Have you heard of Fuchu-yaki okonomiyaki, or “spicy noodles” used in okonomiyaki?
Fuchu-yaki is a local style of okonomiyaki beloved in Fuchu City in eastern Hiroshima Prefecture.
Spicy noodles are Chinese-style noodles with a mildly spicy flavor, sometimes added to okonomiyaki in eastern Hiroshima Prefecture and elsewhere.
There are many okonomiyaki and teppanyaki restaurants in Kurashiki City, but few places serve Fuchu-yaki or spicy noodles.
But there’s a place near the Bikan Historical Area where you can enjoy Fuchu-yaki and spicy noodles!
It’s called “Marindoll.”
It serves Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki and teppanyaki.
Marindoll also takes pride in its brand-name pork and beef from Bisei Town (Ibara City): “Bisei Pork” and “Bisei Beef.”
Let’s take a closer look at what makes Marindoll’s okonomiyaki and teppanyaki special.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in June 2021. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Marindoll is a Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki and teppanyaki restaurant where conversation with the owner flows easily
Marindoll is an okonomiyaki and teppanyaki restaurant along Shirakabe-dori in Kurashiki City.
It is in the western part of the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area, west of the Kurashiki City Art Museum.
It is two doors east of the Kurashiki Hakka Exhibition Hall.
Marindoll has around eight or nine seats, and is run single-handedly by its owner, Hiroshi Fujiwara.
It’s a small restaurant, but chatting with the friendly owner Fujiwara is part of Marindoll’s appeal.
At the counter, you can enjoy okonomiyaki straight from the teppan grill.
At the table, okonomiyaki is served on an iron plate.
The owner is a true sea lover, and the interior and exterior are decorated with many nautical touches.
One of the highlights of Marindoll is the lively experience of watching your food being cooked right in front of you—the essence of an okonomiyaki restaurant.
A menu featuring everything from Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki to teppanyaki and à la carte dishes
Prices include consumption tax. Information current as of May 2021 (Reiwa 3)
Marindoll’s menu is divided into three main categories: “Okonomiyaki and yakisoba,” “Teppanyaki and à la carte dishes,” and “Drinks.”
The okonomiyaki here is Hiroshima-style.
There are several varieties based on the classic combination of pork, egg, and Chinese-style noodles (known as pork-and-egg yakisoba), with different toppings.
They also serve “Bingo Fuchu-yaki,” a specialty okonomiyaki from Fuchu City. It’s probably one of the few places in Kurashiki where you can get Fuchu-yaki.
Yakisoba is available with either sauce or salt seasoning.
There are plenty of toppings, too.
Popular choices include squid tempura (whole fried squid) and shiso leaves (green perilla).
One particularly noteworthy topping is spicy noodles.
Spicy noodles are okonomiyaki noodles kneaded with chili peppers, giving them a mildly spicy flavor.
They are commonly eaten in Fuchu City and Miyoshi City in northern Hiroshima Prefecture.
Okonomiyaki with spicy noodles is unusual in Kurashiki, making it one of Marindoll’s specialties.
You can also substitute spicy noodles in the yakisoba.
The teppanyaki and à la carte dishes include regular menu items as well as occasional specials listed on the blackboard, which change from time to time.
The menu features a tempting selection of dishes that go perfectly with drinks.
The “green onion pancake” and “tonpei-yaki” also look tempting.
The teppanyaki dishes, including “Bisei Beef flat iron steak,” “Bisei Beef trimmings,” and “beef tongue,” look delicious, too.
The beef in the à la carte dishes (except beef tendon) is “Bisei Beef,” a brand of beef from Bisei!
The blackboard menu changes from day to day, so it’s worth checking.
Many of the food items are also available to take away.
However, takeaway orders incur an additional 30 yen for packaging.
On the table were Otafuku sauce, pepper, garlic powder, and other seasonings.
A standout is Otafuku’s “Red Fire Sauce.”
Its name and appearance make it seem fiery, but it’s more than just hot: it has a deep flavor with refreshing savory notes from vegetables and fruit.
Some fans are so hooked that they put it on their okonomiyaki every time.
Other seasonings included mayonnaise, ichimi and shichimi chili pepper.
The okonomiyaki sauce is also said to be based on Otafuku sauce, with a few tweaks.
Marindoll’s Recommended Menu Items
Let’s take a look at some of the recommended dishes from Marindoll’s extensive menu.
Bingo Fuchu-yaki: Minced Meat and Crispy Noodles Are the Key
At the time of our visit (May 2021), the restaurant’s top recommendation was “Bingo Fuchu-yaki” (770 yen).
It was a new menu item, having just been introduced in April 2021.
Owner Fujiwara spent more than three months pursuing the ideal flavor.
Fuchu-yaki is a specialty of Fuchu City in Hiroshima Prefecture and has attracted attention after being featured in the mass media.
Like Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, Fuchu-yaki is cooked in layers, but its basic ingredients are slightly different.
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki uses cabbage and bean sprouts as its main vegetables, while Fuchu-yaki uses cabbage.
It also uses minced meat.
The fat that seeps out of the mince gives it a distinctive richness.
