If you live around Okayama Prefecture or are a serious meat enthusiast, you may have heard the term "Chiyagyu Beef."
In fact, it is a high-end brand of wagyu known to those in the know.
It is produced in Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture, with a very small number of cattle.
Since it is not easy to obtain, it may not be widely known across the country, but it is very high quality and delicious beef.
However, even if you want to eat Chiyagyu Beef, you might think, "Isn't such high-end meat really expensive or available in small quantities?"
Surprisingly, there is a restaurant in the Bikan Historical Area where you can enjoy Chiyagyu Beef at a reasonable price!
That is "Toraiya Honpo Bekkan."
Toraiya Honpo Bekkan is a specialty restaurant for Chiyagyu Beef dishes.
In a calm atmosphere resembling a private home, you can enjoy dishes such as rice bowls and sukiyaki or shabu-shabu featuring Chiyagyu Beef as the main ingredient.
Let me introduce the charming restaurant, Toraiya Honpo Bekkan, where you can enjoy Chiyagyu Beef in the Bikan Historical Area!
Toraiya Honpo Bekkan is a restaurant where you can enjoy the brand beef Chiyagyu from Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture
Toraiya Honpo Bekkan is located on the east bank of the Kurashiki River.
It is a restaurant specializing in dishes made with Okayama Prefecture's pride, "Chiyagyu Beef."
As you pass through the gate between two old buildings and proceed to the back, you will find a garden and a building resembling a private home.
This building that resembles a private home is Toraiya Honpo Bekkan.
In fact, this building was previously used as a private home and was renovated and opened as Toraiya Honpo Bekkan in 2019.
The interior also retains the atmosphere of a private home, and you take off your shoes at the entrance before entering.
There are six seats at the counter by the window.
You can sit on cushions and enjoy your meal while looking at the garden.
There are five tables for two people.
Additionally, there is one table for four people and one table for two in another room.
It has a calm atmosphere, as if you are in a living room.
The interior is decorated with music boxes and kaleidoscopes.
These items were previously displayed at the "Kurashiki Ivy Square"'s Music Box Museum.
Additionally, they have a wide selection of alcoholic beverages.
All of them are selected to pair well with Chiyagyu Beef.
The restaurant is rented out entirely for evening service
At Toraiya Honpo Bekkan, evening service is by reservation only.
Moreover, only one group per day can make a reservation.
In other words, you can rent out the entire building!
It is quite luxurious to enjoy a relaxing space that feels like a private home all to yourself.
Why not enjoy Chiyagyu Beef slowly with your family for a special occasion or with close friends?
Reservations can be made for four or more people.
Chiyagyu Beef is the root of wagyu that inherits the bloodline of Japan's oldest Tsuruushi
Chiyagyu Beef is produced in the Chiya area of Niimi City, located at the upper reaches of the Takahashi River flowing through Kurashiki City.
With a small number of cattle produced, it is very precious beef.
In fact, according to research by Yoshitaka Habe, the founder of the Wagyu Registration Association, Chiyagyu Beef is considered the root of wagyu and is a historically significant breed of black-haired wagyu.
It descends from the Tsuruushi (breeding bull) known as "Take no Tani Tsuru."
Chiyagyu Beef is characterized by integrated production from breeding to fattening and production all taking place in Chiya.
As a result, you can enjoy safe, secure, and delicious high-quality meat.
Chiyagyu Beef is characterized by a moderate amount of marbling and red meat with a tender texture.
The appeal lies in being able to savor the original flavor and umami of wagyu.
Chiyagyu dishes at Toraiya Honpo Bekkan
At Toraiya Honpo Bekkan, a specialty restaurant for Chiyagyu Beef, you may be curious about what kind of Chiyagyu dishes are available.
Let me introduce the main Chiyagyu dishes at Toraiya Honpo Bekkan.
The information is as of July 2020. Prices do not include tax.
▼ Chiyagyu Beef Steak Box (excluding tax 3,200 yen)
The "Chiyagyu Beef Box" consists of grilled Chiyagyu Beef arranged on top of rice in a layered box, drizzled with a special sauce.
The savory aroma of the grilled Chiyagyu Beef, the umami of the meat, and the sweetness of the sauce pair perfectly with the rice, making it irresistible.
▼ Chiyagyu Beef Teppanyaki (excluding tax 3,500 yen)
The "Chiyagyu Beef Teppanyaki" is a menu item where you grill the meat yourself on a small teppan (griddle) while you eat.
You can enjoy the freshly grilled meat with four different flavors: special sauce, salt, wasabi, and yuzu pepper.
▼ Chiyagyu Beef Sukiyaki Set (2,700 yen)
The "Chiyagyu Beef Sukiyaki Set" features Chiyagyu Beef simmered in a special sauce from Toraiya Honpo, allowing you to enjoy meat that is well infused with flavor.
You can savor the harmony of the sweetness of the sauce, the umami and flavor of Chiyagyu Beef, and the creaminess of the egg.
Since it is served one portion at a time, you can enjoy it even if you are alone.
▼ Chiyagyu Beef Shabu-Shabu Set (2,700 yen)
The "Chiyagyu Beef Shabu-shabu Set" is a menu item where Chiyagyu beef is cooked in a shabu-shabu style with vegetables and enjoyed with ponzu sauce.
Shabu-shabu is a very simple way of eating, allowing you to fully appreciate the deliciousness of Chiyagyu beef.
Like sukiyaki, shabu-shabu is served one portion at a time.
▼ Chiyagyu Sukiyaki Rice Box (1,500 yen)
The Chiyagyu Sukiyaki Rice Box is made by simmering Chiyagyu beef in a special sauce from Toraiya Hompo in a sukiyaki style and placing it on top of rice.
Mixing in the egg yolk on top makes it exquisite.
The charm of Toraiya Hompo Bekkan is that you can enjoy dishes made with the historically renowned wagyu, Chiyagyu beef, at reasonable prices.
We interviewed Kusudo Tomio, the representative director of TRY Co., Ltd., which operates Toraiya Hompo Bekkan.
Toraiya Hompo (とらいやほんぽ) Bekkan Data
| Name | Toraiya Hompo (とらいやほんぽ) Bekkan |
|---|---|
| Address | 5-27 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-427-0122 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | Lunch: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM (Last order at 2:00 PM) Dinner: 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM (Reservation only for groups of 4 or more) |
| Regular Holiday | Monday |
| Payment Method |
|
| Reservation Availability | Available Reservations can be made for groups of 4 or more |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Childcare | Children's utensils available |
| Barrier-free | Not accessible for wheelchairs |
| Website | Toraiya Hompo (とらいやほんぽ) - Bikan Historical Area |
