Omuraisutei Aeon Mall Kumamoto
Hello. This is the Public Relations Department of Yakiniku Sakai Holdings Co., Ltd.
This time, we interviewed Mr. Miyaoka, the manager of Omuraisutei Aeon Mall Kumamoto store.
Omuraisutei Aeon Mall Kumamoto branch opened in December 2016 and is one of the Omuraisutei stores that is trying new things.
When working in Kumamoto, store manager Miyaoka traveled around the city to see its tourist spots and downtown areas in order to get to know the area better. We spoke to him about the features and special features of AEON Mall Kumamoto.
"We are particular about using healthy ingredients"
First, we asked about Omuraisutei's special features.
- What do you think are the special features and special features of Omuraisutei?
After all, their commitment to eggs and ingredients is huge.
Even with a single egg, Omuraisutei uses eggs from chickens raised in environmentally friendly chicken coops, with the health of our customers in mind. It would be a disaster if we ran out of eggs, so we can't just buy them from anywhere.
We also use domestically grown 16-grain rice for the ketchup rice in our omelet rice. The ketchup rice is made by mixing grains with white rice, making it very healthy. *Some stores do not use 16-grain rice.
Because of this strong commitment to ingredients, Omuraisutei has a lot of female customers. I think this is because they are well-received for using health-conscious ingredients and the atmosphere of the restaurant.
"Omuraisutei's first charcoal grill restaurant! Features and special features of the AEON Mall Kumamoto store"
Next, we asked about Omuraisutei Aeon Mall Kumamoto branch.
- Please tell us about the features of Omuraisutei AEON Mall Kumamoto store.
When you hear the name "Omuraisutei," you probably think of a restaurant that primarily serves omurice, but the Aeon Mall Kumamoto store is the first to also offer charcoal grilled dishes.
This style of store has hand-kneaded hamburger steaks on the menu, grilled over charcoal. Each steak is hand-kneaded and grilled over charcoal, so the way it's made and the way customers are served are different. The Aeon Mall Kumamoto store was the first to try this, so everything was new to us. At first, we asked staff from other stores to help out, and gradually we were able to shape the store.
Thanks to you, we were able to successfully open on December 23, 2016, and have had many customers visit us ever since.
It's no exaggeration to say that the charcoal-grilled, hand-kneaded hamburger steaks of "Omuraisutei" originated here. I'm proud to have made them from scratch, and it's a restaurant that I personally have a lot of attachment to.
-You also knead the dough by hand in the shop, right?
Yes, that's right. We knead each one carefully by hand in our kitchen.
Customers can see the process of making the food, and during peak times in particular, staff are constantly on hand to make the food.
- Do customers come to see it?
You can see the products being made from outside the store, so many customers come back after passing by our store.
I think that being able to enjoy the sights is one of the joys for customers, so I tell my staff to always be aware that they are being watched.
Especially with small children, they sometimes stick to the screen and stare at the camera. When that happens, I tell the staff to "wave" (laughs).
- What do you pay particular attention to when it comes to your products?
It's definitely the hamburger steak. We are very particular about our hamburger steaks.
When you think of hamburger steak, many people probably imagine it as being soft and fluffy inside.
As you will see when you try it, our hamburger steak is more like a hamburger steak, with a firm center.
- What is the difference between this and the so-called plump hamburger steak?
It definitely has a meaty flavor when you eat it.
I would be happy if people thought it was different in a good way and that it was something they could only get here.
Of course, we also take great care in our omelet rice. We hope you will try our fluffy and creamy omelet rice.
- Please tell us the secret to your fluffy and creamy omelet rice!
Heat the frying pan, add the beaten eggs, and then stir with chopsticks more than 40 times until they become fluffy and soft (half-cooked), which will create layers of air and make the eggs fluffy.
If the gaps between the raised egg particles in the omelet rice are small, it means that the egg has been mixed well and the air layers have been neatly formed. It may be easier to understand if you think of the egg as having small waves. If the mixture is not stirred enough, the waves will become larger.
It requires a high level of skill, but this is the key to determining the fluffy texture of your omelet rice. Be sure to check it out!
- What are the characteristics of your customer base?
We have a lot of female customers, and we have a wide range of customers, from those in their 20s to those in the silver generation.
We also have a lot of families, especially those with small babies.
- Is there anything you pay attention to when dealing with guests with babies?
Hamburgers in particular are served sizzling, so we take extra care when serving them.
Other small details include adjusting the settings to make it easier to fit strollers, and cutting straws for children.
