famous things rarely live up to their reputation; local specialties are often disappointing
A proverb warning that things famous or highly praised often fail to meet expectations when actually experienced. The literal sense refers to local specialty foods, but it is used broadly for any overhyped attraction or product.
I tried the local specialty dish at the tourist spot, but famous things rarely taste as good as they're made out to be.
That movie wasn't as good as the hype. Just goes to show that famous things often disappoint.
Standard mixed kanji-kana spelling; the most common written form.
Kanji-heavy variant using 旨い and 物; less common but still seen.
A traditional Japanese proverb. The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely arose from the common experience that famous local foods, when finally tasted, often do not match their reputation.