棊子麺茶寮 いしこん (Kishimen Saryo Ishikon)

History of Kishimen

Kishimen (きしめん) is a flat, wide udon noodle dish that originates from Japan’s Aichi region where Nagoya is located. Unlike regular udon, kishimen has flatter and broader noodles and is usually served in a clear broth made from kombu seaweed and katsuobushi.

Best Kishimen Near Nagoya Station

Kishimen Saryo Ishikon(棊子麺茶寮 いしこん) is one of the top places to try this dish, located conveniently near Nagoya Station. The restaurant is hidden inside the Ishikon(石昆) store, a traditional Nagoya food brand founded in 1948 specializing in seafood products and kombu-based cuisine.

Kishimen Saryo Ishikon Menu

Kishimen Saryo Ishikon reflects Ishikon’s expertise by using a flavorful kelp broth for the umami flavor of its kishimen. If you’re looking for an authentic kishimen experience near Nagoya station, this is the place to go!

As this was my first meal of the Nagoya trip, I wanted to start with something warm and comforting so I ordered the Tamagotoji Kishimen with eggs while my mom tried the Kujo Negi Kishimen with Kyoto scallions. The noodles were silky and smooth while the warm broth had a comforting, home-cooked taste. Both kishimen were served with dried seaweed furikake which also enhanced the seafood flavor of the dish.

きしめん亭 (Kishimen-tei)

Kishimen near Nagoya Castle

With its beautiful gardens and impressive architecture, Nagoya castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. Kishimen-tei, located inside Nagoya Castle, resembles an old-style Japanese eatery and serves delicious kishimen in a traditional setting.

Kishimen-tei Menu

Because the ordering process at Kishimen-tei is self-service, you first need to place your order at the kiosk near the entrance, after which the staff will guide you where to sit. Once your food is ready and your number is called, you’ll need to pick it up from the counter. And once you finish you also need to return your dishes to the station just outside the back door.

I tried the Nagoya Specialty Kishimen, which had a slightly darker broth compared to the Ishikon’s version. The noodles were also thinner than at Ishikon, which reminded me more of Korean kalguksu (knife-cut noodles). I also recommend pairing your kishimen with their Oden, featuring daikon radish, konjac, and fish cakes in a lighter broth.

There were also outdoor tables at Kishimen-tei and it would definitely be a special experience to enjoy kishimen with a serene view of the castle’s garden during spring/fall. One caveat is that because Kishimen-tei is located inside Nagoya Castle, you have an entrance fee of 500 yen per adult at the entrance.

喫茶七番 (Kissa Nanaban)

Cafe Near Nagoya Castle

If you’re looking for a quiet place for a cup of coffee near Nagoya Castle, check out Kissa Nanaban(喫茶七番). This charming cafe is ideal for travelers who want to unwind after a long day of sightseeing. And they offer dairy-free and decaf options, making it a great spot for anyone with dietary preferences!

Kissa Nanaban Menu

While their signature dish is the Red Bean Toast, I ordered a Decaf Matcha Soy Latte, which had a perfect balance between the slightly bitter matcha flavor and the creaminess of soy milk.

yellow 則武新町店 (yellow Noritakeshinmachiten)

Noritake Garden

Another must-visit attraction in Nagoya is Noritake Garden(ノリタケの森), a multi-cultural complex operated by the famous Japanese porcelain brand “Noritake.” Originally a porcelain factory, the site has been transformed into a space that includes galleries, workshops, museums and shopping areas where visitors can admire and purchase artistic porcelain works from Noritake and also take part in workshop experiences.

Souffle Pancake Near Noritake Garden

Right next to Noritake Garden is AEON Mall Nagoya Noritake Garden. For lunch, my mom and I visited yellow Noritakeshinmachiten on the first floor of this mall.

yellow Noritakeshinmachiten Menu

No trip to Japan is complete without trying their souffle pancakes, and yellow Noritakeshinmachiten is a perfect place for a satisfying pancake brunch especially for those visiting Noritake Garden. This stylish cafe offers both sweet and savory Japanese-style egg dishes from omurice(omelette rice) to souffle pancakes.

Their Demi-glace Omurice featured a perfectly runny omelette covered in rich and creamy demi-glace sauce. And the Strawberry Souffle Pancakes were incredibly light and fluffy, topped with fresh strawberry sauce and sorbet.

カモシヤ (Kamoshiya)

Must-Visit Oden Bar in Sakae

Sakae is a major commercial area in Nagoya, known for its large shopping malls and a variety of restaurants. And Kamoshiya(カモシヤ ) is one of the best izakayas in Sakae where you can experience Japan’s popular comfort food, oden.

Kamoshiya Menu

Kamoshiya specializes in Miso Oden, where the ingredients are simmered in a miso-based broth instead of soy sauce as in traditional Japanese oden. We ordered their signature Assorted Oden which included daikon, tofu, fish cakes and konjac. All the ingredients were infused with red miso with a deep, comforting flavor. The savory oden paired perfectly well with a glass of cold draft beer, nama biru!

We also ordered avocado, which was cooked in a curry-flavored miso sauce, more impressive for its smoothness rather than a distinctive flavor. And the sweet and fluffy potato salad complemented the savor of the oden and avocado.

This place stood out not so much for its taste but for the unique vibe that can only be found in small, local izakayas in Japan. The portions are quite small so it’s more suitable for light snacks rather than a full dinner. For me and my mom, it was the perfect place to warm up before having our own party of convenience store snacks back at our hotel room.