Do you know the Higashimachi area of the tourist spot, Bikan Historical Area?
Since it is a little away from the main area, it has a calm atmosphere.
In such Higashimachi, there is a gallery café that has been renovated from a rice storehouse.
It is a shop loved by locals and tourists, and it reopened in April 2022.
We covered "atelier&salon Hashimaya," which has changed its name and menu.
Hashimaya Reopened
"atelier&salon Hashimaya (hereafter, Hashimaya)" is located in "Oku Kurashiki."
Oku Kurashiki refers to the Higashimachi area, which is a place where history and daily life harmonize.
As you head towards Higashimachi from the main area, you will feel a "local vibe."
The area around Higashimachi is different from the main area, as there are residences, allowing you to catch a glimpse of people's daily lives.
It may also be a characteristic of this area that there are many shops dealing with products necessary for daily life, such as tatami mats, furniture, and carpets, rather than souvenirs.
A landmark when heading to Hashimaya is the "Hashimaya Kimono Store," which was established in 1869.
A large noren (traditional shop curtain) with "Kimono Hashimaya" written on it is hung.
A narrow, long alley next to the kimono store.
If you proceed deeper into this alley, you will reach Hashimaya.
There are signs saying "Dream Space Hashimaya" at both the front and back of the alley.
Dream Space Hashimaya was the previous name of the shop.
Hashimaya is a shop that has been renovated from the rice storehouse of the Kurashiki City designated important cultural property "Kusudo Residence."
Dream Space Hashimaya was run by Keiko Kusudo, the wife of the fifth generation of the Kusudo family.
Currently, it is inherited by Mayumi Kusudo, the wife of the sixth generation, and in April 2022, it became "atelier&salon Hashimaya".
Not only the shop name but also the menu has changed.
The new Hashimaya offers lunches, sweets, and drinks using homemade fermented seasonings.
Mayumi Kusudo also runs the bar "Salon de Ric’s" located in the Bikan Historical Area.
Therefore, the new Hashimaya offers original non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails) and more.
There are cocktails using homemade fermented seasonings, such as spice sangria with white koji amazake.
The seating includes counter seats, long tables, and tables for two or four, making it suitable for various situations.
Menu with Homemade Fermented Seasonings
The menu at Hashimaya is broadly divided into two categories: lunch and sweets.
| Lunch Menu | Price (including tax) |
|---|---|
| Nordic-style Open Sandwich Smorrebrod | 1,500 yen |
| Sake Lees Raisin Butter and Banana Smorrebrod | 1,500 yen |
| Japanese-style Hamburger | 1,700 yen |
| Burnt Miso Japanese Spice Curry | 1,700 yen |
| Hamburger Curry | 2,200 yen |
You can also make it a lunch set for an additional fee.
- Plus 300 yen: Sweets Set
- Plus 500 yen: With Coffee
- Plus 900 yen: Mini Parfait Set
| Sweets Menu | Price (including tax) |
|---|---|
| Rice Flour and Soy Milk Matcha Chiffon Cake | 700 yen |
| Scone | 750 yen |
| Salt Koji Basque Cheesecake | 900 yen |
| Drinking Coffee Jelly | 950 yen |
| Rice Flour Matcha Chiffon Parfait | 1,300 yen |
There are also seasonal limited sweets and drinks.
Let me introduce three food items that caught my attention.
Nordic-style Open Sandwich Smorrebrod
This dish has miso butter and sake lees raisin butter soaking into the bread.
The saltiness of the miso enhances the sweetness of the sake lees raisin butter.
The "smo" in smorrebrod means butter, and "bro" means bread, and it is a traditional Danish dish.
The bread is said to use natural yeast.
It is served with plenty of vegetables and pickles.
The white sauce on the vegetables is fermented soy milk mayonnaise.
It is lighter than mayonnaise and has a taste closer to French dressing.
There is also a sweet sake dressing made with carrot and apple, which you can add to the salad as you like.
What impressed me the most was the egg.
It may not be obvious from its appearance, but it is pickled in barley salt koji.
Unlike the simple taste of salt, it had a deep umami flavor.
Moreover, it was in a half-cooked state, which I love.
I was so captivated that I wanted to eat it every day. I hope they sell it.
Burnt Miso Japanese Spice Curry
Could it be that fermented foods are also used in curry?
Yes, Hashimaya uses fermented foods in its curry.
The slowly simmered roux is spiced but has a mild finish with burnt miso and koji.
The rice is enzymatic brown rice.
Enzymatic brown rice is aged rice that has a chewy texture, high nutritional value, and is easy to digest.
Lunch comes with today's salt koji soup, white koji amazake, and a plate of vegetables using koji.
White koji amazake is rich in essential amino acids and vitamins, making it highly nutritious and easily absorbed by the body.
Since it is non-alcoholic, those who come by car can drink it with peace of mind.
Salt Koji Basque Cheesecake
The characteristic of Basque cheesecake is its blackened exterior.
At first glance, it looks like a failed cake, but the char adds a deep flavor.
It is said to have originated in the Basque region of Spain.
Hashimaya's Basque cheesecake uses salt koji and domestically produced cream cheese.
Despite the black surface, it is strange that it does not taste burnt.
The texture was moist and rich.
What surprised me was that the lightly sweetened fresh cream was served with sansho.
You might think, "Does it really go with fresh cream?"
The unique aroma and slight spiciness of sansho do not interfere with the flavor of the cake; rather, it adds a nice accent.
Products for Sale in the Store
You can purchase fermented foods at the store.
On the day of the interview, products from a collaboration event were also displayed.
Pickles
Hashimaya's homemade pickles.
They are broadly categorized into three types: Japanese-style, Western-style, and fruit.
The seasoning for the Japanese-style pickles uses Rausu kombu, sansho, ginger, and other Japanese spices.
The Western-style uses herbs such as cardamom, thyme, and bay leaf.
With its sophisticated design, it seems like it would be a delightful gift, doesn't it?
Right away, I bought "Peach Pickles," which is characteristic of Okayama, and "Japanese-style Mix" with various vegetables as a gift for a friend outside the prefecture.
Fermented Seasonings
Fermented seasonings such as miso are also for sale.
They are said to be the ones used in the store.
You can also purchase the white koji that is essential to Hashimaya's menu.
▼With "Hishio no Koji" on the second row from the top, you can make homemade hishio. Hishio is a fermented seasoning that also appears in the Manyoshu.
Collaboration Event Goods
Goods from the first event held after the renewal opening were on sale.
This is a collaboration event with "Hanayuki," which deals with tea ceremony utensils in Chayamachi, Kurashiki City.
▼A tea ceremony utensil set named "Happo Chabako" that allows you to enjoy matcha anywhere
During the event period, Hashimaya will offer original matcha drinks using the Happo Chabako.
Meals That Make Your Body Happy
Hashimaya offers lunches, sweets, and drinks using fermented foods.
It's wonderful to eat delicious food and become healthy from the inside out.
I spoke with the owner, Kusudo Mayumi, and the store manager, Yamamoto Asami, about Hashimaya.
Data on atelier&salon Hashimaya
| Name | atelier&salon Hashimaya |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-20 Higashimachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-451-1040 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Regular Holiday | Tuesday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation Availability | Yes |
| Seating | 29 seats: Counter: 5, Long tables: 10, Side tables: 6, Second floor: 8 |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | atelier&salon Hashimaya Official Instagram |
From July 8, 2022 (Friday) to September 11, 2022 (Sunday)