Japanese cooking researcher Ryuji apologized on July 11, 2026, after comments he made about Nagoya’s restaurant scene drew criticism from users on X (formerly Twitter).
The controversy began on July 10, when Ryuji was praising Osaka’s food scene, writing that the city’s food is “cheap and delicious” and that he takes on work there even when busy because of it. When a follower asked what he thought of Nagoya, Ryuji replied bluntly, “I’m sorry, but Nagoya genuinely doesn’t have good restaurants, less than Tokyo.” He continued, “I really want someone to recommend me good restaurants in Nagoya. When I ask locals, they just recommend chain restaurants, so it seems like a lot of people there aren’t interested in food.”
Replies to Ryuji’s posts were mixed: some users offered their own recommendations for restaurants in Nagoya, while others expressed frustration at his remarks.
On July 11, Ryuji shared an apology as an image post on X. “My way of putting it was very poor, and I caused a misunderstanding,” he wrote, adding that he actually considers Nagoya’s chain restaurants to be excellent, “good enough that I’ve reproduced their recipes myself.” He explained that his original comments were meant to convey that, having traveled to Nagoya, he wanted to experience restaurants unique to the city rather than chains, and acknowledged that the way he phrased it came across the wrong way.
Who is Ryuji?
Ryuji is a Japanese cooking researcher known for his no-nonsense, ingredient-light “buzz recipes,” which he shares with a large following on X and YouTube. He has built his reputation on quick, accessible recipes for home cooks and has become one of Japan’s most recognizable food personalities, frequently appearing in food-related media and collaborating with restaurants and companies across the country. His candid commentary on food, including outspoken opinions about restaurants and regional cuisine, is part of what has made him a popular, if occasionally controversial, figure online.
As of this report, Ryuji has not indicated the backlash will change his approach to sharing opinions about regional food scenes, and he continues to post actively on X.
