Chinese Coffee from Coffee Roastery IRODORI ～ Serving a Cup to Bring Color to Many People’s Everyday Lives

Located in the northeasternmost part of Kurashiki City, the Shō district is home to Shō Park Hills, a quiet residential neighborhood. Did you know there’s a coffee roastery there?

The shop serving coffee every day from a small six-tatami-mat hut is called “Coffee Roastery IRODORI.”

Its biggest feature is that it serves Chinese coffee. That’s quite unusual, isn’t it? I spoke with owner Katsuta Ayato about the appeal of Chinese coffee and more.

What is Coffee Roastery IRODORI?

Coffee Roastery IRODORI (hereafter, “IRODORI”) is a coffee roastery in Shō Park Hills (Shōshinmachi, Kurashiki City). When you hear “roastery,” you might think it only roasts coffee beans, but in addition to selling beans, you can also enjoy a cup of coffee there.

As mentioned, one of its distinctive features is that it serves Chinese coffee, but it also offers coffee from other regions, of course.

Chinese Coffee

IRODORI owner Katsuta first encountered Chinese coffee while studying in China as a student. Of course, he had no idea Chinese coffee existed.

But he became curious and tried brewing it himself. He thought, “It’s surprisingly good!” and eventually began serving it at his shop.

I found myself wondering where in China coffee is grown. According to Katsuta, “in the south of China, in Yunnan Province.” Yunnan Province is also famous for Pu’er tea.

The high elevation and large temperature differences between day and night make the growing conditions ideal for coffee cultivation, too.

Ordering Two Coffees Made Using Different Brewing Methods

Since I was at IRODORI, Chinese coffee was what I wanted to try.
Everyone may be familiar with brewing coffee using a paper filter. But lately, Katsuta has been interested in brewing coffee with a French press.

A French press (coffee press) is:
a device that extracts coffee by steeping the grounds directly in hot water

I’d always associated French presses with brewing tea, but Katsuta told me that coffee came first. He also said that French presses are the norm overseas, while paper filters are more common in Japan. I learned a lot.

When brewed in a French press, the coffee’s oils are extracted as well, allowing you to enjoy the coffee’s natural flavor.

Looking at the surface of the coffee served, I could indeed see a faint sheen of oil, unlike the coffee brewed with a paper filter.

The Chinese coffee brewed with a paper filter was clean and crisp. The French-press coffee, on the other hand, tasted mellow. Everyone has their own preference, but I came to prefer the French-press version.

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

Interview with Owner Katsuta Ayato

I interviewed owner Katsuta Ayato.

What made you fall in love with coffee?

Katsuta (surname only)

I got hooked on coffee itself when I tried coffee made with Ethiopian beans. It has a distinct flavor, with the beans’ floral notes and a hint of fruitiness.

After I got hooked, I wanted to try brewing it myself, and before I knew it, I was roasting beans, too.

I heard you worked in a hotel until April 2026. What prompted you to stop running the business as a side job?

Katsuta

I kept roasting while balancing it with my other job, but I couldn’t open the shop very often that way. I wanted to share the appeal of coffee, including Chinese coffee, with more people.

I decided to devote myself to coffee. I’m currently (as of June 5, 2026) running a crowdfunding campaign!

By the way, where can people try IRODORI’s coffee besides the shop?

Katsuta

We also set up at events. In particular, we’re at Coworking Space Hitoyane in Koshinden, Minami Ward, Okayama City about 95% of the time.

What are your plans for the future?

Katsuta

My dream is to open a retro-style traditional coffee shop.
I’d also like to try running an accommodation facility, drawing on my experience working in a hotel. We’ll serve IRODORI coffee there!

From the Writer

I often go to events, and that’s where I met IRODORI’s Katsuta. If it had been an ordinary coffee shop, it probably wouldn’t have made an impression on me.

But when I heard the phrase “Chinese coffee,” I was surprised: “Wait, that exists?” The Chinese coffee had a “sweetness” I’d never tasted before. Its flavor stayed with me, too.

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

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