Nakau 101: The “Golden Egg” Donburi Chain Hollywood Stars Love (Yes, Even 007 Villain!)

2026年3月20日

While Yoshinoya and Sukiya battle for the “Beef Bowl” throne, Nakau (なか卯) sits comfortably in a league of its own.

Nakau is not just a beef bowl shop; it is a “Donburi (Rice Bowl) & Udon Specialist.” Famous for its rich, orange-yolk eggs and transparent Kyoto-style soup broth, it offers a more refined taste compared to its competitors.

If you are hesitant about trying Japanese “Raw Egg” culture, this is the place to start. If it’s good enough for a Hollywood superstar, it’s good enough for you.

👁️ Kajino’s Eye: The “Mads Mikkelsen” Seal of Approval

Why should you visit Nakau? Let me tell you a story about Mads Mikkelsen (the Danish actor famous for 007: Casino Royale, Star Wars: Rogue One, and Hannibal).

Mads is known to be a huge fan of Nakau. When he first visited Japan, staff took him to Nakau. Initially, he refused to eat the raw egg (a common reaction for Westerners). But after strong persuasion, he tried it—and was blown away. Now, he reportedly visits Nakau to enjoy the egg rice bowls whenever he comes to Japan.

If a Bond villain can fall in love with Nakau’s eggs, you can too.

What Makes Nakau Special?

1. The “U” Stands for Udon (East vs. West)

The name “Nakau” comes from its founder (Nakano) and the “U” from Udon. Unlike most Tokyo noodle shops that use a dark, soy-sauce-based black broth, Nakau originated from Osaka culture.

The Broth: They use a Kyoto/Kansai-style broth made from bonito and kelp. It is transparent, golden, and delicate.
Freshness: They brew the stock daily in every store. It’s not instant; it’s authentic.
For Tokyo Visitors: If you are only visiting Tokyo, Nakau is your cheapest ticket to tasting authentic West Japan (Kyoto/Osaka) flavor without taking the Shinkansen.

2. The “Golden” Egg & Oyakodon

Nakau’s “Oyakodon” (Chicken and Egg Bowl) is their flagship product.

The Egg: They use special eggs with yolks that are a deep, vibrant orange color, with more richness and elasticity than standard supermarket eggs.
The Price: As of 2026, you can get a bowl of this fluffy, golden masterpiece for just ¥450 (Tax included). It is a miracle of cost performance.

3. The Power of “Zensho”

Nakau is owned by Zensho Holdings, the largest food service company in Japan (owning Sukiya, Hama Sushi, Coco’s, etc.).

Variety: Thanks to this massive supply chain, Nakau offers high-quality seafood bowls (Tuna/Maguro, Salmon roe) , which you rarely find at other beef bowl chains.
Trivia: “Zensho” means “All Win” (Zen-sho), “Good Business” (Zen-sho), and “Zen Business” (Zen-sho).

🏆 Nakau Popular Menu Ranking

Based on fan voting, here are the must-try items at Nakau.

Oyakodon (Chicken & Egg Bowl)

The absolute king. Fluffy eggs, tender chicken, and savory sauce.

Katsudon (Pork Cutlet & Egg Bowl)

A crispy pork cutlet simmered in egg. Hearty and filling.

Haikara Udon

Simple Kyoto-style udon with Tenkasu (tempura bits) and green onions. The best way to taste the broth.

Gyu-toji Don (Beef & Egg Bowl)

Beef bowl meat simmered in fluffy eggs. Best of both worlds.

Kitsune Udon

Udon topped with a large piece of sweet fried tofu.

Wafu Curry Udon

Rich curry soup paired with the famous udon noodles.

📝 How to Order

Nakau uses a ticket machine system (similar to Matsuya), and many new stores have touch panel tablets at the seats.

Select Language: Machines usually have English, Chinese, and Korean.
Choose Main Dish: Donburi or Udon.
Set Options: You can add a small udon to your bowl, or a salad/miso soup set.
Breakfast: Their breakfast sets (until 10:00 or 11:00 AM) are excellent and slightly cheaper than competitors.