Have you heard of “ebimeshi”?
Ebimeshi is one of Okayama’s signature local dishes.
As its name suggests, it is fried rice made with shrimp. Its black color makes for a striking appearance.
There’s a shop that lets you take home ebimeshi from a mobile food truck.
It’s called “Ikinaya.”
It sets up in the parking lots of shops and at events in Kurashiki City, Soja City, Hayashima Town, and elsewhere.
It’s wonderful to be able to enjoy this popular, delicious ebimeshi at home.
Here we introduce Ikinaya’s ebimeshi, what makes it special, and the shop’s history.
The shop is expected to reopen at a new location in spring 2024, so it will close temporarily at the end of December 2023. For details, check social media or visit the shop.
The information presented here is as of when this article was published in September 2021. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Ikinaya is a mobile vendor specializing in Okayama’s local specialty, ebimeshi
Ikinaya is a mobile vendor specializing in “ebimeshi.”
It sells its food mainly in Kurashiki City, as well as in parking lots at supermarkets and shops in Soja City, Hayashima Town, and elsewhere.
Ikinaya’s schedule is updated regularly on its official social media accounts, so be sure to check them.
Ikinaya issues a loyalty card.
You can choose between a paper card and LINE points, which is convenient.
Ebimeshi originated in Tokyo and is a popular Western-style dish known as an Okayama specialty.
It is fried rice with generous chunks of shrimp and a jet-black color, making for a striking appearance.
Ikinaya’s menu
Prices include consumption tax. Information as of August 2021 (Reiwa 3)
Ikinaya’s main menu item is, of course, “ebimeshi.”
And it offers many different kinds of ebimeshi, not just the regular version.
At the time of our visit, there were six regular options and one seasonal special, “Omutan (tantan-style omu-ebimeshi)” (800 yen), for a total of seven.
The ebimeshi itself is the same across all menu items; the toppings and other ingredients vary.
Ikinaya also takes care in choosing the containers used to serve its ebimeshi.
It uses containers made from plant-based materials that are water- and oil-resistant.
They are also sturdy and deep, so the ebimeshi inside doesn’t get squashed.
When we visited, we ate the ebimeshi about 40 minutes after buying it, and it was still piping hot.
Ikinaya also offers side dishes.
Options included “ebi sticks” in three flavors and “catalana,” a European-style ice cream pudding.
Unfortunately, the ebi sticks were sold out when we visited.
In addition to ebimeshi and side dishes, Ikinaya also sells its own merchandise, including original badges.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a photo-cleaning service in Mabi, which was affected by the July 2018 heavy rains.
Ikinaya’s recommendations
Ikinaya offers a variety of ebimeshi dishes.
Every menu item comes with coleslaw.
Here are some recommendations from the extensive menu.
“Ebimeshi” is all about plump shrimp and the flavor of its signature sauce
Ikinaya’s signature dish and most popular item is “ebimeshi.”
It was topped with scrambled egg.
The rice has a glossy amber color, and as you eat, the rich sweetness and fragrant aroma characteristic of ebimeshi gently spread across your palate.
The onions are sautéed to a beautiful amber color.
The rice used for ebimeshi is Akebono rice from Okayama Prefecture.
Mixed grains are added to it.
The onions are deliberately chopped into fairly large pieces so their presence is noticeable.
The onions add a contrast of tender and crunchy textures to the rice, and their gentle sweetness comes through clearly, complementing the flavor of the rice.
The shrimp have a satisfyingly springy texture and a rich shrimp flavor.
Even when eaten with the other ingredients, the shrimp really stand out.
“Omu Ebimeshi” is popular with women for its fluffy, creamy egg!
“Omu Ebimeshi” is ebimeshi wrapped in egg, like omurice.
It is topped with plenty of demi-glace-based sauce and ketchup sauce.
Omu Ebimeshi is an extremely popular menu item with women!
The egg is soft and fluffy.
The harmony of the egg’s flavor and the taste of the ebimeshi, combined with the egg’s texture—creamy yet fluffy—makes for an indescribably delicious dish.
There is also a variation called “Mentai Mayo Omu Ebimeshi.”
“Yakiniku Ebimeshi” is satisfying, topped with grilled pork belly
“Yakiniku Ebimeshi” is ebimeshi topped with yakiniku.
The yakiniku is pork belly grilled until fragrant.
It is also topped with a 온sen egg.
It looks like a hearty, filling menu item that will give you plenty of energy.
Yakiniku Ebimeshi is recommended for anyone looking for a hearty meal!
It’s especially popular with men.
The pork belly’s sweet fat and savory meat make it easy to keep eating.
The pork belly is also nice and thick.
Ebimeshi and grilled pork belly go surprisingly well together.
“Loco Moco Ebimeshi” is a lavish dish topped with a cheeseburger patty and fried egg!
As its name suggests, “Loco Moco Ebimeshi” is ebimeshi inspired by Hawaii’s famous loco moco.
It is topped with a cheeseburger patty.
This lavish ebimeshi is also topped with a onsen egg.
The cheese had melted and become creamy.
The hamburger patty inside is delicious and has a satisfyingly meaty texture.
When you break the soft-boiled egg, its appetizing yolk flows out.
Mix the yolk with the ebimeshi and hamburger patty, and the egg’s flavor adds richness to both!
“Special Ebimeshi” is a hearty dish topped with three kinds of fried food
“Special Ebimeshi” is ebimeshi that feels special, just as its name suggests.
It is topped with no fewer than three kinds of fried food.
The toppings are fried shrimp, pork tenderloin cutlet, and spicy chicken.
And each one looks satisfyingly substantial.
A tempting triple combo of toppings!
Actually, these were originally separate ebimeshi toppings that have been combined.
It is also topped with an onsen egg.
This is a lavish ebimeshi recommended for anyone who wants to leave feeling completely full.
Ikinaya is a rare mobile vendor selling Okayama’s famous ebimeshi.
We spoke with the owner, Hattori Hideki.
Ikinaya details
| Name | Ikinaya |
|---|---|
| Address | Main locations include Kurashiki City, Soja City, Hayashima Town, Tamano City, and Okayama City (see official social media for details). Based in Kojima |
| Contact | 090-8364-9822 |
| Parking | Available Parking availability and capacity vary by location |
| Hours | Varies by location (Most often from 11 a.m. to around 6 or 7 p.m.) |
| Closed | Wednesdays If there is an event on Wednesday, closed the following day |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted |
| Seating | None |
| Website | Ikinaya Official Facebook |
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The menu changes from time to time, with new items added.
Popular limited-time items sometimes become regular menu options.
On the other hand, if the menu gets too large, customers may have trouble choosing, so items are sometimes removed or combined.