Shikairo (四海楼)

Shikairo occupies a prominent multi-story building in Nagasaki's Minami-Yamate district, overlooking the harbor from the site where founder Chen Heijun is credited with inventing champon noodles in 1899 to feed hungry Chinese students cheaply. The restaurant remains under the founding family's lineage and is widely regarded as the birthplace of Nagasaki's signature noodle dish. The menu centers on champon, a hearty bowl of thick noodles in a pork-and-seafood broth loaded with cabbage, pork, shrimp, and squid, alongside sara udon, a crispy fried-noodle version topped with the same stir-fried ingredients. Fried rice and a small selection of Nagasaki Chinese dishes round out the menu, but champon is what draws the crowds. The dining room spans several floors, with the upper floors offering large windows and harbor views toward Nagasaki Port and the Mitsubishi shipyards; the atmosphere is bright, bustling, and family-friendly rather than formal, with no dress code required. Beverage options are simple — Chinese tea, beer, and soft drinks — this is a noodle house rather than a wine destination. Lunch service draws long queues of tourists and locals alike, especially on weekends, so arriving before noon or after 1:30PM eases the wait considerably. Dinner is calmer and reservations are recommended, particularly for groups wanting a window table with harbor views. Prices remain modest for the quality and history on offer, and the restaurant operates an on-site museum detailing the origins of champon, making a visit as much a piece of Nagasaki's Chinese-Japanese culinary history as a meal. Closed Mondays.