared by boiling the noodles in miso soup within an earthenware pot.

The noodles are made without salt, resulting in a unique, chewy texture.

Here are two famous eateries in Nagoya that serve this dish.

Yamamotoya Souhonke Honke

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This long-established eatery has over a hundred years of history. In addition to the classic version, they offer innovative dishes like udon with eggs, chicken, or chicken mixed with eggs.

They use Nagoya Cochin, one of Japan's three major jidori chicken varieties, for their egg-bound chicken udon, which features a firm texture that is quite addictive. This location is the main branch of Yamamotoya Souhonke, and on some days, customers form lines before it opens.

Yamamotoya Souhonke Honke
Address: Nagoya, Naka, Sakae 3-12-19
Business Hours: 11:00 - 16:00
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Official Site: https://yamamotoya.co.jp/
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000107346/

Misonikomi Takara

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It is a 5-minute walk from Osu Kannon Station (Subway Tsurumai Line) to Misonikomi Takara. This eatery specializes in misonikomi udon and has more than 50 years of history.

The recommended menu includes a set meal featuring udon, rice, and pickles. Customers can enjoy the pickles in between bites of udon or mix the rice into the soup.

During lunchtime, there is a special menu that includes a rice bowl dish and udon.n.

Misonikomi Takara
Address: Nagoya, Naka, Osu 2-16-17
Business Hours: 11:30 - 15:00/17:00 - 19:00
Closed on Thursdays. If Thursday falls on a holiday, the 18th or 28th of the month, Takara will be closed on the day before.
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000389414/

Misokatsu

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This dish consists of tonkatsu or kushikatsu served with miso sauce.

It is believed that this dish originated after World War II when a customer dipped tonkatsu into stewed beef tendons.

There are various types of sauce available, ranging from thick to light, so it can be enjoyable to compare the offerings at the two eateries listed below.

Misokatsu Yabaton JR Nagoya Station ESCA

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Misokatsu Yabaton is situated in ESCA, an underground mall near Nagoya Station.

One of the most popular items on the menu is the teppan tonkatsu, which is served on a hot steel plate. The loin pork cutlet pairs exceptionally well with cabbage.

The sizzling sound and delicious aroma are sure to whet your appetite.

In addition to tonkatsu, Yabaton also offers fried shrimp, crab croquettes, curry, and stewed beef tendons.

Misokatsu Yabaton JR Nagoya Station Esuka
Address: Nagoya, Nakamura, Tsubaki-cho 6-9, ESCA
Business Hours: 11:00 - 22:00
Official Site: https://english.yabaton.com/
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000022402/

Kitchen Nagoya

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Kitchen Nagoya is just a short walk from the central ticket gate of Nagoya Station and serves tebasaki (chicken wings), stewed beef tendons, and misokatsu.

One of the most popular items on the menu is the Nagoya Zeitaku Teishoku, which includes misokatsu, stewed beef tendons, and tebasaki.

This set meal allows customers to enjoy multiple Nagoya-meshi dishes in one order. Additionally, rice, miso soup, and cabbage can be refilled for free.

Kitchen Nagoya
Address: Nagoya, Nakamura, Meieki 1-1-4
Business Hours: 10:30 - 22:00
Official Site: https://www.jrt-food-service.co.jp/store/343/
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000685089/

Hitsumabushi

Hitsumabushi, which is rice topped with broiled and chopped eel, is another beloved Nagoya-meshi dish. There are three ways to enjoy it: eating it as is with just the rice and eel, adding some condiments, or enjoying it with broth.

Here are two famous eateries in Nagoya where you can try this dish.

Unazen

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Unazen specializes in eel dishes and kaiseki cuisine. Their signature dish, hitsumabushi, can be prepared in either the Kanto style or the Nagoya style, depending on the customer's preference. The Kanto style features a soft texture, while the Nagoya style offers a crispy, fragrant finish.

Unazen takes great pride in their dishes, so cooking begins only after an order is placed. As a result, it may take about 30 minutes for the food to be served, so be prepared for a bit of a wait.

Unazen
Address: Nagoya, Nakamura, Meieki-Minami 1-17-26
Business Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday Lunch 11:30 - 14:00/Dinner 16:30 - 22:00
Sunday Lunch 11:30 - 14:00
Closed on Mondays and at dinnertime on Sundays
Official Site: https://www.meieki-unazen.com/english.html
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000107902/

Shirakawa Nagoya Station

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From Nagoya Station, it is a 6-minute walk to Shirakawa, an eatery specializing in hitsumabushi. Their dishes feature fatty eels with a fragrant, crisp finish.

