Ep. 77: The Culture Division Helps a Cottage Owner Improve His Business

77

The culture division visits Chikaraya udon restaurant where retired sportsmen Otani, Oyama, and Ouma prepare to graduate as chefs. Kurita announces their holiday plans at a cottage in Kiyosato managed by Yuzuru Takeda, who resigned last year. Upon arrival, the group finds the American style accommodation and French style food pleasant but notes the business struggles. Yamaoka identifies a lack of differentiation from competitors as the core issue. After tasting Takeda's mother's homemade udon, he suggests adopting her techniques, which use more water for softer noodles and feature a flavorful Yamanashi specialty kabocha soup. The team agrees to this approach. Takeda and his wife decide to switch to the Yamanashi style menu, resulting in a resounding business success.