“A café reminiscent of the Mizushima industrial complex”
Such an extraordinary place can be found in Kurashiki.
The café located in the new spot “Achi Terrace Kurashiki,” which opened south of JR Kurashiki Station in 2021, is named “.KOMBINAT.”
It is a completely new space where Japan's unique “wabi-sabi” harmonizes and fuses with the industrial ruggedness of “industrial.”
Let me introduce the charm of “.KOMBINAT.”
What is .KOMBINAT?
“.KOMBINAT” is located within the complex “Achi Terrace Kurashiki,” about a 5-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station.
It is a shop produced by Isodo, which operates “72cafe”.
The highlight is undoubtedly the design, with the exterior and interior inspired by the Mizushima industrial complex.
The space is three-dimensional and stylish.
Additionally, it is a rare shop where most of the service is self-service from entry to exit.
A waterfall flowing inside the café
Inside the café, there is actually a waterfall.
The sound of the quiet water allows you to forget the busy days and spend a relaxing time.
Pipes on the ceiling
There are several pipes running across the ceiling.
Seeing these pipes gives you the sensation of having wandered into a sci-fi world.
Receive a lantern at the entrance and order with your smartphone
First, upon entering, you receive a “lantern with a QR code,” which you hang on the hook on your table to scan the QR code and display the menu.
Then, you can order your favorite dishes, desserts, and drinks.
Ordering from the menu using your smartphone is a modern system.
Even though you use a smartphone, the operation is simple, so once you get used to it, you might find it easier to order without worrying about bothering the staff.
Enjoy authentic pizza baked in a kiln
When your dish is ready, the staff will call your number, and you go to the counter to pick it up.
After some deliberation on which menu to choose, I ordered the “classic Margherita.”
After a short wait, the freshly baked pizza from the authentic kiln was served.
Just by looking at it, you can tell it’s hot, and the appetizing aroma of tomato sauce and cheese wafts through the air.
When I tried it, it was delicious as expected.
The pizza dough is chewy on the inside, with a thick and crispy edge.
The balance of cheese, tomato sauce, and basil was perfect, making it truly a classic Margherita as the menu name suggests.
Pasta with one of the world's three great delicacies
Next, I ordered the “supreme spaghettini.”
This pasta is topped with truffles, one of the world's three great delicacies.
Moreover, it is not just a small amount but generously used, making it truly a specialty.
When I tasted it, the moment it touched my mouth, the deliciousness spread.
It was my first time eating truffles, but the aroma of truffles wafting through my nose combined with the cream sauce's richness overflowed with umami.
The pasta was also chewy and paired well with the cream sauce.
Other menu items
The dessert menu item “garden tiramisu” is a rich cream tiramisu that expresses the essence of wabi-sabi.
It allows you to feel a sense of Japanese aesthetics and is a photogenic menu item.
There were also other items like “.wa parfait,” which features rich matcha cream, crumble cookies, and hojicha ice cream.
Next time I visit, I plan to try other menu items as well.
The interior, designed with Kurashiki's traditional industry of “igusa” and the industrial area of Mizushima “kombinat,” allows you to fully experience the charm of Kurashiki.
“.KOMBINAT” is a place where you can feel the attention to detail from the interior to the dishes.
I spoke with the general manager, Fujiwara Shinya, about the café.
Data on .KOMBINAT (Dot Kombinat)
| Name | .KOMBINAT (Dot Kombinat) |
|---|---|
| Address | 124 Achi Terrace Kurashiki North Building, 3-9-1 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-454-5000 |
| Parking | Available City-operated Achi Terrace Kurashiki Parking (paid) |
| Business Hours | 11:30 AM - 2:00 AM the next day |
| Regular Holiday | Tuesday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation Availability | Yes Smartphone order requires bringing a smartphone |
| Seating | 92 seats: 62 inside + 30 on the terrace |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | .KOMBINAT Isodo Co., Ltd. |
