visited “Kurakuen,” a small Japanese-style eatery near Hankyu Kurakuenguchi.
It’s a counter-only restaurant run by a very friendly and beautiful mother-daughter duo.
Every time you pass by, the place seems lively, so I’m sure many people have been curious about it.
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A Quick Bite: The Exterior of “Kurakuen”
Exit Hankyu Kurakuenguchi Station from the Koyoen-bound platform side (West Exit), then walk along the tracks toward Shukugawa for about 1 minute.
The oden lantern has such a nice feel.
A Quick Bite: Inside “Kurakuen”
The spacious counter is lined with all kinds of small dishes, and just looking at them gets you excited.
A Quick Bite: The Menu at “Kurakuen”
Since the prices aren’t listed, it’s a little suspenseful. There are so many tempting items that it’s hard to decide what to order.
The ordering system is a little unusual: you write your “name” and “menu items” on the paper on the table and hand it in.
A Quick Bite: The Food at “Kurakuen”
The first thing served was “shijimi clam miso soup” (I forgot to take a photo…)
You often hear that shijimi clam miso soup helps with hangovers, but since I had it before drinking, I was quietly impressed, thinking maybe I wouldn’t get a hangover at all.
Dashimaki. Of course the rolled omelet itself is great, but the pickled red ginger on the side is amazing too.
The “seared beef loin” looked so good when the regulars sitting on both sides of us ordered it.
It was so delicious that I couldn’t help grinning.
Boiled gyoza.
After finishing two draft beers, I switched to sake around this point. “San no Esshu” (San no Esshu) from Niigata Prefecture.
They poured it generously, right to the brim. I forgot about the dish underneath and accidentally spilled quite a bit onto my clothes…
It was mild and very easy to drink.
Soy sauce-grilled scallop. The broth you drink at the end after squeezing sudachi over it is irresistible.
Oden with daikon radish and konjac.
Goboten.
Overall, the oden has a gentle, comforting flavor.
I couldn’t stop looking at the “chestnuts simmered with their inner skin” plated right in front of me…
Since I had finished my sake, I ordered another glass just to enjoy those simmered chestnuts.
I managed not to spill my second glass.
Who knew sweet chestnuts and sake went so well together? Or rather, the sake felt as refreshing as water, and both the chestnuts and the sake tasted even better together!
If I’d had any room left, I wanted to try the “omurice” that the regulars were raving about, but I was already completely full.
I also ordered the “marinated small horse mackerel” at the beginning, but I accidentally forgot to take a photo of that too…
Whether you drink alcohol or not, I think this is a wonderfully comfortable place to spend time.
A Quick Bite: “Kurakuen” Restaurant Information
The address is 2-25 Minamikoshikiiwacho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture.
★ Hours: 17:30–22:00 (last order 21:30)
★ Closed: Every Tuesday
★ Phone: 0798-71-5850
★ Seats: 13
★ Smoking/Non-smoking: Completely non-smoking
★ Related link / Tabelog
