Story
Our Story
naco (Nahoko Okamura)
Why I Started Michinori-Tei
To share a meal and smile “This is delicious!” together, once again.
The reason I decided to start this restaurant was because I developed a wheat allergy and could no longer eat out with others.
Back then, gluten-free restaurants often had bland flavors or something felt missing. Honestly, there were hardly any places I could wholeheartedly say, “Let’s go there together!” to my friends and family.
So I thought—why not create my own restaurant where you can enjoy fried foods and “regular menu” items, all gluten-free, and gather around the table with everyone? That’s how Michinori-Tei was born.
Whether you have allergies or not, I want this to be a place where you can share dishes with family and friends, laugh together saying “This is delicious!”, and enjoy the same moments. A place to reclaim those ordinary—yet once impossible—times.
Michinori-Tei was created not as a restaurant where someone has to hold back, but as a place where everyone can enjoy the same table together.
Beyond Gluten Free
Our Promise
At Michinori-Tei, we go beyond the standard definition of “gluten-free” with our commitment to what we call “Beyond Gluten Free.”
Many products labeled “gluten-free” don’t contain wheat but still include barley or oats. For people like me who can’t eat these grains either, eating something labeled “gluten-free” can still cause problems. I don’t want anyone to experience that disappointment.
That’s why we never use any of the following:
- Wheat
- Barley
- Rye
- Oats
We thoroughly manage all ingredients to ensure that guests with allergies
can enjoy their meals without any worry or anxiety.
That is my promise to you.
“My First Fried Shrimp”
The most rewarding moments in running this restaurant are when customers experience something for the first time.
Once, a young boy came to our restaurant and tried fried shrimp and ice cream monaka for the very first time in his life. Watching him enjoy foods he’d never been able to eat before, just like everyone else, and seeing his face light up with “This is delicious!”—I was so moved that I couldn’t hold back my tears.
When traveling or going out, families with food allergies often pack emergency meals, stuffing their bags with backup food “just in case there’s nothing to eat.” I want those families to come to Nagoya empty-handed, knowing they can choose whatever they want and eat to their heart’s content.
The happiness of wondering “Which one should I choose?”
The joy of sharing “It’s so crispy!” or “It’s so fluffy!” with others.
These ordinary moments that are so special to us—I truly hope you can experience them here at Michinori-Tei.
Vision
Making Nagoya a Gluten-Free City
I don’t want gluten-free to be “just for people with allergies.”
I want Michinori-Tei to be a place where people say “Let’s go there—the food is amazing! Oh, and it happens to be gluten-free too.” A restaurant where deliciousness comes first.
Just one more dining option can brighten our world dramatically.
I dream of the day when Nagoya becomes known as a “gluten-free paradise,” where people from around the world can come and enjoy delicious food with peace of mind. I want to build that exciting future together with all of you.
TEMAHIMA Inc. CEO
naco (Nahoko Okamura)