Interview with the owner, Shinooka Takuma
Eucalyptus delivers deliciousness and energy to its visitors.
I spoke with the owner, Shinooka Takuma, about the background and thoughts behind starting the store.
The beginning was a sudden store contract that surprised the family
What was the trigger for opening "Eucalyptus"?
Shinooka
Originally, I was selling at markets and supplying to "Bokke~kiteya".
My sister mainly handles the menu and recipe development.
She lives in Tokyo, but she comes back to Tamashima for half of the month.
At that time, I was making sweets and rice flour bread using rice flour, as well as bento using koji seasonings.
Gradually, I started getting asked by customers, "Where is your store?" and the desire to have a store began to grow little by little.
I started looking for a property, but I couldn't find a good connection...
One day, when I passed by this store in my car, I noticed it had a different atmosphere than usual.
I immediately contacted the real estate agent, and to my surprise, I was told it was scheduled to become a rental property.
I went straight to the real estate agent, signed the contract, and came back.
I had no experience in the restaurant business, and I signed the contract without consulting my family.
My family was surprised and said, "What are you going to do!?"
With the help of my sister and culinary researchers, we opened on July 7, 2022.
Why did you choose to set up your store in Tamashima?
Shinooka
Because it's my hometown.
Coincidentally, acquaintances and my former teachers from school sometimes visit.
It's very nice to reunite after a long time.
There is a boarding high school nearby, and I heard that students from there come to my store.
They have wheat allergies and cannot use the cafeteria, so they were looking for a place where they could eat dishes that do not use wheat.
I want to create something everyone can eat together, whether they have allergies or not
Why do you offer dishes and sweets using koji and rice flour?
Shinooka
I started making sweets and bread using rice flour because I wanted to create something everyone could eat together, even if they have allergies.
I had heard stories about not being able to eat the same cake on birthdays or bringing rice balls from home on "bread day" at school.
It's painful to be the only one who can't eat the same thing when everyone is having fun together, right?
Especially for children.
The reason I use koji seasonings is that koji has always been familiar to me, so it was natural to incorporate it.
My mother originally liked fermented foods and koji seasonings, and she often cooked with koji.
Since my family suffered from allergies and asthma, she might have used it to provide "healthy food".
Koji is said to have beneficial effects on gut health and immunity.
Also, I simply really like the taste of koji seasonings.
It adds depth and richness to the dishes.
The secret of the fluffy and delicious eucalyptus rice flour bread
What are the characteristics of rice flour bread?
Shinooka
The characteristic is its chewy texture.
The downside is that it becomes hard over time.
If you are not going to eat it right away, I recommend freezing it.
When you eat it, please warm it up in the microwave.
Just like how hard mochi becomes soft when warmed in the microwave.
You can enjoy fluffy and delicious rice flour bread by warming it up.
The eucalyptus rice flour bread finally completed after many prototypes
Is there anything difficult about baking rice flour bread?
Shinooka
I had heard from my sister that baking rice flour bread is difficult, but when I tried it, it turned out surprisingly well.
Perhaps it was good that I had no "quirks".
When making bread with wheat, there is a process of kneading it well to create "gluten".
This is necessary to bake chewy bread.
However, when it comes to rice flour, it is difficult to bake fluffy and delicious rice flour bread.
Since I had never made bread before, I faithfully reproduced the recipe my sister taught me.
It seems that this was the key to success.
However, my sister went through a lot of prototypes to complete the recipe.
The water absorption rate varies slightly depending on the type of flour.
The choice of flour, as well as the combination and amount of ingredients and moisture, also affects the final product.
After many adjustments and prototypes, the current recipe was finally completed.
I mainly run the store, but it is supported by many people, including my sister.
Can you buy rice flour bread at the store?
It is sold at markets, but we sell frozen rice flour bread for takeout at the store.
My sister also holds rice flour bread classes in Tokyo and at this store.
Using natural yeast and fermented seasonings like salt sake lees and mirin syrup is a feature of making rice flour bread.
Some customers come to the class saying, "I want to try making the delicious eucalyptus rice flour bread at home."
That makes me very happy.
A store that can respond to customer feedback
Do you have any future plans for Eucalyptus?
Eventually, I would like to open a second store in Okayama City.
Some customers come all the way from Okayama City, so
I want to open someday to respond to customer feedback.
But that's just a thought.
I tend to say everything out loud (laughs)
Also, I am currently preparing to be able to take orders for birthday cakes and decoration cakes.
Until now, I only accepted orders when my sister came back to Okayama.
Recently, a pastry chef staff has joined us.
I hope that in the future, the store staff will be able to make decoration cakes.
I want to continue responding to customer feedback.
A café dining that delivers deliciousness and energy, Eucalyptus
Koji seasonings and fermented foods help to balance the mind and body and energize you.
Moreover, they maximize the power of the ingredients and make the dishes delicious.
It's like magic with koji.
Eucalyptus has a variety of lunches and sweets packed with the charm of koji seasonings.
As the seasons change, when you may feel unwell, why not visit?
Koji Cafe dining Eucalyptus data
| Name | Koji Cafe dining Eucalyptus |
|---|---|
| Address | 439-3 Tsuzaki, Tamashima, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 090-8606-0707 |
| Parking | Available 2 cars can park next to the store, and 4 cars can park next to the building. There is also space for 3 light vehicles a short walk away. |
| Business Hours | 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Last order at 10:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Takeout: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Regular Holiday | Wednesday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation | Available |
| Seating | 5 tables for 2 2 tables for 4 8 counter seats |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Childcare | Children's utensils available. High chairs available. Strollers allowed. |
| Barrier-free | Wheelchair accessible. There are steps near the entrance and toilet. |
| Website | Koji Cafe dining Eucalyptus: Instagram |
