When you think of udon shops, don't you have the image of "handmade udon"?
I think so too.
However, there are surprisingly few shops that make authentic handmade udon using traditional methods.
Among them, there is a udon shop that has been continuing the traditional handmade udon method in the western part of Kurashiki City, in the Tamashima area.
That is "Handmade Udon Kura (Kura, hereafter Kura)".
Kura was originally a udon specialty noodle shop.
Later, in the late Showa era, it changed to a udon shop and has continued to operate in Tamashima.
In 2019 (the first year of Reiwa), the store was completely renovated.
Many customers visit Kura daily seeking delicious handmade udon.
Kura continues to make traditional handmade udon.
Of course, you can also enjoy the broth made with a rich dashi.
Let's delve into the charm of Handmade Udon Kura.
Kura was established in 1974, originating as a noodle shop specializing in udon
Kura is located in the southeastern part of Tamashima in Kurashiki City, in Otosima.
It is along the main road "Industrial Road" that connects Shin-Kurashiki Station and the Mizushima industrial area E district.
Kura was established in 1974 (Showa 49) as a udon specialty noodle shop.
In 1987 (Showa 62), it transitioned to a handmade udon shop.
In September 2019 (the first year of Reiwa), it began operations in a new store.
The new store is located immediately south of the old store.
The interior of Kura is spacious.
▼There are two tables for four people.
▼There are four box tables that are popular with families.
▼There are also two tatami mat tables for four people.
▼There are a total of eight seats at the shared tables.
The interior is divided into a non-smoking area and a smoking area.
The area near the entrance is non-smoking, while the area further back is for smoking.
▼Tempura scraps are self-service.
Tempura scraps are placed on each table.
Kura's Menu
Information as of April 2023 (Reiwa 5). Prices include tax.
Since Kura is a udon shop, it offers a variety of udon menu items.
From classic kake udon, meat udon, zaru udon, to Kura's original udon, the lineup is extensive.
Many of the main menu items have been available since the shop opened as a udon restaurant.
Additionally, the side menu is also substantial.
From rice dishes to a la carte items and oden, there is a wide selection.
The "Daily Special Set" (810 yen), which includes udon, rice, side dishes, and pickles, is also popular.
▼The daily special set during the interview included a minced cutlet and stir-fried komatsuna.
The udon in the set is either "kake udon" or "zaru udon".
For other types of udon, you can upgrade to a set for an additional 270 yen.
Additionally, Kura offers "kaedama" (170 yen), which is quite rare at udon shops.
Kaedama allows you to order an extra serving of noodles.
Furthermore, Kura provides a 50% discount on meals for those affected by the heavy rain disaster in July 2018, as a way to "help in any way possible."
To receive the disaster victim discount, please show the staff your disaster certificate or any identification that shows your address, such as a driver's license.
Please note that the disaster victim discount cannot be combined with other discounts or benefits.
Kura's handmade udon is super long! About 1 meter!
As the name suggests, Kura's udon is made using the "handmade" method.
Recently, the number of shops using machine-made noodles has increased, and there are fewer udon shops that stick to the handmade process.
At Kura, they continue the handmade method that has been passed down since its establishment, as it is considered the method that customers find the most delicious.
▼And Kura's udon noodles are very long!
It is said to be about 1 meter long.
Because it is long, even eating one strand at a time is quite satisfying.
The thickness is also quite substantial.
In the case of zaru udon or kamaage udon, be careful not to pick up too many noodles with your chopsticks, as they may not fit into the dipping sauce.
Of course, they also pay attention to the broth besides the udon noodles.
They make dashi daily in the shop.
Kura's rice is Asahi rice from Shinpon, Soja City
The rice used in Kura's set meals and side dishes is all Asahi rice from Shinpon in Soja City.
Ono Factory is the farm that produces the Asahi rice.
The Asahi rice grown in a clean area surrounded by greenery is highly praised for its deliciousness.
I personally love the Asahi rice, which has large grains and is very satisfying to eat.
As someone from Soja, I was very pleased to know that rice from Shinpon is used.
Introducing Kura's popular menu items!
Let's introduce some of the popular items from Kura's extensive menu.
"Tempura Zaru Udon" allows you to enjoy the udon noodles and crispy tempura
For first-time visitors, I recommend "Zaru Udon" or "Kake Udon"!
Hearing this from the owner, Nakagawa, I decided to try the zaru udon.
It seems that udon with tempura is popular among customers, so I ordered "Tempura Zaru Udon" (1,150 yen).
A generous serving of tempura is included, and it looks like it will fill you up.
▼Green onions, sesame, wasabi, and pickled plum are condiments for the udon dipping sauce.
▼Momiji oroshi is a condiment for the tempura dipping sauce.
However, the udon dipping sauce and the tempura dipping sauce are actually the same sauce.
So if you switch the sauces halfway through, you can enjoy a different flavor with both the udon and the tempura.
▼The glossy udon noodles look beautiful and delicious.
As mentioned earlier, the udon at Kura is long.
Therefore, I dipped each noodle into the sauce and ate it.
When I slurped the long udon noodles vigorously, they had a chewy elasticity and a very supple texture.
