The izakaya "Tsugaru no Okazu Mondoriko" (Ekimaecho, Hirosaki City, TEL 0172-31-6730 ) opened on January 11th near JR Hirosaki Station.

The store opened on the site of the izakaya "Jinbei," which was open for about 40 years and closed in September 2023. Shotaro Kobori, the owner and president of ``Play Make'' (Kawai Shimokawara), which sells firewood and vegetables, will take over the ``Jinbei'' location, and the store manager, Masahito Kudo, will serve ``Jinbei'' dishes.

According to Kobori, Jinbei's owner Mitsunobu Akaishi, who passed away last November, was looking for someone to take over Jinbei before he died. After having a hard time finding one, Mr. Kobori also received a request, but at first he thought it would be difficult to carry on the business.

Mr. Kobori is a farmer involved in raising vegetable seedlings and started raising char fish in the Soma area around September last year as a new business. The business was intended as a sales channel for fish, so he decided to take over the business after approaching Mr. Kudo, who he had a family relationship with. Kudo recalls, ``I used to work as a truck driver, but I always dreamed of owning my own shop someday.I struggled for a long time before responding, but the support and help from those around me was reassuring.''

He learned how to cook from Akaishi's son, Kiminori Shirato of Seasonal Aji Kio (Dote-cho). The dishes served at Kizakura have been inherited from Jinbei, and Kudo says he was generously taught everything from recipes to suppliers. "Mr. Shirato helped me by asking me anything I didn't understand. Mr. Akaishi's caring personality, which was liked by men and women of all ages, may have been inherited by Mr. Shirato," Kudo said. .

The interior of the store was not renovated, and the interior design of Jinbei was utilized. The store area is approximately 16 tsubo. There are 7 seats at the counter, 12 at tables, and 6 in private rooms. The menu focuses on Tsugaru's local dishes, including the ``Mondori Set'' (1,700 yen), Owani Bean Sprout Koae (600 yen), Fukinishin (580 yen), and Kinoko Nanban (500 yen). ``Fried char'' (500 yen) uses char caught at Mr. Kobori's fish farm. Drinks include local sake and cocktails, as well as a bottle menu.

``Mondorico'' has inherited everything except the store name, and the staff from ``Jinbei'' have also been inherited. Kudo says, ``It's only been a short time since we opened, so we've been exploring every day.The store's name, ``Mondoriko,'' refers to the return of Neputa and Nebuta festivals, and has the meaning of ``I want you to come again.'' I want to create a warm store where customers can feel welcome,'' he says with a smile.

Business hours are from 17:00 to 22:15. Closed on Wednesdays.