"Toruko Rice" sounds like a foreign dish. In fact, it is a local dish that originated in Nagasaki. Moreover, there is much mystery surrounding its history, making it a deep and complex dish. In this article, we will introduce its history and characteristics. Please enjoy until the end!

What is Turkish Rice?

This is a local Nagasaki dish that consists of spaghetti Napolitana, pilaf, and tonkatsu on one plate. "Turkish Rice," which is luxuriously topped with a Western-style main dish, is also called "an adult's children's lunch," and it is no exaggeration to say that there are countless combinations, with the tonkatsu being replaced with chicken cutlet or hamburger steak, and the pilaf being flavored with consommé or curry, depending on the restaurant.

Although Turkish Rice is well known nationwide in Nagasaki, its popularity means that it can now be enjoyed all over Japan.

The origin and history of Turkish rice

Turkish rice is believed to have been created in the 1950s or 1960s, and its origins are still shrouded in mystery. One theory is that it began when a chef at a Western-style restaurant in Nagasaki city, who was working at an officers' club at the time, came up with a menu item called "Turkish-style rice" based on the Turkish dish "Pilaf." "Pilaf" is a traditional dish eaten in the Middle East, Greece, and Africa, made by cooking spices, vegetables, and beef together.

The Turkish rice originally used saffron to color the pilau, but as customers requested, they settled on curry powder to color it. Next, there was a request for a side dish to accompany the Turkish rice, so they served spaghetti and tonkatsu on the same plate, which was well received and is said to be the origin of Turkish rice.

After that, the chef started showing his skills at other restaurants, and when the owner asked him if he had any interesting dishes, he suggested "Turkish rice". It is said that the dish was added to the menu and became popular around the world. At that time, Turkish rice was served on a plate of dry curry and spaghetti, along with pork cutlet topped with cocktail sauce and demi-glace sauce.

Nowadays, there are many variations of Turkish rice, with a wide variety of sauces and ingredients. Tonkatsu is sometimes served with curry roux or tonkatsu sauce.

A wide variety! Nagasaki's popular Turkish rice

From here, we will introduce the popular Turkish rice in Nagasaki City. It is such a great dish that even locals come to eat it, so be sure to check it out.

Nostalgic Original Turkish Rice

Turkish rice served at Kyushu's oldest coffee shop is a traditional dish of pilaf, pork cutlet, and spaghetti.

In addition to the nostalgic Turkish Rice, there are 10 other menu items.
There is also a Japanese-style Turkish rice dish, which is pork cutlet topped with Japanese-style teriyaki sauce and a thin layer of mayonnaise. The crispy pork cutlet goes perfectly with the sweet and spicy teriyaki sauce.

It also goes well with spaghetti or butter rice.

Choose from over 180 different combinations! Popular Turkish rice stores

There is a restaurant in Nagasaki that has over 180 different types of Turkish rice on the menu. How on earth do you choose the menu?

First, choose the type of rice. After choosing from curry rice, hayashi rice, pilaf, etc., you can choose toppings such as croquettes, hamburger steak, chicken cutlet, etc. Top it off with white sauce, tartar sauce, or a fluffy omelette. If you can't decide, try the restaurant's recommended Turkish rice.

The restaurant's original dish, Turkish Rice, is a chicken cutlet topped with demi-glace sauce. You're sure to be happy no matter what you start with, whether it's curry rice or pasta. You may be surprised at the number of items on the menu at first, but it's a restaurant you'll want to visit again and again.

The shop's most popular dish! Delicious Turkish rice topped with croquettes

The last dish is delicious Turkish rice topped with the shop's most popular croquette.

Instead of pork cutlets, this dish is topped with three cute handmade croquettes. The croquettes are covered in demi-glace sauce and special mayonnaise sauce, making it so delicious you won't tire of it until the last bite.

The pilaf is made with colorful butter rice with ham, eggs, and mixed vegetables, and is served with a nostalgic Neapolitan topping. The crispy deep-fried creamy croquette is made with mashed potatoes and cream sauce, giving it a fluffy and creamy texture that is absolutely delicious.

In addition to the ones we have introduced, there are many other delicious Turkish rice restaurants. Please enjoy a dish that each restaurant has carefully prepared.

Recommended sightseeing spots in Nagasaki City

From here, we will introduce some recommended tourist spots in Nagasaki City.

Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, one of Japan's three largest Chinatowns

Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, one of the three largest Chinatowns in Japan alongside those in Yokohama and Kobe, is lined with about 40 stores where you can enjoy window shopping for Xiaolongbao, the Nagasaki specialty "Hatoshi," Chinese sweets, and miscellaneous goods.

The China Gate, the symbol of Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, is dazzlingly beautiful and features carvings of the gods guarding each gate: the Blue Dragon to the east, the White Tiger to the west, the Black Tortoise to the north, and the Vermilion Bird to the south. Why not make it a memorable memory of your trip to Nagasaki?

The oldest surviving arched stone bridge, "Meganebashi"

The oldest surviving arched stone bridge, Meganebashi (Spectacles Bridge), was named after the fact that the double stone arches reflected on the water's surface look like spectacles.

This bridge over the Nakajima River is one of the three most famous bridges in Japan, along with Tokyo's Nihonbashi Bridge and Yamaguchi's Kintaikyo Bridge. If you look closely, you'll see a heart-shaped stone embedded in the stone wall of the riverbank, and it's said that if you find one, your love will come true.

Glover Garden: The charm of modern Japanese Western-style architecture

During the Edo period, Nagasaki signed a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Japan and became an open port city, and a "concession" was established there for foreign merchants.

Glover Garden is a spot where four old houses and six historical buildings, including those of the Scottish adventurer Thomas Blake Glover, have been relocated and restored. It features Western-style architecture covered in Japanese-style roof tiles, and you can enjoy coffee and Nagasaki castella cakes in this retro Meiji-era Western-style building, which is perfect for photos.

From mid-July to early October, the temple is lit up, creating a romantic atmosphere that is different from the daytime. It also boasts a location with a panoramic view of Nagasaki Port from its elevated position. Be sure to check it out.

Access to Nagasaki City

From here, we will introduce how to access Nagasaki city.

Nagasaki Prefecture, which is said to be the westernmost point of Japan, has Nagasaki Airport and many ports. It takes about two hours from Haneda Airport to Nagasaki Airport. If you use the prefectural bus or Nagasaki bus, you can arrive at Nagasaki Station in about 40 minutes.

From Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, and Hiroshima, it takes about 1.5 to 4 hours by plane or bullet train. Nagasaki Prefecture is a place with beautiful scenic views. Why not take a short trip there?

Location of Nagasaki Prefecture

summary

This time we introduced Nagasaki's local gourmet dish, "Turkish Rice."

Turkish rice is a dish that brings together Western dishes that are loved by both children and adults, such as pilaf, spaghetti, and pork cutlet, all on one plate. It's a dish that will put a smile on your face after just one bite. If you're visiting Nagasaki, be sure to give it a try.

\ We are looking for Tempo Star affiliates! /