Aichi is the perfect place for any food enthusiasts. The prefecture is known for its special food culture filled with deep flavors. If you are considering moving to Aichi, you might want to check out all the tasty regional food the prefecture has to offer.
A lot of food in Aichi is based on fermentation; miso, soy sauce, and mirin. Aichi has its unique red miso that is famous for its deep smoky flavor. This soybean miso actually increases in flavor when boiled, unlike most miso. Some of the best food in Aichi, such as Miso Mikomi udon, miso katsu, and miso oden contain this miso.
Although Aichi’s most famous foods are mostly meat and fish, you may still want to try vegan versions of these dishes. There is a vegan cooking workshop in Nagoya where you can learn how to prepare vegan versions of miso katsu and tebasaki among other dishes.
Miso Katsu
Although you can find delicious katsu fried meat cutlets all across Japan, the katsu in Aichi is particularly tasty. Aichi’s version of katsu is miso katsu; thick breaded pork cutlets coated in a miso sauce. Miso katsu is usually served with shredded cabbage and rice.
Yabaton is one of the most popular places to eat miso katsu, they have a few locations dotted across Aichi, as well as in other prefectures. Another popular spot among the locals is Ramuchii. If you live in Aichi, make sure to try out some of the many places serving miso katsu across the prefecture.
After a few different versions of the dish, you’ll notice the ways in which it can differ; some restaurants make a thick and deep miso sauce, others a lighter and sweeter miso sauce.
Miso Nikomi Udon
Miso nikomi udon is one of the most popular dishes containing red miso and it is one of the most warming meals you’ll find in Aichi. Nikomi means stewed, or boiled since the ingredients are boiled in miso and dashi broth.
The udon noodles in miso nikomi udon are more firm in comparison to udon in other dishes. This is because the noodles are kneaded without salt.
Miso nikomi udon usually contains chicken, vegetables, kamaboko, and a raw egg that is cracked into the soup and then stirred by the person eating the meal. This piping hot dish is usually served in a ceramic pot.
Hitsumabushi (Nagoya Speciality)
Hitsumabushi, Nagoya’s delicacy, is an eel and rice dish served in a special wooden bowl. The eel is grilled and those eating the dish usually put the eel into the rice bowl bit by bit. Houraiken and Sanpaku are some of the most famous spots for hitsumabushi in Aichi.
A hitsumabushi meal is enjoyed in three parts. First, you eat the eel without any additional condiments to appreciate the basic taste of the eel. Next, you add various complementary flavors wasabi, seaweed, and spring onions. Finally, you pour soup over the dish and eat it. Wasabi and eel are a particularly delicious combination!
One thing you may want to consider about this delicacy is that the Japanese eel is now an endangered species. Although across Japan, eel is known to be packed with nutrition and it is the perfect thing to eat in summer to fight natsubate, this dish can be eaten throughout the year.
Tebasaki
As well as miso katsu, Aichi is home to more tasty fried food! Another Nagoya specialty is Tebasaki, and unlike Hitsumabushi, Tebasaki is fairly cheap.
Tebasaki are Aichi’s own chicken wings. These juicy but crispy chicken wings are fried twice and they are served on the bone. They are usually served with a sweet but savory marinade and various spices. Tebasaki is beloved by locals and tourists.
If you choose to move to our apartments in Nagoya, Tebasaki will likely become a staple in your diet. It’s a great dish to enjoy alongside alcohol. Yamachan is one of the most popular spots for Tebasaki, they have multiple izakaya locations around Nagoya.
Uiro
The best dessert to eat after finishing off all the tasty Aichi food you’ve just eaten is Uiro. The texture of Uiro is somewhere between mochi and yōkan or jelly. It is a steamed cake made out of rice flour and sugar. It’s also good as a sweet snack or alongside a nice tea!
Uiro is made into cubed shapes. Uiro is traditionally steamed until it gets a chewy texture.
It is Nagoya’s most famous wagashi. This chewy sweet comes in various flavors; the traditional azuki bean paste, matcha, strawberry, chestnut, strawberry, and yuzu. One of the best places to find Uiro is in the omiyage section of Nagoya station, but you’ll be able to find delicious Uiro across Aichi too.
If you’ve not yet visited Aichi, we recommend you get planning a trip soon so that you can try out all these exquisite dishes. As well as the food, there are plenty of sights to enjoy in the prefecture which you can read about in our local area guide.
If you are thinking about moving to Aichi, you may want to check out the top places to live in Aichi. Please have a look at the Village House available rental apartments across the prefecture to find your perfect home!