Each of the 10 stores has its own concept

Founded in 1983, Groovy is a pasta chain that is known by over 98% of Ibaraki residents. While 90% of its customers are women, the restaurant is a magnet for stalwarts who gobble down large portions of spaghetti, packed with noodles and toppings.

We arrived at the Groovy Tsukuba Higashidaidori store. The store has a unique presence, and because the current president is originally an architect, each store has its own exterior and interior theme.

For example, the slope at the entrance has glass-like elements embedded in it, which is said to represent the flow of water. To be honest, I didn't notice it until someone pointed it out, but it's fun to think that even the most casual of details have meaning.

Waiting for us at the entrance was Shiraishi Ryota, manager of the Groovy Tsukuba Higashidaidori store, who had spoken to the company president in advance for this interview.

A spacious restaurant with 120 seats, all facing the windows

The Groovy Tsukuba Higashidaidori store was built with a "modern Japanese" concept, has a courtyard, and all tables face the windows. Of the 10 Groovy stores, the Tsukuba Higashidaidori store is the largest, with 120 seats.

Each seat is spacious, allowing you to maintain your privacy. This spaciousness is only possible in Ibaraki, a vast area.

This is apparently one reason why over 90% of the customers are female, and Shiraishi says, "Many female Guest/customer enjoy conversation, so I think we have a lot of customers thanks to this spacious, relaxing space."

The shop also has a cafe function, and I immediately ordered the "Iced Coffee" - Groovy's own blend. It had a gorgeous, sweet taste with a subdued bitterness, making it easy to drink even black.

What catches your eye is the incredible number of menu items! It was originally a coffee shop, and apparently as a remnant of that, it has a large drink menu.

Although this number may vary slightly depending on the store, in the case of the Groovy Tsukuba Higashidaidori store, there are 91 types of drinks, side dishes, and desserts alone, 132 other dishes, and when you add in the store-exclusive products listed outside the box, the total number easily exceeds 200 types.

As a result of creating a menu that meets customer requests,At one time there were over 350 varieties.However, since Groovy does everything from preparation to cooking in-store, they decided to limit the number of items they serve, taking into consideration the popularity of the menu items as well as the burden on the stores.

Here it is, Groovy's famous "Pirate Spaghetti!"

Among the many popular items, there is a specialty that is unique to this pasta chain, which originated in Tokai Village, Ibaraki Prefecture, which faces the sea.
it isThe most popular by far is "Pirate Spaghetti"Compared to other popular products, the number of orders is said to be an order of magnitude higher, showing how outstanding it is.

The pirate spaghetti is topped with a generous amount of seafood, including shrimp, squid, crab, tuna, and small shrimp, and is drizzled with a generous amount of sauce. The homemade tomato and béchamel sauce has been refined to make it even more delicious.

The story behind the creation of pirate spaghetti dates back to the early days of the still popular "Foo Foo Spaghetti."

Fufu Spaghetti is a dish made by baking onions, mushrooms, and shrimp in the oven with plenty of cheese.Deluxe versionPirate spaghetti was conceived as a potential signature product that would be satisfying to eat.

When you separate the cream layer and scoop up the noodles, they are coated with a generous amount of creamy cream, creating an irresistible texture for those who love creamy things.

As you eat, the first thing you notice is the volume. While most restaurants generally serve noodles in the 100-110g range, this one is 130g. The boiled noodles are 280g. What's more, the toppings and sauce are piled on top,The total weight of one serving of pasta is approximately 600gIt reaches up to.

If you order a large portion for 330 yen, the noodles will be 1.5 times larger, at 195g, and the boiled noodles will weigh 420g. The toppings and cream will also increase, making it an even bigger size.

Of the many dishes on the menu, this pirate spaghetti is "probably the largest." The total weight of the noodles, sauce, and seafood is about 800g, and if you order a large portion, it exceeds 1kg.

In addition, the pasta is chewy."Raw spaghetti"For an additional 150 yen, you can choose from two types: "plain noodles" and "spinach noodles." According to Shiraishi, "It's not just a different taste from regular dried noodles, it's completely different."

It's a soft fresh pasta to begin with, but boiling it for another three minutes "makes it really chewy," he said. He spoke enthusiastically about pairing it with cream or tomato sauces, saying, "It goes really well with the noodles, so I highly recommend it."

How are sales of the hidden specialty "meat natto" going?

In addition to pirate spaghetti, Groovy has a wide variety of menu items, and one dish that catches your eye is the "meat natto."This is a typical Ibaraki dish, made with meat sauce and natto. It's a dish that could be called a strange creation (?) born from a pun, but is it selling well?

Shiraishi seemed a little hesitant to answer, saying, "To be honest, sales at this restaurant aren't that great... (laughs)," but it has reigned as a hidden specialty menu item.

Another hidden popular item is the mayonnaise-flavored pasta. Shiraishi says, "You probably haven't heard of mayonnaise-flavored pasta before, but it actually goes surprisingly well with it, is reasonably priced, and I personally recommend it."

