“NAGASAKI TORUKO RICE SHOKUDO” (hereafter referred to as Nagasaki Toruko Rice Shokudo”) is a restaurant that prides itself on using ingredients from Nagasaki Prefecture.
The restaurant’s signature dish is the Nagasaki-originated Turkish rice, which is also the namesake of the restaurant. “Toruko” is how “Turkey” or “Turkish” is referred to in Japanese. While it doesn’t have any particularly strong ties to Turkey, the dish has become a regional specialty in Nagasaki.
“スペシャルトルコライス,” Special torukorice 1,700 JPY (tax included)
The “Special torukorice” is a volume-packed and popular dish!
The classic iteration of toruko rice (or “torukorice,” as the restaurant stylizes it in their English menu) is a dish with pork cutlet, spaghetti, and pilaf rice all on one plate. However, there’s no rule that only those three toppings must be used.
Nagasaki Toruko Rice Shokudo offers several varieties of torukorice with different toppings.
The most popular of these is their “Special torukorice.”
In addition to pork cutlet, Napolitan spaghetti (a type of ketchup-based spaghetti popular in Japan), and curry pilaf, it’s topped with fried shrimp and a hamburger steak.
The pork cutlet, an essential component of Turkish rice, is made from pork loin that has been pounded thin, similar to a cutlet, making it light and easy to eat.
The meticulous preparation, including the removal of tendons and fat, results in a crispy texture.
The special demi-glace sauce avoids being overpowering by using Worcestershire and soy sauce in the seasoning.
The restaurant uses products from Choko Soy Sauce Co.,LTD, a Nagasaki-based seasoning manufacturer, adding a unique touch.
It’s not just the seasonings; the Special torukorice uses other Nagasaki ingredients too.
The hamburger patty uses Nagasaki wagyu beef that’s so juicy it drips. Yet it retains a desirable firmness without being too soft.
The voluminous dish is immensely satisfying. Part of torukorice’s charm is the excitement of deciding which topping to eat first!
The “Beef cutlet curry rice” that uses wagyu is also a big hit
While torukorice dishes like the Special torukorice are the restaurant’s specialties, their curries are also quite popular.
“長崎和牛のビーフカツカレー”, Beef cutlet curry rice 2,100 JPY (tax included)
This luxurious dish features a cutlet of branded wagyu called Dejima Barairo.
Dejima Barairo has a great balance of lean and fatty meat with the beef’s natural umami shining through. To highlight its flavor, it’s simply seasoned with just salt.
The tender meat releases more umami the more you chew it.
The homemade curry roux paired with the Dejima Barairo cutlet has a fruity flavor. Over 10 spices are blended with onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and tomato purée to bring out the sweetness.
The rich aftertaste comes from adding pork and beef broth to the roux. The harmonious sweetness and richness pair exquisitely with the beef’s umami!
You’ll want to pair these Nagasaki ingredient-based à la carte dishes with a nice drink!
Nagasaki Toruko Rice Shokudo can also be enjoyed as a bar to pair food and drinks.
They offer over ten à la carte dishes featuring Nagasaki ingredients. Here are four recommended ones to enjoy with an alcoholic beverage.
(Top left) “燻製工房熏助のこだわりスモークチーズ” Smoked Cheese from kunsuke 550 JPY (tax included), (Top right)”長崎県産アジフライ” Nagasaki Fried Horse Mackerel 550 JPY (tax included),（Bottom left）”長崎中華街名物角煮” Nagasaki Chinatown Braised Pork 830 JPY (tax included), (Bottom right)”長崎野菜のキッシュ” Nagasaki Vegetable Quiche 550 JPY (tax included)
Firstly, the meaty fried horse mackerel, sourced from Nagasaki, is a must-try with beer.
To highlight the fried fish, the tartar sauce is low on sweetness, using lemon juice for tartness.
The restaurant takes pride in using Choko Shoyu’s sesame dressing to add richness to the flavor.
Nagasaki Fried Horse Mackerel
Next is Nagasaki’s signature kakuni braised pork belly dish.
Pork belly with the skin is simmered for two to three days in a soy sauce braise with cinnamon and star anise, giving it a sweet-savory flavor.
Parboiling beforehand removes any gamey odor from the meat.
The rich braised pork pairs especially well with a glass of shōchū!
Nagasaki Chinatown Braised Pork
For wine, the smoked cheese and quiche are great matches.
The smoked cheese is handmade by specialist kunsuke smokehouse in Nagasaki with a mild, non-bitter flavor even children can enjoy while still having a nice smoked aroma.
The quiche uses plenty of Nagasaki vegetables, varying by season. When visited in spring, it mainly featured the local Aiyutaka potato.
Nagasaki Vegetable Quiche
An international tourist-friendly restaurant with English menus
Nagasaki Toruko Rice Shokudo caters well to international visitors with English menus and even vegan torukorice options.
If you’re searching for an authentic Nagasaki cuisine experience while in Tokyo, be sure to visit! It may just make you want to travel to Nagasaki itself.
Interior of Nagasaki Toruko Rice Shokudo in Akihabara
Information
| Store name | 長崎トルコライス食堂 NAGASAKI TORUKO RICE SHOKUDO |
|---|---|
| Address | CHABARA, 8-2 Kanda Neribe-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Akihabara Station（AKB） 2-minute walk from Akihabara Electric Town Exit
Suehirochō Station 6-minute walk from Exit 1
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| Phone number | 03-6206-9223 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | 11:30-21:00（last order 19:50） |
| Closed | No holidays excluding CHABARA holidays |
| Seating | 24 seats 6 counter seats, 18 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://twitter.com/torukoriceakiba |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of June 2024.
