Interview with the owner of TRATTORIA noi
We asked Yohei Fujiwara, the owner of TRATTORIA noi, about his thoughts on choosing the location in front of JR Soja Station to run a restaurant.
The origin of pursuing the culinary path
What inspired you to start an Italian restaurant?
Fujiwara
I grew up with my mother's home cooking since I was small, which naturally made me love food, leading me to pursue a culinary path. While learning about cooking, I encountered Italian cuisine and was strongly attracted to its unique charm.
I want to deliver a dish that only I can create. From that thought, I established the Italian restaurant.
Why did you choose the area in front of JR Soja Station?
Fujiwara
I originally wanted to set up a shop in front of the station, and while searching various areas, I came across an empty building in front of JR Soja Station. I felt that Soja, with its increasing population, would be a good place in the long run.
At that time, there were hardly any restaurants in front of JR Soja Station, which was also a deciding factor.
I wanted to create a shop where people could casually drop by and blend seamlessly into their daily lives, so I chose this location.
Aiming for a shop that is comfortable and enjoyable without pretense
Do you have any particular commitments regarding your cooking or what you value?
Fujiwara
I try to use "seasonal ingredients" grown by local farmers as much as possible. Also, since I want to be a shop that people can casually visit, I generally do not use high-end ingredients.
Seasonal ingredients have a strong flavor on their own, so even with simple seasoning, the quality of the ingredients stands out. I hope customers can enjoy the unique flavors of the season.
Did you have any particular focus when creating the shop?
Fujiwara
"Trattoria" means a casual dining place, and "noi" means "we" in Italian.
I wanted to create a shop that people could use regularly, so I intentionally left a bit of the concrete texture in the interior, giving it a slightly inorganic atmosphere. I value the casual atmosphere where people can drop by without pretense.
The trigger and appeal of starting late-night pasta
What prompted you to start late-night pasta?
Fujiwara
In front of JR Soja Station, there were hardly any shops where people could stop by for a second visit, and I often saw people walking around looking for a place to go after leaving the first shop.
I thought, "If we operate late at night, there might be a demand," and that was the trigger for starting it.
However, after actually starting, I found that more people come to enjoy drinks slowly or use it for dinner after work rather than as a second stop.
What kind of pasta can be enjoyed?
Fujiwara
We offer dishes using homemade hand-rolled pasta and special pasta that is hard to enjoy at home.
I hope customers can enjoy the texture and flavor uniqueness that comes with the slight irregularities of handmade pasta.
Future plans
Can you tell us about your future outlook?
Fujiwara
Recently, I have been considering obtaining a hunting license.
As a chef, I have come to want to be involved from the point of taking life with my own hands at times. I feel that this could lead to the creation of dishes and expressions that only I can make.
Additionally, I plan to continue the "late-night pasta" as well.
I hope people can casually drop by for both lunch and dinner, and enjoy it in various scenes.
Conclusion
From the attitude of valuing seasonal ingredients and delivering dishes that gently accompany daily life, it is clear that he aims for an unpretentious Italian cuisine rooted in the community.
Whether enjoying a leisurely lunch or dinner after work,
experiencing a slightly special night with late-night pasta is also recommended.
I felt that it will continue to be a place that people want to casually drop by. If you are interested, please do visit.
Data on TRATTORIA noi
| Name | TRATTORIA noi |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-2-18 Ekimae, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 080-6379-9152 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | Lunch: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM Dinner: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM Late-night pasta: 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM (irregular) |
| Regular Holidays | Monday, irregular holidays |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation Availability | Yes Lunch is divided into two parts. Part 1: 11:30 AM - Part 2: 1:15 PM - |
| Seating | 12 seats, 2 four-person tables, 2 two-person tables |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | TRATTORIA noi |
