The appeal of Thai food lies in its herbs! Interview with Kaori Miyawaki of Chang Thai Restaurant
Chang Thai Restaurant is currently (February 2020) the only Thai restaurant in Kurashiki City. What made you decide to open a Thai restaurant in Kurashiki?
Miyawaki
This house was originally my family home.
Before we renovated it, we started out by turning one room of an ordinary house into a dining room.
I married a Thai man and began living in Kurashiki, but I suppose he started missing the taste of home.
There were no Thai restaurants in Kurashiki, so we started this restaurant with the idea, “Well then, I’ll cook it myself.”
When we first opened, we had three dishes: “Gapao Rice,” “Tom Yum Goong,” and “Thai Curry.”
These are the chef’s signature dishes.
Thai food has a reputation for being spicy. Do customers prefer spicy food?
Miyawaki
No, not at all.
So that even people who don’t like spicy food can enjoy their meal, you can choose from different spice levels, from level 0, with no chili peppers, to level 5, which is medium-spicy by Thai standards.
Actually, I still can’t handle spicy food, no matter how much time passes (laughs).
I watch our customers keep moving up the levels and think, “Wow, that’s amazing.”
Some Thai dishes aren’t spicy to begin with, and Thai-level spice can be too hot for Japanese people, so I’d like everyone to enjoy it at the level they prefer.
Thai food has these regular customers hooked. What do you think makes it so appealing?
Miyawaki
Spiciness is one thing, but herbs are also very important in Thai food.
For example, even when it comes to basil, we use different kinds: sweet basil for Gapao Rice and holy basil for Thai curry.
We use lots of herbs, so the food is good for you and gives you energy.
Some regulars tell us, “I find myself wanting to eat here regularly,” and we’re grateful for that.
You mentioned spiciness earlier. Is the seasoning different from what you’d find in Thailand?
Miyawaki
We try to recreate the flavors of Thailand as faithfully as possible, and several times a year we go to Thailand to buy herbs, seasonings, and other ingredients.
Of course, some things are available in Japan, but there are certain seasonings that just have to be a particular brand, so we source those in Thailand.
We don’t particularly adjust the flavors to suit Japanese tastes, but Thai food has many dishes that go well with white rice, so it naturally appeals to Japanese people.
It’s been about 10 years since the restaurant opened (in 2009). Have you noticed any changes in how customers respond?
Miyawaki
Yes, lately we’ve had more customers who are used to eating Thai food, as well as customers who have actually traveled to Thailand.
The cilantro and spicy-food booms have also helped, and I feel that Thai food itself has become much better known.
Many of our regulars have a set order.
When they call, I think, “So-and-so will have this,” or “So-and-so will have that,” and their menu order comes to mind (laughs).
I hope I can visit often enough to reach that level soon! Thank you very much.
Delicious food and kindness: Chang Thai Restaurant, loved by so many fans
“How about Chang Thai? Would you like to go and cover it?”
When I was asked, I gave a big fist pump in my heart.
That’s because I was already one of the people captivated by Chang Thai Restaurant.
“I find myself wanting to have it regularly.”
“It has to be Chang Thai’s Thai curry.”
I nodded deeply at every word from the regulars and felt like applauding as a fellow Chang Thai fan, saying, “I know exactly what you mean—I feel the same way!”
“When I hear a customer’s name, their order comes to mind.”
Miyawaki told us.
Even in the way she served customers, I could sense a natural kindness.
The quiet kindness with which she attends to each customer may be part of Chang Thai’s appeal.
Be sure to visit and discover the addictive world of Thai food at the only restaurant of its kind in Kurashiki.
Chang Thai Restaurant details
| Name | Chang Thai Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-4-11 Hinode-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 090-1186-5943 |
| Parking | Available 3 spaces in front of the restaurant |
| Hours | Lunch: 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. (last orders at 2 p.m.; reservations take priority; closes when sold out) Dinner: 6 p.m.–9:30 p.m. (last orders at 9 p.m.; reservations take priority; closes when sold out) |
| Closed | Wednesday Other irregular closing days |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted Reservations take priority for both lunch and dinner; closes when sold out |
| Seating | 20 seats Tables: 4×2 2×2 Tatami seating: 4×2 |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
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