🕓 2024/9/12
#Gourmet
About Aichi Prefecture’s Gourmet Cuisine
Aichi Prefecture’s gourmet cuisine is characterized by a rich food culture that makes the most of seafood and traditional miso culture. In particular, “miso katsu,” “hitsumabushi,” and “tebasaki” (chicken wings) are famous as Nagoya-meshi (Nagoya specialties). Miso katsu with its rich miso sauce, hitsumabushi with its multiple ways of enjoying the dish, and spicy tebasaki are all beloved locally and popular with tourists.
When visiting Aichi Prefecture, be sure to savor these dishes and experience the unique charm of the region.
Top 3 Gourmet Picks from Aichi Prefecture
Miso Katsu
● The Appeal of Miso Katsu
Miso katsu is known as a representative “Nagoya-meshi” dish, consisting of freshly fried pork cutlet topped with a sweet and savory miso sauce. The key to this dish is the sauce made from “Hatcho miso” or “mame miso” (soybean miso), unique to the Tokai region. The rich, full-bodied red miso clings to the crispy breading of the pork cutlet, creating a delightful blend of flavors in the mouth. Unlike regular sauce, this one is based on soybean miso, giving it a distinctive sweetness and richness. The sauce comes in “runny” and “thick” varieties, offering different textures depending on your preference.
● History of Miso Katsu
Its origins are said to have spread from local eateries in the post-war period, and today it is served at almost every tonkatsu restaurant in Nagoya city.
“Ajidokoro Kanou” in Naka-ku, Nagoya is considered the birthplace, with the dish created in 1949 (Showa 24). The founder was inspired by tendon sauce and devised a sauce using Nagoya’s famous Hatcho miso, which he poured over fried pork cutlet. Initially, the dish had no name on the menu, but customers began calling it “miso katsu,” and the name stuck.
● Where to Eat Miso Katsu!
- Restaurant: Miso Katsu no Mikawaya
- Appeal:
Nagoya’s long-established “Miso Katsu no Mikawaya” is located in Mizuho-ku and has been beloved by locals for many years as a renowned miso katsu restaurant. The talk of the town is their “special miso katsu,” boasting the largest size in Japan. Weighing approximately 800g, this miso katsu has overwhelming volume, yet the meat is surprisingly tender despite its thickness, with the savory miso sauce clinging perfectly for an exquisite balance of flavors.With hearty lunch servings during the day and izakaya-style dining at night, you can enjoy Nagoya-meshi to the fullest at any time of day.
- Access: 10-minute walk from Hotta Station on the Meijo Subway Line
- Address: 13-33 Meimae-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 467-0852
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZSJ3nZao3m1ifdpA8
Hitsumabushi
● The Appeal of Hitsumabushi
Hitsumabushi is one of Nagoya’s representative “Nagoya-meshi” dishes, consisting of finely chopped grilled eel (unagi kabayaki) served over rice, enjoyed in multiple ways. The greatest appeal is that you can enjoy four different ways of eating from a single dish. First, savor the pure flavor of the eel as is, then add condiments (wasabi, nori seaweed, etc.) to enjoy flavor variations. Third, pour dashi broth over it for an ochazuke-style experience, and finally, enjoy it again in your favorite way.
● History of Hitsumabushi
Hitsumabushi is said to have originated in Nagoya during the Meiji era, with several episodes surrounding its birth. It is believed to have been created by the long-established restaurant “Horaiken.” Originally, the dish was devised to prevent delivery unagi-don bowls from breaking by placing the rice and eel in a more durable wooden “ohitsu” container. Furthermore, cutting the eel into small pieces and mixing it with the rice ensured that it could be evenly divided at the delivery destination.
The name “hitsumabushi” comes from the combination of “hitsu” (the wooden rice container) and “mabushi” (meaning to mix or coat the eel into the rice).
● Where to Eat Hitsumabushi!
- Restaurant: Atsuta Horaiken Main Branch
- Appeal:
“Atsuta Horaiken” is located near Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya and is renowned as the long-established restaurant that popularized hitsumabushi nationwide. The appeal of this restaurant lies in its long history, dating back to its founding in 1873, and its secret sauce passed down through generations. This sauce has been continuously replenished for over 140 years, giving it a mellow and deeply rich flavor. The eel, grilled to perfection over binchotan charcoal, pairs superbly with this sauce, delivering awe-inspiring flavors from the very first bite. - Address: 503 Godo-cho, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya, Aichi
- Access: Approximately 7-minute walk from Denma-cho Station on the subway
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/e6vH29E96e13v557A
Tebasaki (Chicken Wings)
● The Appeal of Tebasaki
Tebasaki (chicken wings) is a signature dish of Nagoya’s “Nagoya-meshi” and pairs perfectly with beer and other alcoholic beverages. The greatest appeal is its spicy, bold seasoning. At famous restaurants like “Sekai no Yamachan” and “Furaibo,” the signature feature is a spicy flavor using their proprietary secret sauce and pepper, making it impossible to stop once you start eating. The combination of sweet-savory sauce and spicy pepper attracts many fans.
Enjoying freshly fried tebasaki with beer is one of the quintessential ways to experience a night in Nagoya.
● History of Tebasaki
Tebasaki was born in Nagoya in the 1950s. At the time, chicken wings were mostly used as soup ingredients, but an ordering mistake at a restaurant led to them being served as a new dish. “Furaibo,” founded in Atsuta-ku, Nagoya, was the originator. When the owner, Otsubo Kenko, fried chicken wings and coated them with a secret sauce as a substitute for his “Tarzan-yaki” (deep-fried chicken halves), the dish became an instant hit.
● Where to Eat Tebasaki!
- Restaurant: Sekai no Yamachan Main Branch
- Appeal:
“Sekai no Yamachan Main Branch” is located just a few minutes’ walk from Sakae Station in Nagoya, and is renowned as the famous tebasaki karaage restaurant popular both domestically and internationally. The spacious interior features counter seats, table seats, and even tatami rooms, allowing guests to comfortably dine in various seating styles. The signature menu item, “Phantom Tebasaki,” features freshly fried chicken wings seasoned with spicy pepper, creating an exquisite combination of fragrance and juiciness. - Address: 4-9-6 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi
- Access: 5-minute walk from Sakae Station Exit 13 on the subway
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1nbvMXnyUYXznEUY8