If you have ever been to Japan before or to a Japanese restaurant you might have heard about Japanese Udon noodles. Thick Japanese noodles made from wheat flour prepared in a variety of ways, hot or cold in different soups and with a wide variety of toppings, Udon noodles soup is delicious and a great meal for every day.
If you were wondering ‘What are Udon noodles made of?’ it is very simple. Flour, water, and salt are the only Udon ingredients.
In Nagoya, there is a special variation of flat Udon noodles called Kishimen. Made from the same basic ingredients (wheat flour, salt, and water), Kishimen noodles are broad and flat rather than thick. The difference in shape gives the dish a different texture in the mouth.
The traditional Kishimen in Nagoya are served hot in a broth with ingredients such as spinach, steamed fish cakes, and deep-fried bean curd, topped off with spring onions and dry bonito flakes.
But just like Udon, there are many variations of Nagoya Kishimen.
Miya Kishimen at Atsuta Jingu
Directly on the premises of Atsuta Jingu, you will find a Kishimen restaurant called Miya Kishimen. It doesn’t look like much from the outside and chances are that you walk by it if you aren’t actively looking for it.
Miya Kishimen serves many different variations of Kishimen, hot and cold. The price for a bowl of Kishimen is about 1000 yen but it can be a little bit more expensive or cheaper depending on the specific menu item. You can order a big serving of noodles if you are especially hungry that day (just say ‘Omori kudasai’).
By the way, there is a menu with pictures at the counter where you order your dish so it is no problem if you don’t speak any Japanese. Just point at the picture that looks best to you.
If you are visiting on a hot summer day like I did I highly recommend trying the Tenoroshi Kishimen. A cold bowl of Kishimen noodles served in a dashi and soy sauce broth and topped with grated radish, dried and fresh seaweed and a variation of Tempura (sweet potato, shishito, and 2 big fried shrimps). The different textures and flavors of the dish are a delight and the cold broth and noodles are refreshing in the summer heat.
The best way to experience Nagoya is on a Nagoya Meshi Food Tour.
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Another great option in summer is Salad Kishimen. The Kishimen noodles are served in a chilled sesame sauce and topped with salad, stripes of chicken and a soft-boiled Onsen egg. A delicious filling and refreshing dish for a hot day.
After you ordered your preferred dish, you will receive it at the next window placed on a try. Look for a place to sit in the seating area, get a cup of free tea and enjoy your Kishimen Udon.
MIYA KISHIMENT – JINGU RESTAURANT
Opening Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Address: Jingu 1-1-1, Atsuta Ward, Nagoya 456-8585
Google Maps
Miya Kishiment has other shops around Nagoya as well. You can find them all on the map below, or by googling ‘Miya Kishimen’.
Ekikama Kishimen at Nagoya Station
If you just arrived in Nagoya and you are hungry you might want to have a short stop at Ekikama Kishimen directly inside Nagoya Station.
They serve a wide variety of Kishimen dishes, my favorite is Nagoya Cochin Miso Kishimen. A combination of 3 Nagoya specialties: Cochin Chicken a special breed of extremely tasty chicken, Miso one of the main ingredients in many Nagoya specific dishes, and the Kishimen noodles we have been talking about so much. The dish is served cold with an Onsen egg on top.
The best way to experience Nagoya is on a Nagoya Meshi Food Tour.
8 foods and snacks in 3.5 hours with in-depth info will make this one unforgettable experience.
Check out the details!
If you want to try another Nagoya specialty you can order some Tenmusu as a side order. Little riceballs wrapped in Nori seaweed and topped with a little shrimp tempura. A dish only found in Nagoya and its surroundings.
EKIKAMA KISHIMEN
Opening Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Address: Meieki 1-1-4, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya 450-0002
Google Maps
Nagoya Kishimen to Take Home
If you really enjoyed Kishimen in Nagoya you can take the noodles home with you as a souvenir. Miya Kishimen noodles are sold not only at the Miya Kishimen shops but at souvenir shops all over town. You can pick some up at the many souvenir shops at Nagoya Station for example.
Nagoya Food Tour
While Kishimen are not part of the regular Nagoya Meshi Food Tour, where you get to try Miso Nikomi Udon, Hitsumabushi, Tenmusu and more, you could include it in a private food tour of Nagoya.
A private food tour in Nagoya just for you and your family and friends is tailor-made to your needs and preferences. Tell me what you want to eat (what kind of things you cannot eat) what time you want to start and any other requirements you have and I will build the perfect tour for you.
Final Thoughts on Kishimen
I hope this post has made you just a little bit interested in Kishimen and when you find the opportunity you will try it for yourself. Kishimen are a really versatile dish that can be enjoyed all year round.
The best way to experience Nagoya is on a Nagoya Meshi Food Tour.
8 foods and snacks in 3.5 hours with in-depth info will make this one unforgettable experience.
Check out the details!
If you want to know more about the special dishes in Nagoya check out the Nagoya Food Guide or continue your journey by reading about Hitsumabushi or Miso Katsu next.
Nagoya Foodie offers daily food tours in Nagoya that will help you explore the food culture in Nagoya in depth. Check out the Nagoya Meshi Food Tour page for more information.
If you want to find out more about Nagoya in general check out these posts:
- The best hotels in Nagoya
- 30+ things to do in Nagoya
- A perfect one-day itinerary of Nagoya
- 10 day trips from Nagoya you shouldn’t miss
If you are a foodie and you want to easily find this post again in the future pin it to your ‘Food in Japan’ Pinterest board!
In love with Japan and its amazing food, Lena wants to share her passion with the world. That’s why she started Nagoya Foodie. To teach about Nagoya, her adoptive home online through blog posts and offline through unique food tours.
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