What to eat in Nagoya: 9 must-try food in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan

Each region of Japan has its own unique culinary identity, and Nagoya – the capital of Aichi Prefecture – is famous for its innovative Nagoya Meshi cuisine. This is a highlight that will make your Aichi trip even more memorable. So, what to eat in nagoya? Let’s check out 9 must-try food in Nagoya, must eat in nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan below!

Symbolic dishes to try include: Hitsumabushi – grilled eel rice served with flavorful seasonings and broth, Miso Katsu – breaded pork cutlets in a rich red miso sauce, Miso Nikomi Udon – udon noodles cooked in a hot miso broth, Kishimen – soft and smooth flat udon noodles, and the famous Nagoya Cochin chicken.

Not only that, Nagoya also impresses visitors with its “Morning Coffee Culture,” where ordering a cup of coffee often includes a light breakfast. Furthermore, Aichi Prefecture is also a “paradise” for Nishio matcha tea, Himakajima Island seafood (octopus and pufferfish), and Toyokawa Inari Sushi associated with ancient temples.

This article will take you from classic dishes to lesser-known ones. Living Nomads will help make your culinary journey in Aichi truly complete and unforgettable.

What to eat in Nagoya: Hitsumabushi – Nagoya’s Famous Grilled Eel Rice

If you ask what to eat in Aichi, you’ll definitely be recommended Hitsumabushi (ひつまぶし) – Nagoya’s most famous grilled eel rice dish. The eel is skillfully grilled, crispy on the outside, tender and sweet on the inside, placed on fragrant, sticky white rice.

The unique aspect of Hitsumabushi is its distinctive way of eating: the eel rice is served in a traditional wooden bowl called an ohitsu and divided into four portions.

• The first portion is eaten plain to fully appreciate the flavor.
• The second portion is enhanced with seaweed, green onions, and wasabi.
• The third portion is prepared as ochazuke – hot broth is poured over the eel rice.
• The final portion can be eaten however you like.

Furthermore, the town of Isshiki (Nishio, Aichi Prefecture) is known as one of the most famous eel farming regions in Japan – a testament to the quality of this dish.

Suggestions from Living Nomads for an authentic culinary experience:

• Three meals with Nagoya Bincho eel rice at Dai Building Store Nagoya
• Shirakawa, a famous eel restaurant in Nagoya
• Maruya Honten Japanese Restaurant (まるや本店 天白本店):

Tebasaki – Nagoya-style fried chicken wings

One of Nagoya’s signature dishes you can’t miss is Tebasaki – Crispy fried chicken wings coated in a signature sauce. The wings are deep-fried to a golden brown, then coated in an appealing sweet and savory sauce, and sprinkled with pepper, salt, and fragrant white sesame seeds. The result is a dish that is both crispy and flavorful, making it hard for anyone to stop eating.

Few people know that in Japan, chicken wings were previously only used in soup. However, due to a shortage of ingredients, a famous chicken restaurant in Nagoya called Furaibo tried replacing them with crispy fried chicken wings in a sweet and savory sauce. Unexpectedly, this “quick fix” was a resounding success and made Tebasaki an iconic dish of the city.

Today, most restaurants and izakayas in Nagoya serve Tebasaki with their own unique touches – from the seasonings to the sauce recipe. Tourists are encouraged to try many different places to find their “true love” Tebasaki flavor.

Suggestions from Living Nomads for enjoying authentic Tebasaki:

• Gomi Tori Chicken Wings (伍味酉 なごのみせ)
• Restaurant serving chicken wings in central Sakae: Motsunabe Sakae no Chushin de Tebasaki o Sakebu Sakateba

Nagoya must try food: Dishes with Miso – The Soul of Nagoya Cuisine

Miso is a familiar seasoning in Japanese cuisine, but each region has its own type of miso. The central region of Japan, especially Aichi Prefecture, is famous for soybean miso. This type of miso is fermented from soybeans, salt, and water for a long time, resulting in a distinctive reddish-brown color and a rich, deep flavor.

