Coffee Roastery IRODORI's Chinese Coffee - Providing a cup that adds color to the daily lives of many.

The Sho area, located in the northeastern part of Kurashiki City.
Did you know there is a coffee roasting shop in the quiet residential area of Sho Park Hills?

The name of the shop that provides coffee daily in a small 6-tatami mat hut is "Coffee Roastery IRODORI".

The biggest feature is that it handles Chinese coffee. It's quite rare, isn't it?
I asked the owner, Katsuta Ayato, about the charm of Chinese coffee and more.

What is Coffee Roastery IRODORI

Coffee Roastery IRODORI (hereinafter referred to as "IRODORI") is a coffee roasting shop located in Sho Park Hills (Shoshin-cho, Kurashiki City). When you hear "roasting shop," you might think it only roasts coffee beans, but in addition to selling beans, you can also drink coffee there.

I mentioned that it features Chinese coffee, but of course, it also handles coffee from other regions.

Chinese Coffee

Owner Katsuta first encountered Chinese coffee when he studied abroad in China during his student days. Of course, he was not aware of the existence of Chinese coffee.

However, he became interested and when he tried brewing coffee himself, he felt, "It's surprisingly good!" and has come to offer it in his shop.

I suddenly wondered where in China coffee is cultivated... According to Katsuta, "It's in the southern part of China, Yunnan Province." Yunnan Province is also famous for producing Pu-erh tea.

The high altitude and significant temperature difference between day and night create an ideal environment for coffee cultivation.

Ordering Two Types with Different Brewing Methods

If you come to IRODORI, my target is the Chinese coffee.
The brewing method with a paper filter might be something everyone can imagine. However, what Katsuta is currently focusing on is the brewing method using a French press.

French press (coffee press):
A device that extracts coffee grounds directly in hot water

I had a strong image of using a French press for tea, but according to Katsuta, coffee came first. It is also mainstream overseas, while in Japan, paper filters are more common. I learned a lot.

When brewed with a French press, it extracts even the oils from the coffee, allowing you to enjoy the original deliciousness of the coffee.

Looking at the surface of the coffee served, unlike the one brewed with a paper filter, I could indeed see a slight oiliness.

The Chinese coffee brewed with a paper filter was refreshing. On the other hand, the one brewed with a French press felt smoother. Preferences vary from person to person, but I found that I preferred the French press.

Since I drank it at the shop, it was served in a glass, but takeout is also available.

Interview with Owner Katsuta Ayato

I interviewed the owner, Katsuta Ayato.

What made you fall in love with coffee?

Katsuta (no honorifics)

I became hooked on coffee when I drank coffee made from Ethiopian beans. The brightness of the beans and the slight fruity flavor create a distinct coffee.

After getting hooked, I wanted to brew it myself, and before I knew it, I was roasting coffee.

I heard you were a hotelier until April 2026. What prompted you to end your side job?

Katsuta

I continued roasting while balancing both, but I couldn't open a shop that way. I wanted to deliver the charm of coffee, starting with Chinese coffee, to many people.

I made the decision to seriously engage with coffee. Currently (until June 5, 2026), I am also challenging crowdfunding!

By the way, where else can I drink IRODORI coffee besides the shop?

Katsuta

I also participate in events. In particular, I have a booth at Hitoyane Co-Working Space in Kurashiki City, which accounts for about 95% of my sales.

What are your future prospects?

Katsuta

My dream is to create a retro-style coffee shop.
Additionally, I would like to utilize my experience as a hotelier to run a lodging facility. In that lodging facility, I will serve IRODORI coffee!

Conclusion

I often attend events. It was there that I met Katsuta from IRODORI. If it were an ordinary coffee shop, I might not have remembered it.

However, when I heard the phrase "Chinese coffee," I was surprised, thinking, "Wait, is there such a thing!" I felt a sweetness in Chinese coffee that I had never experienced before. The taste also stuck in my memory.

If you haven't tried Chinese coffee yet, why not give it a try?

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