Interview with Oda Zensuke, the representative of Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan
I spoke with Oda Zensuke, the representative of Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan, about the background leading to the opening, the birth story of recommended menu items, and the appealing points of the shop.
Although the family business is a milk shop, I was interested in the restaurant business, so I also challenged myself to open a cafe
First, please tell us about the background leading to the opening.
Oda
My family runs a milk shop that has been in operation since my grandfather's generation in Kurashiki City.
However, I chose to go to Tokyo and work in the IT industry.
At my family shop, we handled various food products in addition to milk, so I had an interest in food myself.
So after moving to Tokyo, I walked around various shops on my days off and after work.
At that time, I was to take over the family milk shop, and I decided to return to Kurashiki.
Then, I started to want to try working in the restaurant business, which I had always been interested in...
Eventually, I started a catering business in parallel with the family business with a chef from Okayama Prefecture whom I met while eating around Tokyo.
At first, it was catering. Why did you start a cafe at Kurashiki Geibunkan?
Oda
Originally, Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan had been here for a long time and was operated by another company.
One day, I heard from someone I met through work that the company operating Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan was planning to close the cafe.
Since it is in a prime location right next to the Bikan Historical Area, and I had always wanted to try running a restaurant, I decided to take over the cafe and give it a try.
Then, in April 2018, I opened the current shop as a renewal of Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan.
The chef I started catering with also helps with menu creation and cooking during private evening events in parallel with catering.
The heavy rain disaster of July 2018 occurred just after opening
While it was a renewal for Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan, I believe it was your first time managing a restaurant. Did you face any difficulties after opening?
Oda
We opened in April 2018, but in July, the heavy rain disaster (the July 2018 heavy rain) occurred.
There was significant damage in areas around Kurashiki, such as Mabi, and due to the nationwide news coverage, the number of tourists in the Bikan Historical Area drastically decreased.
I had calculated a certain level of loss until we got on track, but it turned out to be a blow greater than I had initially anticipated...
Honestly, it was very tough to suffer significant damage right after opening.
Around the New Year, there was a temporary increase in tourists, but I felt that we finally started to recover around spring 2019.
During that time, at the request of the Kurashiki Junior Chamber of Commerce, we also helped with food distribution in the disaster area of Mabi.
We assisted in providing yakisoba, yakisoba udon, and tonjiru.
Staff who love curry gathered, so we naturally focused on curry
I hear that keema curry is the signature menu item. How did it come to be?
Oda
Actually, I love curry.
When I was walking around Tokyo, I went to many curry shops.
Also, the chef who started catering with me loves curry as well.
Additionally, there are staff who have been working at Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan since the time it was operated by the previous company who also love curry.
Because there are many staff who love curry and are particular about it, curry naturally became the main focus (laughs).
However, there are few shops in Kurashiki that feature keema curry as their signature.
But there are many people in the world who love keema curry.
So, we decided to make keema curry our signature dish.
From my experience as a milk shop, I want people to know the goodness of Shirobara milk
In addition, you are also promoting menu items that use Shirobara milk, but did this come from your experience as a milk shop?
Oda
That's right.
At the milk shop, we handle various brands of milk.
Among them, the top recommendation is "Shirobara milk" from Daisen Dairy.
Daisen Dairy is very particular about quality, such as having a dedicated veterinarian for cow health management.
Therefore, Shirobara milk has a very rich flavor and high nutritional value.
Children drink milk at school lunches, so they can easily tell the difference.
Children who drink Shirobara milk for the first time are very happy.
There are also many voices saying that even those who dislike milk can drink Shirobara milk.
I also really like Shirobara milk.
Oda
Since there are few restaurants that handle it, people who originally like Shirobara milk sometimes come into Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan because of it.
On the other hand, there are people who do not know Shirobara milk, and some avoid it because it is a bit expensive.
I have a strong desire as a milk shop to let many people know the goodness of Shirobara milk.