The simple "pilaf" is a sophisticated favorite

Shiraishi says that "pilaf" is surprisingly popular. The most popular dish is "scallop and shrimp." Simple pilaf dishes, like this one containing only scallops, shrimp, and onions, are popular.

The taste of the sea permeates the rice, making it a flavor you'll want to bite into. The accent of onion was also a delicious essence that broke away from the expected harmony.

The pilaf dishes also come with a generous 300g of rice. Another popular dish is the "Pirate Pilaf," a rice version of pirate spaghetti.

These dishes are seasoned a little on the strong side. Ibaraki is a prefecture with a thriving agricultural industry and many hardworking people, so traditionally there have been many people who prefer strong seasonings."The seasoning is strong and the portions are a little large."It seems that the menu was prepared with this in mind.

The menu is quite large, so if you have leftovers, there are free takeaway containers available, so you don't have to worry.

Oh yes, pizza is also a popular item. They make the dough by hand, stretch it to order, top it with ingredients, and bake it. They also take great care in stretching the dough evenly so that it cooks easily.

The only store in the chain with a pastry chef

The Tsukuba Higashi-Odori store is home to Groovy's only cake workshop, where pastry chefs show off their skills by hand-making all of their cakes.

Although I wasn't able to order it on the day I visited, another attractive feature is that when you order cake, ice cream comes with it.

Manager Shiraishi recommends the "Napoleon," a limited edition item available only at this store. Made with pie crust, it loses its crispness after two days, so it's only available at the Tsukuba Higashidaidori store.

Another recommendation from Shiraishi is the cream puffs. This is also an exclusive item at the Tsukuba Higashidaidori store, as it cannot be sold at other stores due to concerns about the freshness of the pie dough.

When you break the crunchy cookie dough, a rich, rich custard cream spills out, giving you a fresh, fragrant taste. The portion of the pirate spaghetti, scallops, and shrimp pilaf combo was so generous, it was a comforting treat.
Cakes are delivered to other stores from here,The biggest attraction of the Tsukuba Higashidaidori store is that you can eat freshly made food.There are so many varieties to choose from, it's easy to choose a cake.

Dressing with a shelf life of just one month

Another nice thing about pizza is that it usually comes with a regular-sized salad, which was served as the first appetizer on the day we went.

Another specialty of Groovy is the dressing that comes pre-dripped on the salad. The dressing is made at the Tokai main store, and four different types are served daily.

There are four types: "Carrot," "Sesame," "Plum and Shiso," and "Celery." It is a "raw dressing" that has not been heat-treated and contains no preservatives, so it only lasts for one month. It is often sold at local supermarkets and is said to be one of the most popular products. In addition to not using any coloring agents, while regular dressings are said to contain about 60-75% oil,Low oil content of 20%This is also an attractive feature.

Generally, the freshest dressing is served daily, and the cash register displays "Today's dressing is this," but you can change it if you don't like it.

By the way, we were also served the "Soup of the Day." The soup on this day was a moderate tomato sauce flavor, with various ingredients blended together to create a luxurious feeling.

There are a large number of regular customers, and the restaurant has already become a beloved spot for two or even three generations of parents and children. Shiraishi says, "I'm happy when customers bring their grandchildren."

Furthermore, Groovy has started selling original capsule toys to keep customers from getting bored while waiting on weekends. There are two types: acrylic key chains and eco bags.winning ticketIt also includes prizes such as dressing and a 500 yen meal voucher.

Even so, it was an incredible volume.I had skipped breakfast that day in anticipation of eating a lot, but after eating pirate spaghetti, scallop and shrimp pilaf, salad, soup, and cream puffs all in one go, my stomach felt like it was about to burst, and it was the first time in years that I felt truly full.

As I stumbled along on my way home, I realized how amazing Ibaraki's groovy food is at satisfying my hunger, and I was left feeling a deep appreciation for the depth of Ibaraki, a place that is both close and far away.

Above all, the sense of satisfaction I felt from enjoying the food in such a spacious atmosphere remains in my mind and body to this day.

Groovy

• 1055-684 Shimohirooka, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture MAP
• 15 minutes by car from JR Tsuchiura Station
• 18 minutes by Kanto Railway bus from JR Tsuchiura Station, get off at the bus stop "Hirooka", then 10 minutes on foot
• Weekdays 11:15-15:30, 17:30-20:30
  Non-weekdays 11:15-20:30
  *11:15-20:30 every day in March and August
  *On days when congestion is expected, the hours are 11:15-20:30
• December 31st, January 1st, the second and fourth Tuesdays
  *Open on the second and fourth Tuesdays of March, April, and August
  Open on public holidays, closed the following day
  *Please check the official website for other closing days.
• 029-860-2112
• free
• ​Please refer to the official website calendar for opening hours.

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The hotel entrance is just 10 seconds from the ticket gates of Tsuchiura Station. The lounge is open 24 hours a day, so you can relax and finish up any remaining work.
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