Indian food has found a unique space in Fukuoka, Japan, a city better known for its local noodles and seafood. A small vegetarian restaurant there is serving Saoji cuisine from Nagpur, a style of cooking
that many outside India have never heard of.
What has caught attention is not just the food, but the person cooking it. The dishes are prepared by a Japanese chef who learned Saoji cooking in Nagpur and later decided to bring those flavours back to Japan.
The Video Brings The Restaurant Into Focus
The Instagram clip was shared by a woman known for posting India-related content and for speaking fluent Hindi. In the video, she introduces viewers to the vegetarian restaurant in Fukuoka and explains that it serves only Saoji food. She describes it as a rare place, noting that this is the only restaurant in Japan fully dedicated to this style of cooking.
As she walks through the space, the camera shows the kitchen, the seating area, and dishes being prepared. She talks about Saoji food being rich in spices, simple in presentation, and full of strong flavours that are closely tied to Nagpur.
A Japanese Chef Cooks Nagpur’s Food
One of the main highlights of the clip is the chef himself. The woman shares that he travelled to Nagpur to learn Saoji cooking at a local restaurant. After spending time understanding the methods and flavours, he returned to Japan and opened his own place.
When she speaks to the chef inside the restaurant, he explains his reason for starting it. He says, “Because the Sauji I ate in Nagpur was really delicious, I wanted everyone to experience that authentic taste, so I’m making authentic Sauji for you all.”
The video shows different vegetarian dishes, including spicy gravies and comfort food that closely resemble what is eaten in Nagpur. The focus appears to be on keeping the taste as close to the original as possible.
Why The Restaurant Stands Out In Fukuoka
For the chef, the restaurant is a way to show another side of Indian food. He hopes people in Japan will see that Indian cooking goes beyond the usual dishes they may already know.
The restaurant’s vegetarian menu also fits into Fukuoka’s growing effort to promote vegan- and vegetarian-friendly dining for visitors. Because of this, the place has been mentioned on the city’s official tourism website.
Watch the video here:
View this post on Instagram
How People Reacted Online
Shared on January 28, the video has crossed 1.3 million views and received many comments. A user said, “Proud to be a Nagpurian.” Another wrote, “Wooow Nagpur Tari poha in Japan.”
“Watching this video being Nagpurkar is awesome. Nagpur walo comment like karna jra,” a person commented. “We need to get a good Nagapuri cuisine restaurant in Mumbai first!!,” an individual said.
Another user added, “Loved the interior. It looks authentic.” Someone commented, “As a Nagpurian, I am proud to see this.”
