This is a guest post from one of my clients: Takaokaya. Takaokaya has been making beautifully handcrafted bedding and cushions in Kyoto since 1919. Third generation proprietor, Koichi Takaoka is going to tell us about one of his favorite Kyoto restaurants: Shiawase Gohan.
Takaoka-san says: Shiawase Gohan (幸せごはん) means happy meal, or happy food. Shiawase Gohan opened about three years ago and owner chef, Nakamura-san, I have known for about 15 years. He was chef at a restaurant a friend introduced me to. I went there for many years and then when he moved onto a new restaurant I followed him there and continued to enjoy his delicious creations — because his dishes are so special! Chef Nakamura trained in Italy for a year and while his dishes are not ‘fusion’, there are surprising elements from Western cuisine in some dishes.
Yamaimo Tororo Yaki — This unique dish makes me happy!!
Recently, our friend Kwong, a Singaporean architect beautifully renovated a traditional Kyoto ‘machiya’ townhouse and he selected Takaokaya to supply the cushions and bedding for the house. We are very honored. I invited Kwong and our International Business Development Team of Nanako and Michael out for dinner and I decided to take them to Shiawase Gohan.
Here are some of the dished that we had.
Prosciutto and Avocado Temakizushi
Prosciutto and Avocado Temakizushi
Wagyu Tataki
Gomadofu (Sesame Tofu)
Karaage Deep-fried Chicken Wings
Pork and Bean Spouts with Ponzu
Potato Salad
Summer Vegetable Salad
Pork and Kimchi Kimpira
Manganji Pepper Tempura
Wagyu Harami Yaki
Yamaimo Tororo Yaki — This unique dish makes me happy!!
Yamaimo Tororo Yaki
Yamaimo Tororo Yaki
Asari Clam Ramen
Shiawase Gohan Exterior
About Takaokaya
Takaokaya Interior Scene – Kyoto Machiya
Takaokaya has been making handcrafted bedding and cushions in Kyoto since 1919. It is said that Takaokaya is the last company still making their products in-house, by hand. Visit Takaokaya’s English website.
Takaokaya’s Popular Ojami Cushion Collections — A stylish, harmonious blend of old and new.
The unique shape is inspired by the ancient Japanese beanbag toy called ‘tedama’, or ‘ojami’ in Kyoto dialect.
Ojami Cushion Collections
The ojami cushion is a funky, modern take on the tedama, a traditional Japanese beanbag toy that was filled with azuki beans. Handcrafted by our skilled Kyoto artisans, ojami come in a rich variety of colors, fabric coverings, fillings, sizes and shapes to suit your taste and lifestyle. Amazingly comfortable and of a unique geometrical shape, functionally these cushions are designed for posture support and correction, and to be a beautiful decorative object suitable to any living or working space. See all Ojami Cushion Collections here.
Koichiro Takaoka, Takaokaya’s Third Generation Proprietor
Kutsurogi: Relaxing in Style, Kyoto-style
‘Kutsurogi’ may be translated as ‘to relax’ or to ‘feel at home.’ In Japan, though, Kutsurogi is something more: it’s a way of life. At Takaokaya, we have a manifesto to bring Kutsurogi to life.
About Shiawase Gohan
English
English menu: none
English website: none
Service/Staff: Friendly
Price
Lunch: 1000-1900 yen per person
Dinner: 3000-5000 yen per person
Location and Access: Shiawase Gohan is located on the south side of the Imperial Palace on Fuyacho-dori street, about half a block off Marutamachi Street. It’s a few minutes walk from Marutamachi Subway Station, Keihan Marutamachi Station or Kawaramachi Street.
Address: Kyoto-shi Nakagyo-ku Fuyacho Marutamachi Sagaru, Funaya-cho 426-2, Funayacho Bldg 1F
(京都市中京区麩屋町丸太町下ル舟屋町426-2 舟屋町ビル1F)
Telephone: 075-221-1133
Nearby Sightseeing Spot: The Imperial Palace, Teramachi Street, Kamo River.
Map:
(c) Kyoto Foodie: Where and what to eat in Kyoto – Read entire story here.
