Nagoya Food Guide (2026): Unagi, Miso Katsu & Harbs for a 2-Day Trip

Nagoya Foodie Guide: Unagi Don, Komparu, Harbs, Miso Katsu – My 2-Day Culinary Picks!

Planning your culinary journey in Nagoya, you might wonder...

Is unagi don really *that* good?

And is miso katsu truly delicious?

You've probably asked yourself these questions, haven't you? 😉

Especially since many travelers visit Nagoya for just a quick 1-2 day trip or even a day excursion,

it can be tough deciding which must-try spots to hit within a limited timeframe!

My Top Picks: Nagoya 2-Day Food Guide

Dish Type	Restaurant Name
Unagi Don (Grilled Eel Rice Bowl)	Sumiyaki Unafuji Meieki Branch
Miso Katsu (Pork Cutlet with Miso Sauce)	Kurobutaya Ramuchi
Komparu Ebi Katsu (Shrimp Cutlet Sandwich)	Komparu Sakae Nishi Branch
Harbs	Harbs Nagoya Lachic Branch
All-You-Can-Eat Yakiniku (Grilled Meat)	kotei

1. Nagoya's Signature Local Dish: Hitsumabushi (Unagi Don)!​

Looking for an Unagi Don spot in Nagoya with *no* break time?

This is it!

Many of the famous spots (like Maruya, Atsuta) were on break when I looked,

so I stumbled upon 'Sumiyaki Unafuji' during my search.

It's super conveniently located near Nagoya Station's underground shopping area, so it's perfect for your first meal right after you arrive!

Unagi Don is always high on any Nagoya food list.

I already make it a point to eat eel whenever I'm in Japan,

so I was incredibly curious to try the original version here!

Now, this isn't exactly a budget-friendly spot;

it's a high-end Unagi Don experience, costing around ~$38 per person.

This is how the individual Unagi Don is served.

They even have a Korean-speaking staff member who was super helpful with explanations, and the service was absolutely top-notch!

Honestly, I thought the price was a bit higher than I expected at first,

but once I saw the dish, it made perfect sense!

It's truly packed with premium eel.

The presentation is stunning, isn't it?

Honestly, this was the *best* Hitsumabushi (Unagi Don) I've ever had in my life!

It definitely felt luxurious and truly a cut above in quality.

The accompanying side dishes and miso soup were also delightful!

With its upscale restaurant vibe, the atmosphere was wonderfully calm and quiet, and the service was absolutely superb.

If you're looking to savor an authentic Unagi Don without worrying about break times, right after you arrive at Nagoya Station,

I highly recommend 'Sumiyaki Unafuji'!

2. Miso-Sauce Extravaganza! Nagoya-Style Miso Katsu (Miso Pork Cutlet)

Kurobutaya Ramuchi

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Cash payment only!

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While Yabaton is undoubtedly more famous,

I found many recommendations hailing this spot as a hidden gem!

Plus, their long operating hours make it a great option for a late dinner.

The price for Tonkatsu + Beer was approximately ~$19.

Miso Katsu is one of Nagoya's iconic specialty dishes,

featuring a thick, rich miso sauce generously drizzled over a perfectly fried pork cutlet.

I was initially worried it might be too salty, but it had a pleasant sweetness that actually made it quite palatable, even for Korean tastes!

It definitely offered a unique charm compared to regular tonkatsu, and

while it's worth trying if you're in Nagoya,

for a short 2-day trip, I'd say... maybe not.

It wasn't a spot I'd rush back to.

3. Nagoya-Style Breakfast: Ebi Katsu (Shrimp) Sandwich!

Komparu is famous for its kissaten (traditional Japanese coffee shop) culture, a true Nagoya staple!

Takeaway is also available! If there's a long wait, I recommend grabbing your order to go and enjoying it at the park right outside!

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Among their offerings, the Ebi Katsu, or shrimp cutlet sandwich, came highly recommended,

so I made my way here for breakfast, conveniently close to my accommodation.

The Sakae Nishi branch is located in the underground shopping mall.

First, head through Sakae Station Exit 3, then keep an eye out for the signboard shown above! (Not the department store xx)

With plenty of maps throughout the underground mall,

finding the shop was quite straightforward.

I ordered the famous egg sandwich and the shrimp cutlet sandwich

along with an orange juice and an Americano.

They served the Americano with ice and water separately,

so you can adjust it to your preferred strength.

Egg Sandwich ~$5

Unlike typical convenience store egg sandwiches, this one has a delightful fluffy egg texture!!

The seasoning is just right, and the texture is fantastic.

You absolutely *have* to try it.

Famous Shrimp Sandwich (Ebi Katsu) ~$8

It's exactly the taste you imagine = delicious, haha!

It's like a premium shrimp burger.

Definitely give it a try at least once!

The amazing value-for-money hotel within walking distance of all the eateries mentioned in this post ↓↓↓

4. For dessert, it has to be Harbs! The branch with no wait time

Other branches usually have long queues, but here, there's almost no wait!

If you're a dessert lover, you've definitely heard of Harbs.

Did you know that Nagoya is its birthplace?

For reference, Harbs is a Japanese dessert specialty store famous for its

mille crepe cakes overflowing with fresh fruit!

I was already impressed when I tried it in Osaka,

but hearing that Nagoya is its origin... well, you can't miss the original, right? Haha.

I visited around 3 PM, and some cakes were already sold out.

Cake slices start from around ~$8

This Harbs branch is inside the Nagoya Lachic department store,

making it the perfect spot to recharge your sugar levels while shopping.

The fruit is fresh, and the cream isn't heavy, so

it just melts in your mouth.

Even if you're not a huge cake fan, you could easily

finish a whole slice of cake here.

Mont Blanc is a must-try in Japan!

When the richness of animal cream meets chestnuts,

oh, it's just incredible...

I seriously want to go back to Nagoya just for Harbs againㅠㅠ

The Harbs Nagoya Lachic branch has floor-to-ceiling windows with a park view,

which is perfect for snapping some amazing photos!

5. End Your Trip with All-You-Can-Eat Yakiniku

Kotei

A Nagoya Yakiniku all-you-can-eat specialty restaurant.

The meat quality is great for the price,

and there's a wide variety, so it's perfect for eating your fill!

It feels less like an incredibly special gourmet spot and more like

a great place for a satisfying, budget-friendly meal!

The only slight downside is that the seasoning is the same for all the different cuts of meat,

so they all taste a bit similar... haha.

Still, if you love Yakiniku, I'd recommend it :)

6. Final Thoughts

Honestly, my 1-night, 2-day trip to Nagoya was more about

the joy of eating (and shopping) than sightseeing!

In particular, the unagi don (eel rice bowl) exceeded my expectations,

and after trying Konparu's Ebi Katsu sandwich and Harbs,

I completely understood why everyone says you *have* to try them

when you come to Nagoya!!

On the other hand, while Miso Katsu is a Nagoya specialty,

it might be a hit or miss depending on individual tastes.

Personally, if I could only choose one place from this Nagoya foodie list,

I'd pick Miyaki Unafuji for the unagi don, and Harbs for dessert!

If you're planning a trip to Nagoya,

refer to this Nagoya foodie list and choose the restaurants

that best suit your taste :)

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The amazing value-for-money hotel within walking distance of all the eateries mentioned in this post ↓↓↓

A Nagoya travel essential! Easily book your airport-city train↓↓