A local long-established supermarket is transformed into a fashionable and casual select store! FunTable Kitchen

Hashihama Supermarket, a longtime local favorite for over 50 years, has been reborn by the third generation, Mr. Kono. Today, it is a treasure trove of food, with food sundries collected from Japan and abroad, as well as handmade prepared foods, breads, and sweets. In January 2020, FunTable Kitchen was relocated and reopened in the center of Imabari City with freshly baked bread, boxed lunches, a selection of food sundries, wine, and more.

'Three times a day, 365 days a year. You lose money if you don't enjoy it.

Mr. Kono talks about the importance of meals. Especially if you live alone, you tend to neglect your meals. But three times a day for 365 days, you have that much to look forward to in your life. It would be a waste if you don't enjoy each and every meal.

FunTable in the restaurant name "FunTable Kitchen" means "fun table. It expresses the hope that people will cherish and enrich the dining table where they gather with family and friends.

Colorful and healthy bento boxes are popular

One of the most popular lunchtime dishes is the colorful bento box lunch. The bento boxes are made with five-grain rice and a variety of vegetables. The "healthy, colorful, and cute" bento strongly reflects FunTable Kitchen's uncompromising commitment to the enjoyment of food. The freshly baked breads, such as curry bread (beef and shrimp miso), salted bread, and salted melon bread, are said to be popular. They look delicious.

Passion for Salt

Hashihama Supermarket was originally founded in the salt fields of Hashihama Beach. The company handles about 50 kinds of salt selected from both domestic and foreign markets, and finally started making "salt" in the traditional way out of a strong passion for salt.

The salt is made in the garden of the predecessor's house on Oshima. They are using Kikuma tiles to reproduce the production method that was used in the early Showa period. The taste of this "kawara salt," finished in large grains, is really mild, and is used to accentuate various sweets and put on bread. Basque cheesecake, in particular, is a perfect match for the Kawara salt, which he says is "sweet and tasty.

Because the amount of salt produced varies greatly between summer and winter, they are unable to use it in side dishes or sell "Kawara salt" itself. He spoke of his passion for salt, saying, "I want people to become interested in salt" when they taste sweets and bread made with Kawara-salt.

Enjoy wine pairings

FunTable Kitchen also focuses on wine. Most of the alcoholic beverages they carry are wines. Just a bottle of wine changes a meal," says Kono. He suggests wine as an opportunity to enjoy a meal, such as when you want to prepare a little ham and cheese.

Helping to make dining rich and enjoyable.

The challenge of "FunTable Kitchen," which also focuses on branding the restaurant by creating original eco-bags, has only just begun. What lies ahead is their quest for new tastes while involving their friends who produce local ingredients.

We want to make your everyday dining experience a little more special.

We look forward to the further evolution of FunTable Kitchen.