What comes to mind when you hear “Turkey”?
The beautiful Blue Mosque, a World Heritage Site?
Or Turkish cuisine, one of the world’s three great cuisines?
Stretchy Turkish ice cream is familiar in Japan, too.
There’s a restaurant in Kurashiki where you can easily experience the exotic, mysterious country of Turkey with your eyes and taste buds.
“LA CASA,” run by a Turkish chef, is a Mediterranean restaurant that just opened in Kurashiki Department Store in April 2019.
LA CASA is a Spanish phrase meaning “home.”
The kind and friendly chef prepares dishes to suit Japanese tastes.
And the Turkish lamps grow brighter as the evening wears on, their beauty so breathtaking you can’t help but gasp.
Here’s a look at LA CASA, the perfect place to enjoy a fun and beautiful evening, whether on a date or out with the girls.
The information presented was current when this article was published in October 2019. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Newly opened in Kurashiki Department Store! The stylish home-style bar “LA CASA”
With its eye-catching, stylish exterior and large tree, LA CASA stands out.
The space used to be a general goods shop before Jean, a Turkish man, renovated it into a bar.
Set inside the retro Showa-era Kurashiki Department Store, it has an open, foreign feel.
At the wonderfully atmospheric counter, you’ll be welcomed by Jean, the Turkish chef.
Jean is in his sixth year in Japan.
He can speak four or five languages: Japanese, Turkish, English, and Spanish!
On the first floor, there’s a counter and small tables.
Wherever you look inside, the beauty of the Turkish lamps catches your eye.
All the Turkish lamps displayed in the restaurant are available for purchase.
Jean previously worked at a Turkish goods specialty shop in the Bikan Historical Area, and he sourced the Turkish lamps in the restaurant himself.
A Turkish lamp on the stairs leading up to the second floor.
It’s lovely as it is, but becomes even more beautiful at night.
The second floor has a relaxed dining area with tables.
Families with children are welcome, too.
Mediterranean cuisine prepared by a Turkish chef. Non-alcoholic cocktails are also recommended
The LA CASA menu.
There’s a wide variety, from light salads to roasted meat.
There are several kinds of hamburgers, too!
As a hamburger fan, I’m very intrigued.
Pizza, pasta, steak, and more.
The chef’s recommendation is the lamb chop steak.
There’s an alcoholic drinks menu, too.
They offer red, white, and sparkling wines.
Beer, whiskey, and cocktails.
If you don’t drink alcohol, that’s no problem.
Tell them what flavors you like, and they’ll make you an original non-alcoholic cocktail.
We had them make non-alcoholic cocktails in a range of flavors, including sour, sweet, and fruity.
Knowing it’s made to suit your taste makes it feel somehow extra special.
Looking forward to nightfall! Delicious food and the glow of lamps
I wanted to start with something light, so I chose the “avocado nachos.”
The avocado dip and pickled green chili peppers on the tortillas are so moreish, you could eat them forever.
The “beef carpaccio” is light and refreshing.
A luxurious dish of beef cooked medium-rare and topped with Caesar dressing.
For pasta, we chose the “arrabbiata.”
The seasoning is mild, to suit Japanese tastes.
The thin noodles go perfectly with the tomato sauce and olives, making me want to try the other pasta dishes, too.
The sun gradually began to set, and the Turkish lamps started to glow brighter.
As you gaze at their beautiful light, you find yourself thinking, “I wish it would get dark soon,” and looking forward to nightfall.
Everyone was delighted by the “Salmon and Orange Salad.”
Who knew orange and salmon went so well together!
We were amazed by this surprising combination.
A lavish pizza topped with steak and prosciutto, called “Steakhouse.”
We were thoroughly satisfied with this hearty pizza, topped with generous chunks of steak!
As we savored the food, the sun went down.
It was almost time for the Turkish lamps to glow beautifully.
Handmade Turkish lamps, each one unique. Be enchanted by this dreamlike space
Just look at the beautiful glow of these Turkish lamps!
I was captivated by their fantastical light and lost track of time for a while.
Each Turkish lamp is made by hand.
No two are alike.
According to Jean, making lamps is one of the jobs Turkish women do at home.
It’s a valuable way to earn money from home.
Even the shadows take on a captivating shape.
It was fun to look up at them from below, too, and I got carried away taking photos.
The glow of Turkish lamps is perfect for a romantic evening or when you want to unwind.
Recommended dish: Turkish-style meatballs called “Kofte”
It was so lovely that I came back another day to try the dishes planned for Harenomino Kurashiki 2019.
Moroccan lamps line the space above the counter.
Chef Jean told me,
“When I traveled to Morocco, I saw an old man making these, punching holes in them one by one. I thought, ‘I absolutely have to buy one!’ so I brought them back.”
The Harenomino Kurashiki 2019 menu: Turkish meatballs called “Kofte.”
On the day, the kofte was served simmered in tomato sauce (without tortillas), along with a drink and pudding.
Meatballs made with ground beef, walnuts, and a variety of spices, served with tortillas and marinated vegetables.
Kofte is a classic Turkish dish, eaten by wrapping these ingredients together.
According to Jean, the secret to making it delicious is to let the tortilla soak up the oil from the meatballs first.
My first time trying kofte—and it was delicious!
The marinated vegetables cut through the oiliness of the spicy meatballs.
Wrapped in a tortilla, all the flavors came together, giving me a sense of the depth of Turkish cuisine.
LA CASA, a little piece of Turkey in Kurashiki, where a lovely couple welcomes you
I first visited LA CASA on my own time.
I loved it so much that I thought, “I absolutely have to feature this place on Kuratoco!” and asked if I could write about it.
I was completely captivated by the beauty of the Turkish lamps.
As night deepens, the lamps’ gentle glow makes you feel as if you’re traveling abroad.
And there’s the delicious food and the cheerful, kind staff.
This really is a place in Kurashiki that feels like a Turkish “home.”
Turkey may be far away, but Turkey in Kurashiki is right nearby! Be sure to stop by.
LA CASA Information
| Name | LA CASA |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-4-1-106 Tsurugata, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-421-0747 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | 5:00 p.m.–3:00 a.m. (last order 2:00 a.m.) |
| Closed | Tuesday |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted |
| Seating | 25 seats Counter: 5 Tables: 5 |
| Smoking | Smoking permitted |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
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