Verified [Verified] denotes information that has been published with confirmation of its owing parties.
A Kamameshi rice meal at this very popular traditional restaurant is worth the wait in a long line.
Since opening in 1959, Kamameshi Shizuka has been serving meals in two locations within Nara City during the last 60+ years. Even having established one of the best kamameshi restaurants in Nara, they continue to cook each pot of kamameshi over an open fire upon receiving each order. A long queue for lunch is a common sight at its shop in front of the Nara National Museum. Their kamameshi dishes make people willing to wait in line to try it.
This special restaurant beloved for many years offers many different recipes of kamameshi rice dishes, from year-round traditional menus to seasonal twists using the freshest ingredients. Individual kamameshi dishes come with red miso soup and pickles, while set menus include a small bowl of simmered dishes and fruits.
The most popular dish among them is the "Nara’s Seven Flavor Kamameshi," a specialty since the beginning of the restaurant. It takes about 20 minutes to arrive to the table after ordering, but as soon as the lid is opened, you will be happy to see the chunky toppings including shrimp, crab, sea eel, and young chicken. At the same time, you will be surrounded by the incredible smell of the steaming ingredients, broth, and roasted rice, which will meet your highest expectations. By the time you finish your meal, enjoying each bite, you will be so satisfied with your meal that you will not remember the long line and wait time.
The restaurant is located in front of the Nara National Museum
The most popular signature dish, Nara’s Seven Flavor Kamameshi
Gorgeous set menus. The image above is the tempura set menu.
A bento for take-out.
Kamameshi pack to cook at home.
Soft rice cooked in a kamameshi pot with special broth.
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Do you have menus in foreign languages or with pictures? (If so, please let us know the languages available.)
Yes, we do. (English, Simplified Chinese and Korean).
Q
Do you serve vegetarian menus?
Q
Can I take photos of the food, etc.?
Yes.
Q
Do you have plugs for charging devices?
Sorry, we do not.
Q
Can I get take-out?
Some reviews are AI-translated.
After visiting Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha and taking lots of photos with the cherry blossoms in full bloom, we felt completely satisfied. By then, our stomachs were already growling, so I took my family to the renowned Shizuka Kamameshi.
Even though it was already well past the peak lunchtime rush, there were still a few people waiting outside. Fortunately, we were seated after about half an hour. When the steaming kamameshi arrived at our table and we lifted the wooden lid, the rich aroma of the broth immediately filled the air.
We ordered the sweet and fresh seafood flavor and the fragrant shirasu (whitebait) flavor. The rice had absorbed all the essence of the ingredients, while the lightly scorched rice at the bottom was truly the highlight, adding layers of texture. The early spring breeze outside still carried a slight chill, so being able to sit in the cozy restaurant and enjoy a refined, steaming pot of kamameshi completely drove away the cold from waiting in line. It warmed both the heart and the stomach.
I made a special trip to eat at Kamameshi Shizuka Kouen-ten in Nara. It's also a well-known, long-established kamameshi restaurant in Nara. This time, I ordered the oyster kamameshi. As soon as the steaming-hot pot arrived at the table, it looked so appetizing!
When I opened the lid, the rice had absorbed the aroma of the broth and had been cooked together with fresh oysters. The savory flavor of the oysters slowly infused the rice, giving every bite a subtle taste of the sea. Each grain of rice was distinct and became more fragrant the more I chewed, and it was especially delicious eaten with the oysters.
