When it comes to Kurashiki specialties, Bukkake udon is a must, right?
If you’re visiting the Bikan Historical Area, you’ll definitely want to try Bukkake udon.
Tasting a local specialty is one of the pleasures of sightseeing.
When that’s the case, “Teuchi Udon Onishi” is the perfect place.
It’s located in the heart of the Bikan Historical Area, along the Kurashiki River, making it easy to visit while sightseeing.
But that’s not all!
Onishi serves not only Bukkake udon, but also a variety of delicious, authentic udon dishes.
What’s more, it’s a long-established restaurant that has been in business for over 45 years, dating back to when the Bikan Historical Area first began attracting attention as a tourist destination.
For many years, it has continued to be loved by local residents as well as tourists.
Here’s an introduction to the popular udon restaurant, Teuchi Udon Onishi.
The information presented here was accurate when this article was published in May 2022. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Teuchi Udon Onishi is a long-established udon restaurant founded in 1973, located along the Kurashiki River
Onishi is located along the Kurashiki River, in the main area of the Bikan Historical Area.
It stands on the river’s east bank.
The restaurant occupies an old building, giving it the charming atmosphere characteristic of the Bikan Historical Area.
▼ Samples of some menu items were displayed outside the restaurant.
Onishi is a long-established udon restaurant founded in 1973.
It has been in business since before the Bikan Historical Area became a popular tourist destination.
As a result, it has many local regulars as well as tourists.
▼ The seating inside Onishi is mainly at tables.
The table arrangement can be changed.
▼ There are also counter seats in front of the kitchen at the back.
▼ Works of art are displayed inside Onishi.
▼ There were also Kurashiki Glass and ceramics.
There are many cultural facilities around the Bikan Historical Area, including the Ohara Museum of Art, the municipal art museum, and the Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft.
Apparently, many customers are interested in art, which is why works of art are displayed inside the restaurant.
Works by renowned figures such as Shiko Munakata and Keisuke Serizawa, as well as valuable pieces and works given by customers, are also on display.
Recommended and popular menu items at Teuchi Udon Onishi
Onishi has a very extensive menu.
We asked the owner, Hiroshi Onishi, to tell us about the restaurant’s recommended dishes and the menu items popular with customers.
Information as of June 2023. Prices include consumption tax.
“Setouchi Grated Lemon Udon” is the owner’s top recommendation
The dish owner Onishi recommends most is “Setouchi Grated Lemon Udon.”
It comes hot or cold, and both versions cost 850 yen.
You can also order the Setouchi Grated Lemon Udon with a “tempura set” (1,200 yen).
When we visited, we ordered the hot udon with the tempura set.
The three large lemon slices on top make a striking impression.
Their vivid yellow color is beautiful.
They use lemons from Setoda, Hiroshima Prefecture!
The trick is to place the lemon on the spoon and squeeze it with your chopsticks.
I wasn’t sure whether lemon would go well with udon broth, but adding the refreshing lemon juice to the light broth makes it even more refreshing—and surprisingly, it works really well!
The refreshing broth with lemon juice goes well with the noodles, making them easy to slurp down.
The refreshing broth with lemon juice pairs perfectly with the refreshing taste of grated daikon.
The distinctive texture of grated daikon also works wonderfully.
The batter has a satisfyingly crisp texture.
The shrimp are quite large and plump.
Meanwhile, the pumpkin is soft and fluffy.
For Setouchi Grated Lemon Udon, we recommend not dipping the tempura in the broth.
Dipping it in the broth cuts the lemon flavor in half, as the tempura's flavor overpowers it.
It's an innovative yet refreshing and easy-to-eat dish, and I recommend Setouchi Grated Lemon Udon!
In fact, Setouchi Grated Lemon Udon was inspired by udon suki, which was once served as a dinner-party-only menu item.
The combination of bonito and kelp broth with lemon is outstanding. The dish was apparently created out of a desire to let customers enjoy the flavor of udon suki in a single bowl.
Bukkake udon, a Kurashiki specialty that originated in Kurashiki
The various kinds of Bukkake udon are popular at Onishi.
Bukkake udon is a specialty dish that originated in Kurashiki.
Onishi offers several varieties of Bukkake udon.
| Menu | Price |
|---|---|
| Bukkake udon | ¥750 |
| Grated Daikon Bukkake udon | ¥900 |
| Special Bukkake udon | ¥1,200 |
| Tempura Bukkake udon | ¥1,000 |
| Yam and Wakame Bukkake udon | ¥1,000 |
All are available hot or cold.
