Namaramucho: Hokkaido-Style Lamb Barbecue

Namaramucho (なまらむーちょ) brings the taste of Hokkaido's famous lamb barbecue, known as Jingisukan, to Nagoya. The restaurant prides itself on serving high-quality lamb in a variety of cuts, with a focus on letting the meat's natural flavour shine. To ensure a perfect result, the staff provide precise cooking times for each cut and a timer for your table, a helpful touch for those new to this style of dining.

Guests consistently praise the quality of the meat, describing it as exceptionally tender with almost none of the gamey flavour often associated with lamb. The thick-cut shoulder roast is the most frequently recommended dish, followed closely by the lamb chops (ラムチョップ) and tongue (タン). The lamb shabu-shabu is another popular choice, though it requires a reservation. Many also compliment the house dipping sauce and the option to finish the meal with grilled ramen cooked in the leftover meat juices.

Diners should be aware that the room can get very smoky from the tabletop grills, and clothes will likely absorb the smell. A few reviews mention inconsistent service or slow pacing during busy times. However, the overall consensus is that Namaramucho offers excellent value, with many reviewers stating the quality of the lamb is on par with, or even better than, famous restaurants in Hokkaido.

A typical dinner costs between ¥4,000 and ¥4,999. Reviewers have recently paid around ¥1,500 for the shoulder roast, and between ¥3,300 and ¥3,500 per person for the lamb shabu-shabu course. Other items like the vegetable platter are about ¥550.

• Booking: Reservations are highly recommended as phone lines can be busy. Booking is required for the lamb shabu-shabu course (must be made by the day before).
• Getting There: The restaurant is a one-minute walk from Shimizu Station on the Meitetsu Seto Line.
• Payment: Major credit cards (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners) are accepted. Electronic money and QR code payments are not.
• Seating: There are 40 seats in total, with private rooms available for groups of 8 to 12 people.
• Atmosphere: While the establishment is non-smoking, expect significant smoke from the grills. It's best to wear casual clothing.
• Parking: There is no dedicated parking, but several coin-operated lots are available nearby.