While the menu mainly consists of hearty portions, there is a mini-hitsumabushi option, which is the size of two small rice bowls, for those who prefer a lighter meal.

The interior is designed with wooden panels, creating a calming atmosphere. There are private rooms of various sizes, with the largest accommodating up to 26 people, making it suitable for group visits.

Shirakawa Nagoya Station
Address: Nagoya, Nishi, Ushijima-cho 6-24, Across Cube Nagoya 1st Floor
Business Hours:
Weekdays Lunch 11:30 - 14:30/Dinner 17:00 - 21:30
Weekends and National Holidays Lunch 11:00 - 15:00/Dinner 17:00 - 21:30
Closed on Wednesdays
Official Site: https://hitsumabushi.jp/en/
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ001189956/

Tebasaki Chicken Wings

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Tebasaki, deep-fried chicken wings drizzled with a salty-sweet sauce, is a popular item in Japanese taverns.

Because it's easy to enjoy, tebasaki can also be found in the grocery sections of department stores or delicatessens.

While many taverns in Nagoya serve this dish, the following two eateries are especially well-known for their tebasaki.

Torigin Honten

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Torigin Honten has been serving Nagoya Cochin, the first domestic poultry in Japan, for more than 50 years. This chicken is known for its chewy texture and rich flavor.

While most eateries serve tebasaki with a salty-sweet sauce, Torigin uses a special soy sauce blended with pepper. This unique sauce pairs exceptionally well with the crispy chicken.

Torigin Honten
Address: Nagoya, Naka, Nishiki 3-14, Miyaki Building 1st Floor
Business Hours:
Monday to Thursday, Sundays, and National Holidays 17:00 - 22:30
Fridays, Saturdays, and the Day Before National Holidays 17:00 - 23:30
Official Site: https://www.torigin.co.jp/
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000022820/

Gomidori Main Store

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This long-established eatery has a cozy and casual atmosphere, serving local specialties such as tebasaki, kushikatsu, stewed beef tendons, and miso oden.

Gomidori offers a variety of seating options, including counter seats, tatami, and a sunken kotatsu. Additionally, there is a hall on the third floor that can accommodate up to 80 people. The eatery is open from 17:00 to 5:00, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a meal with friends.

Gomidori Main Store
Address: Nagoya, Naka, Sakae 3-9-13
Business Hours: 17:00 - 5:00
Official Site: https://taste-net.co.jp/gomitori-honten/
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000016017/

Kishimen Noodles

Kishimen features thin, flat noodles, and the soup is prepared with soy sauce, topped with fried tofu, kamaboko (fish cake), and shavings of dried bonito.

Visitors to Nagoya can enjoy kishimen at the following eateries.

Kishimen-Tei ESCA

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Kishimen-Tei is located in ESCA, an underground mall near Nagoya Station.

Customers have the option to choose between a red soup or a white soup. The red soup is tamari soy sauce-based and has a deep flavor, while the white soup offers a lighter taste.

In addition to kishimen, the eatery serves other Nagoya-meshi specialties such as miso oden, kushikatsu, and tebasaki.

With options for beer, sake, and shochu also available, Kishimen-Tei is perfect for those who wish to enjoy a drink.

Kishimen-Tei ESCA
Address: Nagoya, Nakamura, Tsubaki-cho 6-9, ESCA
Business Hours:
Lunch 10:30 - 14:30/Dinner 16:30 - 21:25
Closed on January 1st. The restaurant will also be closed in accordance with the ESCA mall.
Official Site: https://www.kishimentei.co.jp/en/
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000107632/

Kishimen Yoshida ESCA

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Kishimen Yoshida ESCA is another eatery specializing in kishimen, located in ESCA, close to Nagoya Station.

The noodles are made in-house without any additives, and the vegetables are sourced from local farmers. Yoshida takes great care to highlight the quality of these ingredients.

The menu features hearty dishes such as miso kishi and katsu-curry kishimen.

Additionally, there are to-go options available, allowing customers to enjoy the noodles at home.

Kishimen Yoshida ESCA
Address: Nagoya, Nakamura, Tsubaki-cho 6-9, ESCA
Business Hours:
Monday to Friday Lunch 11:00 - 15:00/Dinner 17:00 - 20:30
Weekends and National Holidays Lunch 11:00 - 15:00/Dinner 17:00 - 21:00
Closed on January 1st. The restaurant will also be closed in accordance with the ESCA mall.
Official Site: https://yoshidamen.co.jp/shop/
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000869008/

Visit Nagoya and Try Local Specialties

There are various Nagoya-meshi options, from misonikomi udon to misokatsu to hitsumabushi. Use this article as a guide during your visit and enjoy these delicious dishes.