The Tebasaki Summit 2025 is this Weekend!
Get ready to experience Nagoya's most delicious celebration! The 11th Tebasaki Summit is swooping into the city this weekend, bringing together dozens of vendors for the ultimate chicken wing showdown. Whether you're a local foodie or an international visitor curious about authentic Nagoya cuisine, this festival promises to be a crispy, spicy adventure you won't want to miss.
What is Tebasaki?
Before diving into the festival details, let's talk about what makes Nagoya's tebasaki so special. These aren't your average chicken wings. Tebasaki (手羽先) literally translates to "wing tip," but in Nagoya, it represents a culinary art form that's been perfected over decades.
The preparation is both simple and sophisticated: wings are double-fried to achieve maximum crispiness, then tossed in a signature sweet-and-salty soy-based glaze and finished with a generous dusting of white pepper. Crucially, there's no batter involved—this keeps the skin ultra-crisp and allows the natural flavors to shine through. The result is an addictive combination of textures and tastes that epitomizes Nagoya-meshi (Nagoya's local cuisine).
A Tale of Two Legends
The tebasaki scene in Nagoya is dominated by a friendly rivalry between two iconic establishments, each with its own devoted following and distinct flavor profile.
Furaibo holds the honor of being the original innovator. Opening in Atsuta Ward in 1963, the restaurant's founder began experimenting with leftover wings and a secret sauce. The dish was initially called "Tarzan-yaki" before evolving into the tebasaki we know today. Furaibo's wings lean toward the sweeter and more savory side, featuring a family-friendly sweet-and-spicy glaze topped with sesame seeds. They've even developed a special "strip-to-the-bone" eating technique that comes with instructions at your table. (Check out the Furaibo Honten HERE for more!)
Sekai no Yamachan took a different approach that helped catapult tebasaki to national fame. After years of experimenting with pepper-heavy seasonings in the mid-1960s, Yamachan opened a modest 13-seat stall in Shinsakae on June 14, 1981. Their wings, often called "Maboroshi Tebasaki," are decidedly pepper-forward—featuring a dry-rub spice blend with white pepper, salt, and just a hint of sweetness that delivers a sharp, addictive kick. For variety, they also offer Kurotebasaki, wings glazed in a Worcestershire-based sauce for a darker, tangy-sweet experience.
Practical Tips
Payment
While most vendors accept cash, many also offer electronic payment options or vendor-specific cashless payment methods. Bring Japanese yen in small bills and coins. If you have an IC transport card or e-wallet, bring that as well for maximum convenience.
What to Pack
Beyond money, consider bringing hand sanitizer, a compact umbrella (since the event runs regardless of weather), and comfortable walking shoes for booth-hopping. A small bag or backpack can be helpful for carrying any festival merchandise or extra napkins.
Strategy
With dozens of vendors participating, it's impossible to try everything in one visit. Consider visiting multiple days if possible, or focus on trying wings that offer unique twists on the classic formula alongside the traditional Yamachan and Furaibo styles.
The Experience
The Tebasaki Summit represents more than just a food festival—it's a celebration of Nagoya's culinary identity and community spirit. Whether you find yourself Team Yamachan with their fiery pepper kick, Team Furaibo with their balanced sweetness, or discover a new favorite among this year's creative competitors, you're participating in a delicious tradition that spans over six decades.
The festival operates on a unique taste-and-vote format, making every attendee a judge. Here's how it works: sample wings from dozens of participating vendors, collect one voting token with each purchase, then cast your vote at your favorite booth. Votes are tallied daily to determine the Grand Prix champion, so your taste buds literally help crown the winner.
So mark your calendars, bring your appetite, and prepare to sink your teeth into Nagoya's most beloved street food. The 11th Tebasaki Summit promises crispy wings, friendly competition, and the kind of authentic local experience that makes traveling—or exploring your city—so rewarding!
The Details
The Tebasaki Summit 2025 transforms Hisaya Odori Park into a wing lover's paradise with the following schedule:
Dates:
Fri, May 30: 16:00~21:00
Sat, May 31: 10:00 ~ 21:00
Sun, June 1: 10:00~18:00
Location;
The event takes place at Edion Hisaya Plaza in Hisaya Odori Park (Sakae 3-chōme, Naka-ku, Nagoya), and best of all, admission is completely free. The festival operates rain or shine, so come prepared for any weather.
Getting There:
Transportation to the festival couldn't be easier. From Yabachō Station on the Meijō Line, take exit 2 or 5 for just a 2-minute walk. Alternatively, from Sakae Station (served by both the Higashiyama and Meijō Lines), use exits 13 or 16 for a 5-minute walk to the venue.
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