One of the best Japanese delicacies you can ever enjoy is humble sushi.
Made using fish fermented in rice, the dish has become a symbol of Japanese culture, both inside Japan as well as abroad. With a variety of different tastes and cooking styles, Sushi is one of the most popular Japanese dishes around.
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An Introduction to the Sushi
The sushi is in simple words, fish meat cured in fermented rice. What started out as a way to preserve fish using rice, eventually led to the creation of a fish dish, unto itself.
In its most basic form, the sushi is a piece of fish meat (often salmon, tuna, swordtail, etc), wrapped in fermented rice and other ingredients (such as vegetables). The exact meat used for the sushi varies greatly, from one region to another. Certain kinds of sushi use completely different substitutes, which range from synthetic meats to those of crab, prawns or vegetarian substitutes.
The entire piece is wrapped up using a piece of seaweed, rice paper, cucumber slices, etc, which are then chopped into the classic sushi that is known today.
The sushi may be eaten as a standalone dish, a side dish or anything else in between. Quite often, people eat the sushi with various side dishes such as soy sauce (shoyu), horseradish sauce (wasabi), etc. In addition to this, the sushi may also be combined with other dishes such as noodles, various rice dishes, soup, etc.
The sushi is eaten all over the country, and has in fact delivered in to various styles of its own. This is true for much of Japan, including the vast city of Nagoya.
The details of the same will be explained further below, with respect to the city (and region) of Nagoya.
About Nagoya
To start off, Nagoya is a major city in Japan, and also the capital of its Aichi prefecture. It located on the southern part of the country, on Honshu, the main island of Japan.
Over two million people call the city home, which increases to about six million if the surrounding metro regions are included.
It is the fourth largest city in Japan, and an important center of business, finance, education and politics. The city also has a major industrial base, focused on a wide range of sectors such as automobiles, aviation, banking, finance, ceramics, shipping, logistics, etc.
Also, situated in along the Pacific coast of the country, it is an important hub for shipping in Japan. It is in fact the largest center for international shipping in the country, exceeding all other ports in the country.
In addition to this, the city of Nagoya is also a place where you can find many historical sites, such as the infamous Nagoya castle, used by the region’s royalty a very long time ago. There are many more such attractive destinations in and around the region as well.
The Cuisine and Restaurants of Nagoya
Rich in vegetables, rice and more importantly seafood, the cuisines available in this part of Japan is fairly similar to the rest of the country.
In addition to this, there are many regional dishes and variants of other foods as well. Also, the local foods are greatly influenced by foreign cuisines such as Indian, Italian, Continental, Chinese, etc. This has started to increase in recent times, especially with the advent of globalization and the growth of global trade. And for a city like Nagoya, located at the port and with an international airport, it is only a given that these changing times will bring in not just trade alone, but also cultures and cuisines as well.
Also, given that the city is located along the coastal region of the country, there is an abundance of fresh seafood, caught from the vast waters around Japan. This means that in comparison to some of the inland cities of Japan, the seafood available in Nagoya is often fresh and have a better taste. One major delicacy that is prized in this city more than other places is shrimp, which are a favorite among the locals. Other important dishes that are unique or different in the region include, but are not limited to, Tebasaki, Red Miso (a soybean dish), Hitsumabushi (rice dish with eels), Toriwasa (raw meat mixed with soy sauce), Tenmusu (a rice dish), etc.
Catering to this food culture is a system of restaurants that are spread all across the region. From traditional to the modern, the Nagoyans can boast of a great variety when the head out for a dining experience. Among the many dining experiences you can seek out, one of the most important and popular is that of the sushi.
The Sushi Restaurants of Nagoya
There are numerous amazing restaurants to check out while in Nagoya. With a variety of different tastes and delicacies on the menu, the restaurants have much to offer its patrons.
Coming to the humble sushi, given in the list are some of the best Sushi restaurants in Nagoya that you should check out if you are visiting this amazing city.
The sushi bars given in the list below are an excellent place for diners to experience the celebrated sushi.
1.) Sushi Hijikata
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Sushi Hijikata is a famous restaurant, located in the city’s famous business district, Nishiki.
It is a high-end restaurant, located in a very busy part of the district, and is designed to reflect a higher taste and quality of dining. With arch-shaped counters, exquisite interior decor, well-trained staff, and chefs, it is a great restaurant like no other in this part of the town.
The foods available in this restaurant range from sushi to many other dishes. Some of the dishes available here include the saikyo-grilled Japanese butterfish and steamed abalone.
