Interview with Yuji Yamauchi, owner of Taiwan Rice
What kind of thoughts does Mr. Yamauchi, the owner of Taiwan Rice and Yuji-in, have when making Taiwanese cuisine?
Let's delve into Mr. Yamauchi's relationship with Taiwan!
Background of the Birth of Taiwan Rice
Why did you decide to start a food truck?
Yamauchi (honorifics omitted)
As many people know, the lodging industry was greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of course, Yuji-in was no exception.
After seeing off a French person who hurriedly returned home in March 2020, a state of emptiness continued.
Since we usually had many overseas guests, the management became untenable when travel became difficult.
I considered closing Yuji-in, but I focused on the food truck trend that had started to gain popularity a little earlier.
Why did you choose Taiwanese cuisine?
Yamauchi
At Yuji-in, Taiwanese staff help with the operations, and some have been staying for over a year.
It is easy to imagine that when living in Japan for a long time, one would miss the flavors of their home country.
So, I started cooking and serving Taiwanese dishes for the Taiwanese staff.
In an effort to recreate Taiwanese flavors, I learned the recipe for braised pork rice (lu rou fan) with the help of the Taiwanese staff.
When I decided to start a food truck, I thought I would go with braised pork rice that I learned from the Taiwanese staff.
Guesthouse Yuji-in and Taiwan
Why is the connection with Taiwan so strong?
Yamauchi
Shortly after opening Yuji-in in 2008, Taiwanese staff began staying with us.
That Taiwanese staff member posted on social media, saying, “Yuji-in, a guesthouse in Kurashiki, is really great!”
This post led to a succession of Taiwanese staff coming to help at the shop.
Since opening Yuji-in, 26 Taiwanese staff members have stayed without interruption.
What countries do most of your customers come from?
Yamauchi
We have many customers traveling from Taiwan.
One reason is the presence of the Bikan Historical Area, which retains Japan's old townscape.
Additionally, Okayama is a place that is easy to travel not only east and west but also to the San'in region and Shikoku.
Furthermore, there are direct flights from Taiwan to Okayama, which is convenient for transportation, making it a reason many people visit Kurashiki from Taiwan.
Background for Providing a Rich Variety of Dishes
Why do you change the menu for each event?
Yamauchi
At market events, various shops set up stalls, but depending on the shops, there can be bias in the types of food available.
Therefore, I adjusted the menu to provide rice, bread, noodles, desserts, etc., according to the requests of the market event organizers.
For rice, we offer braised pork rice and chicken rice, and for bread, we have Taiwanese burgers.
Because we can make a variety of Taiwanese dishes, we can change the menu to match the market events.
I believe this is a strength and charm of Taiwan Rice.
Why can you create so many menu items?
Yamauchi
While I select the menu to match the market events, if there isn't a perfect match, I contact my Taiwanese staff friends to ask for new menu ideas.
For example, the beef noodles we are serving today were taught to me by a former staff member living in Taiwan.
Thanks to the relationships I've built with Taiwanese staff through Yuji-in, I can create new Taiwanese dishes.
How do you recreate Taiwanese flavors?
Yamauchi
When making braised pork rice, I use Taiwanese soy sauce and rice wine for simmering.
When a Taiwanese staff member pointed out that the texture of the simmered pork was different, I adjusted the cut of the pork to modify the texture.
I rely on the senses of the Taiwanese staff who are familiar with Taiwanese flavors to refine my cooking methods.
Additionally, I use a cooking appliance from the Taiwanese brand TATUNG (大同電鍋) that is familiar in Taiwan for cooking.
It is excellent for simmering and steaming.
Future of Taiwan Rice
How do you want to develop Taiwan Rice in the future?
Yamauchi
Since Taiwanese cuisine is not well established in Japan, I want more people to enjoy Taiwanese cuisine.
The dishes offered at Taiwan Rice are recipes learned from Taiwanese staff, so I can recreate Taiwanese flavors.
Being able to enjoy Taiwanese flavors in Kurashiki is a characteristic of Taiwan Rice.
Moreover, I can set up stalls anywhere in Okayama Prefecture, and I believe the ability to set up stalls at market events is also a charm of Taiwan Rice.
I would be happy if the organizers of market events could also learn about the charm of Taiwanese cuisine.
Trying Taiwanese Cuisine in Kurashiki
Actually, the first overseas trip I took was to Taiwan.
While feeling bewildered by the foreign atmosphere and sometimes getting lost, I will never forget the kindness of the Taiwanese people.
Of course, the flavors of the dishes I ate during my travels remain strongly in my memory.
The spicy flavor of the beef noodles I had at Taiwan Rice brought back memories of the scenery in Taiwan.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the guesthouse Yuji-in faced a critical situation, but I feel that the trust Mr. Yamauchi has built with the Taiwanese staff saved Yuji-in.
Knowing the background of how Taiwan Rice was born will surely make the dishes at Taiwan Rice more flavorful.
By the way, the doll displayed in front of the shop is the mascot character of the cooking appliance manufacturer TATUNG.
Feeling Taiwan from the small items placed in the shop is also a highlight of Taiwan Rice.
Please enjoy the authentic Taiwanese atmosphere at Taiwan Rice.
Data on Taiwan Rice
| Name | Taiwan Rice |
|---|---|
| Address | Stalls at market events in Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-441-1620 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | Stalls at market events in Okayama Prefecture |
| Regular Holidays | Irregular holidays |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation | Not accepted |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | No toilet |
| Website | Taiwan Rice |
