四海楼

This is it. This is the birthplace of Nagasaki champon.

Yes, this massive, five-story palace houses a restaurant, gift shop, banquet halls, and a museum.

A champon museum.

I’ll spare you the museum-level details, but around 1899, Shikairo’s chef wanted to make something that mixed Chinese and Japanese cuisine into one. Champon is made from a thick pork soup, sometimes with a lot of egg. The noodles are cooked in the soup, thickening it even more. The whole thing is topped with a stir fry of vegetables, seafood, and meat. If you’ve ever had a Chinese stir fry with seafood and veggies, then you are close to knowing the taste.

Nagaski is packed with champon shops. Most, though not all, have a dozen or so Chinese dishes on the menu. Go with a group and you can have a feast.

Kanpai! Japanese beer and Chinese wine!

So here it is, the original champon in all its glory.

And it was a forgettable one.

The initial satisfaction was certainly there, but that was due to the nature of my empty stomach (filled only with Chinese wine). In the end, this is a bowl for tourists. The one way to make a bowl of champon shine is with the toppings. Colorful, fresh vegetables and straight-from-the-sea seafood can make a bowl fantastic.

But like I said, this was a bowl for tourists. And at 950 yen, they are making a killing.

But you gotta pay homage, no?

Official site here

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長崎県長崎市松ヶ枝町4-5
Nagasaki-ken, Nagasaki-shi, Matsugaemachi 4-5
Closest station: Ourakaigandori

Open 11:00-3:00, 5:00-9:00
(everything in Nagasaki closes at 8pm!!!!)

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Nagasaki Ramen: Pork, Chinese Influence & Local Flavor
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[…] Shikairo ramen is the birthplace of Champon and one of the oldest, most famous ramen shops in Nagasaki. The restaurant’s cozy atmosphere and rich history (over 100 years in the business!) make it a must-visit. The bowl of Champon here is packed with pork, seafood, and vegetables in a rich, flavorful broth. The noodles are chewy, the ingredients fresh, and the history is truly special. […]
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Ramen Adventures

Ramen Shop Reviews from Japan and Abroad

四海楼 (Shikairo in Nagasaki)

永盛楼 (Eiseiro in Nagasaki)

らぁ麺やまぐち (Yamaguchi in Waseda)

空 (Sora at Sapporo Airport)

四海楼 (Shikairo in Nagasaki)

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永盛楼 (Eiseiro in Nagasaki)

らぁ麺 やまぐち (Yamaguchi in Waseda)

空 (Sora at Sapporo Airport)

らぁ麺やまぐち (Yamaguchi in Waseda)