The sweet flavor of the sauce and the umami of the dashi blend with the noodles, spreading in my mouth.
▼The tempura is a generous assortment.
There are a total of 7 types of tempura: shrimp, carrot, pumpkin, lotus root, sweet potato, eggplant, and green pepper.
Of course, they are freshly fried and crispy.
The combination of the crispy tempura and the light Zaru udon is the best.
"Niku Udon" has Kura's unique way of cooking the meat
"Niku Udon" (850 yen) is also recommended by the owner, Nakagawa.
It is a popular udon among customers.
Simple yet looks very delicious.
It's delightful to see that the meat occupies about half of the bowl.
When it comes to the meat in the Niku Udon, don't you have the impression that it's sweet and has a strong flavor?
Actually, at Kura, the way the meat is cooked is different.
That's why the meat in the Niku Udon is light.
And you can enjoy the umami and flavor of the meat directly.
Moreover, the dashi broth is infused with the umami of the meat, making it so delicious that you can drink the broth until the end.
How the meat in Kura's Niku Udon is made is revealed in an interview with Nakagawa.
Please be sure to check out the interview.
Of course, the noodles in the Niku Udon are also long.
You can enjoy a slightly different, softer texture compared to Zaru udon.
The dashi clings well, allowing you to savor the flavor of the dashi along with the noodles.
"Yamakake Udon" is a hearty udon with the stickiness of tororo
"Yamakake Udon" is a hearty udon with plenty of ingredients.
It has been a popular menu item since the time of the previous owner and has many repeat customers.
The ingredients include a generous serving of tororo (grated yam), a raw egg, wild vegetables like warabi, momiji oroshi, chopped green onions, shredded nori, and grated wasabi.
The dipping sauce is a strong flavor with a hint of sweetness.
The noodles in Yamakake Udon are also about a meter long, just like the other udon.
Mix the noodles and ingredients well with a small amount of dipping sauce before eating.
The chewiness and flavor of the udon, the stickiness of the grated yam, the sweetness of the dipping sauce, the crunchiness of the warabi, and the flavor of the momiji oroshi all intertwine to create a delicious marriage of flavors.
Adding wasabi gives a sharp kick and flavor that serves as an accent.
This is an addictive udon.
Notable Side Menu
"Torimeshi" is a local dish with fried chicken on rice
From the rice dishes "Uma Meshi Gohan," I ordered "Torimeshi" (330 yen).
There are various types of torimeshi across the country.
Kura's torimeshi consists of chopped nori and sauce on top of rice, with chopped fried chicken placed on top.
In the Okayama Prefecture area, it is the same as the torimeshi commonly found on bento shop menus.
The sauce has a sweet and slightly spicy flavor, not too strong, and pairs well with the rice.
Crispy and fragrant fried chicken goes deliciously with the rice.
As mentioned earlier, the rice is made from Asahi rice produced in the Shinbon area of Soja City.
"Makanai-meshi" is rice topped with udon broth
I also had "Makanai-meshi" (260 yen) from the "Uma-meshi Gohan" menu.
It is rice topped with udon broth and bonito flakes.
The broth is delicious, so it's simple but very tasty.
"Oden" contains "Castella," unique to Tamashima
Oden is also popular at the store.
Oden is self-service.
All ingredients are uniformly priced at 120 yen each.
▼The ingredients for oden are as follows.
- Goboten (burdock tempura)
- Hiraten (fish cake)
- Tofu
- Egg
- Thick fried tofu
- Daikon (radish)
- Konnyaku (konjac)
- Castella
- Sujiko (beef sinew)
The top three popular items are daikon, konnyaku, and sujiko.
Additionally, the "Castella" is noteworthy.
The oden at the store is simmered thoroughly in udon broth.
▼The daikon was well infused with the broth all the way through.
▼The konnyaku has a very chewy texture.
▼The sujiko also has a delightful chewy texture.
▼And now, the noteworthy Castella.
It looks just like castella, but it is actually different from the sweet castella.
Castella is a food that has been loved in the Tamashima area for a long time.
For more details about Castella, please refer to the Kurashiki Regional Resource Museum's Tamashima Oden page.
Kura is a udon shop that continues to make traditional "handmade" udon and flavorful broth.
I interviewed the representative of the limited company Keishin, which operates Hand-made Udon Kura, Nakagawa Keisuke.
Data of Hand-made Udon Kura
| Name | Hand-made Udon Kura |
|---|---|
| Address | 7283-1 Otsushima, Tamashima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-522-7178 |
| Parking | Available ・1st parking lot: 12 cars ・2nd parking lot: about 6 cars |
| Business Hours | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM ※Ends when sold out |
| Regular Holiday | Tuesday |
| Payment Method |
|
| Reservation | Available |
| Seating | 40 seats ・2 tables for 4 (shared seating) ・2 tables for 4 ・4 box tables for 4 ・2 tatami mat tables for 4 |
| Smoking | Non-smoking (smoking allowed only in designated areas) |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Childcare | ・Stroller access ・Children's chairs available ・Children's utensils available |
| Barrier-free | Ramp Wheelchair accessible |
| Website | Hand-made Udon Kura |
Since it is very long, we recommend eating our udon one strand at a time!