鯨料理 割烹 とんぼ — Restaurant in Nagasaki

This is a Whale restaurant in the back alley of a back alley. Everything is in handwritten Kanji that google translate doesn't understand. If you want a non-touristy spot this is the place to visit, it's extremely authentic and whale is a very unique dish that doesn't taste like other foods.

I came in on a dark and stormy night and was greeted by an incredibly nice elderly man and woman. She knew a few words of English, I knew a few words of Japanese. I used my phone to translate a lot and we had back and forth conversations through my phone. Really stunning and tear jerking stories about how the chef was exposed to radiation from both of the bombs and how he lost family and friends. I heard about the history of Nagasaki and tips for visiting too. I got great advice on what to try and I went through all sorts of different dishes. Whale is nothing like anything I've tasted, so it might be a love or hate experience for some people. I really liked all the dishes. I was joined by two other people who I also used translate with but they shared stories of Nagasaki, I shared stories of America. We all stayed and talked for hours until closing as they showed me tons of different dishes. As it turns out I was eating with the owner and her neighbor. She paid for the giant bill full of all of the meals I ordered and was asking if I wanted a sake glass to take home too. I insisted on paying but they threw my card back at me every time I presented it. 🥲

Wonderful restaurant, incredible atmosphere, unique cultural food that tastes great, and most importantly people from Nagasaki with incredible stories and histories that really made my heart hurt. I don't want to sound sappy, but the owner and the people of Nagasaki are outrageously nice, it was my favorite city in Japan and such a...

I went there because of the Google Maps review, and I was absolutely not disappointed. The couple running the place are so friendly, kind, and genuinely curious about me and will give you so many things for free. I have my best memories of Japan there.

Food wise, it's was great and a unique experience. (eating whale!!!)

I can't say it's for everyone, but if you are adventurous and want to experience a true Japanese evening, go for it, you...

Amazingly good food, and the staff was incredibly kind and sweet. If you speak a bit of Japanese, they're more than happy to talk and share stories. I have asked for their recommendation and was not disappointed. One of the best experiences I...