A uniquely developed, popular style of Chinese restaurant in Japan known as "Taishu Chuka" and "Machi Chuka".
Located in the Tamashima area of western Kurashiki City, Chinese Cuisine Kochin (Kochin) has been a beloved establishment in the community for over 60 years. It features a wide range of popular menu items, including its signature "Omen" (large noodles).
In March 2025, Kochin relocated and renewed its establishment from the Seishin-cho shopping street, where it had been operating since its founding, to a suburban main road.
While cherishing what has been preserved over the years, Kochin is taking on new challenges.
We will delve into the history of Kochin, the secrets behind its popular menu items, the restaurant's commitments, and the background of its relocation and renewal.
A long-established Machi Chuka founded in 1959, relocated and renewed
Kochin is a 67-year-old long-established Chinese restaurant that opened in 1959 in the Seishin-cho shopping street located in the center of Tamashima. It has long been cherished by the people of Tamashima as a Taishu Chuka and Machi Chuka.
In March 2025, with a fresh start, Kochin relocated and renewed its establishment from the center of Tamashima to the suburbs of Tamashima.
Kochin is located along Sangyo Street, facing the west side of the road, and is situated by the Tame River.
It is located next to the series store Azumaya Tamashima, and the parking lot is shared by both establishments.
There are also second and third parking lots located just a short walk away.
The first floor has counter seats and table seats.
It accommodates both individual use and family or group use.
There are also round table seats available.
On the second floor, there are three private rooms with horigotatsu (sunken kotatsu tables).
There is also a private room with a round table.
The horigotatsu private rooms can be combined by removing partitions to create a large room accommodating up to about 60 people, making it suitable for large gatherings. It is equipped with a projector and sound equipment, allowing for meetings accompanied by meals.
Kochin Co., Ltd., which operates Kochin, also manages the following group stores in addition to Kochin.
- Azumaya Tamashima (Japanese cuisine)
- Menya Ko (Ramen)
- Hiromaru (Chinese side dishes)
- Chuka Shokudo Kochin (Chinese cuisine)
There is also a point card that can be used across the Kochin group.
In addition to the grand menu, lunch menus and seasonal limited menus
Information as of June 2026. Prices include tax.
Kochin offers a wide range of items from noodles to rice dishes, single dishes, dim sum, and desserts.
The menu features a diverse selection centered around popular Chinese dishes.
There are set menus, banquet menus, and drink and alcohol options available.
The weekday-only lunch menu is popular for its generous portions.
Additionally, there are seasonal limited menus that change with the seasons. Each menu can be ordered using a tablet at the table.
There are also takeout options such as bento.
Popular and Recommended Menus
From Kochin's wide range of Chinese dishes, we introduce popular and recommended items.
“Dai-men” is the most popular signature dish since the establishment
“Dai-men” is a tanmen filled with plenty of vegetables and other ingredients.
The vegetables include Chinese cabbage, cabbage, komatsuna, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, and green onions. The seafood consists of squid and shrimp, while the meat is pork. A half-boiled egg is placed in the center.
The vegetables are carefully stir-fried to remove excess moisture, resulting in a crisp texture.
Then, the stir-fried vegetables are combined with the soup. This creates a harmonious flavor of the vegetables' umami and aroma with the soup. Even before eating, a delightful aroma wafts through.
The soup is salty and has a light flavor. You can also taste the sweetness, umami, and aroma of the stir-fried vegetables.
In addition, the textures of the squid and shrimp provide an accent. The flavor of the pork is also delicious.
The noodles are homemade, smooth, and have a good texture, allowing the soup to cling well.
“Mapo Tofu” is an authentic dish focused on “ma” and “la”
“Mapo Tofu” is also a popular menu item.
In addition to the single dish, there are also “Mapo Don” and “Mapo Tofu Lunch” available as lunch options.
Kochin used to serve a Japanese-style Mapo Tofu, but now offers an authentic Sichuan-style Mapo Tofu.
Mapo Tofu can be ordered with spiciness levels ranging from 1 to 3. During the interview, it was ordered at level 1.
The key points of Kochin's Mapo Tofu are its focus on “ma” (numbing) and “la” (spicy)!
“Ma” refers to the numbing spiciness similar to that of Sichuan pepper (huajiao). “La” refers to the stimulating spiciness like that of chili peppers.
When you take a bite of the tofu, minced meat, and sauce, you can feel the thickness and the sweet-salty flavor, along with the umami and sweetness of the minced meat. Then, the smooth and soft texture of the tofu and its gentle sweetness follow.
