There are plenty of izakaya, but it’s unusual to find one that stays open until morning.
We found just such an izakaya in Kurashiki.
Its name is quite literally “Asamade-ya” (“Open Until Morning”).
Asamade-ya’s new location, “Asamade-ya Terrace 102,” has relocated and reopened in Mizushima, so we stopped by.
Asamade-ya Terrace 102 offers three things: “time,” “space,” and “conversation.”
In this article, we’ll introduce what makes Asamade-ya Terrace 102 special.
The information presented here was accurate when this article was published in August 2023. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is Asamade-ya Terrace 102?
Asamade-ya Terrace 102 is about a seven-minute walk from Sakae Station on the Mizushima Rinkai Railway.
The original Tsurajima location closed on June 25, 2023, and the restaurant relocated and reopened in Mizushima on June 30.
Unlike the previous location, which had a food-stall feel, the interior is just like a cafe.
The customers included all kinds of people, from solo diners to families.
There is also terrace seating outside, creating an open, airy atmosphere.
At the same time, the surrounding wall provides privacy.
Terrace seating that sparks conversation
Groups can apparently use the outdoor terrace for BBQs.
The windows open fully, allowing guests to move freely between the interior and the terrace.
According to Fujii, president of Shintai Co., Ltd., which operates Asamade-ya, he felt that hotel BBQs were no different from yakiniku.
Fujii apparently believes that the real essence of BBQ is the conversation that comes from moving freely between seats.
▼It’s hidden under a plastic bag, but a BBQ grill was ready to use.
Customers apparently grill the meat themselves for the BBQ.
As for dishes other than meat, the plan is to have a selection of a la carte dishes laid out inside for guests to serve themselves buffet-style.
A wide variety of menu items
Looking at the menu, there’s a great selection of drinks, snacks, rice dishes, and more. We were surprised by the number of items.
Among the menu items was soup curry, an unusual offering for an izakaya.
This is the same soup curry served at “Achi Terrace 102 Soup Curry Dining.”
Authentic soup curry and Kansai-style okonomiyaki
I tried the soup curry.
It was just as authentic as the soup curry served at the specialty restaurant.
As I sipped the soup, rich spices filled my mouth.
Some of the vegetables were deep-fried and others stir-fried, bringing out the best in each ingredient. They were delicious.
The chicken in the soup was cooked slowly and was tender enough to pull apart easily with a spoon.
It seems the soup curry was created by the company president, Fujii.
▼Along with the soup curry, I also had okonomiyaki (pork and egg).
This okonomiyaki was Kansai-style, but not at all floury and easy to eat.
Apparently, they carefully adjust the ingredients to keep it from becoming floury.
The vegetables in the okonomiyaki were crisp and crunchy and delicious.
It definitely makes you want a drink.
Asamade-ya Terrace 102 has a different atmosphere from the original Asamade-ya location.
It’s a place that all kinds of people can enjoy, from men to women and families.
We spoke with Fujii Seiji, representative director of Shintai Co., Ltd., which operates Asamade-ya Terrace 102.
Asamade-ya Terrace 102 details
| Name | Asamade-ya Terrace 102 |
|---|---|
| Address | 15-17 Mizushima Nishisakae-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-444-0770 |
| Parking | Available 13 parking spaces |
| Hours | 11:00 a.m.–3:00 a.m. [Breakdown] ・11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.: Lunch ・3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.: Chat time ・5:00 p.m.–3:00 a.m.: Izakaya hours |
| Closed | Wednesday |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted Call the restaurant directly to make a reservation. |
| Seating | 40 seats indoors Up to 70 people can be accommodated by combining the terrace and indoor seating. |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking (outdoor smoking area available) |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Asamade-ya | Official Instagram |
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