The nostalgic atmosphere and the manager's personality are attractive! Chinese restaurant “Taka Hanten” in Endoji shopping district

“Taka Hanten” opened in August 2023 in a corner of Endoji shopping district in Nishi Ward, Nagoya. In fact, this is a sister store (FC store) of the very popular town Chinese restaurant "Imaike Hanten" in Imaike!

Speaking of ``Imaike Hanten,'' it is a new brand supervised by Naoto Niiyama, the general manager of ``Niriya Hanabi,'' which is famous for its Taiwanese mazesoba, and it has become a hot topic on social media and TV. It's a popular store that still has lines of customers, even now, about six months after it opened.

This time, we will introduce in detail the charm of "Taka Hanten", which has opened as a sister store of such a popular store.

*Information as of September 2023 interview.

If you walk for about 15 minutes from Nagoya Station, you will arrive at Endoji Shopping Street, which has a downtown atmosphere.

``Taka Hanten'' opened near Horikawa, at the eastern end of a shopping street that stretches about 700 meters from east to west.

The concept is "Showa retro town Chinese food"

``Taka Hanten'' is marked by a large red lantern and a brick with the words ``Chuka Soba'' written on it. Although it has the appearance of a newly opened restaurant, it has an exterior that evokes the image of a nostalgic "Showa era Chinese restaurant."

The entrance to the store is not from the main street of the shopping district, but from the narrow road on the east side.

Inside the store, there are red desks and round chairs typical of a Chinese restaurant (5 tables and 20 seats).

Discerning tableware made one by one by hand by craftsmen

Mugs and bottled beer in a refrigerated case

Inside the store, you can see the ``THE/Showa'' atmosphere everywhere you look, from the desks, chairs, tableware, and refrigerator cases.

This concept was born from Naoto Niiyama, the general manager of Menya Hanabi, who wanted to recreate the good old Showa era Chinese cuisine. Mr. Niiyama spent most of his training at a local Chinese restaurant. This is a town Chinese restaurant that has returned to its roots as a chef, and is based on the idea of ``creating a relaxing, familiar, and nostalgic space.''

A local Chinese restaurant loved by local people

The person who runs Taka Hanten is Takashi Noma (hereinafter referred to as Taka Manager), affectionately known as Taka-chan. We asked Manager Taka, who apprenticed under Mr. Niiyama at the age of 40 with the aim of becoming a chef, about the circumstances leading up to opening the restaurant and his vision for the future.

– Please tell us why you became Niiyama-san’s apprentice.

Manager Taka: ``It all started when I ate Niiyama-san's fried rice as a customer.The moment I ate it, I was shocked and thought, ``What is this?It's delicious!'' If I were to open a store, this would be the only option! Convinced, I immediately became Mr. Niiyama's apprentice.

Mr. Niiyama is not only an excellent cook, but he also has a great passion for cooking and for his customers. I really respect him and think he's cool. I'm the same way, but it's just so exciting. This store was started by a group of people like that. ”

Fried rice pot swinger trained many times under master Niiyama

– “Taka Hanten” has been open for about a month. Please tell me how you feel now.

Manager Taka: ``Every day is just so much fun.When customers see my Instagram, they say, ``Taka-chan, I'm here again!'' or ``I'll be back!'' That gives me energy every day.

When I first started, I was sometimes worried, wondering if my customers were truly satisfied, but fortunately, I'm seeing an increase in repeat customers, which is encouraging. ”

– What kind of restaurant do you want “Taka Hanten” to be from now on?

Manager Taka: ``We aim to be a restaurant that blends into the city and that people who live nearby come here casually.Everyone from children to the elderly and office workers.Machi Chinese food is loved by all generations. That's the good thing about it.

My goal is for people to come over and visit me over and over again, and for everyone to call me "Taka-chan"! ”

3 recommended menu items at “Taka Hanten”

The menu at Taka Hanten is currently almost the same as its sister restaurant, Imaike Hanten. Manager Taka trained at Imaike Hanten, so he has inherited the taste!

However, "Omelet Rice" and "Charshu Men" are original menu items of "Taka Hanten". I'm looking forward to seeing more and more original menu items in the future.

Very popular at Imaike Hanten! "Fried rice"

Fried rice (700 yen)

The first recommended dish is the fried rice, which is very popular at Imaike Hanten. Mastering the pot-shaking techniques taught by master Niiyama, each grain of rice is thoroughly coated with egg and oil. This is a dish that has been created with the utmost effort, achieving the ``sitopara'' texture that master Niiyama is particular about.

It is an exquisite fried rice with simple ingredients such as green onion, egg, and chashu pork, with a strong pepper flavor.

Simple yet profound! "Chinese soba"

Chinese noodles (850 yen)

"Chinese soba" is characterized by its visuals that are reminiscent of the Showa era. It looks very simple, but once you take a sip of the soup, you will be surprised by its deep richness.

The soup is made with generous amounts of chicken bones and added with chicken fat, which is simply delicious! It has a taste that you won't get tired of even if you eat it every day.

The noodles used in the Chinese noodles are original noodles purchased directly from Hanabi Seimen, Menya Hanabi's own factory. I also felt that they were particular about the straight thin noodles, which were a little firm and chewy.

Manager's recommendation! Town Chinese ``Omelet Rice''

Omelet rice (1,000 yen)

Manager Taka's favorite is Taka Hanten's original menu, ``Omelet Rice.'' Many people are surprised by the gap between having omelet rice at a Chinese restaurant. This is a dish that is especially popular among women and has many repeat customers.

The secret to its popularity is the ketchup rice made with a fried rice base. Because it contains chunks of chashu instead of chicken, it has a strong umami and richness! You can enjoy a completely different flavor from regular chicken rice.

The fluffy eggs were apparently inspired by Tenshinhan. ``This is the best Chinese omelet rice in town!'' says the store manager.

``Taka Hanten'' has newly opened in Endoji, with the concept of ``nostalgic town Chinese food''. The know-how of the popular store has been firmly inherited, and the friendly manager will welcome you. When you visit Endoji, why not stop by Taka Hanten?