Then, a tingling spiciness spreads in your mouth. The flavor of huajiao is also prominent. It’s a taste that goes well with rice.
When you order Mapo Tofu, two types of additional spices are also included.
The red spice called Akasansho is Hua Jiao (flower pepper). It is made from matured fruit and is characterized by a numbing spiciness.
The green spice called Aosancho is Tan Jiao (Japanese pepper). It is made from unripe fruit, which spreads a fresh aroma.
Please add to your liking.
"Sweet and Sour Pork" is a Standard Menu Item Popular Among a Wide Range of Customers
"Sweet and Sour Pork" is one of the popular dishes since the establishment.
Sweet and Sour Pork has its roots in Cantonese cuisine and is a characteristic menu item of Kochin, which was originally a Cantonese restaurant.
The key point of Kochin's Sweet and Sour Pork is the Tantsu (sweet and sour sauce).
Kochin's Tantsu is characterized by its ketchup base, with the addition of light soy sauce and vinegar to adjust the flavor.
Kochin's Sweet and Sour Pork has a moderate sweetness and acidity, with a smooth thickness, making it very easy to eat.
Additionally, the ingredients such as pork, bell peppers, carrots, onions, and young corn are all cut into large pieces.
This gives it a satisfying texture. The vibrant colors are also impressive.
By the way, in addition to Sweet and Sour Pork and Mapo Tofu, popular dishes include "Shrimp in Chili Sauce," "Garlic Chives and Liver," "Stir-fried Beef with Bell Peppers," "Fried Chicken," and "Dumplings."
"Tenshindon" Features Fluffy Eggs and Original Sauce
Popular rice dishes include "Tenshindon" (egg and rice bowl), "Mapo Don," and "Chuka Don." During the interview, I ordered Tenshindon.
Tenshindon usually has a brown sauce based on soy sauce or a reddish sauce based on sweet vinegar, but Kochin's Tenshindon is different from both.
Kochin's Tenshindon sauce is characterized by a light beige color and a firm thickness.
Kochin's Tenshindon sauce is based on Chintan (clear soup) that has been simmered slowly.
It is finished without adding sugar, resulting in a flavor that is easy to eat with a salty taste.
The egg covering the rice is very thick and has a fluffy texture.
The ingredients include plump shrimp, green onions, and bamboo shoots.
This style of Tenshindon has been continued since the previous generation, embodying the commitment of the former owner.
"Dumplings" Feature a Filling of Pork and Old Hen with a Hint of Fish Sauce
At Kochin, dim sum is also popular, especially "Dumplings" and "Xiaolongbao" (soup dumplings) are frequently ordered.
Dumplings are available in a regular serving of six, as well as an 18-piece serving called "Large Plate Dumplings." The large plate dumplings are slightly cheaper per piece, offering good cost performance.
They are perfect for sharing in a group.
Dumplings are handmade daily in-house.
Additionally, the filling is made by adding minced pork and minced old hen, which is a key point.
Using old hen brings out a rich umami flavor and a good texture, making Kochin's dumplings distinctive.
Furthermore, a hint of fish sauce is added to the soy sauce for seasoning, which enhances the depth of flavor.
By the way, other dishes that use soy sauce, such as soy sauce ramen, garlic chives and liver, and fried chicken, also incorporate fish sauce.
Even the standard dumplings of town Chinese cuisine have unique innovations at Kochin.
Kochin, a long-established Chinese restaurant, has relocated and renewed, entering a new phase.
We interviewed the representative director, Hori Hiroshi.
Data of Chinese Cuisine Kochin
| Name | Chinese Cuisine Kochin |
|---|---|
| Address | 1713-14 Tamashima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-522-5188 |
| Parking | Available 2nd and 3rd parking lots available Shared with Azumaya Tamashima |
| Business Hours | 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM (Last Order 2:00 PM), 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM (Last Order 8:30 PM) |
| Regular Holidays | None |
| Payment Methods |
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| Reservation Availability | Possible Reservations only for large groups on the second floor (General use on the first floor is not available for reservation) |
| Seating | Total 156 seats ・Counter: 6 seats ・Table: 70 seats ・2nd floor tatami room: 80 seats |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Childcare | Stroller access available (1st floor only) Child-friendly utensils available Child-friendly chairs available |
| Barrier-Free | Ramp Wheelchair access available (1st floor only) Toilet is not wheelchair accessible |
| Website | Chinese Cuisine Kochin | For Everyone's "Delicious!" |
Dai-men has been a popular dish since the establishment and is the flagship menu of Kochin!
It contains many vegetables, as well as seafood and meat, providing a good nutritional balance, and is loved by customers of all ages.