1. "Bando Taro" and its 16 lesser-known business formats

The "Bando Taro Group" operates 86 stores, including its main business, the Japanese-style restaurant "Bando Taro," with 59 of those stores located in Ibaraki Prefecture.

At the "Bando Taro Tsuchiura Otsuno Branch," located in Tsuchiura, the center of the southern region of the prefecture, I spoke with Yasuko Kosuge, Manager of the Education Department at Bando Taro Co., Ltd.

In addition to the popular"Bando Taro"Bando Taro also has rare stores like this Tsuchiura Otsuno branch, of which there are only two."Bando Taro"is available.

First, "Bandotaro" is a Japanese-style family restaurant familiar to the people of Ibaraki Prefecture. With its affordable lunch menu, it is a classic business model that appeals to a wide range of customers.

The "Bando Taro" restaurant, written in kanji, is a spacious establishment that also features private rooms. It allows for a relaxed dining experience and meets the needs of seniors and other demographics.

Furthermore, the Bando Taro Group has 16 lesser-known business formats.In the vicinity of Tsuchiura Station, the center of the southern part of the prefecture, there are also

・Katsutaro
・Family Restaurant Bando Taro
・Steak House Horobasha
・8th Generation Aoi Cafe

These are the four formats available. The reason for having so many is that "having other formats allows us to cater to those who want to eat something different." It all started in 1993 with the opening of "Katsutaro," a suburban-style tonkatsu restaurant, which was rare at the time.

After that, they entered numerous business sectors, such as taking over "Steak House Horobasha," which had no successor, and launching "8th Aoi Cafe," a cafe format that makes it easy for young people to take on the role of store manager.

Now, let's taste that famous signature dish served as a common menu item at many "Bandotaro Group" restaurants.

Bando Miso Nikomi Udon, a signature dish that suits the palate of Kanto locals

Immediately appearing is the signature product of "Bandotaro" and a menu item that can be called the symbol of the group, "Bando Miso Stew Udon".

It arrived piping hot, bubbling away.

The base miso is a "layered flavor" (blend) of Hatcho miso, aged for three years by "Kakukyu," founded in 1645 and once a purveyor to the Imperial Household Agency, and a secret miso that Bandotaro keeps strictly under wraps.

Furthermore, the chicken meatballs also bring out a great flavor, and when the tempura batter bits fried in-house are added, they melt into the soup, creating an incredibly delicious taste.

When you eat it, a sense of fulfillment and relief wells up, making you think, "This is it, after all."

Inspired by the Nagoya specialty Yamamotoya-style udon and arranged for the Kanto palate, the Bando Miso Nikomi Udon has a deliciousness all its own.

The firmness and richness of the Yamamoto-ya style miso nikomi udon have been toned down, making it somewhat milder and easier to eat, while still retaining a deeply satisfying flavor. It is also packed with plenty of ingredients, so you will never get tired of it.

Furthermore, with the revision of the grand menu, collagen has been added to the Bando Miso Nikomi Udon, which also contributes to a pleasant texture that clings to the noodles.

2. "Anmitsu" to enjoy seasonal fruits

Speaking of Bando Taro, another one of their specialties is their "desserts."

Nearly 10 members, the largest team in any department, are involved in menu development, coming up with as many as 50 candidates in a single season to narrow down the seasonal dessert menu. For research purposes, they sometimes split up and spend the entire day walking around Tokyo trying different sweets.

Today, I had the "Anmitsu," a popular item among those offered year-round.

The main ingredients vary by season, such as melon, mango, or strawberry. On this day, it was topped with a large piece of melon, and I was delighted by the generous amount of fruit.

For ice cream, you can choose from vanilla, melon sorbet, mango sorbet, or soft serve. I chose the classic vanilla, and since it comes with two scoops, it feels like a great value.

It also featured chewy shiratama dumplings, agar jelly, and kuromitsu (black sugar syrup) to pour over the top. Overall, it was not too sweet, and the pleasant level of sweetness left both my body and soul satisfied.

3. Surprisingly amazing "tea"

When you think of Bando Taro, this cup and tea are their trademarks.

