Discovering Nagasaki Food: A Guide to the City’s Must Try Dishes
Looking to try Nagasaki food? Well, look no further! I’ve compiled this guide with the city’s must try dishes.
Nagasaki, a charming coastal city in southern Japan, is a culinary paradise with a history as rich as its flavours. Unlike much of Japan, Nagasaki remained open to the outside world for generations, and that openness shows up on the plate. Chinese flavours, Western influences, and Japanese cooking traditions come together in dishes like champon, sara udon, and the city’s famous castella cake. Whether you’re wandering the bustling streets of Chinatown or savouring a waterfront meal, Nagasaki offers a delicious journey through history and tradition.
Top Nagasaki Foods to Try
Champon ちゃんぽん
The first dish that comes to mind when I think of Nagasaki food is Champon! The word itself means “a mixture of things” and that’s exactly what Champon is.
Champon is a mixture of noodles, pork, kamaboko – a pink and white fish cake, a variety of seafood, and cabbage. The noodles are cooked in a rich, creamy broth and it is not to be confused with ramen where the noodles are cooked in water and then added to the broth.
Nagasaki champon is unique where the noodles are cooked directly in the broth itself.
Where to Try Nagasaki Champon
Shikairo is said to be the birthplace of this famous Nagasaki food, champon. Located near Glover Garden, Shikairo is the go to place to try champon. The large building is easily recognizable and you won’t miss it with the long line of people.
I arrived right at opening and there was already quite a long line, I would even suggest arriving before the restaurant opens to cut down on your waiting time. It was also a Saturday, so that may have played a part as well.
Groups of people will be escorted into the elevator up to the restaurant. Once you enter the restaurant, you’ll have to wait in line for a second time until you are seated.
You’ll be handed a menu to look at while you’re waiting so that you can order right when you’re seated. The restaurant is very efficient! If you’re lucky you’ll get a seat by the window with beautiful views of the harbour.
Sara Udon (皿うどん)
Sara (皿), pronounced SAH-RAH, means plate or dish in Japanese. So Sara udon directly translates to plate noodles. Think of this like the sister dish to champon.
The udon noodles are served on a plate as its name suggests and it’s almost like the stir fried version of champon. Similar ingredients are used in the dish but its served in a dry format without the soup.
The noodles can either be crunchy like a chow mein, or soft, like boiled noodles. Contrary to the name, it is not actually udon noodles that are used in the dish. I wonder where the name comes from.
Where to Try Sara Udon
There are many restaurants in Chinatown that serve this dish but I recommend trying it at Shikairo! Go with a friend and order the Sara Udon and Champon so that you can try the two famous dishes of Nagasaki in one go!
Don’t feel like waiting in line? Try Manpuku who makes this dish with a twist by adding curry!
Chawanmushi (茶碗蒸し)
After telling my Japanese colleague I was going to Nagasaki, the first thing he said was “You have to try chawanmushi!” This savoury steamed egg mixture is a Japanese classic with a blend of ingredients such as shiitake mushrooms, shrimp, gingko nuts, and kamaboko – a colourful Japanese fish cake, usually pink and white.
Each restaurant has slight variations on the ingredients used but Yossou (a must visit in Nagasaki) includes conger eel, jellyfish (my favourite), chicken, and bamboo shoots as well!
Origin of Chawanmushi
The dish itself is said to originate from Nagasaki. Chawanmushi was created to provide a cheap, nutritious, and delicious meal to children and labourers. The dish grew in popularity and still remains a Nagasaki food staple to this day!
Where to Try Chawanmushi
Though chawanmushi is widely available across Japan – even in convenience stores like 7-Eleven – Yossou holds a special place in history as the oldest chawanmushi restaurant .
Established over 150 years ago, Yossou now has several locations across the city, but the original Hamamachi branch remains the most iconic.
As with any popular restaurant in Japan, be prepared to wait in line – but I promise it’s worth it! I went during a weekday and managed to snag a counter seat on the first floor without much of a wait.
The weekend that followed, I witnessed long lines during the day but it may have been due to the Nagasaki Lantern Festival.
Dining at Yossou (吉宗)
Yossou offers two distinct dining experiences. The first floor offers counter and table seating with views of the courtyard. Counter seating is perfect for those dinning alone (like me!) or those looking for a quicker meal.
The second floor is the popular option because it has a more traditional Japanese setting with tatami (straw) mats. Guests can choose between the area with tables and chairs or the more authentic experience of sitting cross legged directly on the mats.
While sitting on the tatami mats is a wonderful cultural experience, I must admit that my legs tend to fall asleep mid-meal! Still, it’s something everyone should try at least once.
What to Order
At Yossou, chawanmushi is the undisputed star of the menu. While it’s often served as a side dish elsewhere, here it takes center stage! This warm silky custard is made with premium ingredients and served in generous portions.
Yossou has various meal sets that include the chawanmushi + other traditional Japanese dishes for a more complete experience. I ordered the chawanmushi and rice bowl for 1540 yen.