However, I don't think it would be very meaningful if I did it myself, so I teach part-timers how to do it in a certain way. Then, they can do it and then teach the new staff.
- I see. What do you pay attention to when creating a store?
I think there are many different styles of restaurant managers, but I think it's best for a restaurant manager to not stand out too much. I think it's best if the staff work hard and customers think things like, "Your customer service was great" or "The food you made was delicious."
In particular, our hamburgers are made through a glass wall, so it's nice when customers wave back to say how delicious they were, and that message gets conveyed to the staff. Of course, I'd be happy if they waved back at me too (laughs). I always think that it's my job to create an environment where the staff can work comfortably, and to motivate the customers and the kitchen staff.
- Next, please tell us what you do to ensure that your customers are satisfied.
There are many things we pay particular attention to in order to ensure our customers are satisfied, but we always serve dishes served on ceramic plates piping hot. We are also very particular about the sizzling sound that comes from pouring sauce over the food.
Because it's simmered on an induction stove, it stays piping hot for quite a long time after it arrives at the customer's table. There's no point in it being cold, so even during busy times, I never serve it unless it's simmering. If it's not piping hot, I won't let anyone take it away, and the staff won't take it away either.
Of course, even when using regular plates, we try to use warm plates for hot dishes and pay attention to the temperature of the sauce.
Also, although it may seem like a small thing, I pay attention to the direction and order of things like broccoli. Customers may not notice it, but even these small details are important to me. Customers look at the menu to decide what to eat, right? So, I'm particular about sticking to the menu as a basic rule.
- What else do you pay attention to when it comes to customer service?
We are currently running a Smile Up Campaign (*1), which aims to "welcome customers with a smile!"
Of course, this doesn't mean that we will quit when the period is over, but rather we work with the awareness that we should always serve customers with a smile and welcome them.
This applies to both the hall and the kitchen. The kitchen is also glass-walled so customers can see in, so I think it's okay to smile when customers are looking at me.
Even if you're busy, if you work with a smile, your staff will have fun and be able to work comfortably.
(※1) Campaign event from August 1st to September 30th
"What is the popular menu item at Omuraisutei Aeon Mall Kumamoto?"
Next, we asked about popular menu items.
- What is the most popular menu item at Omuraisutei Aeon Mall Kumamoto?
The most popular dish is the Charcoal Grilled Handmade Hamburger Steak with Rich Cheese Fondue. This dish is very popular. As the name suggests, it's delicious to eat the hamburger steak as a cheese fondue, but it's also delicious to pour cheese directly on the steak.
The Premium Hashed Beef Omelette Rice is also popular. The Hashed Beef Omelette Rice is a delicious dish with a strong meaty flavor brought out in the sauce.
- What menu items would you recommend, Manager Miyaoka?
My recommendation is the [Ceramic Plate Hamburger Steak and Fried Shrimp Omelette Rice].
Actually, I'm not a big fan of shrimp, but this was even more delicious than I imagined. I was a little surprised when I ate it. "Shrimp is delicious!"
Based on my own experience, I recommend this menu to customers who are unsure what to order, even though it is a little pricey. It's three delicious dishes in one, including a hamburger steak and omelet rice. I've never been scolded for recommending it, so I think customers think it's delicious. The shrimp are also quite large!
-What menu items are popular among your staff?
[Cream Omelette Rice with Plenty of Cheese] This menu is irresistible for cheese lovers.
First, cheese is poured on top of ketchup rice, and then an egg is placed on top of that. Then, after the sauce is poured on top, cheese is poured on top again. It's cheese poured on twice, and it's creamy too. I think it's a menu that you can't go wrong with.
- There are a variety of sauces available, but which one is the most popular at the AEON Mall Kumamoto store?
The demi-glace sauce is by far the best. It's simmered slowly in the factory and is delicious.
For hamburgers, Japanese-style sauces made with onions and soy sauce are popular. Light sauces are especially popular in the summer.
"Finally, a message to customers from Manager Miyaoka"
Among the many Omuraisutei restaurants, Omuraisutei Aeon Mall Kumamoto is a restaurant that specializes in charcoal-grilled, hand-kneaded hamburgers. It was also the first restaurant to add charcoal-grilled, hand-kneaded hamburgers to its menu, so be sure to stop by.
We use 100% carefully selected beef, and of course, we also pay special attention to the eggs. Each hamburger steak is carefully hand-kneaded and grilled over charcoal.
You can see the products being made from outside the store, so please come and see for yourself.
We are waiting for you to visit us.
