Interview with the owner of Eiseimaru, Ohashi Hisashi
Ajidokoro Eiseimaru in Kasaoka offers seasonal "local flavors".
An interview with the owner, Ohashi Hisashi.
We talked about the story of the establishment, seasonal recommended ingredients and dishes, thoughts on sake, and future prospects.
Origin in the shipping industry during the Meiji period. Transition from a public dining hall to an izakaya
First, I would like to know about the background of your business.
Ohashi (no honorifics)
Our origin dates back to the late Meiji period.
Initially, it was established as a shipping business. Shortly after, while continuing the shipping business, we started a public dining hall in front of Kasaoka Station.
This dining hall was named "Eiseimaru".
Eiseimaru is named after a ship used in the shipping business.
Eventually, we ceased the shipping business and focused solely on the public dining hall.
Gradually, the business model changed, operating as a public dining hall during the day and an izakaya at night.
Then, in the mid-2000s, we became exclusively an izakaya.
By the way, the original store was located near the current clock tower at Kasaoka Station rotary.
Due to urban redevelopment, we relocated to our current location.
The establishment was started by my great-great-grandfather.
After my great-grandfather, grandfather, and father, I am the fifth generation.
Naturally succeeded the business, but there were times I wanted to quit...
It's a historic store, but didn't you dislike succeeding the business?
Ohashi
Honestly, since I saw my grandparents and parents running Eiseimaru from a young age, it felt like a natural flow to succeed the business.
However, when I actually started working in the culinary world, there were many challenges.
At first, I worked at my parents' acquaintances' restaurants for training, but there were times I wanted to run away.
Despite that, I gradually started to enjoy cooking.
I still have a good relationship with some restaurants, and I visit them as a customer.
While discussing various cooking topics, I receive hints and advice on cooking.
Enjoy seasonal seafood recommendations
I heard the menu changes every month; could you tell me about the recommended ingredients and dishes for each season?
Ohashi
At our restaurant, we use 70-80% seafood caught off the coast of Kasaoka.
First, in spring, I recommend "Sakuradai (桜鯛)".
Sakuradai is sourced immediately after being "nerve-purged".
It is characterized by its incredibly firm flesh.
After resting a bit, it has a pleasant texture and tastes several times better than regular sea bream!
During the rainy season, I recommend "Hamo (鱧)".
Hamo can be enjoyed until autumn.
And from the rainy season to summer, there is a very short period when "Fuka (鱶)" is available.
Fuka refers to "shark (鮫)".
Fuka is delicious when served with mustard miso after being parboiled!
The season for Fuka is unpredictable and very short, so those who come when Fuka is available are lucky!
I hope you will try it.
In summer, I recommend "Kochi (鯒)".
Magochi (真鯒) to be specific.
Also, in summer, "Tako (蛸)" and "Kisu (鱚)" are also delicious.
What are the recommendations for autumn and winter?
Ohashi
In autumn, "Ikka (烏賊)" and "Ebi (海老)" are in season and delicious!
Also, I particularly like the male Blue Crab because it has firm, sweet meat.
In autumn, please try the male Blue Crab!
In winter, nothing beats "Sawara (鰆)" and "Oysters!"
Sawara is often caught in spring, but actually, the winter "Kan-Sawara" is the most delicious.
For oysters, we use "Yorishima Oysters" from the neighboring area of Kasaoka.
They have a firm texture and rich flavor.
Oysters can be enjoyed from December until the end of February or around March.
Especially, I hope you will try the oysters around March when the season is ending.
They are so large that they overflow from the shell, and the flavor is rich!
Also, the female Blue Crab appears in winter, replacing the males.
The female Blue Crab is popular because it contains roe.
I want people to enjoy sake that pairs well with seafood
I can feel your commitment to sake.
Ohashi
Our restaurant specializes in seafood dishes.
Of course, the drink that pairs best with our menu is sake!
Moreover, sake is connected to Japan's history and culture.
If you live in Japan, I hope you will taste and become familiar with sake, even a little.
What I am particularly proud of is that we have the rare Yamagata brand, Juyondai.
Some people come to our restaurant specifically for this.
In addition, we have a variety of carefully selected brands from not only the local area but also from all over the country.
We also offer a "Sake Tasting Set", so please enjoy the delicious seafood along with the taste of sake at our restaurant.
Like a snail, my motto is "steady and long-lasting"
Finally, I would like to hear about your future prospects and what you would like to do.
Ohashi
My motto for running the restaurant is "steady and long-lasting".
I feel that "the time to stop is when I die".
So, my goal is to continue this way of doing things in the future.
Actually, I write the menu myself and also draw the illustrations.
In the illustrations, I always include a small snail drawing.
I connected the earlier motto of "steady and long-lasting" with the journey of a snail.
It's a small illustration, but when you come to our restaurant and see the menu, please check out the snail illustration (laughs).
Eiseimaru is a place to enjoy delicious seafood and sake from the waters near Kasaoka
Kasaoka, an old port town, is a region close to seafood.
The charm of Eiseimaru lies in the variety of seasonal seafood that can be enjoyed, unique to Kasaoka.
Since the menu changes every month and seasonal ingredients can be enjoyed, if I lived near the restaurant, I would definitely want to visit Eiseimaru every month.
I believe Eiseimaru is worth visiting even from outside Kasaoka City.
How about enjoying the seasonal seafood and carefully selected sake from Kasaoka at Eiseimaru?
Ajidokoro Eiseimaru Information
| Name | Ajidokoro Eiseimaru |
|---|---|
| Address | 33-4 Chuo-cho, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 0865-62-2763 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM |
| Regular Holiday | Sunday |
| Payment Method |
|
| Reservation Availability | Available |
| Seating | Total 35 seats ・Counter: 5 seats ・Table seats for 6: 1 table ・Table seats for 4: 4 tables ・Tatami seating for 4: 2 tables 【During COVID-19 measures, the following】 Total 27 seats ・Counter: 3 seats ・Table seats for 3: 2 tables ・Table seats for 4: 3 tables ・Tatami seating for 3: 2 tables |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Childcare | Generally, entry for children under elementary school age is not allowed |
| Barrier-Free | ・Wheelchair accessible ・Toilet is not wheelchair accessible |
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