The set is visually stunning with its bright pink and green colours in the dishes. Make sure you give it a try!
Turkish Rice (トルコライス)
Another dish where I’m not quite sure where the name comes from, Turkish Rice seems to be the dish that kids dream of. This one is more for the experience than the taste.
Turkish rice seems to have a little bit of everything from spaghetti, to rice, and is typically topped with a fried cutlet. It’s definitely not the healthiest meal but I haven’t seen this served anywhere else in Japan.
Where to Try Turkish Rice
As a beloved local specialty, Turkish Rice can be found at a number of cafés and restaurants throughout Nagasaki. One of the most famous places to try it is Tsuruchan (ツル茶ん 本店), widely considered one of the oldest restaurants serving Turkish Rice in the city. Their menu features several variations of the dish, ranging from the classic version to options topped with seafood, chicken, or hamburger steak.
If you’re short on time or prefer a quieter dining experience, Bistro Bordeaux is another excellent choice. This is where I tried Turkish Rice myself, and the dish pictured above was served here. The restaurant offers a more relaxed atmosphere and is a great alternative to Tsuruchan, which often has long wait times due to its popularity.
Castella
Castella is a bright yellow sponge cake with a brown crust served in slabs. The cake itself is a bit more dense than a regular cake and has a sweet flavor. You can easily find castella to try all over Nagasaki.
Although traditional served in a slab style, I’ve even seen heart shaped castella being sold.
Where to Try Castella
Check out Shokando (匠寛堂) which is famous for their castella which is so good it’s the castella supplier for the imperial family.
Looking to try castella on a budget? I was able to snag a large slab of castella for only 200 yen! Many shops will sell the cut outs of castella – for example when making the heart shaped ones, and you can get the leftover for a fraction of the price.
Honourable Mentions
Although these foods are not necessarily native to Nagasaki, they were so delicious I had to add them to the list of places to try while you’re in the city!
江戸びし
Although this is not a dish native to Nagasaki, but more a restaurant, I thought it deserved an honourable mention! I stumbled upon this family run restaurant while I was exploring the streets of Nagasaki.
They offer a variety of dishes including champon and sara udon. I tried the fried rice and karaage (deep fried chicken) set.
The food here is delicious and very reasonably priced! I liked the small and cozy atmosphere and I didn’t see any other tourists while I was dining here. They don’t speak English which is to be expected but are extremely kind and patient.
If you go in the evenings you’ll likely have your order taken by the owners young children. It’s always great to support these family run businesses.
Nagasaki Minami Yamate Pudding
This shop is famous for their colorful puddings inspired by the stained glass in the Oura Cathedral. I didn’t have the chance to try the pudding but what really caught my attention was the ice cream!
After waiting my turn in line, I sat down, took a lick of the ice cream and my eyes shot wide open. It was so rich and creamy, like the Hokkaido ice cream. Japan truly does soft serve like no other.
If you love ice cream as much as I do, I implore you to give it a try!
FAQs
Why is Nagasaki Food so different?
Historically, Nagasaki was Japan’s primary international trading port maintaining close ties with China, Portugal, and the Netherlands. As a result they were introduced to new foods, ingredients, and cooking methods.
A large Chinese community helped shape everyday dishes, while European traders introduced sweets and baking traditions that are still part of Nagasaki’s food culture today. The result is a style of cooking that feels uniquely blended and unlike anything you’ll eat in the rest of Japan.
What is the signature dish of Nagasaki?
Nagasaki is best known for two signature dishes: champon and sara udon. Both are iconic local specialties that reflect the city’s unique blend of cultural influences.
If you only have time to try one dish while visiting Nagasaki, make it either champon or Sara udon, they’re essential to understanding the city’s food culture.
Is Nagasaki known for seafood?
Yes, absolutely! As a historic port city, Nagasaki is a true haven for seafood lovers. Many restaurants proudly serve a “catch of the day,” featuring fish and shellfish brought in fresh each morning from the surrounding waters. It doesn’t get much fresher than this.
In addition to daily catches, you’ll also find seasonal seafood that reflects the time of year, making each visit a little different from the last. From simple grilled fish to beautifully prepared sashimi, Nagasaki’s seafood culture is an experience you won’t want to miss.
Final Thoughts: Your Nagasaki Food Journey Awaits
Nagasaki is one of those cities where the food alone is worth the trip. From a steaming bowl of champon to crispy or soft sara udon, and the sweet, fluffy castella, every dish tells a story of the city’s unique mix of cultures. Fresh seafood straight from the harbor, quirky local specialties like Turkish rice, and cozy family-run spots make eating here a real adventure. No matter how many meals you try, there’s always something new to discover and trust me, every bite is worth it.
If you’re exploring Japan beyond Nagasaki like Kyoto, Hiroshima, or Tokyo the Japan Rail Pass might save you money and make travel easier. I break down exactly how and when it’s worth it in my JR Pass Guide.