Near the Chuo 1-chome intersection on Kurashiki Chuodori, there is a restaurant that is always bustling with customers. There is no signboard; the only thing written simply on the wall is “Kimuraya.” You can see people dining inside, which piques your curiosity about what kind of food they serve.
Kimuraya is a second restaurant run by Kimura Naoki (known as Naokimu), who also runs “Curry and Coffee Shop 774 (Nanashi),” featured on Kurashiki Tocotoco.
We visited Kimuraya, a restaurant whose menu and concept are completely different from Curry and Coffee Shop 774.
The information presented here was accurate when this article was published in July 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About the Kimuraya building
Kimuraya opened on November 11, 2023. It serves multinational cuisine, mainly Chinese and ethnic dishes. The building has a white-plaster-style exterior and is a renovated traditional house.
Before Kimuraya, the building housed Fuji Shokudo, a diner that had been in business for about 60 years. Kimuraya joined the dining room and kitchen area of Fuji Shokudo with a building that had once been an oden shop, creating a single space. Since the two establishments are connected, the layout is long and narrow.
The table seating includes a small table at the back, a rectangular table near the front that can accommodate larger groups, and seats by the window with a view outside. They added a large table because they want people to gather around it and enjoy a meal in a homey atmosphere. The window seats are perfect for those who want a more intimate dining experience.
The area to the left of the entrance was once part of the oden shop; it now contains the kitchen and counter seating.
“I wanted to cook while chatting with customers,” says Naokimu. He added counter seating, which the layout of Curry and Coffee Shop 774 (774) did not allow for.
From the counter seats, you can watch the food being prepared up close. Best of all, it’s fun to chat with Naokimu. Even while busy cooking, he takes the time to respond thoughtfully.
If you’d like to talk with Naokimu, be sure to sit at the counter.
Kimuraya’s menu
Kimuraya is open only in the evenings. Its main offerings are Chinese and ethnic dishes—something you wouldn’t guess from the exterior.
Some dishes are always available, but the menu changes frequently. Each visit is sure to bring a chance to discover something new.
While 774 serves curry and sweets, Kimuraya offers completely different dishes. However, the dishes that form the basis of Kimuraya’s menu were served during 774’s evening service.
As of July 2024, 774 is not open in the evenings.
Why Chinese and ethnic cuisine? Because Naokimu likes it, and it is a genre not found in the area where the restaurant is located.
Sometimes even the same dish gets a slight change in flavor.
Take ramen, for example. One day, a customer enjoyed plenty of food and natural wine at Kimuraya. To finish, they ordered ramen.
The customer reportedly said, “The ramen itself is delicious, but it’s not right for a final dish. The flavor is too strong, and the meat feels too heavy.”
In response to the customer’s feedback, the flavor was changed a week later.
Kombu was added to the soup, the kaeshi seasoning was increased, and the flavor was adjusted with soy sauce and mirin. The amount of sauce on the braised pork was reduced to tone down the sweetness, and the seasoning of the marinated egg was made milder. Scallion oil was added to enhance the aroma.
The large braised pork topping was made thinner so it wouldn’t feel too heavy. It became a bowl worthy of finishing a meal.
“We changed the ramen once, but we’ll keep making little adjustments. We’ll continue improving it,” says Naokimu.
His passion for continually updating the dish in pursuit of the latest, best version came through.
A place to enjoy again and again
Kimuraya continues to evolve. The menu is always changing, so some dishes may no longer be available, but here are a few things we tried.
Fried rice
Fried rice has become a regular menu item thanks to overwhelming support from regular customers. According to Naokimu, it will continue to be served.
It is astonishingly light and fluffy, with every grain of rice distinct. Large, springy shrimp and chunks of braised pork make it a rich fried rice. It’s a dish we recommend trying first if you’re unsure what to order.
Dashi omelet with Chinese-style sauce
The dashi omelet with Chinese-style sauce is another regular menu item. Perhaps it’s easiest to describe as the egg portion of tenshinhan made with a Japanese-style rolled omelet. It’s a dish that brings together the best of Japanese and Chinese cuisine.
Simple yet full of depth, rolled omelet with dashi is another dish with an irresistible appeal that makes you want to order it every time you visit, just like the fried rice.
Fried horse mackerel with century egg and narazuke tartar sauce
The fried horse mackerel with century egg and narazuke tartar sauce is a dish that will amaze you with its culinary ingenuity. The tartar sauce contains the surprising combination of century egg and narazuke pickles.
The century egg’s springy texture is interesting, and it has a mellow richness and saltiness unlike chicken eggs. The narazuke, meanwhile, has a crunchy texture and sweetness. This tartar sauce has a flavor you’ll encounter for the first time, and it’s so delicious it would be a shame to leave any behind.
For the last bite, I scooped up the remaining sauce and ate it on top of the fried horse mackerel.
Stir-fried liver and garlic chives
Let me also introduce the stir-fried liver and garlic chives, which I ate in no time because I couldn’t stop reaching for another bite.
It comes with large pieces of liver, fresh onion, green onion, and plenty of garlic chives. The wonderful aroma of green onion makes this dish especially appetizing.
It was a dish that made my body feel good, so much so that I thought, “This could recharge my energy.”
At Kimuraya, you’ll find small bites, more substantial dishes, and even katsu curry with an ethnic-cuisine twist. The menu is always changing, so what you can eat depends on the day. There’s something to look forward to every time you visit.
Kimuraya serves a wide variety of dishes. We spoke with the manager, Naokimu.
Kimuraya details
| Name | Kimuraya |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-7-15 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-697-6397 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | 6:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m. (last order 11:00 p.m.) |
| Closed | Irregular holidays |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted |
| Seating | 24 seats: 6 counter seats, 3 tables (seating 4, 4, and 6), and 4 window counter seats |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Kimuraya |
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