The "Future Hyaku Cafe," filled with the owner's favorite things, is a small cafe loved by the locals.
The unique name comes from "We will do our best for 100 years!"
The curry is packed with black sesame, and the dessert and food menu are also substantial.
It makes you think how nice it would be to have a place like this in your daily life. There was a mysterious comfort that you couldn't help but feel.
Whether you come to chat or spend time alone, I will introduce you to a wonderful cafe that you will want to become a regular at.
Mysterious Comfort. Future Hyaku Cafe
The "Future Hyaku Cafe" quietly stands on a street corner in Kurashiki.
It opens at 7 AM, making it a convenient spot for locals and tourists for breakfast.
Upon entering the cafe, you are greeted by the owner, Mr. Watanabe, who is busy working at the counter.
He manages everything from cooking to serving all by himself, looking busy yet somehow enjoying it.
The cozy interior is surrounded by miscellaneous goods and books.
He says, "This is what happens when I gather only the things I like," but for some reason, it feels like a place where you can relax.
The table seats facing the window are always filled with customers coming and going.
If you want to enjoy chatting, head to the counter seats.
Mr. Watanabe is a great listener and a good talker. Before I knew it, I was having a fun time discussing music, cooking, and photography, forgetting about the interview.
There are also sofa seats. You can relax in a space that feels like your own home.
All the books in the cafe are Mr. Watanabe's collection. There are picture books as well, so it seems like a great place for families with children.
A Menu Delightful for Daily Use, from Morning to Dessert
He says, "It's a menu I can handle by myself," but it is quite substantial.
The morning plate available until 10 AM includes a drink and a half Croque Monsieur for 500 yen. It is popular among regulars and tourists alike.
There is also a "Breakfast Set with Carefully Selected Rice Cooked by a Rice Sommelier" (reservation available) in collaboration with local farmers in Kurashiki, which is a menu I would love to try during the new rice season.
The popular menu item, Black Sesame Curry with Pork, Eggplant, and Lotus Root, is also available as a set. You can choose either coffee or tea.
The soda menu of "That's right! 10" is also cute. In addition, there are seasonal limited desserts and festival menus available.
Amazing Deliciousness! Special Black Sesame Curry and Retro Jelly
I ordered the Black Sesame Curry Set with Pork, Eggplant, and Lotus Root for 880 yen (tax included). I chose iced tea as my drink.
The curry contains black sesame paste. You can really see the presence of black sesame just by looking at it!
The spicy aroma of the spices overlaps with the unique sweet scent of black sesame, whetting the appetite of curry lovers.
The turmeric-fried multigrain rice is served with marinated carrots. The fluffy rice pairs well with the curry sauce.
It's also delicious when mixed with the marinated carrots! The sweetness of the onion chips pairs perfectly with the curry.
The curry has a tangy flavor, combined with the richness and aroma of black sesame, the crunchy texture of lotus root, and the juiciness of eggplant.
I never knew curry and black sesame could go so well together!
With each bite, there are different textures and flavors, and I finished it in no time.
Even though it was my first time eating this curry, it felt somehow nostalgic. I highly recommend this dish.
The iced tea is beautifully colored. Usually, it uses tea from Teiju, a tea shop located in Denenchofu, Tokyo.
On the day of the interview, I happened to get a cup of English Breakfast from Harrods in England.
It has a refreshing aroma and is easy to drink, making it a delicious iced tea that pairs well with the black sesame curry.
Mr. Watanabe worked at a specialty tea shop for over 10 years, but he himself is a coffee lover. I couldn't help but laugh at that.
Prepared for a good photo opportunity, the Hawaiian Jelly is 450 yen (tax included).
What a cute jelly it is! The little cherry on top is retro and stylish.
The Hawaiian jelly has just the right amount of elasticity, and when you take a bite, the sweet and sour taste combined with the bouncy texture makes for a refreshing dessert.
A Commitment to "Create a Comfortable Place for Myself"
Why is Future Hyaku Cafe so comfortable?
Even though I was nervous during the interview, I suddenly realized that I was enjoying chatting with the owner and this space.
“I only put things I like. I wanted to create a store that feels comfortable to me.”
From miscellaneous goods to small items, tableware, and books, the cafe is filled with things that the owner, Mr. Watanabe, loves.
You can find your favorite things in the store, feel cozy, chat, or just relax.
That kind of free and relaxed atmosphere might be the charm of Future Hyaku Cafe.
A cafe that blends into the town and the people, into everyday life
I want to eat delicious food and spend time surrounded by things I love. If that could be an everyday occurrence, I would be very happy.
Future Hyaku Cafe is a place that seems to have turned such feelings into a cafe.
After finishing the interview, I found myself flipping through my planner, wondering, “When should I go next?”
Knowing about it makes everyday life a little more enjoyable, and just thinking about wanting to go there makes me happy. It’s nice to have a place like that.
I want to continue visiting Future Hyaku Cafe, which is striving to last for 100 years.