What is interesting about the restaurant is not really the food you eat, but how it is served. The model used by the restaurant is one of the most unique that you will find anywhere in, not just Japan but the entire world. Rather than you selecting what you can eat, the selection is left to the chef.
The menu has just one thing on offer; the ‘Omakase Course’, and that’s it. There is nothing else on offer other than it. Once you order the course, you will be served whatever the chef feels is right for you, and that’s it. The food that is served in the restaurant is made from selects, rather than bulk purchases. All of the ingredients are sourced from Tokyo’s Tsukiki Market.
The course encompasses a wide range of Japanese dishes. Among them are numerous seafood varieties, such as steamed abalone, nigizushi and Saikyo-grilled Japanese butterfish. The Saikyo-grilled fish is fish grilled using Saikyo white miso rice, sourced specially from Tokyo.
The seating capacity of the restaurant is limited, and is designed for a private dining experience. There is a total seating capacity of 10, and offers two separate private rooms.
The sushi prepared in the restaurant is in an open area, allowing you to witness the entire process. So if you happen to be curious about what goes into making your favorite sushi, you’ll love to have a snack at this restaurant.
Also to note here, is that it is fairly difficult to get reservations at the restaurant. So if you are interested in visiting this sushi bar, it is a good idea to book yourself a reservation in advance.
Important Information:
Wallet Factor :15,000 JPY
Address:460-0003 Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya, Naka Ward, Nishiki, 3 Chome-12-30 2nd Washington Annex Building
Phone Number:+81 52-950-6515
Opening Hours :5:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Closed :Sundays, Public Holidays
2.) Koshino Sushi Bar
Koshino is another popular Sushi Bar in the city of Nagoya.
It is located in one of the main areas in the city, and is a well established destination in the city. It offers diners ‘Omakase courses’, which features small plates and sushi, made using a variety of preparation styles and ingredients.
One of the most interesting things about the restaurant is the attention paid to detail. This is something that applies to everything at the restaurant, ranging from the food and spices to the plates and ambience.
The place offers a variety different sushi meats, some of the most important being; Japanese Tiger Prawn, Mackerel and Conger Eel. In addition to this, you can find other kinds of fish as well at the restaurants.
Furthermore, there are several other dishes available at the restaurant, which serve anywhere from 8 to 12 pieces of sushi. This can be bought as per your convenience and appetite, which allows for a flexible menu and dining experience.
It is a good idea to book reservations in advance, particularly during the peak hours. The number of diners tends to peak during this time, sometimes all the way to the closing hours.
Important Information:
Wallet Factor: 3000-15,000 JPY
Address: Japan, 464-0848 2 Chome-14-15 Haruoka, Chikusa Ward, Nagoya, Aichi
Phone Number:+81 52-761-5878
Opening Hours:12:00PM – 1:00PM, 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays
3.) Tatsufumi Shiten Sushi Bar
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The Tatsufumi Shiten is a fashionable and very popular sushi bar in Nagoya.
It is located in a fairly upscale location of this vast city, and is based on a fairly western template; featuring a unique setup and brilliant interiors. The bar offers a red counter that is located in a private and well lit location, away from the rush and noise of the main entrance.
Like the other two restaurants mentioned above, it offers only a single ‘Omakase course’, which is essentially a series of dishes, served one after the other. It is essentially a single meal course, with nothing else on the menu. The menu is essentially one single meal.
The course begins with a salad and proceeds to six small dishes. These dishes include the tiger globefish, parboiled tiger blowfish skin, 10 different varieties of nigirizushi and makizushi, and later the popular miso soup.
The one factor that makes this restaurant very different from the rest is the way that it operates. In addition to paying attention to detail, the restaurant also engages in a variety of research and studies, to ensure that diners get the very best.
Among the many different things that the restaurant looks up and into, are the ingredients, the sourcing of the ingredients, presentation styles and more. Simply put, dining at the restaurant will help you get the most bang for your buck, and is certainly worth a visit.
Last but not the least, the restaurant is located in a fairly popular location and experiences a lot of visitors. This means that the restaurant is often full for a great deal of the opening hours. It is recommended that you take a booking first, before you visit the restaurant.
Important Information:
Wallet Factor:10,000 JPY
Address:2-71 Kamiyashiro, Meitou, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Nagoya-shi, Aichi Prefecture 2-71
Phone Number:+81-52-937-2133
Opening Hours:11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Closed:1st January
4.) Amaki Sushi Bar
Of all the famous sushi bars in Nagoya, this is by far one of the most recent and popular. Opened in the year 2015, it has quickly become famous and popular among its patrons.
The sushi bar offers an excellent ‘Omakase’ course, featuring a variety of different dishes.
