Have you ever heard the term “hermit crab curry”?
Hermit crab curry refers to curry restaurants that operate out of borrowed spaces, a style that originated in Osaka.
This style of restaurant has gradually become more common in Okayama Prefecture, too.
There’s even a hermit crab curry restaurant in the Bikan Historical Area.
It’s a restaurant called “774 (Nanashi).”
774 is a curry restaurant that operates out of a Japanese restaurant in the Bikan Historical Area.
What’s more, it puts just as much care into its coffee and handmade desserts as it does its curry.
At 774, the curry and coffee change weekly, while the desserts change daily.
The owner has experience preparing a variety of dishes, and one of 774’s charms is that you can enjoy curries and desserts that draw on that experience.
Even the side dishes and accompaniments are carefully prepared.
Here’s an introduction to 774, a curry, coffee, and dessert shop!
It has operated from its own premises since July 2021
The information presented was accurate when this article was published in February 2020. Please note that it may differ from current information.
774 is a curry, coffee, and sweets shop operating out of the Japanese restaurant Amamine
774 specializes in curry.
It’s also a place where you can enjoy coffee and desserts.
It opened in December 2019.
774 operates in what is known as a “borrowed space.”
▼774 operates out of Amamine, a Japanese restaurant in the Bikan Historical Area. 774 is open during the daytime, when Amamine is closed.
As a result, the interior is the same as Amamine’s.
▼There are seven counter seats in front of the kitchen. ▼There are five tables seating four people. There are 27 seats in total.
The tables are spaced generously, making it seem like a relaxing place to unwind.
The interior has a modern feel, with exposed concrete walls and chic flooring, while still retaining a Japanese atmosphere.
Generally open for lunch on Wednesdays and Thursdays
774 is generally open for lunch every Wednesday and Thursday.
Although Wednesday and Thursday are the usual days, it may also open on other days.
The monthly opening schedule is posted on 774’s official Instagram, so be sure to check it.
It opens at 11 a.m.
The last order is at 2 p.m., but apparently it often sells out and closes before then.
If you’re interested, it’s best to visit early! You can also make a reservation by direct message on Instagram.
774’s menu
774’s menu consists of the following five items and one set:
| Menu item | Price (tax included) |
|---|---|
| Weekly curry | 900 yen |
| Butter chicken curry | 900 yen |
| Have both | 1,100 yen |
| Set coffee | 300 yen |
| Today’s snack | 400 yen |
| Nanashi no Gonbe Set | 1,700 yen |
An extra-large serving of rice is available for an additional 100 yen (tax included).
▼Here’s the menu from a particular day. In this example, the weekly curry is “spinach curry,” and today’s snack is either “Basque cheesecake” or “apple cinnamon pound cake.”
There are generally two kinds of curry.
The curry also comes with a weekly side dish.
▼When we visited, it came with “spinach, potato, and mushroom soup.”
“Butter chicken curry” is a regular menu item, with variations on some days
One of the two curries, “butter chicken curry,” is a regular menu item.
It’s fun to see what changes from day to day.
Because it’s the same menu item, you may notice the differences.
▼The butter chicken curry has a thick, rich sauce. ▼The sweetness and aroma of butter come through, followed by the refreshing fragrance of spices. There’s also a subtle kick of heat.
That said, it isn’t very spicy.
▼Of course, the ingredients include chicken. There were two fairly large pieces.
They have a pleasantly springy texture.
▼The soft-boiled egg is, surprisingly, pickled. It has a refreshing tang that makes it perfect for cleansing your palate.
The soft-boiled yolk is runny and just right.
▼The ham served alongside is chicken ham. It’s thick and has a springy bite.
It also had a lovely herbal aroma.
▼Mizuna is served alongside it, too. ▼The rice was piled into a neat dome. The rice varies: sometimes it is plain white rice, sometimes garlic rice, turmeric rice, or takikomi gohan (rice cooked with other ingredients).
At the time of our visit, it was garlic rice.
The pickled egg is served every time.
