Interview with Naokimu, owner of 774
774 serves curry from Amamine, a Japanese restaurant, using a shared-space arrangement.
We spoke with Naokimu, the owner of 774, about how the business got started, what makes it special, and plans for the future.
The Amamine manager’s suggestion inspired the start of the shared-space business
How did you start 774?
Naokimu
774 operates out of Amamine, a Japanese restaurant, using a shared-space arrangement.
Actually, I work at Amamine.
Amamine is only open in the evenings, and one day the manager suggested that I try running a business during the daytime.
I had always wanted to have my own shop someday, so I decided to give it a try.
We held a trial opening in November 2019 (Reiwa 1), and officially opened in December.
By the way, the shop name “774 (Nanashi)” comes from “nameless.”
I assigned numbers to “nameless” as a wordplay.
Since this is a shared-space business, I’m still an inexperienced person without a name.
The name expresses the idea of growing steadily from a starting point of zero, with no name.
Why did you choose to serve curry, coffee, and desserts?
Naokimu
Considering that I’d be running it alone, the number of seats, and my strengths, I thought making curry the main dish would be best.
I was also studying coffee at the time, so I thought I could serve coffee too.
I can also make desserts, so I thought I could manage one item that changes daily.
Now I have staff who help out, so I sometimes try making set meals as an experiment.
Became interested in cooking as a child and studied it at school
When did you become interested in cooking?
Naokimu
My father’s hobby was cooking, and from a young age I often watched him cook and ate the food he made, so I naturally became interested in cooking.
Eventually, I started cooking for myself and having my family try what I made.
Seeing how happy they were when they ate it taught me the joy of cooking.
But I still didn’t think I wanted to make cooking my job.
Later, when I was considering high school, I happened to attend an information session for a school with a culinary program, and became interested in the world of cooking.
I enrolled in that school’s culinary program, and after graduating, entered the culinary world.
At school, I specialized in Chinese cuisine, where I was introduced to spices.
After graduating, I worked in Western confectionery and school meals, then at a cafe.
When I started making curry at the cafe, I became interested in cooking with spices other than those used in Chinese cuisine.
A menu designed with the overall balance of the meal in mind
What are the special features or highlights of 774 and its menu?
Naokimu
What matters most to me is the “overall balance.”
I think about the balance between the rice, curry sauce, ingredients, and accompaniments.
I also consider how the two types of curry sauce balance when served together.
I adjust everything with the idea that people will enjoy coffee and dessert along with their curry, so I pay attention to the balance of the meal as a whole.
Also, I’m committed to making things in-house, including the accompaniments.
The pickled egg is homemade, and I make the chicken ham myself too.
I also make all the desserts from scratch each time.
I use ingredients grown locally and in nearby areas.
By the way, the rice is harvested at my family home.
774 is the culmination of experience in Chinese cuisine, Western confectionery, school meals, and cafes
Naokimu
When I think about it, 774 really is the culmination of everything I’ve experienced in the culinary world.
The desserts draw on what I learned at the Western confectionery shop where I first worked.
The curry and use of spices come from my time working at a cafe.
I mentioned that I think about the overall balance of a meal, and I believe that comes from my experience working in school meals.
I also work at a cafe alongside Amamine, and that job is what got me studying coffee.
That’s what led me to serve coffee at 774.
I also studied Chinese cuisine in high school, and the Chinese wok I used then is still useful today.
A Chinese wok is versatile and easy to use.
It’s still very useful for making curry.
Aiming to open an independent shop and grow it into a place loved by the community
What are your plans for the future, or things you’d like to try?
Naokimu
I’d definitely like to have my own independent shop, rather than operating out of a shared space.
I’d also like it to become a shop loved by the local community.
Of course, I want many people to try my cooking, but I think that can only happen if customers love the shop.
The shop is in the Bikan Historical Area, a tourist destination, but most of our customers are local.
That’s why I try to provide attentive service, so people in the community can come and relax.
Earlier I said that 774 is the culmination of my experience, but I’m still researching and experimenting.
So things may change in various ways in the future.
I enjoy experimenting every day, and I’m the kind of person who always wants things to change (laughs).
▼ We began operating from a permanent location in July 2021
From the Writer
One of the things I find interesting about 774’s curry is that you can enjoy a different curry each week, along with a variety of accompaniments and side dishes.
You can also enjoy a variety of coffees and desserts, not just curry.
The menu is featured on 774’s official Instagram, so be sure to take a look.
It’s fun to check the menu on Instagram each time.
And if you spot a curry that catches your eye, why not visit 774?
The curry is highly recommended, but the pickled egg served as an accompaniment was also delicious, so I hope you’ll try it.
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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