CULINARY DELIGHTS: FOOD AND DRINK PAIRINGS TO TRY ON YOUR NAGOYA PUB CRAWL

A pub crawl through Nagoya's bustling nightlife scene isn't just about downing copious amounts of alcohol (although that's a big part of it, let's be honest). It's also about indulging in the city's gastronomic delights and discovering mouth-watering food and drink pairings that will make your taste buds dance the cha-cha. So, buckle up, grab your chopsticks, and get ready to explore Nagoya's culinary landscape – one delicious pairing at a time. If your stomach is growling at the thought, then you know you're in the right place. Let's dive into these food and drink pairings that will leave you yearning for more!

Before we embark on this culinary journey, it's important to note that while some of these pairings may be more traditional, others are a delightful fusion of flavors that you might not expect. That's the beauty of Nagoya's food scene – it's a melting pot of tastes and textures, where old meets new, and East meets West. As you embark on your pub crawl, you may even discover your own unique pairings that tickle your fancy. So keep an open mind and a hungry stomach, and let's get started!

1. The Classic Combo: Tebasaki and Beer

Let's start with something that even a culinary novice can appreciate – the classic combination of tebasaki (deep-fried chicken wings) and an ice-cold beer. With the wings' crispy skin, tender meat, and savory sauce, it's no wonder they're a Nagoya favorite. Pair these finger-lickin'-good treats with a local beer like Kinshachi Miso lager, and you've got yourself a match made in pub crawl heaven.

Tebasaki is typically seasoned with a mouthwatering blend of soy sauce, garlic, and sugar, giving the wings a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and slightly spicy flavors. The crunchy texture is further enhanced by the addition of sesame seeds, which add a nutty depth to the dish. The crisp, refreshing taste of a cold beer is the perfect counterpart to these succulent wings, helping to cleanse your palate between bites and keep you coming back for more. You might even find yourself in a friendly competition with your pub crawl buddies to see who can polish off the most wings – just don't forget to save room for the other culinary delights on this list!

2. Feelin' Fizzy: Kishimen Noodles and Highball

For those who enjoy a bit of fizz with their food, look no further than the delightful duo of kishimen noodles and a refreshing highball. Kishimen, flat and wide udon noodles, are a Nagoya specialty often served in a rich, soy-based broth. The tangy, carbonated highball (whiskey and soda) cuts through the noodles' richness, making you feel like you've just taken a plunge in a pool of deliciousness (Dang, it's so easy to go overboard with the adjectives when writing about food. Let's see how bad it can get).

Kishimen noodles are known for their slightly chewy texture, which is achieved by using a combination of wheat flour and kansui (alkaline water). This makes them the ideal vehicle for the flavorful broth, which typically includes ingredients like soy sauce, mirin, and dashi. The highball, with its effervescent bubbles and crisp, clean taste, serves as a welcome contrast to the hearty kishimen dish. As you slurp up those noodles and sip your highball, you'll find yourself feeling energized and ready to tackle the rest of your pub crawl with gusto. Just remember, it's "considered polite" in Japan to slurp your noodles – so don't be shy! I put "considered polite" in quotes because you always hear or read that, but in reality, it's just not considered rude. Just like you don't think about what order people put on their socks, the Japanese don't really care about the sounds you make when you eat noodles. It's an important distinction to make.

3. The Adventurous Pair: Miso Katsu and Sake

For the more daring pub-crawlers, we present the adventurous pairing of miso katsu and sake. Miso katsu is a Nagoya twist on the traditional tonkatsu (breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet) – but with a generous slathering of hearty red miso sauce. The umami-rich flavor of the miso katsu is beautifully complemented by the smooth, fragrant notes of Japanese sake. Go on, live a little!

The secret to a perfect miso katsu lies in the quality of the pork, which should be tender and juicy, with just the right amount of fat. The crispy panko breading provides a satisfying crunch, while the robust red miso sauce adds a depth of flavor that makes this dish truly memorable. When it comes to sake, opt for a slightly dry, well-balanced variety to cut through the richness of the miso katsu and bring out the dish's savory flavors. As you savor each bite and sip, you'll feel like a culinary explorer, uncovering the hidden treasures of Nagoya's food scene.

