Croquettes with a heart full of hospitality and a table full of smiles.

Yayoi Takahashi, a small specialty restaurant in Oita City

In 2021, a facility called "TAKENISHI TERRACE" was established at the west exit of the "Galleria Takemachi" arcade, where take-out specialty stores are gathered. Three compact stores, each with a floor space of only 3 tsubo, are operating in an open space where visitors can feel the greenery even though they are located in the center of Oita City. Among them, we would like to introduce Yayoi Takahashi, whose signature menu item, croquettes, is very popular. The owner, Ms. Yuka Takahashi, was smiling as we interviewed her.

Offering the taste of Saiki's famous croquettes, a signature item

The name of the restaurant comes from Yayoi, Saiki City, where the croquettes are purchased. It is a specialty of Takahashi Ltd. which operates a caterer, but in fact, its roots are in Nagasaki Prefecture. The founder, who was born in Nagasaki, evacuated to Saiki, which led to the birth of Takahashi's croquettes.

The dish is characterized by the use of plenty of onions to give it a sweet flavor, and is reminiscent of Nagasaki's table-food cuisine, which is "home-style hospitality food. The Yayoi Ginger Croquette, kneaded with Yayoi ginger to enrich the flavor and taste, is also popular. Mr. Takahashi says, "These delicious croquettes are served on the table with a bang and bring smiles to everyone's faces. I want them to be a part of the everyday dining table and to be enjoyed by the family and at work," he says with a twinkle in his eye.

Popular products not only croquettes

The main items are croquettes and other fried foods, but there is also a high demand for bento boxes, which were originally offered on an irregular basis due to the large number of offices in the area.

They use domestic and prefectural ingredients and are particular about coloring and serving style for female customers. The lunchboxes are now a popular item that some customers come back to buy every day.

The company is willing to do what it can to accommodate customers' budgets, including taking orders for boxed lunches and selling side dishes in bulk, based on its desire to provide safe products that remind customers of the producers.

Yayoi Takahashi's Rewarding Experience and Future Prospects

Nearly three years have passed since the opening of the shop, and Mr. Takahashi says, "I directly feel the reaction of customers, that they are in need. I am glad I opened the store," he says, feeling a positive response.

Aiming to make the store even more rooted in the community, in 2023 the three TAKENISHI TERRACE stores held their first joint workshop event. He is eager to plan regular seasonal events in the future.

We hope you will knock on the door of TAKENISHI TERRACE when you pass through Galleria Takemachi. You are sure to find something new on the menu or at an event.