The other two items sometimes change every week, and sometimes stay the same.
A weekly treat: “Weekly Curry”
At 774, in addition to the regular butter chicken curry, there is another option: the weekly curry.
The curry at the time of our visit was “Spinach, Potato, and Mushroom Curry.”
We experiment every week to come up with our curries. We hope you enjoy them!
▼The curry roux is made with spinach and onion blended into a paste. ▼The fluffy texture of the potatoes and the soft, springy texture of the mushrooms add a nice contrast. ▼The roux is thick, but the flavor feels light and refreshing. ▼The pickled egg, chicken ham, and mizuna served alongside are the same as with the butter chicken curry. It also came with a cherry tomato.
As with the butter chicken curry, a pickled egg is served every time. The items other than the egg change weekly, though sometimes they stay the same.
▼Unlike the butter chicken curry, the rice was shaped like a truncated cone. ▼The topping on the rice is also different from the butter chicken curry.
“Pour Both on It” lets you enjoy the butter chicken and weekly curries at once
774 has two kinds of curry, so you may find yourself wondering, “They both look delicious—what should I choose?” or “I want to try both.”
In that case, we recommend the menu item called “Pour Both on It.”
▼This curry is served with half of each of the two curry sauces.
It is what is commonly known as “curry with two sauces.”
You can enjoy both kinds at once, so it’s a great deal!
If you’re having trouble choosing, be sure to give it a try.
The “Set Coffee” changes varieties every week
774 also takes its coffee seriously.
The “Set Coffee,” which changes varieties weekly, can be ordered with a curry.
▼The coffee at the time of our visit was “Costa Rica.” Its moderate bitterness and acidity were well balanced, and we enjoyed its aroma, too.
“Today’s Dessert” features carefully made homemade sweets that change daily
Dessert is another recommendation at 774.
The dessert changes every day, so it is listed on the menu as “Today’s Dessert.”
▼The dessert at the time of our visit was “Basque-style Cheesecake.” ▼The top is browned, and it is sprinkled with spices such as pink peppercorns. ▼The cake contains walnuts and has a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Every now and then, the walnuts’ crunchy texture and flavor add a nice accent.
The top is crisp, and the refreshing flavor of the spices is lovely.
The cake has a sweet, refreshing cheese flavor. ▼It paired well with the coffee.
With the “Nanashi no Gonbe Set,” you can try everything on 774’s menu!
If you want to try everything on 774’s menu, order the Nanashi no Gonbe Set. The set includes:
- Both curries
- Set coffee
- Today’s dessert
“Both curries” comes with two kinds of curry, so you can enjoy all the curry options on 774’s menu.
Check the official Instagram for the curry and dessert options!
As mentioned, 774’s curries and desserts change weekly or daily.
In fact, 774 shares its menu on its official Instagram! You could visit the restaurant with a particular curry or dessert in mind. Be sure to check out its Instagram.
Some days, set meals are available too!
774 sometimes offers set meals.
▼Here’s a set meal from one day.
Set meals are still in a trial run, so they are available irregularly.
If you’re interested in the set meals, check out 774’s official Instagram.
They often announce set meals in advance on Instagram.
774 serves delicious, spice-infused curry.
We tried to interview Naokimu, the owner who runs 774.
774 (Nanashi) Information
| Name | 774 (Nanashi) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-6-3 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, 1st floor, Mansion Eguchi (inside Amamine) |
| Contact | None |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | 11:00 a.m.–last order at 2:00 p.m. (Closes when sold out) |
| Closed | Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays ※ Generally open Wednesdays and Thursdays. For other opening days, check the official Instagram. |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted By direct message via the official Instagram |
| Seating | 27 seats total ・Counter seats: 7 ・Four-person tables: 5 |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Families with children | ・Strollers allowed ・Children’s tableware available (no children’s chairs) |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair access available (restroom is not wheelchair accessible) |
| Website | 774 Official Instagram |
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Even the same butter chicken curry gets a little twist on some days!