4. The Sweet and Savory Soiree: Ebi Furai and Umeshu

Who says sweet and savory can't be best friends? The delightful pairing of ebi furai (breaded and deep-fried shrimp) and umeshu (plum wine) begs to differ. The succulent, crispy shrimp finds its perfect partner in the sweet and slightly tangy umeshu, creating a flavor fiesta in your mouth that will leave you craving more.

Ebi furai is often served with a side of tartar sauce or a squeeze of lemon, which adds a touch of acidity that brightens up the dish. The shrimp is coated in a light, airy batter, ensuring that each bite is perfectly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Umeshu, a Japanese plum wine, is made by steeping unripe plums in shochu or sake, along with sugar, resulting in a sweet, fruity beverage with a subtle tartness that pairs beautifully with the ebi furai. As you alternate between bites of shrimp and sips of umeshu, you'll find yourself wondering why you didn't try this heavenly combination sooner.

5. The Unexpected Match: Hitsumabushi and Craft Beer

It's time to raise the stakes with an unexpected, yet heavenly match: hitsumabushi (grilled eel on rice) and craft beer. This Nagoya specialty features tender, grilled eel served atop a bed of fluffy rice, and is traditionally eaten in three different ways – but we won't judge if you just want to dig in. Pair this delectable dish with a hoppy craft beer to balance out the eel's sweetness and add a touch of bitterness to the mix. Your taste buds will thank you.

Hitsumabushi is made by grilling eel that has been marinated in a sweet soy sauce-based glaze until it's caramelized and irresistibly delicious. The eel is then served over rice, sometimes with a sprinkling of sansho pepper for an extra kick of flavor. To fully appreciate the dish, it's customary to try it in three stages: first, eat the eel and rice on their own; next, add condiments like wasabi, nori, or green onions; and finally, pour a hot dashi broth over the remaining eel and rice to create a comforting, soupy dish. The hoppy bitterness of a craft beer helps to cut through the sweet, rich flavors of the eel and create a more balanced, well-rounded dining experience. As you enjoy this unexpected pairing, you might just find yourself becoming a craft beer and hitsumabushi connoisseur.

6. The Noodle Nirvana: Taiwan Ramen and IPA

Ready to dive into a bowl of noodle nirvana? The spicy, flavorful Taiwan ramen – which, despite its name, hails from Nagoya – is a true delight for noodle lovers. Featuring a spicy miso broth, ground pork, and a medley of veggies, this dish packs a flavorful punch. Pair it with a hoppy, aromatic IPA (India Pale Ale) to create a symphony of flavors that will keep your taste buds dancing all night long.

Taiwan ramen is said to have been created by a Taiwanese chef working in Nagoya, who brought a taste of his homeland to Japan by infusing the dish with bold, spicy flavors. The rich, fiery broth is the perfect base for the tender noodles, which soak up all the deliciousness and deliver it straight to your mouth. The addition of ground pork and vegetables like bean sprouts, garlic chives, and leeks adds layers of flavor and texture that make each bite a new adventure. The hoppy bitterness and fruity, citrus notes of an IPA help to mellow the spiciness of the Taiwan ramen while adding an extra dimension to the dish. As you slurp your way through this noodle nirvana, you'll feel a sense of satisfaction that can only come from discovering the perfect food and drink pairing.

Just be careful, because the next day you might find yourself with a hangover and a fully digested fiery broth pairing. And that, my dear drinking friends, is a pairing from hell. 

7. The Seafood Sensation: Ankake Spaghetti and White Wine

Get ready to dive into a seafood sensation with the unique pairing of ankake spaghetti and white wine. Ankake spaghetti, a Nagoya original, is a delightful pasta dish topped with a thick, starchy sauce and a medley of seafood, vegetables, and meat. The crisp acidity of a chilled white wine cuts through the richness of the sauce and enhances the fresh flavors of the seafood, creating a harmonious union that will have you singing sea shanties all night long.

Ankake spaghetti is known for its velvety, slightly sweet sauce, which is made by combining a roux with dashi or chicken broth, soy sauce, and sugar. The result is a glossy, umami-packed sauce that clings to every strand of spaghetti and envelops the various toppings like shrimp, squid, and thinly sliced pork. The dish is typically garnished with a sprinkle of green onions and a dollop of Japanese mustard, adding a burst of color and a hint of spiciness. When it comes to the wine, opt for a crisp, dry white like a Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay to help balance the flavors and highlight the seafood's natural sweetness. As you twirl your fork and sip your wine, you'll be transported to a coastal paradise where seafood and pasta live in perfect harmony.