Since the company's founding, the tea used has been Sarushima tea from "Noguchi-en Main Store" in Bando City, Ibaraki Prefecture—a tea-producing region. Established in 1910, this long-standing shop has won both the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award and the Mainichi Agriculture Record Award. According to Mr. Kosuge, "It contains matcha, making the flavor mellow and easy to drink."

They serve fresh tea to every group of customers, with a motto of "spending the money to serve tea with a deep color."

4. Little known? Top 3 popular products

After enjoying my meal, I asked about the top 3 most popular products at "Bando Taro."

Hidden in the shadow of the number one "Bando Miso Nikomi Udon" is the second-place "White Sesame Miso Nikomi Udon." It uses a mellow, sweet white miso and adds sesame and chili pepper for a flavor reminiscent of tantanmen.

Third place is the "Tempura Zaru Sushi Set." It is a well-balanced set that includes tempura, sushi, and noodles, and is popular among women.

5. Full of services born from a "corporate philosophy that values family"

The company motto of the Bando Taro Group is"Filial Piety". Their corporate philosophy is to treat one's own parents and those who have helped one as "parents" and to "deepen family bonds."

For this reason, they offer a wide range of services born from this "family-oriented corporate philosophy."

Children up to the age of 9 can receive a point card called a "Children's Savings Passbook," and if they have it, during the week before or after their birthday, they"Birthday Set" is freewill receive a special gift.

Furthermore, the message "To Mothers" is something mothers will appreciate. It includes thoughtful considerations for those with children, such as "Your child is an expert at making a mess" and "Please do not worry at all about any mess on the table or around your seat."

They focus on traditional events for small children, such as the first meal ceremony (okuizome) and the first birthday rice cake ceremony (issho-mochi), and it is said that taking the baby's footprints and presenting them with a photo on each occasion is very popular.

In addition to the first meal ceremony, Shichi-Go-San, and 60th birthday celebrations,andthey can also hold memorial services up to the 100th-year memorial, making them trulyThis is a local Japanese restaurant chain that covers the entire lifecycle of its customers.

Also, the path connecting the parking lot to the entrance is named "Filial Piety Street." It was designed to narrow as you approach the entrance, with the hope that people would realize the importance of "a spirit of mutual concession" when passing each other.

6. Seeing off the last customer with everyone? Service with full manpower

Bando Taro is known for its unique service and customer hospitality.

First, the roles that lead the customer service in the restaurant are the "Landlady" and "Hanako」※". They handle any issues customers may have and sometimes even see them off outside.
※"Hanako" is a candidate for the next Okami (proprietress) and takes on that role when the Okami is absent.

If you become a regular, they might call you by name or provide service based on information they have noted down about you.

Furthermore, there is a person-in-charge system, and by posting signs in the store such as "Miso Stew Person-in-Charge," "Balloon Handout Person-in-Charge," and "Floor Polishing Person-in-Charge," it seems that each person is able to fully carry out their role.

At Bando Taro, if you book a banquet meal for 8 or more people, you can receive free bus transportation, so you can enjoy alcohol with peace of mind.

And at closing time, all the staff come out to see off the last customer.

Few people may get to see this final send-off, but it is a custom that represents the spirit of Bando Taro.

"In an era where major restaurant chains are using robots to reduce staff, Bando Taro employs many people. We aim to be a restaurant that local customers can feel comfortable with," says Mr. Kosuge.

The prices are a little on the high side, but you get the service to match.Please be sure to enjoy this Japanese restaurant that is unique to Ibaraki and packed with charm.

7. You can easily visit various Bando Taro Group restaurants. The hotel directly connected to Tsuchiura Station, "BEB5 Tsuchiura"

If you are going to visit any of the Bando Taro Group restaurants, including Bando Taro, head to BEB5 Tsuchiura. If you stay for a few nights, you might even be able to conquer them all.

Since it is a hotel that enjoys bicycles, it is great to go around by cycling, and the 24-hour lounge can also serve as a coworking space for any unfinished work.

We hope that you, in your busy life, can make even just a few good memories in this town.