Interview with Mr. Taku Ohmori, owner of Okonomiyaki TAKU
He is a skilled owner who takes care of us even during the interview.
We spoke with Mr. Taku Ohmori, the owner.
What was the trigger for starting your business?
Ohmori (no honorifics)
I was running a restaurant in Hiroshima, but I had to return to Kurashiki.
When I thought about what to do after returning to Kurashiki, I liked curry, so I wondered if a curry shop would be good.
But people told me that curry is something you eat at home (laughs).
So I thought about what I could do.
My wife is from Hiroshima, and I had eaten various okonomiyaki in Hiroshima, and I had also trained at a friend's place, so I thought I might start making okonomiyaki.
After that, I went to learn from a sauce shop and learned about okonomiyaki again.
But since this is not Hiroshima, I thought it would be better not to make half-hearted okonomiyaki.
So I source the noodles from Hiroshima.
People say that doing this will lead to bankruptcy, but I want to use only really delicious ingredients.
Within that, I also wanted to include my favorite curry on the menu.
There have been times when Indians have said that our curry is delicious.
I have been doing this for 22 years.
Can you tell us about your popular menu items?
Ohmori
Since the opening, the two main pillars have been okonomiyaki and curry. Both okonomiyaki and curry sell well.
The hormone udon is especially popular among young people.
In the beginning, I couldn't get good hormone. I used Sanuki udon, and the sauce was delicious.
But because the hormone was not good, it wasn't popular.
Now, I have the best hormone brought in, so it is really delicious. It has become quite popular.
My wife suggested various ideas, and the menu item that was created after more than 20 years is the yakisoba curry.
When people eat yakisoba curry for the first time, they wonder if it's curry or yakisoba (laughs).
Once they try it, they find it delicious, so I decided to put it on the menu.
What are your shop's commitments?
Ohmori
Since we have a signboard for Hiroshima-style, I don't want people to think, "What is this?"
We use a custom-made iron plate that is 2 centimeters thick, and the iron plate alone weighs 1 ton.
To heat the iron plate, we raise the temperature to about 230 degrees, but it never bends.
If you use a thin iron plate, it will bend when it gets burnt, making it difficult to eat because the oil and flour mix together.
You cannot make Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki without using this iron plate.
What is the story behind the wooden toys displayed in the shop?
Ohmori
I am thinking of making and selling the wooden toys displayed in the shop.
The famous designer of wooden toys, Mr. Saburo Oguro, was a customer who came to eat curry, which inspired me to start making them.
He also sent me an old machine that he used to use.
What I make is original and all have cat faces.
I have loved calico cats since I was a child.
I am making various wooden toys with magnets and bells added for fun.
What are your aspirations for the future?
Ohmori
I have really met many people here.
During the inbound period, many foreign tourists came, and I had to respond in English.
With this menu, many people have been pleased.
It was tough when the shop wasn't popular due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but I think it will get busy from now on.
Physically, my working hours are gradually getting shorter, but I will do my best to ensure that people who come all the way here won't find the shop closed.
Conclusion
This shop is filled with the owner's desire to have many people eat delicious food and be happy.
Also, it is heartwarming to see the couple working together and sharing their ideas.
Please try the unchanging taste of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki that has been around for 22 years in Kurashiki.
Data on Okonomiyaki TAKU
| Name | Okonomiyaki TAKU |
|---|---|
| Address | 1253-1 Funakuracho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, Rose Garden |
| Contact | 086-434-2003 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | Weekdays and Saturdays: 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM (Last order at 8:30 PM) Sundays and holidays: 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM (Last order at 7:30 PM) |
| Regular Holidays | Monday Open on holidays |
| Payment Methods |
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| Reservations | Accepted |
| Seats | 19 |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Website | Okonomiyaki, Curry, and B-class Gourmet Kurashiki | For Okonomiyaki, go to TAKU |
