As daily life becomes busier, breakfast tends to be neglected.
I am not a morning person, so on days when I can't get up pleasantly, I sometimes settle for protein shakes.
However, somewhere in my heart, I seem to crave warm rice and miso soup filled with plenty of vegetables, and I sometimes go to the tea house "Shisui" located in Higashimachi, a little away from the Bikan Historical Area, to enjoy a one soup, one side dish meal.
I would like to introduce the thoughts behind Shisui's one soup, one side dish.
About "Shisui"
Shisui is a tea house that opened on January 9, 2024, in Higashimachi, also known as Okakurashiki, after passing through Honmachi Street in the Bikan Historical Area.
The interior evokes a sense of nostalgia, utilizing a town house that is over 100 years old, known as Matonaga Shoten. A simple yet solidly present noren (shop curtain) with "Shisui" written on it serves as a landmark.
The shop is run by the couple Kaori Tanaka and Yasunori Tanaka, with Kaori mainly responsible for the one soup, one side dish.
Shisui's One Soup, One Side Dish
The menu at Shisui is as follows:
- One Soup, One Side Dish: 1,500 yen
Rice, miso soup, pickled vegetables, and a drink - Grilled Rice Balls: 1,500 yen
Grilled rice balls, pickled vegetables, chilled tofu, and a drink - Neko Manma: 1,500 yen
Rice, miso soup, bonito flakes, and a drink - Drink: 750 yen
All prices include tax
This time, I had the "One Soup, One Side Dish" for 1,500 yen (tax included).
Rice, miso soup, and pickled vegetables are served on a single tray (the bonito flakes are an additional menu item).
Additional menu items are 250 yen (tax included)
It is simple, but a nutritious breakfast that allows you to eat plenty of vegetables and grains. You can choose either white rice or brown rice.
The miso soup, made with freshly shaved bonito and kelp, is filled with seasonal vegetables. The ingredients are sourced as much as possible from local Okayama Prefecture and purchased from producers who are committed to organic and chemical-free farming.
The pickles are nuka-zuke (pickled vegetables in rice bran). Of course, these are also vegetables that the owner has carefully pickled. The slightly unique flavor of the nuka-zuke pairs well with rice.
Additionally, the bonito flakes are shaved right in front of you just before serving. The freshly shaved flakes have an irresistible fragrant aroma. They are enjoyed with Mitsuru Soy Sauce, which is passed down from the previous generation and repaired by the owner's friend.
Each dish brings out the flavor of the ingredients, allowing you to consume healthy food.
Interview with Kaori Tanaka, who serves breakfast
I interviewed Kaori Tanaka, who serves the one soup, one side dish breakfast at the tea house "Shisui," which utilizes a town house over 100 years old in Higashimachi.
The interview features content from the initial coverage conducted in October 2024.
It has been over six months since you opened. What kind of customers usually come in?
Tanaka (no honorifics)
Since we serve Japanese-style cuisine, I initially thought that our main customers would be tourists from overseas. However, I was surprised to find that many Japanese customers are enjoying it more than I expected.
Older customers reminisce about their childhood, while younger customers may not have experienced a dirt floor or a one soup, one side dish breakfast, but they say it feels "calming."
The daily practice of mixing nuka to make pickles and living with freshly shaved bonito is a familiar scene for Japanese people, and I think many people actually want to incorporate it into their daily lives.
However, many people living in modern times often lack the leisure to do so. Even if they cook rice and miso soup by themselves, they might end up with leftovers, leading some to settle for ready-made meals.
Indeed, when it's just for myself, I often rush through breakfast, so it's nice to have warm rice served like this.
Tanaka
Thank you.
A customer once told me, "I am regaining my life at Shisui."
Tourists from overseas often experience a different culture and casually think, "So this is what a Japanese dining table is like." However, Japanese customers seem to reflect on their experiences, taking their time to nostalgically reminisce.
Recently, there seems to be an increasing number of people who aspire to a "careful lifestyle," which might be one of the reasons for this.
I hope that when they remember the lifestyle that once existed here, they think, "Maybe I should try that again" when they go home. Whether they actually do it or not is another story, but I would be happy if we could be a starting point for actions related to their lives.
Is there anything you keep in mind while serving customers?
Tanaka
I want every customer to fully enjoy "the time spent here," so long visits are always welcome.
When I see customers waiting, I think, "I need to give up my seat quickly." However, I want customers to take their time and adjust their minds and bodies at their own pace without feeling that kind of pressure.
Finally, please give a message to the readers.
Tanaka
There are no rules on how to spend your time at Shisui. Some customers may enjoy a quiet moment reflecting on the past Japanese lifestyle, while on other days, regulars come in and start chatting like at a neighborhood gathering. We simply provide a way to spend time that suits the customers who are there at that moment.
So, I hope you can take your time to relax while gazing at the traditional building and shop tools, and regain your own lifestyle.
Conclusion
Shisui, located in Higashimachi, one street back from the main street of the Bikan Historical Area, is a quiet place with a pleasant breeze despite being on the street.
The dishes are all gentle in flavor, and combined with the atmosphere of the shop, it feels like visiting a relative's grandmother's house. The secret seems to be that the owner carefully captures my "time spent here."
If you want to spend a relaxed and calm morning before exploring the Bikan Historical Area, how about a moment at Shisui?
Shisui's Information
| Name | Shisui |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-21 Higashimachi, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | Contact via DM on "Shisui" official Instagram |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM |
| Closed | Wednesday, Thursday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Seating | Two tatami tables, dirt floor for about five people |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Restroom | No restroom |
| Website | "Shisui" official Instagram |