Fuchu-yaki varies from restaurant to restaurant, but the defining feature of ours is that the noodles are cooked until crispy.
To make them even crispier, we use “extra-thin noodles,” which are thinner than the noodles used for other okonomiyaki!
Enjoy their crisp texture and fragrant flavor!
I decided to order the specialty, Bingo Fuchu-yaki.
I switched the noodles to the popular spicy noodles (an extra 50 yen).
The batter was spread thinly in a circle on the griddle, then topped with cabbage, tempura scraps, and other ingredients. Finally, the minced meat—the key ingredient in Fuchu-yaki—was added.
We use a blend of pork and beef for the mince.
Like our pork and beef, the minced meat is also from Bisei Town!
Cut the Fuchu-yaki into pieces with a spatula, scoop them up, and enjoy.
The first thing I noticed was the fragrant aroma, along with the lively crunch of the noodles.
The spicy noodles aren’t very hot; after the fragrant flavor, just a little tingle of heat comes through.
Crispness and fragrance, with a little spicy kick.
This is the kind of flavor you’ll crave again.
The soft texture and sweetness of the tender cabbage come through, along with the savory flavor of the minced meat.
The sauce’s sweet flavor ties everything together and whets the appetite.
I ordered it with spicy noodles this time, but next time I’d like to try the regular Fuchu-yaki made with extra-thin noodles.
Marin-yaki: Shiso and Squid Tempura, Topped with Addictive Torched Cheese!
“Marin-yaki” (1,100 yen) is said to be one of Marindoll’s signature dishes, alongside Bingo Fuchu-yaki.
I ordered it with spicy noodles.
First, squid tempura and shiso leaves are added to the standard “classic (pork, egg, and noodles)” version.
Then cheese is poured over the okonomiyaki and blasted with a gas torch!
The cheese melts until gooey, adding its own distinctive, fragrant flavor.
If you love cheese, be sure to try it!
Finally, it’s finished with a sprinkling of green onions.
Even before taking a bite, the fragrant aroma of the cheese wafts over.
Cutting it with a spatula and taking a bite brings together the tender texture and sweetness of the cabbage, the soft texture of the bean sprouts, and the flavor of the meat.
The meat has a satisfyingly substantial presence, too.
The aroma of the shiso and the soft texture and flavor of the squid tempura come through from time to time.
The spicy noodles are also crisp and fragrant in places, and their moderate kick brings the flavors into balance.
The crisp texture and flavor of the green onions on top and the fragrance of the torched cheese fill your mouth. The cheese’s mellow flavor adds to it all, making for an indescribably delicious dish.
Nest of Green Onions: A Generous Topping of Green Onions with a Raw Egg
Alongside the Marin-yaki, the “Nest of Green Onions” (930 yen) makes a striking visual impression.
A generous amount of green onions is piled on the “classic (pork, egg, and noodles),” with an egg yolk placed in the center.
Green onion toppings are popular in Hiroshima, too.
Recommended for green onion lovers!
They pair perfectly with the egg yolk.
The Nest of Green Onions could be considered one of Marindoll’s original takes on okonomiyaki.
The crisp texture and flavor of the green onions combine with the egg yolk’s silky texture and rich, mellow taste to create a distinctive flavor.
The green onions and egg yolk also balance nicely with the sweetness of the sauce, adding a delicious touch to the okonomiyaki.
Beef Tendon Stew: A Popular Side Dish Available Occasionally
“Beef Tendon Stew” (550 yen) is a popular item among the teppanyaki and à la carte dishes.
Because it takes time to simmer, it isn’t available every day and appears on the menu irregularly.
Even so, it’s so popular that many customers order it whenever it’s on the menu.
The beef tendon stew contains beef tendon, daikon radish, carrot, and konjac.
Each ingredient is cut into generous pieces, making it very satisfying to eat.
They’re simmered until tender enough to cut easily with chopsticks, and thoroughly infused with a sweet-and-savory flavor.
The fatty parts of the beef tendon are meltingly tender.
The sweetness of the fat then spreads through your mouth.
The lean parts of the beef tendon are also tender and packed with flavor.
I could really enjoy their sweet-and-savory taste, too.
At Marindoll, you can enjoy Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, Fuchu-yaki, and a variety of teppanyaki and à la carte dishes.
We interviewed the owner, Fujiwara Hiroshi.
Marindoll details
| Name | Marindoll |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-10-9 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-424-2244 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m.–last order at 9:00 p.m. *Sunday: lunch only |
| Closed | Monday Sunday evenings |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted Phone reservations are recommended for both dine-in and takeout |
| Seating | 9 seats total (8 during COVID-19 prevention measures) ・Counter: 5 stools (4 during COVID-19 prevention measures) ・One table seating four |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Families with children | Strollers can be brought inside, but there is a step at the entrance Children's tableware available |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair access is possible, but there is a step at the entrance (assistance required) Restroom is not wheelchair accessible |
| Website | Marindoll Official Instagram |
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The pork in the okonomiyaki and yakisoba is made with “Bisei Pork,” a brand of pork from Bisei (now part of Ibara City)!
The minced meat in the Fuchu-yaki is also from Bisei!