Kamingu

Toruko (Turkish Rice) is one of Nagasaki’s local specialties. While there are a few places to try it, Kamingu is the most popular with locals and offers the most interesting selection.

What’s Kamingu?

There are five different Toruko rice dishes to choose from: pork cutlet, omelet, hamburger, grilled chicken, and grilled meat. Each generous portion is served with miso soup and costs ¥850. You can also add toppings such as kimchi or fried fish (¥150 to ¥300).

Toruko rice isn’t the only thing on the menu — you can enjoy some other traditional kissaten-style dishes like a hamburger set or a pork cutlet curry. For drinks, there are both non-alcoholic and alcoholic options.

Don’t be intimidated by the restaurant’s local atmosphere, the owners are super welcoming, and they even have the TV playing in the back, which adds to the feeling of home-cooked comfort. You might see some locals cheering with a beer or two or just a solo diner enjoying their Toruko rice fix.

Note: Take-out is also available.

What to know before you visit Kamingu

Do you need reservations for Kamingu?

The only way you can make a reservation is by phone. However, given that this is a pretty casual eatery, we would just recommend walking in. Make sure to bring cash, as this place doesn’t accept cards.

by Jane Pipkin