SHIMBASHI PLAT NEWS（Omi Gyuniku Ten Bekkan）
Shopping streets coexist with office buildings in Tokyo's vibrant Shimbashi area, also known as the birthplace of the Japanese railway. We introduce Shimbashi's attractive shops and sites in cooperation with local shop owners.
The first restaurant in Japan to serve premium Omi Beef, for yakiniku
Omi Gyuniku Ten Bekkan in Shimbashi, which has a somewhat nostalgic atmosphere, has earned a national and international reputation as the first restaurant in Japan to serve premium wagyu, Omi Beef, for yakiniku (Japanese barbecue). On weekdays, this well-maintained restaurant is frequented by the office workers of this business district, while on weekends, it is full of families. They casually enjoy yakiniku with the well-selected, direct-from-farm premium beef at a reasonable price.
Ms. Tanioku, director of the company operating this restaurant, welcomed us with a smile. This restaurant was originally opened in 2002 as a luxury yakiniku restaurant. At that time, when people talked about premium wagyu, they thought of Matsuzaka Beef. However, she wanted everyone in Tokyo to enjoy the delicious Omi Beef. So she opened a butcher shop exclusive for Omi Beef nearby, and in 2004, transformed this luxury restaurant into a casual-style restaurant.
one of Tanioku's long-time friends
Tanioku explained that Omi beef is characterized by its delicious flavor and rich taste. Thanks to its refined fat, older people can enjoy Omi beef without feeling heavy in the stomach. "People of all ages will love Omi beef," said Tanioku. The beef served at her restaurant is ranked in the premium A4 class of beef carcass grading and is delivered directly from local farms in Shiga Prefecture, thanks to her husband's business contact. The beef has a perfect balance of lean meat and marbling.
Such a strong, trustful relationship with local farms allows her restaurant to serve more than 30 cuts of beef. Meanwhile, Omi Gyuniku Ten itself takes an uncompromising approach to showcasing the deliciousness of Omi Beef. "Cattle are all different, so the meatiness, including size and tenderness, is also different," says Tanioku, whose restaurant avoids freezing the beef to protect its deliciousness. Instead, he cuts the beef by hand based on its meatiness so that customers can enjoy the best of Omi Beef.
I want everyone to enjoy rare cuts of Omi Beef
One of the customers' favorite choices is the "Assortment of Five Rare Beef Cuts." The daily limited menu for adults consists of the "White Dish," featuring the delicious marbled cuts and the "Red Dish," featuring the lighter-tasted cuts. The daily specialties are not to be missed, such as the regulars' favorite "Stewed Beef Shank" and the recently debuted "Yukgaejang Horumon Ramen" (noodles with Korean-style soup and grilled innards). If you are lucky, chances are that chateaubriand will be served at a reasonable price. On the other hand, Tanioku's restaurant focuses so much on the details as well. Tanioku said, "At a yakiniku restaurant, customers cook for themselves and by themselves. So we serve the homemade, additive-free dressing, sauce and kimchi that can bring out the best in beef and other dishes." Such sincerity has attracted many regular customers.
As various shops attract various people, you'll be able to find a favorite place
The redevelopment plan is ongoing in the Shimbashi area. Tanioku compared this area in the past and now and realized that more and more people were coming to Shimbashi. She recalled the early 2000s when she opened her first restaurant. "The bustling Shimbashi area turned quiet on weekends. After the "SIO-SITE" business and commercial district opened in the neighboring Shiodome area, many people made a side trip here on weekends." She added, "In Shimbashi, various shops attract various people. You will be able to find a favorite place." She once contemplated retiring because of her age. However, since she "miraculously" overcame the COVID-19 crisis to stay in business, she is now determined to be more active than ever. She is working with her husband and young staff while lovingly caring for the long history and rich culture of Shimbashi.
with the cooperation of young staff!
Appreciating the happiness of each moment makes us much happier
Tanioku, who has busy days with her staff, believes it is important to learn a lot from her experience. On a personal side, she likes to search for famous restaurants and interesting yakiniku restaurants and visit them with her husband. While the couple enjoys the delicious dishes, she never forgets the diligence of her work, saying, "Visiting a variety of restaurants allows me to learn new values and ideas." What she values most is to appreciate the happiness of each moment in daily life. She believes that the small happiness that comes from ordinary words and actions can energize us and further enrich our daily lives. "Experiencing 10 five-second happy moments, even a small happiness like "This is delicious!" will make us five times happier," Tanioku said with a smile.
On weekdays, office workers come with their colleagues to Omi Gyuniku Ten after work. On weekends, they enjoy yakiniku here with their families. This famous yakiniku restaurant has attracted not only many regular customers but also presidents of major companies, celebrities, and famous figures in various industries. If you want to be happy with the delicious yakiniku, Omi Gyuniku Ten is the best choice.
【info】
Omi Gyuniku Ten Bekkan
Edokyu Building, 3-16-20 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
03-3432-6577
Mon.-Fri.: 17:00-23:30 (last call: food 22:30, drink 23:00)
Weekends and holidays: 17:00-22:30 (last call: food 21:30, drink 22:00)
Shop holiday: Irregular
In charge of this illustration and logo design
Mio Makiguchi(Nihon University College of Art,Department of Design,Mitsuhiro Ikeda Laboratory)