Interview with Tomio Kusudo, President of Toraiya Honpo Bekkan
Toraiya Honpo Bekkan, where you can enjoy dishes made with the historically renowned wagyu, Chiyagyu Beef, at reasonable prices, is quite appealing.
I spoke with Tomio Kusudo, the President of TRY Co., Ltd., which operates Toraiya Honpo Bekkan, about the background of the establishment, the restaurant's commitments, and future aspirations.
A place to casually enjoy Chiyagyu Beef outside of the production area in Niimi
What led to the establishment of the Bekkan?
Kusudo
When we changed the main store to focus on local cuisine centered around "Kibisoba," we were introduced to Chiyagyu Beef as a local ingredient by someone we were in contact with.
That was the trigger for us to start handling Chiyagyu Beef at our restaurant.
Later, we were introduced to the property where the Bekkan currently exists.
There are few places in the southern part of the prefecture that handle Chiyagyu Beef, and even if there are, they tend to be a bit upscale.
Furthermore, there are almost no specialty stores.
So, I thought about opening a specialty store for Chiyagyu Beef.
Thus, we opened the Bekkan at the property that was introduced to us.
Were there any challenges or innovations?
Kusudo
Chiyagyu Beef has a very small production number, so it is a high-end ingredient.
It was challenging to provide it as reasonably as possible.
We tried changing the cuts we offered, innovating the serving methods and menu, and so on...
We thought of various ideas.
We are still in the process of trial and error.
Surprisingly many local customers
What are the characteristics of the Bekkan and how does it differ from the main store?
Kusudo
Unlike the main store, the Bekkan is characterized by having a lot of local customers.
Chiyagyu Beef is still not well known among tourists.
This is due to the small production numbers and other circumstances.
On the other hand, it is known around Okayama Prefecture.
However, there are few Chiyagyu Beef restaurants in the southern part of the prefecture.
That is why we have been able to attract attention from people around Kurashiki in the southern part of the prefecture.
"You can enjoy Chiyagyu Beef dishes at a reasonable price at a specialty store without having to go all the way to Niimi."
Creating a relaxing space
What are your commitments at the Bekkan?
Kusudo
In fact, we change the concept between day and night.
During the day, it is for those who want to enjoy Chiyagyu Beef at reasonable prices.
At night, it is for those who want to enjoy Chiyagyu Beef dishes in a relaxed manner.
That is why we only accept reservations for four or more people at night.
The property was actually a private house before we opened.
It is rare to find a place in the middle of this Bikan Historical Area that retains the atmosphere of a private house.
Therefore, we intentionally kept the interior design with a private house atmosphere.
We want our customers to enjoy their meals in a relaxing atmosphere.
Future aspirations
What are your future aspirations and things you want to try?
Kusudo
Chiyagyu Beef is a historically renowned brand wagyu that Okayama Prefecture and the Bichu region take pride in.
However, even if you live locally and know about Chiyagyu Beef, it is not easy to eat.
That is why I want people to enjoy the local brand wagyu more closely and casually.
I want local people to know the local flavors.
Of course, I also want tourists and business visitors to enjoy it.
Chiyagyu Beef still has a high image of being a high hurdle within the prefecture, and I think it is not well recognized outside the prefecture.
I hope that as many people as possible will come to know the charm of Chiyagyu Beef.
Conclusion
If you have heard of "Chiyagyu Beef," you probably know it as a high-end meat that is not easy to find.
Isn't it like a dream to have a place where you can casually enjoy the coveted Chiyagyu Beef?
Moreover, you can rent the entire place for evening operations.
Whether it's for a family meal with something special, a celebration, or a leisurely dinner with friends, why not consider using Toraiya Honpo Bekkan for those special occasions?
It is also recommended when you come to Kurashiki for tourism or business.
Please try the pride of Bichu, Chiyagyu Beef, at Toraiya Honpo Bekkan.
Data on Toraiya Honpo (とらいやほんぽ) Bekkan
| Name | Toraiya Honpo (とらいやほんぽ) Bekkan |
|---|---|
| Address | 5-27 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-427-0122 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | Daytime: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM (Last order at 2:00 PM) Evening: 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM (Reservations only for groups of 4 or more) |
| Regular Holiday | Monday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation Availability | Yes Reservations possible 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 Honpo (とらいやほんぽ) - Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area |
