When you think of Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, it’s easy to imagine it crowded with tourists. Especially popular restaurants like Kousanrou or Shikairou often have long lines on weekends. However, if you want to enjoy delicious Chinese food in a more relaxed setting, I highly recommend “Shokuenbo.” You can enjoy it without standing in line, and the taste is by no means inferior—if anything, you might even prefer it. In this post, I’ve summarized my honest impressions of the dishes I tried there.
1. Shokuenbo: Location, Access, and Business Hours
- Name: Shokuenbo
- Address: 12-4 Shinchi-machi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Hayashi Building 2F
- Phone Number: 090-9480-7518
The restaurant is tucked away in a corner of Chinatown, without large signs or flashy promotions. It has a casual atmosphere, more frequented by locals than tourists. The interior is compact, with just a few tables, which makes it perfect for enjoying a relaxed meal.
Access
The nearest station is Shinchi Chinatown Station, about a 208-meter walk away. The restaurant is on the 2nd floor of the “Hayashi Building.” Reviews and local articles indicate it is in the area across from Kousanrou within Chinatown.
Business Hours & Holidays
- Lunch: 11:00–15:00 (last order 14:30)
- Dinner: 17:00–21:00 (last order 20:30)
- Closed: Irregular holidays
Other Notes
- Budget: Reviews indicate 1,000–1,999 yen for dinner.
- Seating & Facilities: Mainly table seating, compact and cozy interior.
- Parking: No dedicated parking; paid parking available nearby.
2. Nagasaki Champon
First, the classic Nagasaki Champon. The white, cloudy broth is milder than expected, not the heavy taste aimed at tourists, but gentle enough for locals to enjoy regularly. The dish is full of vegetables, and the seafood flavor comes through subtly.
Honestly, the aftertaste is much lighter than the lines you see at famous restaurants, and it leaves you thinking, “I want to come back again.”
3. Roast Pork Fried Rice
The roast pork fried rice comes as part of a lunch set. The rice is perfectly separated, with the pork flavor fully infused, pairing perfectly with soup-based dishes. The portion is not too large, making it ideal for sharing.
Unlike the often overly oily or salty fried rice at tourist-heavy Chinatown spots, the seasoning here is just right. Some even say they liked this fried rice more than the champon or Sara-udon—and I can totally understand why.
4. Shrimp Shumai
From the dim sum menu, I chose the shrimp shumai. The plump, large-cut shrimp bursts in your mouth, offering a different kind of satisfaction than meat-only shumai. The aroma rising with the freshly steamed steam makes it even more appetizing.
The thin skin and strong presence of the filling make it simple yet memorable.
5. Hatoshi
A fried specialty of Nagasaki, Hatoshi consists of bread stuffed with minced shrimp and then fried. The outside is crispy, the inside soft. Surprisingly light, it pairs wonderfully with beer or Shaoxing wine.
Despite being fried, it’s not heavy, and you can enjoy it as a proper dish rather than just a street snack.
6. Almond Tofu
To finish a Chinese meal, almond tofu is a must. Shokuenbo serves it well-chilled, with a texture that melts in your mouth. Rich yet refreshing, it’s perfect after the hearty champon or fried rice.
It’s rare to find a place where even the dessert is fully satisfying, and here, you can enjoy your meal comfortably until the very end.
Even compared to famous restaurants crowded with tourists, the satisfaction of the taste here felt higher. Moreover, the chef is from Dalian, China, and his gentle personality left a strong impression. This allows the restaurant to balance Nagasaki Chinatown-style adaptations with authentic flavors from home. Even without waiting in a long line, you can enjoy both “the taste of Nagasaki” and “authentic Chinese flavor”—that’s the greatest charm of Shokuenbo.
