Natsukashii, a Japanese comfort food restaurant in downtown Tulsa, has become a bustling hub since its inception during the pandemic. This restaurant, founded by the team behind ET. AL., offers a unique dining experience that blends traditional Japanese flavors with personal stories and culinary experimentation. The concept began as pop-up dinners and community meals, evolving into a permanent restaurant that serves breakfast to dinner.
The menu at Natsukashii is a delightful fusion of Japanese comfort food and personal narratives. It showcases a range of dishes, from rice bowls topped with Japanese fried chicken and umami mayo to crispy pork cutlets served with Japanese curry and root vegetables. The restaurant also offers breakfast options like onigiri rice balls filled with salted salmon or soy-pickled shiitake mushrooms. Pastries, such as milk tea doughnuts and shokupan cinnamon rolls, showcase a blend of Japanese and Western influences.
Co-owners Colin Sato and Chloe Butler, both part of the ET. AL. chef collective, bring a unique perspective to the restaurant. Sato's family connections in Japan and his upbringing in Kobe, a city known for its French influences, have inspired many of the dishes. Butler, who was new to Japanese cuisine before meeting Sato, now considers it one of her favorite cuisines, especially the home-style version. This personal connection to the food is a key aspect of Natsukashii's appeal.
The restaurant's success can be attributed to its community-driven approach. It started as a way for restaurant workers to cook and connect during a time of job loss. The team's dedication and the support of the local community have been instrumental in its growth. Natsukashii now operates from morning until night, serving customers from breakfast to dinner six days a week, and has gained national attention with a James Beard Award nomination for Best New Restaurant.
What makes Natsukashii truly special is its ability to offer a different perspective on Japanese cuisine. By focusing on everyday meals and home-style cooking, the restaurant provides a more accessible and relatable experience of Japanese food. This approach has resonated with diners, making Natsukashii one of downtown Tulsa's busiest restaurants.
