Hideyuki and Haruko Nakao,
Oshokujidokoro Tachibana
Day 24 features Hideyuki and Haruko Nakao, Oshokujidokoro Tachibana, who run a restaurant near the Nara Prison Museum.
Tachibana is my wife’s maiden name. Since she was born in this area and the name Tachibana is well-known to everyone, I decided to use it. Our Toriten consists of chicken thigh meat massaged with shio-koji to make it tender, marinated in soy sauce, and fried to a crisp in tempura batter mixed with green onions. It has been popular since we opened and won a Gold Award at the 9th Karaage Grand Prix. Inside the shop, Showa-era retro goods I collected as a hobby are placed everywhere. Foot-operated sewing machines, vacuum tube radios, typewriters, and more. Surprisingly, the nostalgic black rotary phone can still be used today. Customers are always amazed when I tell them that. Young people don’t even know how to use it in the first place. With the opening of the Nara Prison Museum, I hope people will also visit the old Nara Kaido road where our shop is located. Nearby is the Naramehiko Shrine, famous for its giant camphor tree, so please walk a little further north.
⑥ The Tachibana Teishoku is an assortment of Toriten (chicken tempura), shrimp tempura, and vegetable tempura. Other options include the Shrimp Tempura Set and the weekday-only Chicken and Shrimp Tempura Rice Bowl Set.
Hideyuki Nakao is an enthusiastic fan of Hanshin Tigers, a professional baseball team. Inside the restaurant, alongside Showa-era retro antiques, there is a Tigers support goods corner that delights Hanshin fans. Open 11:30-15:00. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tachibana Teishoku is 1,800 yen (tax included).
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