A 20-minute drive from Komatsu Airport, a gateway to the Hokuriku region, will take you to SHÓKUDŌ YArn, a one-star restaurant housed in a simple, single-story building in a residential area. Inside the restaurant, there is an aged olive tree in the inner court surrounded by a glass-paned kitchen and dining rooms. The restaurant is run by two chefs: Owner, Chef, and Sommelier Yuji Yoneda, and his wife, Asami Yoneda, who serves as a dessert chef and herb coordinator.
Having trained at starred Spanish restaurants and Italian restaurants, Chefs Yuji and Asami Yoneda opened their own restaurant, SHÓKUDŌ YArn, in 2015 at the site that had formerly been a yarn twisting factory run by Asami’s parents. The restaurant offers a chef’s choice prix-fixe menu informed by modern Spanish techniques the two chefs learned as apprentices and inspired by Japanese home-cooking recipes.
The dining experience starts with Noto Hiba chopsticks placed on the table. The refreshing scent of Hiba (a type of hinoki cypress) drifting from the chopsticks when they are picked up is the cue to start the meal. The majority of the ingredients featured on the chef’s choice menu are sourced locally from Ishikawa Prefecture, especially Komatsu. For example, the water used for cooking is collected by the chef himself from the Yarimizu Kannon Holy Water Shrine in Butsudaiji, Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture, designated as one of the Famous Waters of the Heisei Era. The water is soft and adds depth to the taste of konbu stock.
Diners are given a menu in advance, but it is hard to tell what the dishes might be like from their names. They are intentionally named that way to allow guests to enjoy their dining experience without preconceptions. For example, Nikujaga (Simmered Meat and Potatoes), which has been on the menu since day one, may sound familiar to most Japanese guests, but it is reinterpreted with a surprising twist that gives it a unique texture and flavor. Some dishes are given a finishing touch at the table by the chef, filling the dining room with cheerful chatter and laughter.
Attracting guests of all ages, including families, expectant mothers, and seniors, SHÓKUDŌ YArn is perfect for gatherings and parties. The dining room seats up to 14 guests though it is generally equipped with two four-seat tables. The wine list offers some 300 different labels, mainly from France but also from Spain and Italy, while the Japanese sake list has some 10 different choices of local sake. The Japanese-style interior with European influences and woody tones feels warm and cozy, making the dining experience pleasant.
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* The availability of this webpage does not guarantee that the restaurant presented provides services in English, unless otherwise stated. Please be aware that English services may also depend on staff availability at the restaurant.
Access
JR Hokuriku Line (Maibara - Toyama) Komatsu Station 10 minutes by cab 15 minutes by cab from Komatsu Airport
