San Remon Turkey Ranch - A calorie bomb, this sense of guilt is actually good! A specialty gourmet dish from a Showa retro-style café.

Have you ever suddenly wanted to eat a hearty meal?
In a world that leans towards healthy eating, there are times when you crave something a bit junky to fill your stomach.

At the Showa retro café "Sun Lemon" located in Kojima, Kurashiki City, there is a menu that fulfills such desires.

The most popular item on the menu is the "Turkish Lunch."
It features a plate filled with star-level dishes of Italian spaghetti and cutlet curry, making for a menu that is full of sinful delight. I enjoyed the visually impactful Turkish Lunch.

Showa retro café established in 1970

Sun Lemon is marked by a large lemon sculpture.
It was established in 1970, and is currently run by the third-generation owner Fujino Tatsuki.

The interior feels like time has stopped since the Showa era, creating a retro atmosphere. The red pop lighting and chandelier-like fixtures add a nice touch.

A large teddy bear by the window is also a symbol of Sun Lemon. Its outfit changes with the seasons, making it endearing.

Now, it is popular among young women for being "retro and cute," but until recently, the clientele was mainly male. The addition of female customers seeking hearty meals began after it gained attention on Instagram.

With the Showa retro boom, the customer demographic has changed dramatically.

I ate the hearty Turkish Lunch

The most popular item at this pure café that retains the essence of the Showa era is the Turkish Lunch.
The popular menu features Italian spaghetti and cutlet curry served with a salad, all piled on one plate. Each of the three dishes is substantial, ensuring that the Turkish Lunch will fill you up. It can truly be called a calorie bomb.

There are many who are captivated by the sinful delight of finishing this in one go.

The curry, thickened from long cooking with the ingredients melting in, is paired with a thick pork cutlet.
The curry is generously poured over, encroaching on the neighboring dishes, and the mound of rice is oozing with a playful vibe. The curry alone is already substantial, but the addition of the pork cutlet adds a delightful twist.

It is not spicy, so I think even children can eat this curry.

The Italian spaghetti is a ketchup-based pasta.
The onions, bacon, and green peppers dyed in ketchup color add to the retro feel. It is said that the third-generation owner Fujino makes it according to the recipe passed down from the second generation, but recently he has started adding basil for flavor.

It is a retro pasta that makes you want to eat it with a bright red mouth.

Both dishes have a flavor that appeals to people of all ages, creating a craving to eat them again. There are two main stars. It was a playful plate that did not compromise on quantity or quality.

A word from the shop owner

I spoke with the third-generation owner Fujino Tatsuki.

Was the Turkish Lunch available since the establishment?

Fujino (no honorifics)

When my grandfather, the founder, started, it was not called Turkish Lunch, but there was a Lemon Lunch. It was a dish with ketchup rice, hamburger, and salad. I used to eat it when I was little. Somehow, it changed to Turkish Lunch.

In Nagasaki, there is a dish called Turkish Rice, which includes Italian spaghetti, cutlet curry, and pilaf. It seems that the second generation adapted that into the Turkish Lunch.

What is the charm of the Turkish Lunch?

Fujino

It's a calorie reward.
It’s a menu that takes the best of our offerings. The pork cutlet used to be a bit thinner, but I made it thicker for a more satisfying bite.

I like my curry thick, so I keep adding to it and simmering it for a long time. I mix in coffee as a secret ingredient.

Conclusion

I enjoyed the hearty Turkish Lunch.
This was my second time eating it, and once again, I finished it all. With two main dishes, I could enjoy changing the flavors as I ate, and above all, it was delicious, so before I knew it, it was all gone from my plate.

Although it is food that goes against the healthy eating trend, sometimes you just want to fill up on your favorites. Finishing it gives you a mysterious sense of accomplishment.

At the end of the interview, Fujino mentioned, "I created a 'hearty lunch' to compete with the Turkish Lunch. This one is also very filling and highly recommended." As a fan of the Turkish Lunch, I now want to try the hearty lunch as well.

The most popular Turkish Lunch at the pure café marked by a large lemon. Be sure to go with a good appetite!

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