This is Tsuda Shokudo located in Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture. As you step into the restaurant, the scent of the Showa era seems to permeate the air, as if time has stood still.
The menu at Tsuda Shokudo includes Western, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine, all with simple and nostalgic flavors. The Omu-rice may have a subtle use of salt and pepper. The Chinese soba has a light broth, soft noodles, and the texture of the chashu resembles ham. However, the taste leaves a lasting impression, with a mysterious charm that makes you want to taste it again.
The husband and wife owners are elderly, but they greet their customers with a friendly and attentive manner. The proprietress seems to have a slight weakness in her legs, but she always serves the customers with the best smile. Witnessing the couple's demeanor, one cannot help but feel the goodness of the traditional public dining.
Tsuda Shokudo does not offer top-notch cuisine, but it is valued for its space, atmosphere, and the couple's attitude. The preservation of such dining culture in local areas brings joy, as it is becoming rare in urban areas. As long as health permits, it is hoped that Tsuda Shokudo will continue to exist.