A long-established restaurant with a 100-year history that continues to be loved for its hearty menu.
Streets magazine Editors
February 1, 2024
This article has been automatically translated from the Japanese version.
The third generation to preserve 100 years of history
Restaurant Ishiaifune has a store in the Galleria Takemachi arcade in Chuo-cho, Oita City. Retro food samples line the showcase. That is as it should be. The restaurant is a long-established business that has been loved by the locals for 100 years.
Retro-looking restaurant Ishiawaseisen
Masanori Amasaki, the third-generation owner of the restaurant, recalls, "It's been 50 years since I took over the restaurant. He and his wife have been running the restaurant for 50 years. His predecessor used to run a restaurant here called "Study Tei," which served handmade udon noodles and rice bowls. When Mr. Amasaki took over the restaurant 50 years ago, Western food culture was just beginning to flourish. He changed the name of the restaurant to "Ishiawase," and set out on a new journey to become a restaurant that offers everything from Japanese to Western to Chinese cuisine.
Displays related to the "ship" in the store's name. The store's interior is full of tasteful space.
Masanori Amasaki, owner, together with his wife and staff, preserving 100 years of history.
There are so many different specialties that you can't choose one.
What do you recommend? What do you recommend? Mr. Amasaki laughed boldly. He was joking, but when I asked him about it, he replied, "There are so many specialties, from set meals such as hamburger steak, chicken tempura, ginger-yaki, and staminayaki to curry pork cutlet, pork cutlet nanban, and tonteki...customers seem to enjoy their favorite dishes as much as they want to. I was curious about the tonteki, which was listed as "Today's Service Menu," and decided to order it.
Tonteki 1100 yen (tax included) weekday lunch time with coffee
I was surprised to see the teppan plate that was brought to me. The sizzling, steamy tonteki was more filling than I had imagined. When I put the hot dish in my mouth, the thickness and juicy flavor made my cheeks smile. Japanese style is the key seasoning. Plenty of grated daikon radish and shiso leaves are placed on the top, which goes well with the Japanese sauce and gives the dish a refreshing taste. The spicy mustard is another key point.
Beloved by artists, the interior is like a gallery
In addition to businessmen working in nearby offices, Ishiaibune is also frequented by visitors to the OPAM Prefectural Art Museum, which is located nearby. Perhaps that is why the store is decorated with many paintings. Combined with the tasteful lighting, it looks like a gallery.
When I asked for more details, he replied, "They are all paintings that our customers have done. They are all painted by customers. Some of them were painted by famous local artists. While waiting for our meal, and even after we finished eating, we were able to look around the restaurant and enjoy the wonderful works of art.
Paintings displayed throughout the restaurant reflect the emotional atmosphere.
The Future of Ishiaibune
Next to his wife, who laughs, "My husband's hobby is his work," Mr. Amasaki says, "We really appreciate it when customers come to our shop. Please continue to patronize us. Please continue to patronize us. He said, "Please continue to patronize us.
Ishiawase boasts a 100-year history as a long-established restaurant. It will continue to be loved by the town and its people.