Shibuya is a world-famous hub for youth culture, iconic for its massive Shibuya Crossing, trendy shopping scene, neon-lit streets, and electric nightlife. Just a short walk from Shibuya Station lies Nagasaki Hanten Shibuya, a casual Chinese restaurant specializing in NNagasaki’slegendary noodle specialties: Champon and Sara Udon.

Both dishes are famous regional comfort foods hailing from Nagasaki Prefecture, topped with a mountain of stir-fried vegetables and fresh seafood. You can enjoy two distinct noodle styles here: “Champon,” featuring thick, chewy noodles served in a rich, savory hot soup, and “Sara Udon,” featuring crispy deep-fried noodles topped with a thick, savory gravy. To keep the flavors 100% authentic, the restaurant imports its noodles directly from Nagasaki!

(Note: The episode originally aired in 2017. In 2023, the restaurant relocated to a new location nearby in Shibuya. Photos in this article reflect the original venue.)

Looking over the lunch menu, Goro finds himself plunged into another agonizing dilemma. Should he go with Champon or Sara Udon? He closes his eyes in delicious agony. That Sara Udon, with its satisfyingly crispy noodles splashed with plenty of vinegar, offers a texture you just can’t get anywhere else. But that rich, flavorful Champon broth is equally irresistible...

After much internal debate, here is what Goro ultimately decided to order.

Given the choice between crispy fried noodles or soft noodles, Goro opted for the soft noodle style. Steam rises irresistibly from the thick, glossy gravy. Glazing the hearty, thick noodles perfectly, he marvels at how incredibly flavorful every bite is.

Following the local way of eating, he adds Japanese hot mustard (karashi) and a generous splash of vinegar from the table seasonings.

Next, encouraged by the staff, he dripped a bit of special Worcester-style Nagasaki sauce over the dish. “Oh, wow. This is fantastic!” he declared in utter delight. After polishing off a side of crispy spring rolls (harumaki) and finishing his Sara Udon, he heard a neighboring customer exclaim, “Man, that Champon was insanely delicious!” Inspired, Goro succumbed to temptation and ordered a bowl of Champon as well!

He requested a half-portion of noodles to save room. True to its “Special” name, the bowl arrived piled high with an overwhelming array of toppings—shrimp, squid, quail eggs, mushrooms, and vibrant veggies. Goro was deeply moved, realizing he had just unlocked a whole new side of Nagasaki cuisine.

He couldn’t resist adding a splash of Nagasaki sauce and a shake of black pepper to his Champon soup. “The savory aroma of the sauce rises right up with the steam. I think I’ve just created a legendary broth,” he thought, greedily slurping up every drop.

“Shibuya has a slice of Nagasaki right in its heart. I’ll engrave that in my memory. Doubling up on two noodle dishes was pure bliss, but I left myself some homework. Next time, I’m definitely going for the crispy noodles with extra vinegar,” he murmured satisfiedly before stepping back out into Shibuya.

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