Interview with Hiroshi Onishi, owner of Teuchi Udon Onishi
We interviewed Hiroshi Onishi, the second-generation owner of Teuchi Udon Onishi, and asked him about how the shop was founded, why he took it over, what makes it special, and his plans for the future.
This interview was conducted during our first visit in March 2020.
Switching from an auto shop to a udon shop with the opening of the Shinkansen
How did the shop get started?
Onishi
We opened in May 1973. That was the same year as Kurashiki Ivy Square.
Originally, the site of our shop was an auto dealership called Onishi Motors.
My father ran it, and the area where the tables are now was the workshop.
It may be hard to imagine today, but before 1973, the Kurashiki River area had not really become a tourist destination.
There were cultural facilities such as the Ohara Museum of Art and the Archaeological Museum, and the townscape had been preserved, but there were no shops catering to tourists like there are today.
There were no restaurants, either.
There were private homes and shops serving the needs of local residents.
My father's auto shop was that kind of business, too.
So why did it become a udon shop?
Onishi
It was prompted by the opening of the Sanyo Shinkansen in 1972.
With the Shinkansen opening as far as Okayama, the city and prefecture began focusing on tourism.
So the auto shop was moved to the suburbs.
Then my mother decided to use the former auto shop to open a restaurant for tourists.
Did your mother have experience in the restaurant business?
Onishi
Actually, my mother's family ran a Western-style restaurant in central Okayama City.
So she was a good cook.
My mother seems to have decided on a udon shop after considering Kurashiki's history and image.
Once she had decided to open a udon shop, she went to Kagawa Prefecture, the home of udon, to train and learn the craft, and opened the shop in 1973.
As I mentioned earlier, there used to be no restaurants along the Kurashiki River, so I hear Onishi was the third restaurant to open, after Azumi, the soba shop that is still there, and the restaurant Kamoi.
Some time later, my father closed the auto shop, and my parents began running the udon shop together.
Initially choosing a career in fashion instead of taking over the udon shop
Why did you take over the udon shop?
Onishi
At first, I had no intention of taking over the udon shop.
After graduating from school, I worked at a machinery factory and then at a clothing store.
I had always liked fashion, so I wanted to work in the clothing business.
I was satisfied with my job, but my parents, who ran the udon shop, were getting older and seemed to be struggling.
So I naturally started helping out at the shop.
Making udon with a gentle flavor and heartfelt care, with a commitment to handmade preparation
What do you focus on when making udon?
Onishi
We are committed to making it by hand.
It takes time and effort.
For example, we make the noodles from scratch, starting with the dough, and it takes two days for them to be ready.
But hearing customers say it's delicious encourages us.
I'm especially happy when they say, “It had such a gentle flavor.”
Whether it's the noodles or the broth, there are subtle details that can't be expressed in numbers or theories.
You have to sense and adjust for subtle changes in temperature, humidity, and weather yourself.
You can't get these details right unless you put your heart into cooking.
Putting your heart into the food.
That's what I keep in mind when making udon.
That's why I'm happy when people say it has a “gentle flavor.”
If the people making the food aren't enjoying themselves, the customers can't enjoy it either
What are your hopes and goals for the future?
Onishi
My son started helping out at the shop a few years ago.
He's gradually learning to do more, so eventually I'd like us to be able to switch roles every other day.
Actually, I enjoy serving customers.
I'm usually in the kitchen now, so once my son can handle more things, I'll be able to spend more time serving customers. I'm looking forward to that.
Also, I want all the staff to enjoy their work.
Of course, we're enjoying it now, and I want us to keep it that way.
Thankfully, even with all the talk of labor shortages, our staff have been working here for more than 20 years.
After all, if the staff aren't enjoying themselves, the customers can't enjoy themselves either.
We have more customers from overseas now, but that doesn't change.
Some people come to Kurashiki from far away specifically to try our udon.
That makes me really happy.
And although we're in a tourist area, we also have many local regulars.
That encourages us, too.
I hope we can become a restaurant that earns “three stars” from our customers.
From the Writer
Teuchi Udon Onishi has so many appealing udon dishes.
I thought it was a fun place just to choose what to order.
It's right in the heart of the tourist area, so it's convenient to stop by while sightseeing.
But the owner, Mr. Onishi, and the staff run the shop with joy and heartfelt care, making its atmosphere lovely, too.
And of course, the udon is delicious.
I can understand why customers come to Kurashiki specifically to visit Onishi.
Be sure to enjoy the udon and atmosphere at this long-established udon shop, beloved by everyone from tourists to local residents.
Teuchi Udon Onishi details
| 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 allowed ・Space available for changing diapers ・Children's chairs available ・Children's tableware available |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair access available (restroom is not wheelchair accessible) |
| Website | Teuchi Udon Onishi official Instagram |
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
Enter a word to search articles on this site
