Interview with Nakahara, the manager of the Bukkake udon food truck
Nakahara, the manager of the Bukkake udon food truck, and Fukuda, the president of the company.
Fukuda runs a facility for people with disabilities.
Nakahara previously worked at a disability welfare facility.
The story of Bukkake udon began with these two individuals who worked at a disability welfare facility.
What motivated them to start Bukkake udon?
We will delve into the story of Fukuda and Nakahara.
The story of how the Bukkake udon food truck was born
What was the reason for choosing fried chicken?
Fukuda
I have been running facilities for people with disabilities for over 10 years.
One of the facilities has a Type B employment support office where people with disabilities can work.
The work done by the people using the office involves roasting and selling coffee beans.
The working hours are from 9 AM to 3 PM, but there was a reality where we couldn't properly pay wages to guarantee their living.
To create jobs that people with disabilities can do at their own pace and to guarantee wages sufficient for living, we started taking action.
We researched various jobs and tried them out ourselves.
While trying out shops and cafes, I thought that preparing for tomorrow and the day after would allow people with disabilities to work at their own pace with peace of mind.
At one point, a friend who runs a fried chicken shop in Okayama Prefecture said to me, "Why not give it a try?" and it was fried chicken.
When my friend taught me the process of preparing fried chicken, I felt, "This is it!"
To create jobs for people with disabilities and guarantee wages for living, I decided to start a fried chicken shop.
Why did you start selling fried chicken from a food truck?
Fukuda
Originally, I planned to start outside Okayama Prefecture.
I worked at a disability facility in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. After returning to my hometown of Okayama Prefecture and establishing a disability facility, I had decided to work in Kobe City after 10 years.
After working in Okayama Prefecture for 10 years, I thought about starting a fried chicken shop in Kobe City, but the COVID-19 pandemic spread in the country.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, I couldn't find a shop in Kobe City, so I decided to open a fried chicken shop in Okayama Prefecture.
Although I started in Okayama Prefecture, I still couldn't find a shop.
That's when I thought of the food truck, which had been gaining popularity for a while.
I decided to challenge myself to sell fried chicken from a food truck.
Why did you decide to start with two people?
Fukuda
I originally met Nakahara through an introduction from an acquaintance.
While searching for jobs for people with disabilities, I was running a cafe, and Nakahara came to help.
At the same time I thought, "Let's do it," Nakahara's posts on social media increased.
From there, I thought, "We can do this together" and asked Nakahara, "Would you like to run a fried chicken shop together with the goal of creating jobs for people with disabilities?"
He quickly replied, "I will," so we decided to start together.
Nakahara
I originally worked at a disability welfare facility, but I was also interested in food and beverage.
I enjoyed helping Fukuda at his cafe.
I was exploring what I could do and studying.
I had a desire to create jobs for people with disabilities in the future.
Then, when Fukuda reached out to me, I decided to challenge myself to run a fried chicken shop.
Before starting the fried chicken shop, I visited many fried chicken shops to taste and think about the seasoning.
I continue to think about the seasoning even now.
Recommendations from the Bukkake udon food truck
What do you recommend from Bukkake udon?
Fukuda
My recommendation is Nakahara's customer service skills.
Customers who buy fried chicken come back to see Nakahara again.
When customers buy fried chicken, they say things like "It was delicious. I'll come back" or "Your service is great."
It's not just one or two people.
We also receive treats from customers saying, "If you like, please take this."
Sometimes children bring us treats.
We feel happy, so we express our thanks directly to the customers or through social media.
The connection between people makes us feel, "Let's deliver delicious fried chicken for our customers."
Is there anything you value in your interactions with customers?
Nakahara
When talking, I value sensing what kind of expression I have and making eye contact.
At Bukkake udon, we get out of the food truck to hand over the products.
If the wait time becomes long, we inform customers to wait in their cars, and we have also started taking phone reservations to reduce wait times.
I strive to make customers who come to buy fried chicken feel happy.
The customer service skills I learned came from the users I met while working at the welfare facility.
Meeting and interacting with various people in the welfare facility has been beneficial for my customer service.
Why do you get out of the food truck to hand over the products?
Nakahara
Since the food truck has windows at a higher position, I inevitably end up handing over the products from above the customers.
I want to deliver the products at the same eye level as the customers.
So, I get out of the food truck to hand over the products.
I want customers who chose Bukkake udon to enjoy freshly made fried chicken.
The future of the Bukkake udon food truck delivering food and connection
Do you have any goals for the future?
Fukuda
On November 13, 2022, a fried chicken shop opened in Tamano City.
Through fried chicken, I want to enable people with disabilities to work at their own pace.
I am exploring which processes can become jobs.
The types of fried chicken are still in the process of being developed, so they will increase significantly in the future.
When considering the types, I want to challenge myself while observing how people with disabilities work.
I plan to create a place where we can seriously think about jobs that can be done together with people with disabilities.
I also want to deliver to people with disabilities living both inside and outside Okayama Prefecture.
While society is saying there is a severe labor shortage and that the number of people is decreasing, the number of people with disabilities is increasing.
I believe that if people with disabilities work and become part of the labor force, we can solve the labor shortage.
Thinking about the future five years from now, I want to create jobs for people with disabilities.
I want to deliver delicious fried chicken that brings smiles to customers.
Trying the Bukkake udon from the Bukkake udon food truck
Enjoy the deliciousness of the voluminous fried chicken at Bukkake udon.
Today, they are probably delivering fried chicken somewhere in Kurashiki.
Bukkake udon brings smiles to everyone through fried chicken.
Bukkake udon has various locations where they set up shop.
Check their social media and be sure to taste their fried chicken.
Data on the Bukkake udon food truck
| Name | Bukkake udon food truck |
|---|---|
| Address | 307-1 Hayashi, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 080-4559-3036 |
| Parking | Available ※Parking information and number of spaces may vary depending on the location |
| Business Hours | 11 AM to 8 PM ※Business hours may change depending on the sales location |
| Regular Holidays | Monday ※Regular holidays may change. Please refer to the official social media for details |
| Payment Methods |
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| Reservation Availability | Yes Phone reservations are accepted |
| Seating | None |
| Toilet | No toilet |
| Website | Official Instagram of Bukkake udon |