Hot is recommended if you want to enjoy the flavor of the broth.
Cold is recommended if you want to enjoy the noodles' firm texture.
▼ I ordered the “Grated Daikon Bukkake udon (cold)” (¥900).
▼ I also ordered the “Kurashiki Bukkake Set,” which comes with Bukkake udon and mackerel sushi.
The udon in the Kurashiki Set is normally Bukkake udon, and the set costs ¥1,100.
You can switch to another kind of Bukkake udon by paying the difference in the individual prices.
If you switch the Bukkake udon (individual price: ¥750) in the Kurashiki Set to Grated Daikon Bukkake udon (individual price: ¥900), you pay the ¥150 difference, bringing the total to ¥1,250.
▼ From above, you can clearly see the colorful toppings, and it looks delicious.
Kurashiki's Bukkake udon is characterized by its generous assortment of toppings!
▼ In the center, on top of the grated daikon, are a quail egg and grated ginger.
▼ Of course, the noodles are the same as those in Setouchi Grated Lemon Udon.
Since I ordered it cold, the noodles are firmer than the hot version.
Bukkake udon is served either with the broth poured over it from the start or with the broth served separately for you to pour yourself.
▼ At Onishi, you pour the broth over the Bukkake udon yourself.
▼ Pour the broth generously over the toppings.
The key to our Bukkake broth is that its sweetness comes entirely from mirin.
Once you pour on the broth, mix the noodles, toppings, and broth together thoroughly before eating!
The sweet broth is delicious when it coats the noodles and toppings.
I felt that the more you eat Bukkake udon, the more you can appreciate its depth of flavor.
Onishi's Bukkake udon has a gentle sweetness and a very refreshing aftertaste.
I thought it was delicious enough to become addictive.
Mackerel sushi is a hidden gem
The “mackerel sushi” that comes with the “Kurashiki Set.”
This is also outstanding!
▼ The Kurashiki Set comes with two pieces of mackerel sushi.
▼ Its pleasantly sweet-and-sour, refreshing flavor goes very well with udon.
It's so delicious, you'll want more!
There is also a “Mackerel Sushi Set Meal” (¥1,450), served with either zaru udon or kelp udon!
We also recommend the “shime saba” (three slices, ¥400).
Be sure to try the mackerel sushi, too.
Other recommended menu items
Information as of June 2023 (Reiwa 5). Prices include tax.
Suzushiro Udon is a refreshing noodle dish recommended for summer
“Suzushiro Udon” (¥750) is a cold udon dish in which noodles topped with grated daikon are dipped into a dipping broth.
“Suzushiro” is one of the seven spring herbs and refers to daikon.
Eating it with grated daikon is refreshing, and you can also enjoy the cool, refreshing flavor of the grated daikon.
It's the perfect udon for a hot summer day.
The collaboration and double-extra portions are “something you never knew you wanted”
“Collaboration Double Extra Toppings,” offered since 2021, started as an idea they decided to try out. It proved popular and became a regular menu item.
There are four options:
| Menu item | Price (tax included) |
|---|---|
| Meat & Tempura Udon | ¥1,200 |
| Kitsune & Tempura Udon | ¥1,100 |
| Double Shrimp Tempura Udon | ¥1,200 |
| Double Meat Udon | ¥1,200 |
When we visited, we ordered the “Meat & Tempura Udon,” and the udon and tempura were delicious with the broth, infused with the savory flavor of the meat.
The portion is generous, and one bowl is enough to fill you up.
Onishi Menu List
Onishi also offers a wide variety of other menu items.
Here is a list of the menu items.
Information as of June 2023. Prices include consumption tax.
Teuchi Udon Onishi offers a tempting selection of udon.
We interviewed the owner of Onishi, Hiroshi Onishi.
Teuchi Udon Onishi Information
| Name | Teuchi Udon Onishi |
|---|---|
| Address | 5-29 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-422-8134 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | Weekdays: 10:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: 10:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Irregular holidays |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Seating | 35 seats ・7 tables seating four ・1 table seating two ・5 counter seats ※Table seating layout can be changed |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Families with children | ・Strollers are allowed inside ・Space available for changing diapers ・Children’s chairs available ・Children’s tableware available |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair access available (the restroom is not wheelchair accessible) |
| Website | Teuchi Udon Onishi Official Instagram |
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It comes hot or cold, but I recommend it hot.
The hot version brings out the flavor of the broth more, so I recommend it!