If you love shrimp, then Nagoya is a fantastic place to visit! Aichi Prefecture has one of the highest per capita shrimp consumption in the country, probably because shrimp can be easily fished in Aichi’s Ise Bay. In fact, the official fish of the Aichi Prefecture is the tiger prawn! (Yes, prawns are not technically fish… but who cares?) Because seafood tastes best when it’s fresh, you will often found on the plates of the locals. What better way to try some of the delicious regional food than by having a taste of the local Nagoya specialty called Ebi Fry, or Fried Shrimp!
Ebi Fry is one of the 18 specialties of Nagoya Cuisine commonly referred to as “Nagoya Meshi.” To find out what the other 17 Nagoya foods are, make sure and visit our Nagoya Meshi Index. See how many you’ve tried!
Article Contents
What is Ebi Fry?
Ebi Fry (sometimes spelled “Ebi Furai,” or エビフライ in Japanese) is deep-fried shrimp done the Nagoya way. In fact, Ebi Fry is traditionally made from tiger prawns, but nowadays it’s made with black tiger prawns Japanese spiny lobster (Ise Ebi).
The prawns are battered in panko bread crumbs and then deep-fried to perfection. Crispy outside and juicy, tender inside. Mmm.
Ebi Fry vs Ebi Tempura: What’s the Difference?
If you are wondering what the difference between Ebi Fry and shrimp Tempura is, let us clear this up for you.
Both are deep-fried shrimp—no question about it. The difference lies in their batter. Ebi Tempura is battered in the standard tempura batter, which is a simple mixture of flour and water. However, Ebi Fryuses the Japanese panko bread crumbs to give it its signature golden-brown crunchy exterior. Panko is a type of crustless white bread that is shaved into flakes before being dried into bread crumbs. Panko bread crumbs have an airier texture and absorb less oil than standard breadcrumbs.
The two dishes are also served differently. While Ebi Tempura is either served with salt or a tempura dipping sauce called tentsuyu, Ebi Fry is either served with tartar sauce, tonkatsu sauce, or Nagoya-style, with a Red Miso or Hatcho Miso sauce.
The Surprising Origin of Ebi Fry
The popular dish might have been invented in Tokyo sometime in the middle of the Meiji Period (1868-1912) when Japan was quickly modernizing. The Meiji Period saw many new “Westernized” dishes appear for the first time on restaurant menus, and Ebi Fry was one of these. However, the actual origin of Ebi Fry is unknown.
Deep-fried shrimp is by no means limited to Nagoya, and is found at restaurants and izakaya all over Japan. Ebi Fry as a Nagoya specialty was popularized by accident in the 1980’s, when a popular comedian of the time made fun of how Nagoyans pronounce “Ebi Fry”. This led to an association of Ebi Fry with Nagoya, which contributed to the rising popularity of the dish in the area.
The Best Spots for Ebi Fry in Nagoya
While you will find Ebi Fry on menus all across Nagoya, including at coffee shops as a popular lunch option, there are a couple of places in Nagoya that specialize in the dish. At these restaurants, Ebi Fry is taken very seriously. If you love shrimp, we recommend a visit to one of these spots while you are in the city.
Ebidote Shokudo
This restaurant has the word Ebi in its name, which if you haven’t guessed yet, means “shrimp” in Japanese. Since this restaurant is literally named after shrimp, naturally it’s one of their specialties. At Ebidote Shokudo, you will find a whole menu of different shrimp and prawn dishes.
The highlight is Japan’s Biggest Ebi Fry (so they claim). Regardless, at up to 35 centimeters long, it really is a gigantic fried shrimp!!
The different fried shrimp dishes are either served as sets or as donburi (rice bowls) with various sauces, such as tartar sauce, tonkatsu sauce, and, of course, miso.
Ebidote Shokudo is conveniently located inside the Esca Underground Shopping Street on the west side of Nagoya Station.
Ebidote Shokudo – Esca Branch (海老どて食堂エスカ店)
Opening Hours: 11:30 – 22:00
Address: 6-9 Tsubakicho, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 453-0015 (Located in the Esca Underground Shopping Street)
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Maruha Shokudo
Maruha Shokudo opened in 1950 in a small town on the Chita Peninsula. It is a seafood restaurant that is famous for its Ebi Fry.
