Interview with the owner of Tonpei, Wada Yasuhiro
The ramen of Tonpei, loved in Kasaoka for many years, features an original soup.
I spoke with the owner, Wada Yasuhiro, about the background of the business, the shop's commitment, and future prospects.
Trained at "Tonpei" in Osaka and opened a branch in Kasaoka
I want to know the background of the opening.
Wada (honorific omitted)
The business was founded in 1986 (Showa 61), started by my father, the previous owner.
Originally, my father was a company employee, but he decided to become independent due to the economic downturn.
Our family has many relatives in the restaurant business, and my father himself loved cooking and often cooked at home.
So when he thought about becoming independent, it naturally came to mind to open a restaurant.
When he was about to become independent, a friend introduced him to a ramen shop in Juso, Osaka.
After eating the ramen at that shop, he decided to train there.
The ramen shop he trained at was called Tonpei (which closed in 2018).
Although they originally did not take on apprentices, he was allowed to join as a special case due to his enthusiasm.
He worked and trained there for about six months, living in Osaka, and received permission to use the shop's signboard, leading to his independence in the form of a branch.
There happened to be a property near his home in Kasaoka.
That is the current location of the shop.
Since then, he has been operating at the same location.
The charm of restaurants is that we can easily express our creativity
What is the background of Wada taking over?
Wada
After graduating from university, I immediately joined the Tonpei shop.
It was a very natural flow, and I didn't have any particular resistance.
About six months after joining, I became a key player in the shop.
The whole family started working together, and I felt that the flow of the shop changed.
With more staff available, I felt I could oversee the details better.
Also, what I find good about running a restaurant is that we can easily express our creativity.
Especially our ramen has a taste that is quite rare around Kasaoka.
This is a strength.
What do you pay attention to when running the shop?
Wada
Thanks to everyone, we have been able to welcome many customers during lunch and on holidays.
Therefore, I try to ensure that we can serve quickly.
When customers are waiting, I take their orders and start preparing as soon as they sit down.
I also quickly grasp the number of customers and simulate where they should sit in advance to guide them smoothly.
Moreover, all our staff love children.
I hope that customers with children will feel free to visit us.
I want to cherish the taste of Tonpei from Osaka
Is the taste and menu the same as Tonpei in Osaka?
Wada
Basically, the ramen from Tonpei in Osaka has the same taste and characteristics.
Due to ingredient constraints, there are some parts that had to be slightly changed, but the base flavor is the same.
My father was moved after eating it and thought, "I want the people of Kasaoka to taste this flavor."
I also ate at Tonpei in Osaka, and I felt happy that this flavor could be enjoyed in Kasaoka.
In the 2010s, there was a period when chicken-based white soup ramen gained attention, but I think it is wonderful that Tonpei in Osaka has been serving chicken-based white soup ramen since the Showa era.
And above all, it is the flavor that Tonpei in Osaka taught me.
I want to cherish it.
The menu is almost the same, but we have added some items to suit the preferences of people in Kasaoka, such as seaweed ramen.
The flavor of Tonpei's soup goes well with various ingredients and tastes.
In addition to various toppings, it also pairs well with miso and curry.
The wide variety is a characteristic of Tonpei's soup!
By the way, the gyoza also inherits the flavor of Tonpei in Osaka.
I want to continue the business for a long time, looking forward to customers bringing their grandchildren
Please tell me about your future prospects.
Wada
This year (at the time of the interview = 2021, Reiwa 3), our shop is celebrating 35 years since its founding.
In the past, children who were taken by their parents to eat "Chibikko Ramen" have grown up and now eat large servings of ramen, and sometimes they come back with their own children, which is surprising.
Being able to see the growth of a customer is because we have been in business for a long time.
I am very grateful for the long-standing love for our shop, and at the same time, it is deeply moving.
Therefore, busy periods such as Obon, Higan, long holidays, and New Year are also enjoyable.
This is because customers who were once children and have moved far away come back.
So, I want to keep going until the grandchildren come.
First, I want to work hard for five years, then another five years, and my goal is to continue for a long time.
I want to run the shop for my entire life.
Tonpei, a ramen shop loved locally for a long time
Tonpei, which has been loved in Kasaoka for over 35 years since learning in Osaka and opening a shop there.
You can enjoy the delicious original ramen of Tonpei, which is not found elsewhere around Kasaoka.
Please try the ramen from Tonpei, which is full of charm, with its delicious soup that you can't help but drink up, plenty of vegetables, and a wide variety.
Ramen and Gyoza Tonpei Information
| Name | Ramen and Gyoza Tonpei |
|---|---|
| Address | 2215-1 Kodaira, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 0865-62-4129 |
| Parking | Available Second parking lot available |
| Business Hours | Weekdays: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Last order at 2:50 PM), 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Last order at 8:30 PM) Sundays and holidays: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Last order at 2:50 PM), 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Last order at 7:50 PM) |
| Regular Holiday | Thursday If Thursday is a holiday, open |
| Payment Method |
|
| Reservation | Not accepted |
| Seating | Total 28 seats ・Counter: 4 seats ・Table for 2: 1 table ・Table for 4: 1 table ・Table for 6: 1 table ・Tatami room for 4: 3 tables |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Childcare | Children's dishes available Children's chairs available |
| Barrier-free | Wheelchair accessible Toilet is wheelchair accessible |
| Homepage | Kasaoka Ramen Shop | Ramen and Gyoza Tonpei |
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