Interview with the store manager, Kono
Curry House Kobeya, with its retro brick building, is located in a corner of the shopping street.
It offers a wide variety of curries loved by men, women, adults, and children.
We interviewed the third-generation store manager, Kono.
Origin of the store name
The store name includes "Kobeya," but could you tell us its origin?
Kono
The first generation moved from Hiroshima City to Kurashiki and started a meat shop called "Meat Kobeya" in 1936.
It seems that there weren't many shops at that time, so it prospered.
The name "Kobeya" was likely chosen to evoke Kobe beef.
When you hear "Kobe," you think of meat, right?
When we became a curry shop, we also inherited the name "Kobeya."
However, I don't know why my father, the second generation, decided to open a curry shop.
Commitment to meat
Since it was once a meat shop, do you have a commitment to meat?
Kono
I cut the meat myself and handle the preparation carefully.
I coat the meat with breadcrumbs and fry it after receiving an order.
The key to frying is not to overcook it.
I let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes to cook through with residual heat, so it takes longer to prepare than in the past.
The shrimp for the shrimp fry is peeled after the order is received.
Flavors cherished since establishment and newly created menu items
Is the dressing also popular?
Kono
We also make a Japanese-style soy sauce dressing in-house, homemade.
Before the second generation started the curry shop, he was running a pub-like izakaya near Ichibangai in Kurashiki and the old Daiei.
They served salads at that izakaya pub and used this dressing.
Customers who used to visit during the pub days still come to Curry House Kobeya.
Are there any newly created menu items?
Kono
Milkshakes and cream sodas are new menu items.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I thought I had to do something and created them.
I am trying to take on new challenges little by little to offer new menu items.
They are quite popular.
Thoughts about the store
What kind of store do you want to be for your customers?
Kono
I don't intend to change the store significantly.
I want to keep it as accessible to customers as possible.
I want to be a store that remains unchanged for locals who have moved out of the prefecture and return to Kurashiki.
It is important to accumulate the care for each customer.
That leads to repeat customers.
Conclusion
Before the interview, I had visited Curry House Kobeya several times, but many aspects of its name origin and history were shrouded in mystery.
Through the interview, I experienced the feeling of uncovering long-standing mysteries.
Having been a curry shop for about 40 years, I believe it has required significant effort to remain loved.
Curry House Kobeya continues to protect flavors supported by many fans while also creating new menu items.
If you're interested, please go and try the curry and hayashi rice.
Data on Curry House Kobeya
| Name | Curry House Kobeya |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-7-1 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-422-0298 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 11 AM to 8:30 PM (Last order at 8 PM) |
| Regular Holiday | Monday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Seats | 21 seats: 6 counter seats, 4 tables |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Curry House Kobeya |