In Aichi Prefecture, miso is not just a seasoning but the “soul” of Nagoya Meshi (なごやめし), present in many famous dishes. Two classic dishes you should definitely try are:

Miso Katsu (味噌カツ): Crispy fried pork cutlets topped with a rich, savory-sweet miso sauce, a signature dish of Nagoya.

Living Nomads’s suggestion for enjoying authentic miso dishes:

Miso Nikomi Udon (味噌煮込みうどん): Firm and chewy udon noodles simmered in a rich and flavorful miso broth.

In addition, Aichi Prefecture is famous for its long-standing miso breweries, where visitors can not only tour but also witness the traditional miso-making process firsthand. This is a great opportunity to learn about Japanese culinary culture and have unforgettable experiences.

Klook’s suggested experience:

Miso factory tour & Miso Ball making workshop: Crafts made from earth and air: Miso edition (for vegans/Fuchu Town)

Morning Culture in Nagoya

Although not a specific dish, “Morning Culture”—the morning coffee culture—is one of Nagoya’s most distinctive culinary features. In cafes in Nagoya and the surrounding areas, ordering a morning drink often comes with a complimentary snack such as a boiled egg or toast. For a small surcharge, you can even upgrade to a more complete breakfast set.

For tourists, visiting a kissaten (traditional cafe) in the morning not only provides a satisfying breakfast but also offers an authentic experience of local life.

This cultural tradition originated in 1955 in Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture, a city famous for its textile industry. Due to the noise of the weaving machines, workers and merchants often went to coffee shops to discuss business. To show appreciation to their regular customers, the owners began offering complimentary boiled eggs or roasted peanuts with coffee orders. Over time, this thoughtful gesture evolved into Morning Culture – a unique culinary tradition that continues to this day.

Must eat in Nagoya: Kishimen – Flat Udon Noodles

Kishimen (きしめん) are flat udon noodles, renowned for their smooth and silky texture. This dish dates back to the Edo period and remains a popular choice at many restaurants in Nagoya.

Kishimen are typically cooked just right and served with a light yet flavorful bonito fish broth. The noodles, topped with fried tofu, fish cake, and vegetables, create a warm and flavorful sensation. Besides the traditional version, visitors can also try miso-sauce Kishimen, curry-flavored Kishimen, or a cold version for summer.

For a complete culinary experience, you can visit izakaya restaurants serving Nagoya Meshi or try it at famous Kishimen noodle chains in the city.

Nagoya Cochin Chicken – The Pride of Aichi Prefecture

Nagoya Cochin is one of the three best native chicken breeds in Japan and a renowned specialty of Aichi Prefecture. Unlike industrially raised chickens that mature in only 40-50 days, Cochin chickens need 120-150 days to grow. Thanks to their increased exercise, the meat is firm, sweet, and has just the right amount of chewiness. Moreover, Cochin chicken is rich in protein and low in fat, making it very popular among those concerned with healthy eating. The eggs are also of exceptional quality, with a golden yolk and a rich, creamy flavor.

Today, Nagoya Cochin chicken is featured in many delicious dishes such as yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), hot pot, karaage (crispy fried chicken), and most notably, oyakodon – chicken and egg rice bowls, perfectly showcasing its exquisite taste.

Living Nomads’ suggestions for enjoying Nagoya Cochin chicken:

• Nagoya Cochin Tori Oden Shimizu (Nagoya Cochin Chicken Oden Shimizu)
• Yakitori Nagoya Meibutsu Cochin Chita Buta Hideyoshi (Nagoya Specialty Cochin and Chita Pork Hideyoshi)

Matcha Nishio – The flavor of green tea with over 700 years of history

Nishio City in Aichi Prefecture is one of the largest tencha (the ingredient for matcha) producing regions in Japan, accounting for approximately 20% of the country’s total production. Therefore, Nishio plays a crucial role in supplying matcha throughout Japan.

