GOREY CAFE: A COZY KYOTO EATERY SPECIALIZING IN MUSIC AND COMMUNITY

In this three-part series, we are featuring Kyoto restaurants that offer more than just fantastic food, but also support and contribute to the local arts community. The chefs at these restaurants either practice art themselves, co-run a gallery, or support local artists by hosting art and music events in their space. We look forward to sharing more with you about these special, slightly off-the-beaten-path spots in Kyoto, offering some of the best food and creative energy the city has to offer.

To start, could you briefly introduce yourself and share what led you to open Gorey Cafe in 2017?

Our names are Idehof and Haruko, and we run the shop as a couple. Idehof originally worked as an audio engineer and launched his own label, Gorey Records, in 2014. Haruko, leveraging her experience in live houses and restaurants, moved to Kyoto from Yokohama in 2017 with her husband to start Gorey Cafe as a space where people interested in music events and recording could gather. We are currently raising two children, aged six and three.

When I ate at your restaurant earlier this year, I was excited that you offered a set menu that was entirely plant-based (vegan) and featured many vegetables from Ohara that were currently in season. This focus on plant-based meals is very unique and not possible at many restaurants. Why do you offer this, and what is your interest in vegan/healthy food?

We started this set menu simply because we wanted to convey the natural flavor of Ohara vegetables in their simplest form. Local production for local consumption. We believe that eating what this land can provide at this moment is the ultimate feast. We went vegan because we wanted to offer more options and make it accessible to as many people as possible. When sharing delicious food, we wanted to avoid ingredients like eggs and dairy that can cause allergies, and meats and fish that people tend to have strong preferences about. Since my son has allergies, I strongly believe that this makes dining out less stressful for many people.

Can you share more about how you source produce from Ohara and what kinds of relationships you have with farmers or suppliers? The set meals you offer are very limited in quantity, too, only 10 per day. Is this due to access to vegetable supplies or the work required to create the meal?

There is a direct-sales vegetable shop in Ohara, so I go there several times a week to purchase ingredients. I also buy from a vegetable wholesaler who collects vegetables from Kyoto and sells them in bulk. Since we decide the menu based solely on vegetables, we make adjustments during the off-season by incorporating vegetables from southern regions.

We limit the number of meals to 10 per day because the location is not in the heart of the city, so sales vary by day. Considering the need to prepare meals in advance, we prefer not to increase the number of meals and risk wasting food. Pasta and curry dishes are also made using seasonal vegetables available at the time, so we strive to minimize food waste.

The neighborhood where your restaurant is located in Northern Higashiyama is popular, but also has some distance from major tourist areas. It feels like a vibrant, creative area but also very respectful of Kyoto’s history and geography.  How do you feel your restaurant’s offerings are connected, or influenced by being located in this part of Kyoto? Do you find it is a good place to experiment? Does it seem most of your customers are local, students, or visitors?

In terms of location, Kyoto University is nearby, so we have many overseas trainees, students, and researchers who are not here for tourism. There are also many vegans and vegetarians, and most of our customers are long-term visitors who eat out frequently. While there are seasonal fluctuations, I think the balance between these groups and local residents and tourists is roughly the same. In terms of customer demographics, being vegan is very positive for us.

Gorey Cafe also hosts musical events, and art covers the walls in the Cafe. According to your website, Gorey Records started in 2014. Can you share more about the connection between Gorey Cafe and Gorey Records?  And how important are art exhibitions and musical events to the current Cafe space? How often are events held? Are you also practicing artists?

Gorey Records, as mentioned in point 1, is a label started by Idehof. The music currently playing as background music in the store is recorded in-house. We wanted the artists we’ve met to use our space as a place where people can gather, so we made the walls display-friendly. We want people to enjoy art in a more casual setting than a gallery. As I mentioned earlier, we made it a cafe so that people could naturally enjoy food in a space where people gather. I don’t think any one thing is more important than the others—it’s all part of what makes Gorey Cafe what it is. Idehof also takes on sound engineering work outside the store when requested. Haruko used to perform herself before giving birth.

The atmosphere inside Gorey Cafe was very unique, bright, cheerful, and welcoming, with fun, colorful art on the walls. How do you feel the interior of the space reflects or supports the food served, or is it more about an expression of your creativity, or creating an experience for visitors?

Most of the interior design was done by us. We applied plaster to the walls, selected and installed tiles, and made the signs and tables by hand. Our basic concept is that the cafe is an extension of our home. So, we want our customers to enjoy themselves as if they were visiting our home.

Do you have a favorite food/recipe on your current menu, or in a previous month’s set meal that you can share? 

The vegetables change with the seasons, but the vegetable hamburgers are always delicious. Currently, we have broccoli hamburgers and eggplant hamburgers. I also like burdock hamburgers, beet hamburgers, and carrot hamburgers.

Do you have special plans for the coming months, any events or updates, connected to food, art, or music that you’d like to share with our readers?

In November, we have an exhibition planned featuring two artists who create the cute plates for our set menus. After you finish your meal, you can purchase the plates and chopstick rests featuring their artwork.

Thank you again for your time and wonderful food! We truly appreciate you giving us the chance to share your amazing story with our readers!

LEARN MORE ABOUT GOREY CAFE  and GOREY RECORDS HERE:

Gorey Cafe Website: https://gorey.jp/cafe/jp-menu.html

Gorey Records Website: https://www.gorey.jp/records/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gorey_cafe/

Featured Photo Credit: Gorey Cafe

Looking for more Kyoto adventures after an amazing meal? Check out our full list of Kyoto Tours to find the perfect experience just for you, filled to the brim with culture, tradition, and incredible treats!