Located on the south side of JR Kurashiki Station, there is a long-established curry shop called Kare House Koubeya in the Kurashiki Center Street shopping district.
This shopping district, frequented by locals, is also a busy spot for tourists heading to the Bikan Historical Area.
The retro brick-built curry shop is a popular place that never lacks customers throughout the year.
Although it has many devoted fans, there was hardly any information about the shop available on the internet.
I will introduce the origin of the shop's name and its commitment based on an interview.
About Kare House Koubeya
Kare House Koubeya is located at the corner where the sidewalk and roadway of Kurashiki Ebisu Street intersect.
It is a famous shop visited not only by locals but also by tourists.
The Shop's Appearance
The shop has a retro atmosphere with its brick construction.
The interior extends from the entrance to the kitchen at the back, featuring a long vertical structure.
To the right of the entrance are table seats, while the left side has counter seats.
The counter seats face the road, but they are frosted glass, so they are not visible from the outside.
It is recommended for solo diners and those who want to take beautiful photos of their dishes due to the bright seating.
Once a Meat Shop
Currently a curry shop, it was originally opened as a meat shop called "Niku no Koubeya" in 1936 by the first generation (the grandparents of the current third generation) who moved from Hiroshima City to Kurashiki City.
It was said to be so popular that meat and croquettes sold like hotcakes.
Although it has relocated in the past, it has been operating around Kurashiki Station since its establishment.
The shop became a curry house in 1980, during the tenure of the second generation (the father of the current third generation).
It has been over 40 years since the transition from a meat shop to a curry house.
Now, it has become a long-established curry shop loved by the locals of Kurashiki.
I Tried the Menu at Kare House Koubeya
Kare House Koubeya has a rich menu.
It is hard to decide which to choose, but I tried the classic popular menu items.
Pork Cutlet Curry
The most popular dish is the Pork Cutlet Curry.
It boldly claims "Most Popular" on the menu.
The curry has an impressive presentation with a large portion of pork from the San Genshu breed.
The pork cutlet fills more than half of the plate, providing a satisfying meal.
With a considerable thickness, it caters well to those who want to eat plenty of meat.
The cutlet is breaded and fried after the order is received, ensuring that the coating remains crispy until the last bite.
The sauce is slightly spicy and smooth.
Unlike curries that use plenty of spices, it has a nostalgic flavor.
Hayashi Rice
You might wonder why at a curry shop, but Hayashi Rice is also very popular.
There are even people who visit specifically for Hayashi Rice.
There is so much hashed beef that you might wonder if it’s too much.
It has a perfectly thin and tender texture that allows the sauce to cling well.
You can clearly taste the sweetness from the tomatoes and onions.
There is also a hint of acidity, making it refreshing.
This flavor seems to appeal to both adults and children.
Koubeya's Strawberry Milkshake
It has the image of a milkshake found in a traditional coffee shop.
Although I thought Koubeya's milkshake had been around for a long time, it is actually a new menu item that was created during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While I was curious about the "Kobeya Milkshake with Cherries," I ordered the richer "Kobeya Strawberry Milkshake."
The rough ice of the milkshake is generously topped with strawberry sauce.
On top, there are frozen strawberries.
The flavor of milk is strong, giving it an overall mellow taste.
I thought it might go perfectly with spicy curry as I continued to eat.
Kare House Kobeya, a curry shop loved by locals and tourists alike, has good access from JR Kurashiki Station.
I spoke with the third-generation manager, Kono.
Data on Kare House Kobeya
| Name | Kare House Kobeya |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-7-1 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-422-0298 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 11:00 AM - 8:30 PM (Last order at 8:00 PM) |
| Regular Holiday | Monday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Seats | 21 seats, Counter: 6, Tables: 4 |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Kare House Kobeya |
