🟢 Great-in-Tokyo — Great experience you can enjoy in Tokyo.
Inside a shared space with the grilled-offal bar Beniton, Hanabi in Togoshi-Ginza serves Nagoya-born “Taiwan mazesoba” in a style close to the original: a bowl loaded with minced meat, egg yolk, garlic, and seaweed that you mix yourself, then finish with extra rice.
Last updated: 2025-12-05
Introduction
There is a place in Tokyo’s Togoshi-Ginza where you can enjoy Nagoya-born “Taiwan mazesoba” in a style close to the original. The shop is called Hanabi, sharing its space with the grilled-offal bar Beniton.
It’s the perfect bowl to finish with after a few drinks and plates of grilled motsu.
What to Try
Taiwan Mazesoba
The bowl is packed with punchy toppings: Taiwan-style minced meat, scallions, garlic chives, dried saba powder, egg yolk, and shredded nori. The staff will ask if you want garlic; of course, the answer should be yes. Mix everything together vigorously, then dig in.
Extra Green Onion
You can add even more sliced green onion as a topping, layering on extra aroma and a pleasant “funk” that suits this style of noodles.
Spice Level Up
You can increase the heat level up to seven. If you like spicy food, try adding more. Once everything is mixed with the minced meat and egg yolk, even the garlic and extra chili are wrapped up smoothly in the noodles.
Rice Chaser (“Oimeshi”)
Even after you finish the noodles, plenty of toppings remain in the bowl. Ask for a scoop of white rice, stir it into the leftover meat and sauce, and eat it like a mini rice bowl. This is the true final act of Taiwan mazesoba.
Tokyo or Trip?
🟢 Great-in-Tokyo — Great experience you can enjoy in Tokyo.
Taiwan mazesoba is one of Nagoya’s modern signature dishes, but Hanabi lets you experience that bold, garlicky style without leaving Tokyo. Sharing space with a casual grilled-offal bar, it feels very much like an everyday neighborhood spot rather than a tourist destination. It’s an ideal place to get to know this side of Nagoya cuisine in Togoshi-Ginza, then compare it with the original on a future trip to Nagoya.
About "Tokyo or Trip?"
This blog explores a simple question for travelers: "Can you find the authentic soul of Japan's regional flavors right here in Tokyo, or does the true experience demand a journey to the source?"
Based in Togoshi-Ginza, I guide you through Japan’s diverse food culture to help you find the best dining option for your itinerary.
Our Rating System:
- 🟠 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.
Explore Nearby
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- Kaki-Shio Ramen in Togoshi-Ginza — Clean, Briny, Tokyo-Style Umami 🍜
- Chicken Nanban in Tokyo — Kyushu Flavor in Togoshi-Ginza 🍗
- Unagiimo Mont Blanc Soft Serve in Togoshi-Ginza 🍦
- Hakata-Style Tempura in Togoshi-Ginza — Wakataka’s One-by-One Frying Ritual 🍤
Similar Dishes
- Shirunashi Tantanmen — Hiroshima’s Soupless Spicy Noodles 🍝
- Doteyaki in Nagoya — Hatcho-Miso Simmered Beef Tendon 🥘
- Miso Katsu in Nagoya — Hatcho-Miso Pork Cutlet 🥩
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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.