[Nostalgic Memories] Popular Menu Items from Showa-Era School Lunches
“It’s lunchtime!” With this call, the long-awaited Showa-era school lunch time begins, hearts full of excitement.
Curry rice, soft noodles, fried bread, Milk-Mate with kaiser rolls…
The aromas and flavors of school lunches come back to life along with nostalgic memories.
In this article, we’ll introduce the lunch menu items we looked forward to every day.
From dishes that still remain popular today to those unique to the Showa period, let’s take this opportunity to look back on those nostalgic menus.
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- Found at a dagashi shop! A roundup of nostalgic and delicious popular snacks
- Special feature on popular anime from the Showa era. Looking back at the hit shows of the time!
- Nostalgic cars from the Showa era: A special feature on memorable classic cars spotted on street corners
- [Nostalgic Showa Fashion] The changing trends that feel both nostalgic and fresh
- A roundup of nostalgic Showa-era home appliances, including rare ones you don’t see anymore!
- A nostalgic feature on Showa-era magazines: looking back at the popular magazines of the time.
- Heartwarming nostalgia: scenes of Showa-era streets that bring back memories.
- Types of nostalgic Showa-era money: currencies you should know and how they have changed
- The nostalgic world of Showa-era films. Revisiting masterpieces that linger in the heart.
- Have fun with classic Showa-era games! Simple yet profoundly engaging traditional pastimes
[Nostalgic Memories] Popular Menu Items from Showa-Era School Lunches (1–10)
Chikuwa seaweed fritters
Many people have eaten chikuwa isobe-age in their school lunches.
It’s a staple on the fried-items menu at udon shops, and at some places it even comes as a side on kids’ menus.
It’s very simple to make! Just mix flour, aonori (green laver), and water to make a batter, coat the chikuwa, and fry.
The pure flavor of the chikuwa blends with the light aroma of aonori—it’s truly delicious.
Since it’s a dish with simple steps you can make at home, if this article makes you feel nostalgic, please give it a try.
curry
When it comes to school lunches, curry is a classic on the menu at just about every school.
If there were a favorite school lunch ranking, it would definitely make the list.
It’s made with really simple ingredients—potatoes, carrots, onions, and meat—but maybe that’s exactly why it’s always tasty and never gets old.
Some places add richness or a special touch with butter or cheese.
What did your school lunch curry taste like? It might be fun to try making it while reminiscing!
Norwegian-style whale
Norwegian-style whale is a dish in which whale meat is simmered or stir-fried with a sweet-and-savory sauce like tomato ketchup or demi-glace.
It was loved by children in Showa-era school lunches.
Whale meat, rich in protein and highly nutritious, was greatly valued.
While some children found its firm texture and robust flavor a bit off-putting, others said it was delicious and loved it, making it a menu item that divided opinions—yet it was a school lunch cherished by many.
Today, very few schools serve Norwegian-style whale, but it remains a precious menu that supported the nutrition of children in the Showa period.
[Nostalgic Memories] Popular School Lunch Menu Items from the Showa Era (11–20)
cream stew
Alongside curry, this stew was a big hit at school lunches! I bet many of you looked forward to it.
It was made with plenty of milk and cream, and the tender potatoes were delicious, weren’t they? The stew was tasty on its own, but some of you probably dipped your sliced bread or rolls into it too.
It’s hard to resist, since the bread gets soft and even tastier.
That creamy, velvety stew flavor is something you don’t easily forget, even as an adult.
koppepan (Japanese bread roll)
When it comes to quintessential Showa-era school lunches, koppe-pan (soft bread rolls) comes to mind.
Originally a type of French bread called “coupé,” it became widely popular in Japan after World War II.
Its simple flavor pairs well with any school lunch menu, so it has long been a staple of school meals since the Showa period.
Today, school lunches feature not only koppe-pan but also a wider variety of breads such as fried bread and twisted bread.
Convenience stores and supermarkets also sell creatively adapted koppe-pan, and many people buy them to relive nostalgic memories of their school lunches.
Milmate
Milméek was very popular at schools as a magical powder.
Small sachets were handed out, and when you added them to milk and mixed, the flavor changed, so even kids who didn’t like milk could enjoy drinking it—hence its reputation as a magical powder.
It came in various flavors like strawberry, banana, and coffee, and because you could easily buy it at supermarkets, many people felt nostalgic and purchased it again as adults.
It was a beloved school lunch item.
Even today, some schools still serve Milméek—not frequently, but it remains something children look forward to.
skim milk powder
These days, milk is served at schools, but in the past, children drank skim milk powder with their school lunches.
It was often served in Showa-era lunches, and many children at the time found it unpleasant because of its strong odor.
Some even brought sugar from home to sweeten it and make it easier to drink.
During the chaotic postwar period, many children fell ill from malnutrition, but thanks to skim milk powder, their nutrition gradually recovered.
Even now, it is sometimes used in school lunch dishes and continues to support children’s growth.