Nishio Matcha boasts a history spanning over 700 years, distinguished by its smooth flavor, distinctive aroma, and beautiful, vibrant green color. In Nishio, visitors can enjoy a variety of delicious matcha-based treats such as ice cream, parfait, and wagashi (Japanese sweets). There are also unique creations like tencha meshi – steamed rice with finely chopped tencha tea leaves.

The city offers numerous facilities where visitors can try on traditional tea-picking attire, tour tea plantations, and experience making matcha themselves. With its rich history and tea culture, Nishio is an ideal destination to explore authentic Japanese matcha culture.

Suggested experiences from Klook: Private Traditional Tea Ceremony Near teamLab in Toyosu Tokyo

Himakajima Island Seafood – Octopus & Pufferfish

Located just about an hour by boat and ferry from Nagoya, Himakajima is a beautiful island famous for its picturesque seascapes and fresh seafood. Fishing is the soul of the island, with octopus and pufferfish being two specialties that make it a favorite destination for food lovers.

Himakajima octopus is available year-round, especially the whole boiled octopus which retains its tender and sweet flavor even after cooking. In addition, visitors can enjoy various variations such as octopus sashimi, octopus rice, or octopus shabu-shabu hot pot.

If you visit during winter (October to March), don’t miss the chance to sample wild tiger pufferfish – a high-end seafood often found in upscale restaurants. In Himakajima, you can enjoy pufferfish prepared in many delicious ways: thinly sliced ​​sashimi, hot pot, crispy fried karaage, or shirako (pufferfish stomach). Prices here are also more reasonable compared to larger cities, making Himakajima a seafood paradise worth experiencing.

Toyokawa Inari Sushi

Inari sushi is a special type of sushi consisting of vinegared rice wrapped in a sweet fried tofu pouch. In Toyokawa City (Aichi Prefecture), this dish is associated with Toyokawa Inari Shrine (officially: Myogonji Temple) – a Zen Buddhist temple. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Dakini Shinten, often depicted riding a white fox, a symbol of prosperity in business and family happiness.

Thanks to this white fox imagery, Inari sushi, made from fried tofu, gradually became a popular dish in the neighborhood around the temple and a familiar specialty for pilgrims visiting. Records from the Edo period show that Inari sushi was sold outside the temple gate to serve worshippers.

Today, Toyokawa has many shops specializing in Toyokawa Inari Sushi. Besides the traditional version, visitors can also enjoy new variations with miso pork or grilled eel fillings, making the experience even more interesting and diverse.

Aichi’s Fermented Food Culture

When discussing Aichi cuisine, fermentation is an unmissable characteristic. This region is famous for its flavorful fermented condiments such as miso and tamari soy sauce. In addition, Aichi produces many other specialties such as white soy sauce, mirin (rice wine), vinegar, sake, and various pickled vegetables.

Thanks to favorable natural conditions, Aichi has developed a diverse and sophisticated fermentation culture, offering an unparalleled depth of umami flavor. Therefore, it is also known as the “Umami City” of Japan. If you are a food lover, try a trip to explore and enjoy this unique culinary heritage.

Aichi Fermented Food Tour: https://hakko-aichi.jp/en/

Conclusion

From classic Nagoya Meshi dishes like Hitsumabushi and Miso Katsu to fresh seafood in Himakajima, Nishio green tea, and morning coffee culture, Aichi Prefecture offers a diverse culinary experience deeply rooted in local history and culture.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in Nagoya and from Nagoya you can refer to

• A Day in Shirakawa Village and Takayama
• Takayama and Shirakawa-go Day Trip from Nagoya
• Nagoya Private Car Charter
• Nagoya City Walking Tour with 1-Day Subway Pass
• Central Japan International Airport to Nagoya City Railway Ticket (One Way/Round Trip)
• 4G Prepaid Sim Card (JP Airports Pick Up) for Japan
• 4G WiFi (Japan Pick Up) for Japan
• JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)

Are you looking for more Nagoya travel guide and top things to do in Nagoya: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Check it out here.