🟠 Local-First — Best in its home region: Nagasaki.
A retro café experience in Hamanomachi Arcade—Tsuru-chan serves nostalgic Western plates and Nagasaki’s spoonable milkshake.
Last updated: 2025-12-05
Introduction
When it comes to Western-style food in Nagasaki, nothing represents it better than Turkish Rice — a single plate that combines pilaf, spaghetti, and a cutlet in perfect harmony.
At Tsuru-chan, one of the city’s oldest cafés, this beloved dish has been served since the early Shōwa era.
Locals often complete the meal with a creamy Milkshake, a signature Nagasaki-style dessert you eat with a spoon.
What Is Turkish Rice
Turkish Rice is a uniquely Nagasaki creation, with its components varying from restaurant to restaurant.
At Tsuru-chan, the classic version, called “Natsukashi Turkish Rice (the nostalgic Turkish Rice),” features pork cutlet, butter rice, and Neapolitan spaghetti, topped with a mild curry sauce.
The dish in the photo is the “RYOMA Turkish Rice,” featuring beef cutlet, Japanese-style seafood spaghetti, and butter rice, brought together with a flavorful “Ryoma sauce” made with red wine.
It’s a creative, hybrid take that blends Western and Japanese flavors— a dish that perfectly reflects Nagasaki’s culinary spirit.
How to Order
The menu offers several variations: Natsukashi Turkish Rice, Beef Steak Turkish Rice, San-shiro Turkish Rice, and RYOMA Turkish Rice, each with its own distinctive personality.
And don’t leave without trying Tsuru-chan’s Milkshake. Unlike the drink you may imagine, this is a spoonable dessert— icy, fluffy, and nostalgic, making it the perfect way to cool down after a hearty meal.
Tokyo or Trip?
🟠 Local-First — Best in its home region: Nagasaki.
Just a short walk from Hamanomachi Arcade, you’ll find Tsuru-chan—a cozy, retro-style café filled with the warmth of the locals. Tourists and regulars sit side by side, sharing the same comfort food that Nagasaki has loved for generations. This place isn’t just a restaurant—it’s where you truly feel the city’s heart.
Explore Nearby
- Nagasaki Champon — Local Diner Comfort 🍜
- Castella Tiramisu in Nagasaki 🍰
- Goma Saba in Fukuoka — Raw Sesame Mackerel 🐟
- Hitokuchi Gyoza in Fukuoka — Bite-Size 🥟
- Kurobuta Tonkatsu in Kagoshima 🐖
Similar Dishes
- Gyukatsu in Tokyo — Sear-It-Yourself Cutlet 🥩
- Katsu Curry in Tokyo — Hearty Classic 🍛
- Kurobuta Katsudon in Kagoshima 🍚
External Links
- JNTO — “Turkish rice” not from Turkey, Nagasaki 🔗
- Japan-Guide.com — Nagasaki Food Guide: Toruko Rice 🔗
About "Taste of Japan"
Hello, I'm Yuta.
Born in landlocked Yamanashi and having lived in the gourmet city of Sendai for 10 years, I now call Togoshi-Ginza home. My frequent business trips across Japan allow me to constantly explore the diversity of regional flavors.
Why Togoshi-Ginza?
This street is Tokyo’s longest shopping arcade (about 1.3 km), but it holds a special history. It was the very first street in Japan to adopt the "Ginza" name—a tradition that later spread across the country—after receiving bricks from the famous Ginza district following the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.
My Wish as a Local
I am not a culinary expert. However, as a Japanese local who knows both the convenience of Tokyo and the origins of regional food, I want to share the "atmosphere" and "personal feelings" that you won't find in standard guidebooks.
The Concept: "Tokyo or Trip?"
Visiting every region of Japan in a single trip is nearly impossible. Some food experiences are worth the travel to the source, while others offer a fully satisfying experience right here in Tokyo.
This blog is a guide to help you make that choice. Based in Togoshi-Ginza, I share my honest experiences and "my personal answer" to help you maximize your culinary journey in Japan.
- 🟠 Local-First: Best experienced in its home region. Worth a trip.
- 🟢 Great-in-Tokyo: A nationwide favorite or regional specialty that offers a fully satisfying, authentic experience right here in Tokyo.
- 🟣 Tokyo-Do-Must: A unique food culture born in or exclusive to Tokyo.