That sounds like Italy, but...Yeah, anyways, there too. This is Nagoya.

8. The Comfort Food Connection: Curry Udon and Yuzu Sour

Nothing says comfort quite like a steaming bowl of curry udon, and when paired with a yuzu sour, you've got a winning combination that will warm your soul. This Nagoya-style dish features thick, chewy udon noodles swimming in a rich, savory curry broth, providing the ultimate comfort food experience. The yuzu sour, a refreshing blend of shochu, soda water, and yuzu citrus juice, adds a burst of brightness that perfectly complements the curry's deep, complex flavors.

Nagoya's curry udon is known for its velvety, slightly sweet broth, which is made by simmering a mix of curry spices, vegetables, and meat until the flavors meld together into a harmonious, fragrant concoction. The udon noodles, with their satisfyingly chewy texture, soak up the delicious broth and provide the perfect vehicle (have we already used that metaphor?) for savoring every last drop of curry goodness. The yuzu sour, with its bright, zesty flavor and effervescent bubbles, serves as a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, hearty curry dish. As you slurp your noodles and sip your yuzu sour, you'll find yourself enveloped in a comforting embrace that will leave you feeling warm, content, and ready to conquer the rest of your Nagoya pub crawl.

9. The Fusion Frenzy: Dote-ni and Red Wine

For those who love to mix and match flavors from around the world, the fusion frenzy of dote-ni (a Nagoya-style meat and vegetable stew) and red wine is a must-try pairing. Dote-ni features tender, slow-cooked meat and vegetables simmered in a savory miso-based sauce, creating a hearty, soul-warming dish. The bold, fruity flavors of a robust red wine enhance the umami-rich flavors of the dote-ni, creating a gastronomic experience that transcends borders.

The key to a perfect dote-ni lies in the quality of the ingredients and the patience of the cook, as the dish requires hours of slow simmering to achieve its rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The miso-based sauce, often infused with hints of ginger, garlic, and sake, clings to each morsel of meat and vegetable, ensuring that every bite is packed with flavor. When choosing a red wine to pair with dote-ni, opt for a full-bodied variety like a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Malbec, which will stand up to the dish's bold flavors and complement the rich, savory sauce. As you savor each bite of dote-ni and sip your red wine, you'll feel like a culinary ambassador, bridging the gap between East and West.

10. The Playful Pair: Onigiri and Fruit-Infused Sake

Last but not least, we have the playful pairing of onigiri (rice balls) and fruit-infused sake – a delightful combination that proves that sometimes, simplicity is best. These portable, bite-sized snacks are filled with various ingredients like pickled plums, salmon, or seasoned seaweed, providing a burst of flavor in every mouthful. The fruity, aromatic notes of the infused sake add a touch of whimsy to this classic Japanese snack, creating a light, refreshing dining experience that's perfect for a pub crawl.

Onigiri, often wrapped in crisp nori seaweed for added texture and flavor, has been a staple of Japanese cuisine for centuries. It's the ultimate grab-and-go snack, perfect for munching on as you hop from one Nagoya pub to the next. With so many filling options to choose from, there's an onigiri for every palate, whether you prefer the salty tang of pickled plums, the subtle smokiness of grilled salmon, or the savory crunch of seasoned seaweed. To elevate your onigiri experience, pair it with a fruit-infused sake, which adds a refreshing twist to the traditional Japanese rice wine. Popular infusions include yuzu, peach, and cherry, each imparting its own unique flavor profile and aroma to the sake.

As you sample different onigiri and sake combinations, you'll find yourself immersed in a delightful world of flavors and textures, where each bite and sip reveals new surprises. The playful pairing of onigiri and fruit-infused sake is not only a testament to the versatility of Japanese cuisine, but also a reminder that sometimes, the simplest pleasures are the most satisfying.

In conclusion, your Nagoya pub crawl is bound to be an unforgettable culinary adventure, thanks to the diverse array of food and drink pairings the city has to offer. From the familiar to the exotic, these pairings showcase the best of Nagoya's gastronomic delights, ensuring that your taste buds will be well and truly satisfied. So grab your friends, raise a glass, and embark on a journey through Nagoya's vibrant food scene – one delicious pairing at a time!