I recently spent a few days in Nagoya and made it my mission to try some of the local favorites, as Nagoya is known as one of the most famous foodie town in Japan.

If you’re planning a trip to Nagoya and wondering what to eat in Nagoya, here are 6 places we tried (number 4 is our group’s favorite!):

Moumoutei

If you’re craving a really good yakiniku dinner in Nagoya, Moumoutei is worth a visit. The beef was fresh and flavorful, served in different cuts and styles.

My favorite? The steak cooked at our table, then plated in the kitchen and served with broth, wasabi, and an egg yolk. It felt luxurious like a hitsumabushi, but not too stuffy— definitely one of the most memorable dinners we had in Nagoya.

📍 Moumoutei, Nagoya — best for a beef kinda evening.

Tsubame Bread & Milk

Aesthetic? Check. Good bread? Check.

Nagoya is known for its red bean paste, so I had to try their red bean toast set. It came with a boiled egg and a warm drink. It was simple, yet so satisfying. Their bread was super soft and tasted kinda sweet.

The space is minimal and beautiful, perfect for a slow morning (though the line moves fast, so don’t linger too long).

📍 Tsubame Bread & Milk — for a cute and light breakfast, arrive early and grab a queue number. You can walk around while you wait.

Guriko Sea Bream Ramen

Looking for something other than tonkotsu or miso ramen? This sea bream ramen was a standout. The broth was clear, delicate, and full of umami; clean-tasting in the best way.

Highly recommend if you’re after something comforting but not heavy.

I sadly didn’t take a photo because I was so hungry and quickly devoured it. Their tsukemen was good!

📍 Guriko Ramen, Nagoya — a must-try ramen if you like something light and umami-packed.

Misokatsu Yabaton

You can’t visit Nagoya without trying misokatsu, the city’s famous twist on tonkatsu.

Yabaton’s miso sauce is thick, slightly sweet, and deeply savory. The pork cutlet was tender, juicy, and not greasy at all— honestly, one of my favorite katsu experiences in Japan.

📍 Misokatsu Yabaton — multiple locations in Nagoya. I went to the one at the top floor of a department store (restaurant section). There was a long and winding line up the staircase, but it went pretty quick.

Unagi no Shiromura

I’ve tried Unafuji and Hitsumabushi Bincho in Tokyo before, so I figured might try something else while in Nagoya…. and it did not disappoint!

The unagi was perfectly grilled and tender, served with soup, wasabi, and (yes again) egg yolk. The best part? They allow sharing, so you can order just enough without wasting food.

📍 Unagi no Shiromura — book ahead via Google. Great for a proper hitsumabushi experience in Nagoya.

Gozasoro Anpan

Not everything has to be fancy. We grabbed a red bean bun from the basement food floor of a department store, and it was chef’s kiss.

A warm, fluffy anpan with generous (yes, very generous) red bean filling — the kind of simple comfort food that just makes you feel at home in a new city.

📍 Gozasoro — for a warm, traditional red bean bread; worth queuing for (don’t worry, the line moves fast).

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Nagoya has a great food culture, full of rich flavors and comfort-heavy dishes.

If you’re planning your first trip and wondering what to eat in Nagoya, hopefully this little Nagoya food guide list is a great starting point.

Let me know if you end up trying any of these food while in Nagoya! 😊

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