[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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[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.
fruit punch
Let us introduce the hugely popular school-lunch dessert: fruit punch.
With its refreshing feel, fruit punch is vividly colorful and features sweet syrup and chewy shiratama rice dumplings.
Many of you may remember chatting with friends about how your cup happened to be packed with lots of shiratama and fruit, saying, “I hit the jackpot!” Even today, fruit punch remains a dessert beloved by children in school lunches.
When you hurry to finish your meal so you can save the fruit punch for last, it has a special taste, doesn’t it?
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.