The food at the sushi bar is prepared with a variety of different meats, all of which are sourced and prepared with great attention to detail.
Coming to the sushi, the most interesting thing about the dish is not the meat, but rather the rice that is used. Unlike the standard practice where the kind of rice remains the same for all varieties of sushi, the variety of rice used here varies depending on the dish you’re eating.
Other dishes available at the bar, which is popular among the patrons, are the drinks. The restaurant offers a wide variety of drinks, ranging from sake and shochu to wine and everything else in between.
It is a good idea to check out the Japanese wines, as they are some of the best one around. In fact, many of the patrons love the different varies of sake and shochu that are available at the restaurant, often ordering it as a side dish with their sushi or any other seafood.
Located in a downtown area of the town, the restaurant is an excellent place to check out the sushi and many more dishes while in Nagoya. Given its popularity, it would be a good idea to book a reservation before you come here.
Important Information:
Address :3-2-2-2 Marunouchi Naka-ku Nagoya-shi, Aichi Prefecture, Prospers Marunouchi 1F
Phone Number :+34 928 37 22 92
Opening Hours:6:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Closed:Open daily otherwise specified
5.) Yaushi Sushi Bar
This is one of the smaller but popular Sushi bars in the city of Nagoya.
Yaushi is one of the best places to taste some of the best sushi in all of Nagoya.
It is one of the most exclusive bars in the city, with a counter that can seat at most about six people. The place has a great ambience and privacy as well, making your dining experience very unique and amazing.
The menu offers a single dish, namely the ‘Chef’s Special Course’. The dishes on offer are some of the best sushi around, made using high quality ingredients and great attention paid to detail. There are several different varieties of sushi available, from different species of fish, as well as other popular Japanese dishes.
The bar is very popular in the city, and is usually booked out at all times. This can make it difficult to get yourself a seat. If you are interested in checking out the sushi bar, you will benefit if you get a booking in advance.
Important Information:
Wallet Factor:10,000 JPY
Address:Kamigochi Bldg. 1F, 4-7 Taiko-dori, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi
Closed:Mondays, first Sunday of every month
6.) Hanamaru Kichijitsu Sushi Bar
Last but not the least, Hanamaru Kichijitsu Sushi Bar is an excellent and well known sushi bar located in the city of Nagoya.
Located in a fairly upscale location in the city, the restaurant offers great ambience and interiors, along with a variety of different ingredients. The place is located in a fairly calm place, where you can get all the peace and quiet, as you enjoy your sushi or any other Japanese dish. Especially interesting t
The restaurant offers a wide range of dishes, ranging from the sushi to other popular Japanese delicacies. These include, among others, tuna rolls, grilled fish sushi, inari sushi, etc. Of them all, the one dish that you should try out, is the ‘Chef’s Special’, which offers you one of the best sushis around, and made by sushi experts.
In addition to this, there are many drinks available at the bar as well, which will help you to wash down your dishes.
Last but not the least, is the wallet factor. This is by far one of the most affordable sushi bars in the city, at around 6,000 Yen.
It is a good idea to get a booking for the restaurant before visiting, as the place can be packed during the peak seasons.
Important Information:
Wallet Factor:6,000 JPY
Address:Japan, 460-0003 Aichi Prefecture, 10-3, Naka-ku, Nagoya
Phone Number:+81 52-962-1870
Opening Hours:5:30 PM – 3:00 AM
Closed:Sundays, Public Holidays
Do note that these are just a few of the many wonderful sushi restaurants that Japan has to offer. There are plenty more that operate in the area, offering wide varieties of sushi, as well as many more Japanese dishes.
Also to be added here is that the above restaurants don’t just serve sushi, but also have other dishes on the menu as well. These items may range from local Japanese dishes to foods from other cuisines as well.
And last but not the least, not all of them serves liquor or similar beverages. Some of them do, the details of which has been mentioned under each section. But if you are into liquor, try to go for the local varieties, rather than the local ones; the most popular is the Japanese alcohol Sake, or rice beer, is a must try for those who are into enjoying the fine taste.
It is a good idea to check the details of the same before visiting, as specific information may change from time to time, as the restaurant owners may deem fit.
In all, Nagoya is one amazing city in Japan that you can ever visit. With a blend of the old and new, and indeed everything in between, this is one place in the country worth checking out.
And if you are a fan of Japanese food and visiting this wonderful city, try to check out the restaurants mentioned above, as well as others like them.
You’ll be surprised at the kinds of dishes you may discover, and things that you never even knew about.
Rest assured that they will have your taste buds delighted … especially if you are into sushi …