A restaurant serving set meals even at night! At the handmade cuisine spot “Kōryōri Sara,” I enjoyed the “Grilled Fish Set Meal” and “Lotus Root Sandwich Tempura.”
A little over a 2-minute walk from the west exit of Nishinasuno Station.
Just as you enter Sakura Street in front of the station, you’ll find the handmade cuisine restaurant “Kōryōri* Sara.”
Hearing they serve set meals even in the evening, I visited for dinner.
*The word “Kōryōri” refers to small-scale establishments centered around a counter, where the proprietor or proprietress serves simple yet high-quality Japanese-style single-dish meals and alcoholic beverages.
- Basic info about the restaurant
- Ordered menu and prices
- What the inside of the restaurant looks like
- My impressions of the dishes
Basic infomation on the Sara
- Name: Taste of mother’s home cooking “Kōryōri Sara”
- Category: Japanese cuisine
- Address: #102, 1st Floor, Nishinasuno Station Building, 2-9 Nagatacho, Nasushiobara-shi, Tochigi-ken
- Access: 2-minute walk from the west exit of Station Nishinasuno
- Business Hours
- (Lunch) 11:00~14:00
- (Dinner) 17:30~22:00
- Regular Holiday: Sundays
- Phone Number: 0287-48-6146
- Official Website/SNS: N/A
Review of my actual experience visiting
The restaurant’s exterior looked like this.
The sight of lanterns being lit evokes a nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere.
Ordered Menu and Price
It seems to primarily operate as an izakaya at night, but they also offered a lunch menu during the day.
I was tempted by the fried chicken… but then I realized I hadn’t eaten fish lately, so I went for the “Grilled Mackerel Set Meal” in search of good fats!
I also ordered the “Lotus Root Sandwich Tempura” as a side dish.
- Otoshi* (400 JPY)
- Draft Beer: Asahi Super Dry (Medium mug, 700 JPY)
- Grilled Fish Set Meal (Mackerel, 1,400 JPY)
- Lotus Root Sandwich Fry (800 JPY)
*Otoshi is a small appetizer that automatically comes with your table at an izakaya. It’s like a cover charge that comes with food.
Otoshi
The Otoshi (complimentary appetizer) was simmered vegetables and blanched spinach.
The simmered dish was made with tofu patties, bamboo shoots, and pork, soaked in rich broth.
Eating the spinach ohitashi brought back nostalgic feelings.
It reminded me of eating it at my parents’ house or my grandmother’s place—truly the taste of home cooking.
Grilled Fish Set Meal
About 10 minutes after ordering, the grilled mackerel set meal arrived!
- Half a mackerel
- Two small bowls of pickles
- Orange (maybe 1/16th cut)
- Wakame miso soup
- Rice
This meal provides high-quality fats and water-soluble dietary fiber!
The grilled mackerel was perfectly seasoned and cooked, making it go great with rice.
As a palate cleanser, I had a small side dish and miso soup, which also had that “home-cooked taste.”
It reminded me of my mother’s homemade cooking.
Lotus Root Sandwich Fry
Just as we finished our set meal, the lotus root tempura arrived.
The lotus root slices are relatively thick, offering a satisfyingly crisp and crunchy texture!
Combined with the rich flavor and savory umami of the ground meat inside, it made the perfect beer snack.
I enjoyed the other half with grated daikon radish, and the refreshing taste was absolutely perfect!
The atmosphere inside
The restaurant has counter seats and table seats, and the table seats were full.
The proprietress and assistant proprietress run the restaurant together.
After seating us, the assistant proprietress asked, “Would you like drinks? Or just food?”
When I replied “With drinks,” she brought the beverage menu along with it.
Overhearing the conversation with the regular customer next to me, it seems the young proprietress likes baseball, and they were getting excited talking about the World Baseball Classic, which was happening at the time.
It’s so nice that she can chat with customers while preparing the food!
As I finished my meal and prepared to leave, the proprietress said, “It’s getting chilly, so be careful not to catch a cold.”
Her words echoed those of my mother when I left home, and it was a moment that made me feel a warm, lingering sensation.
Features & Usability of Kōryōri Sara
Here’s a quick look at the dining scenes and facilities at Kōryōri Sara.
Recommended for different occasions
They have both table seating and counter seating, so it’s suitable for groups or solo diners.
They serve lunch during the day and operate as an izakaya at night, but They also offer the lunch menu in the evening.
However, a cover charge applies in the evening.
If you’re looking to enjoy just the food, it’s best to visit during lunch time.
Facilities
- Wi-Fi & Power supply: N/A
- Smoking: Smoke-free restaurant
- Payment method
- Lunch: Cash only
- Dinner
- Only diner: Cash only
- With drinks: Cash, Credit card (Visa, Master)
Access & map
Exit Nishinasuno Station from the west exit, then turn left.
Walk straight until you see the stairs.
Go down the stairs and turn right.
Go down another set of stairs.
Go straight on the sidewalk, cross at the crosswalk, turn right, cross another crosswalk, turn left, and it’s right there!
Summary｜Who I recommend Kōryōri Sara for
- People who love home-cooked flavors
- People who love grilled fish set meals
- People who want to chat with the proprietress or assistant proprietress while dining
👉 Please visit “Kōryōri Sara,” located right near Nishinasuno Station!