If you visit Maruha Shokudo, we recommend that you try the Ebi Fry Teishoku (set meal). It consists of two huge fried shrimp served on a bed of cabbage paired with a bowl of rice, miso soup, and some Japanese pickles. There are also sets that include sashimi or a salad topped with more shrimp.
Another specialty at Maruha Shokudo is the Maki Ebi Fry, a fried shrimp wrapped like a sushi roll and cut into bite-size pieces. You can also try different kinds of fish, either raw, grilled, boiled, or fried.
The original shop is at the tip of the Chita Peninsula and unfortunately is difficult to reach via public transport. Luckily, Maruha Shokudo has multiple newer locations in Nagoya. You can visit the modern shop inside the Lachic Shopping Mall in Sakae, with fantastic airy views and a great atmosphere, or the one inside Nagoya Stations Umaimon Dori. There is even a shop in the Nagoya Airport so you have one last chance to eat some delicious Ebi Fry before your flight home.
Maruha Shokudo – Sakae Lachic Branch (まるは食堂ラシック店)
Opening Hours: Weekdays 11:00 – 15:00 and 17:00 – 22:00; Weekends 11:00 – 22:00
Address: 3-6-1 Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0008
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Konparu
This chain of coffee shops originated in Nagoya in 1947. Konparu is the place to go if you want to see the more traditional side of Japan, or if you want to see what a coffee shop used to be like in post-war Japan.
Konparu is famous for one thing, surprisingly, it’s not their coffee! It’s actually their delicious Ebi Fry Sando. A sandwich filled with fried shrimp, egg, and cabbage, and a special secret sauce. With a price tag of 980 yen, it is definitely not cheap, but it’s so delicious we think it’s definitely worth every yen.
Surprisingly, Ebi Fry Sando actually goes very well with Konparu’s freshly brewed coffee. The iced coffee at Konparu is an experience in itself, so we recommend you go for that.
The original Konparu is inside the Osu Shopping District, and inside, it feels like time has stood still for the past 70 years or so.
Other locations include the underground shopping malls at Nagoya Station called Meichika and Sakae called Mori no Chikamachi, with a total of nine shops dotted across the city.
Konparu (コンパル 大須本店)
Opening Hours: 8:00 – 19:00
Address: 30-20-19 Osu, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0011
Website (Japanese only)| Google Maps
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Misokatsu Yabaton
If you want to kill two birds with one stone, you can visit Misokatsu Yabaton. This restaurant is probably the most popular Miso Katsu restaurant in Nagoya, but they serve many other tasty fried offerings as well. Ebi Fry, fried asparagus and korokke (Japanese croquettes) are some of the most popular options.
If you can’t decide, you can order the set with a small Miso Katsu, Ebi Fry, and fried asparagus and try it all! (We highly recommend this!)
Misokatsu Yabaton has so many shops in and around Nagoya; chances are you will find one close by where you’re staying. The highest density of shops is around Nagoya Station and Sakae, but check out Google Maps for a Misokatsu Yabaton near you. (Note: hours vary by location)
Misokatsu Yabaton – Esca Branch (みそかつ矢場とん名古屋駅エスカ店)
Opening Hours: 11:00 – 22:00
Address: 6-9 Tsubakicho, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 453-0015 (Located in the Esca Underground Shopping Street
Website | Google Maps
Other Shrimp Dishes in Nagoya
Ebi Fry is not the only shrimp dish that’s popular in Nagoya. Don’t forget to try some Tenmusu rice balls filled with a small shrimp tempura. And as a souvenir from Nagoya, you can pick up a pack of Ebi Senbei, shrimp rice crackers and another Nagoya Specialty!
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I enjoyed your article.
I used to live in Nagoya when I was a teenager.
I love cooking and eating 💛🧡❤️♥️
Thank you so much for your comment, Kikuko.
We are thrilled to know you liked our article.
Ebi Furai is a really delicious Nagoya local dish that you can prepare at home without much trouble.