Yakage Town retains the atmosphere of an old post town. Many shops line its historic streets.
Manten (known as Manten Chaya until the end of May 2025) is one of them. The owner, who loves cooking, puts her skills to work to delight her customers.
We visited Manten, which serves carefully prepared lunches in Yakage Town.
The information provided was current when this article was published in June 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Manten
Manten is a three-minute walk from Sanyo Roadside Station Yakagejuku.
Owner Imai Yumiko, who loves cooking, serves lunch and bento.
Lunch service starts at noon, and takeout bento orders are also accepted. Same-day orders can be placed until 10 a.m.
A retro atmosphere inside
The restaurant is decorated with retro objects, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
Manten's menu
Here's a look at Manten's menu.
Manten makes its own sauces and dressings.
Every lunch comes with a generous main dish, and it's a pleasure to enjoy plenty of vegetables as well.
The most popular dish: “Chicken Nanban”
Chicken Nanban is the most popular dish.
The special tartar sauce is a big part of its appeal.
The pieces of Chicken Nanban are large and satisfying.
Take a bite, and the sweet-and-sour flavors of the homemade sauce and tartar sauce spread through your mouth, making you want more rice.
We also ordered the recommended katsu curry, another favorite besides Chicken Nanban.
The katsu curry stands out for its curry roux, which has a rich, savory flavor beneath its spiciness.
The pork cutlet is freshly fried, with a crispy coating, and the meat is so tender it cuts easily with a spoon.
Curry spices are also provided, so you can adjust the heat to your liking.
Apparently, none of the items on the current menu were available when the restaurant first opened in 2018.
Soon after opening, the menu included miso katsu-don and loco moco bowls, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, curry was added as an easy takeout option.
The menu is said to be changed from time to time in response to customer feedback and requests.
From the main dish to the sides, Manten's lunches let you enjoy a variety of flavors in a single meal.
We interviewed owner Imai about what inspired her to start the restaurant and her thoughts on cooking.
Manten details
| Name | Manten |
|---|---|
| Address | 2575-6 Yakage, Yakage Town, Oda District, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 090-6414-2575 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | Lunch: From noon until sold out Bento: Same-day orders must be placed by 10 a.m. |
| Closed | Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Bento orders can be accommodated on closed days with advance reservations |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted |
| Seating | 15 seats: 5 counter seats, two 4-person tables, one 2-person table |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Manten Instagram account |
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