That’s why at Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan, we serve menu items that use Shirobara milk.
We are also working hard to keep the prices as affordable as possible.
Focusing on local production for local consumption, I am particular about ingredients from the Chugoku and Shikoku regions
Do you have any other particularities?
Oda
I am conscious of "local production for local consumption" and use as many local ingredients from the Chugoku and Shikoku regions as possible.
Shirobara milk from Daisen Dairy is one of them (Daisen Dairy is located in Kotoura-cho, Tottori Prefecture).
For menu items like curry that use rice, we use rice from Soja City.
Soja is a land suitable for rice cultivation, and rice from Soja is highly regarded.
Tourists sometimes ask, "This rice is delicious. Where is it from?"
Additionally, we have desserts that use "Oiri," a traditional sweet from Kagawa Prefecture.
Oiri is a spherical rice snack about 1 cm in diameter.
It is characterized by its colorful appearance with various colors.
Oiri is currently very popular and difficult to obtain.
At our shop, we have a contract with a shop that makes it by hand with just a couple.
While Oiri usually comes in about five colors, the shop we have a contract with offers seven colors, which is a point of distinction.
In the future, I will also develop menus that feel like Kurashiki
Please tell us about the appealing points of the shop and your future prospects.
Oda
One of the selling points of Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan is that pets are allowed.
Not only on the terrace seats, but if they are in a cage, they can also accompany you inside the shop.
Since there are few shops in Kurashiki that allow pets, our shop is well-received by local dog lovers.
Of course, being close to the Bikan Historical Area, tourists also come to visit after checking if there are any pet-friendly shops.
I want to continue to make efforts to please such customers in the future.
Additionally, many local people who come to events at Kurashiki Geibunkan use our cafe for a break, and they often become repeat customers because they find it unexpectedly good.
Since it is located within a city facility, staff are sometimes mistaken for city employees, and people may not have high expectations for the taste.
However, after trying the food, they are surprised to find that "it was much better than I imagined" and "I didn't know it was a genuine cafe, not just a city facility," which leads to regular visits from some customers.
I want to cherish local customers like that.
Also, since we are located right next to the Bikan Historical Area, I want to come up with ideas that will please tourists.
For example, I am currently considering menu items that allow people to feel the essence of Kurashiki.
Conclusion
Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan is located just south of the Bikan Historical Area (along the Kurashiki River), making it easy to stop by during sightseeing.
Additionally, it is one of the few shops in Kurashiki that allows pets.
Therefore, it is popular among both tourists and local customers, especially pet lovers.
And, of course, the sweets made with Daisen Dairy "Shirobara milk," a long-established milk shop product!
You can enjoy the rich flavor of milk in these delicious treats.
The keema curry at Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan, which many staff members love, is also attractive, allowing you to savor the umami of the minced meat.
Please be sure to try the carefully crafted keema curry and Shirobara milk sweets at Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan.
Data for Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan
| Name | Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-18-1 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture (within the grounds of Kurashiki Geibunkan) |
| Contact | 050-5595-6763 |
| Parking | Available 7 total (3 cars on the side (east) of the store, 4 cars in the back (south)) |
| Business Hours | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM (by reservation only) |
| Regular Holidays | Wednesday If a holiday falls on a Wednesday, it will be open, and closed the following day |
| Payment Methods |
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| Reservation Availability | Yes Reservations can be made by phone or online through the website or Tabelog |
| Seating | 48 total seats ・Counter: 4 seats ・2-person table seats: 3 tables ・4-person table seats: 5 tables ・6-person table seats: 1 table ・Terrace 4-person table seats: 3 tables (Terrace seats allow pets. Pets are allowed inside only if in a cage) |
| Smoking | Non-smoking (smoking allowed only in designated areas) |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Childcare | Strollers allowed High chairs available Children's plates and utensils available |
| Barrier-Free | Ramp Wheelchair accessible |
| Website | Cafe & Diner Kurashiki Geibunkan |
