Bukkake udon Kawahara (hereafter Kawahara) is a udon shop located in Mabi, Kurashiki City.
Having been beloved in the community for over 25 years,
it was affected by the "Heisei 30 Heavy Rain" disaster.
It suffered significant damage that made it difficult to continue operations.
Kawahara reopened about 3 months after the disaster.
This was one of the earliest reopenings among businesses in Mabi, and many customers visited, expressing joy at the resumption of operations.
In fact, Kawahara is a shop I have visited frequently since I was a child.
Now, I have also taken my own children there, and we have been using it across three generations: parent, child, and grandchild.
Since it is a shop I have strong feelings for, the reopening is happy news for me as well.
I spoke with Ryo Kawahara, the owner of Kawahara, about the charm of the udon that has been loved in the local area for many years, as well as the circumstances behind the decision to reopen early and his feelings towards the community.
▼Relocated and newly built in May 2021, starting anew!
Bukkake udon Kawahara is a long-established udon shop rooted in the community
Kawahara is a long-established udon shop located in Mabi.
The owner, Kawahara Yukio, and his wife, Tuyako, have been managing the shop together.
Since April 2019, their son, Ryo, has joined them, and they are currently operating with the three of them, along with two part-time staff and one part-time worker.
Kawahara was established in 1993 when Yukio became independent from a udon shop in the Mizushima area of Kurashiki City.
It is a long-established shop that celebrated its 26th anniversary in 2019.
Yukio's delicious udon and Tuyako's bright and energetic service have made it beloved in the community for many years.
Quickly resumed operations after the Heisei 30 Heavy Rain
Kawahara was affected by the "Heisei 30 Heavy Rain" that occurred in 2018, suffering damage due to the flooding of the Oda River.
The interior and equipment of the shop were almost completely destroyed, but it reopened for business in October 2018, about 3 months after the disaster.
▼ The shop's sign after reopening also says "Cheer up Mabi," reflecting a strong commitment to the local area.
It was one of the earliest reopenings among affected businesses in Mabi, and there were voices of joy from the local community.
▼ Inside the shop, there are messages from customers and local residents displayed.
Popular menu items at Bukkake udon Kawahara
▼ Kawahara offers a main selection of 17 types of udon. For an additional 150 yen, you can get a large serving.
▼ In addition to udon, there are also side menu items like oden and takikomi gohan. Alcoholic beverages are also available.
Additionally, for an extra 50 yen for the container, all items are available for takeout.
The most popular is "Bukkake udon" with squid and various other types
Among the many udon dishes, the most popular is "Bukkake udon".
There are 5 types of Bukkake udon.
All can be served hot or cold.
▼ Among the 5 types of Bukkake udon, the most popular is the Bukkake udon with squid.
▼ On top of the Bukkake udon, there is a generous amount of cut squid tempura, making it a very filling dish.
▼ The thick, chewy noodles have a wonderful texture, and they pair well with the sweet and rich broth.
Following the Bukkake udon with squid, the "Bukkake udon with small shrimp" is also popular.
The Bukkake udon with small shrimp features a large tempura with small shrimp on top of the Bukkake udon.
"Niku udon" is popular year-round
In addition to Bukkake udon, another popular dish is Niku udon.
According to the shop, Niku udon is a warm dish, but it is enjoyed year-round regardless of the season.
▼ The generous amount of meat allows you to savor the umami flavor, and there is plenty of tenkasu (tempura scraps).
▼ The clear broth has a delightful flavor of dashi.
In summer, "Tempura zaru udon," and in winter, "Yudame tempura udon" are also popular
Additionally, in summer, "Tempura zaru udon" is popular, and in winter, "Yudame tempura udon" is frequently ordered.
Both come with a assortment of tempura served with zaru udon or yudame udon.
The contents of the tempura are as follows:
- Large shrimp (2 pieces)
- Sweet potato (1 piece)
- Shishito peppers (2 pieces)
- Shiitake mushroom (1 piece)
Side menu items like "Inari sushi" and oden are also recommended
Kawahara also has a rich selection of side menu items.
▼ The Inari sushi has a simple flavor.
▼Oden comes in many varieties.
▼During the interview, I ate four types of oden.
- Konnyaku
- Daikon
- Beef tendon
- Egg
All of the ingredients are well infused with flavor.
The interior has many table seats and tatami rooms, making it easy for families to enjoy
The interior of Kawahara is spacious.
There are 7 counter seats, but there are many table seats and tatami rooms.
Therefore, it is easy for groups and families to use.
▼There were three tatami rooms.
There is plenty of space between the tables, so it is safe for those with small children.
There are no steps, making it easy for wheelchair users to access.
Despite suffering significant damage from the heavy rain in July 2018, Kawahara quickly reopened its doors.
Residents of the affected area expressed their joy.
I spoke with Ryosuke, the son of the owner, Kawahara Yukio, who has decided to carry on the legacy of Kawahara.
Data on Sanuki Udon Kawahara
| Name | Sanuki Udon Kawahara |
|---|---|
| Address | 94 Arii, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 0866-98-8286 |
| Parking | Available There are several stores on the premises, and the parking is shared |
| Business Hours | 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Regular Holidays | Monday Open on holidays (no substitute holidays) |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted Reservations may not be accepted during busy times |
| Seating | 48 seats ・Counter: 8 seats ・4-person tables: 6 tables ・4-person tatami room: 1 table ・6-person tatami rooms: 2 tables ※ Seating may change |
| Smoking | Smoking allowed |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Childcare | Children's chairs, dishes, aprons, and udon cutters available |
| Barrier-Free | No steps, so wheelchair access is possible |
| Website | Official website of Sanuki Udon Kawahara |
