Aichi Cuisine

Aichi Prefecture's cuisine is characterized by a rich food culture that makes great use of seafood and traditional miso. Among the most famous dishes are Miso Katsu, Hitsumabushi, and Tebasaki, collectively known as "Nagoya Meshi." Miso Katsu features a thick, flavorful miso sauce over a breaded pork cutlet, while Hitsumabushi offers a unique way to enjoy grilled eel with multiple serving methods. Spicy Tebasaki (chicken wings) is another beloved local specialty. These dishes have long been cherished by locals and have become popular with visitors as well.

When visiting Aichi, be sure to try these dishes and experience the unique flavors of the region.

Top 3 Must-Try Gourmet Delights from Aichi Prefecture

1. Miso Katsu

　● The Appeal of Miso Katsu

Miso Katsu is a signature dish of Nagoya, part of the well-known "Nagoya Meshi" cuisine. It consists of a freshly fried breaded pork cutlet covered with a sweet and savory miso sauce. What sets this dish apart is the use of a sauce made from "Hatcho Miso" or "Mame Miso," both unique to the Tokai region.

The rich and robust red miso coats the crispy pork cutlet, offering a deep, flavorful experience with every bite. Unlike regular sauces, the miso-based sauce has a distinct sweetness and thickness, giving it a unique texture. Depending on personal preferences, some versions offer a lighter or a thicker sauce consistency, catering to different tastes.

　● The History of Miso Katsu

The dish is said to have originated shortly after World War II in a small eatery and is now offered in nearly every tonkatsu restaurant in Nagoya. The restaurant Ajidokoro Kano, located in Nagoya's Naka Ward, is credited as the birthplace of Miso Katsu, having introduced the dish in 1949.

Inspired by tempura sauce, the founder created a miso sauce using local Hatcho Miso and poured it over fried pork cutlet. At first, the dish had no official name, but customers began calling it "Miso Katsu," and the name stuck.

　● Where to Try Miso Katsu!

Restaurant Name: Mikawa-ya Miso Katsu
Why It's Special: Mikawa-ya Miso Katsu is a long-established restaurant located in Nagoya's Mizuho Ward, famous for its large portion sizes and delicious miso sauce. Their specialty is the "Deluxe Miso Katsu," which boasts an impressive size of about 800g. Despite its thickness, the pork is tender, and the rich miso sauce blends perfectly with the meat, offering a balanced and flavorful meal.

You can enjoy a hearty lunch during the day or experience it as an izakaya at night, making it the perfect spot to fully indulge in Nagoya's cuisine at any time of the day.
Access: A 10-minute walk from Horita Station on the Meijo subway line.
Address: 13-33 Akemae-cho, Mizuho Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, 467-0852, Japan.
Google Maps：https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZSJ3nZao3m1ifdpA8

2. Hitsumabushi

　● The Appeal of Hitsumabushi

Hitsumabushi is one of Nagoya’s signature dishes, part of the famous "Nagoya Meshi" cuisine. It consists of grilled eel (unagi kabayaki), finely chopped and served over rice, offering a variety of ways to enjoy the dish. The greatest appeal of Hitsumabushi is that it allows you to experience the dish in four different styles. First, savor the eel as is, enjoying its natural flavor. Then, add condiments like wasabi or seaweed to change the taste. For the third bite, pour broth over the dish, transforming it into an ochazuke (a rice dish with tea). Lastly, you can enjoy the dish again in your favorite style.

　● The History of Hitsumabushi

Hitsumabushi is said to have originated in Nagoya during the Meiji period. Several stories surround its creation, but the long-established restaurant Atsuta Horaiken is often credited with its invention. Initially, the dish was created as a way to prevent unadon (eel rice bowls) from spilling during delivery by serving it in a sturdier wooden container called an ohitsu. Additionally, finely chopping the eel and mixing it with rice made it easier to serve evenly to customers.

The name Hitsumabushi comes from the combination of hitsu (a wooden container for rice) and mabusu (meaning to sprinkle or scatter), referring to the way the eel is mixed with the rice.

　● Where to Try Hitsumabushi!

Restaurant Name: Atsuta Horaiken Main Store
Why It’s Special:
Located near the famous Atsuta Shrine, Atsuta Horaiken is renowned for popularizing Hitsumabushi across Japan. The restaurant’s charm lies in its long history, dating back to 1873, and its secret sauce, which has been passed down through generations for over 140 years. This sauce, with its mellow yet rich flavor, is the perfect complement to the eel, which is expertly grilled over binchotan charcoal. Guests rave about the dish from the very first bite.
Address: 503 Kanbe-cho, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Access: A 7-minute walk from Tenma-cho Subway Station
Google Maps : https://maps.app.goo.gl/e6vH29E96e13v557A

3. Tebasaki

　● The Appeal of Tebasaki

Tebasaki, or chicken wings, is one of the most iconic dishes of "Nagoya Meshi" and is especially famous for pairing well with beer and other drinks. The biggest draw of Tebasaki is its spicy and rich seasoning. Notable establishments like "Sekai no Yamachan" and "Furaibo" are known for their secret sauces and pepper-heavy, spicy flavors. Once you start eating, it’s hard to stop! The combination of sweet and spicy sauce with a peppery kick has won over many fans.

Enjoying freshly fried Tebasaki with a cold beer is a popular way to experience Nagoya's nightlife.

　● The History of Tebasaki

The history of Tebasaki dates back to the 1950s in Nagoya. At the time, chicken wings were primarily used for soup, but an ordering mistake at a restaurant led to the creation of this now-beloved dish. The restaurant "Furaibo," located in Nagoya's Atsuta Ward, is credited with inventing Tebasaki. The founder, Kenko Otsubo, initially served half chickens fried in a dish called "Tarzan-yaki." When this was unavailable, he fried chicken wings instead, coating them in a special sauce, and it quickly became a hit.

　● Where to Eat Tebasaki!

Restaurant Name: Sekai no Yamachan Main Store
Why It’s Special:
Located just a few minutes' walk from Sakae Station, "Sekai no Yamachan Main Store" is renowned for its famous Tebasaki, not just in Japan but internationally. The spacious restaurant offers various seating options, including counter, table, and traditional tatami-style seating, ensuring comfort for all guests. The signature dish, "Maboroshi no Tebasaki" (The Legendary Chicken Wings), features crispy, freshly fried wings with a bold peppery flavor, combining a smoky, spicy taste with juicy tenderness.
Address: 4-9-6 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Access: A 5-minute walk from Exit 13 of Sakae Subway Station分
Google Maps：https://maps.app.goo.gl/1nbvMXnyUYXznEUY8

Top 3 Must-Try Gourmet Delights from Aichi Prefecture (Local Specialties & Traditional Dishes)