Nagoya Hitsumabushi Guide: Best Eel Restaurants

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NAGOYA

The Ultimate Nagoya Food Guide:

Top 3 Must-Eat Dishes & Local Hotspots

© Written & Photographed by Travel Blogger Hyeoniz

Did you know that Nagoya has recently become

the ultimate hotspot for foodies?

I've traveled all over Japan—from Osaka and Fukuoka

to Okinawa and various charming countryside towns—

but Nagoya's local cuisine captured my taste buds the most!

It's not too salty, not too sweet,

and perfectly balanced for global palates.

I now completely understand why Nagoya is celebrated as a true culinary city!

Today, I’m sharing the 3 absolute must-eat specialties

you have to try when visiting Nagoya,

along with a handpicked list of places I’ve personally visited

and highly recommended local favorites.

Save this guide, and your Nagoya food hunt

is completely sorted! :)

1. Hitsumabushi (Grilled Eel over Rice)

If you're in Nagoya,

Hitsumabushi is an absolute non-negotiable.

After all, Nagoya is the proud birthplace of this legendary dish!

Top 3 Recommended Restaurants

Hanaoka

Unagi Okafuji

Munagi

My absolute favorite spot is Hanaoka.

Their dinner service starts at 6:00 PM,

but they start taking waitlist sign-ups at 5:30 PM.

I arrived around 5:10 PM on a weekday,

and since there were only about 10 teams ahead of me,

I managed to get in during the very first seating!

*Cash only

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How to Eat Hitsumabushi Properly

① Eat it as-is to savor the pure flavor

② Add green onions, seaweed, and wasabi for extra texture

③ Pour the warm dashi broth over it to enjoy like Ochazuke

Savoring it in these three steps is the authentic way to do it!

The three restaurants I recommended are all near Sakae Station,

making them super easy to fit into your daily itinerary.

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If you want to experience the historic pioneer of this dish,

head to Atsuta Horaiken Main Branch,

And if you are staying near Nagoya Station,

I highly recommend Maruya Honten, Sumiyaki Unafuji, or Bincho!

Pick the one that fits your route best,

but please promise me you won't leave Nagoya without trying Hitsumabushi! :)

2. Misokatsu (Deep-Fried Pork Cutlet with Red Miso Sauce)

Right after Hitsumabushi, the next absolute must-try

Nagoya specialty is Misokatsu!

It features a crispy, golden pork cutlet

smothered in a rich, sweet-and-savory red miso sauce—

it's a signature comfort food in Nagoya.

Top 3 Recommended Restaurants

Ramuchii

Yabaton (Sakae Centrise)

Tonpachi

I ended up going to Ramuchii.

Their dinner service starts at 5:30 PM,

but when I arrived around 5:20 PM,

there were already about 15 people waiting in line.

Luckily, I was able to get in right when they opened!

Just a heads-up, this place is also cash-only!

If it’s your first time in Nagoya, I also highly recommend Yabaton.

Serving up delicious eats since 1947,

it's Nagoya's most iconic miso katsu spot,

so you definitely can't go wrong here.

They have locations in both Sakae and Nagoya Station,

making it super easy to fit into your itinerary! haha

On the other hand, Tonpachi is a bit far from Sakae,

and even if Google Maps says they're open,

they apparently close unexpectedly quite often... T_T

It’s famous as a spot visited by the popular mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang, so I really wanted to go,

but to save your precious travel time,

I’d recommend sticking to Ramuchii or Yabaton! :)

3. Tebasaki (Fried Chicken Wings)

If you love a good drink,

you absolutely cannot miss out on Tebasaki!

Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside,

and tossed in a savory, salty glaze—

it pairs so perfectly with beer, it just disappears! haha

Top 3 Recommended Spots

Tebasaki Mutsumi

Yamachan

Furaibo

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Nagoya Tebasaki Mutsumi Main Branch Location, Prices, Menu, Sakae Restaurant Recommendationblog.naver.com

I visited the trendiest spot lately,

Tebasaki Mutsumi,

and I was absolutely blown away..!

I've detailed everything about the location, prices, and taste

in the post below, so feel free to check it out!

Of course, the most famous franchise is Yamachan,

while Furaibo is known as the original pioneer

that's been serving tebasaki since the 1960s.

Both have branches right by Nagoya Station,

so they're perfect for a quick bite on your last day! :)

Nagoya Travel Tips

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Recommended Nagoya Hotels with Public Baths (Onsen-style)

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Comparing Nagoya Hotels with Public Baths: 5 Recommendations Near Sakae Stationblog.naver.com

Nagoya hotels with public baths (daiyokujo)

are actually relatively cheaper than in other Japanese cities!

Your feet will definitely be tired after a full day of shopping and food tours,

so soak away your fatigue in a relaxing bath! haha

Book the Most Popular Nagoya Accommodations at the Lowest Prices

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Nagoya is truly a city

I’d visit again just for the food.

If there are just three things you try on your trip,

make sure they are Hitsumabushi, Miso Katsu, and Tebasaki!

You're in for an unforgettable Nagoya foodie adventure! :)