Tsuyoshi no Croquette Honpo: Artisanal Croquettes to Order

Tsuyoshi no Croquette Honpo (つよしのコロッケ本舗) is a small shop in Nara that has perfected one thing: the humble croquette, fried to order. With just five seats at the counter, the experience is intimate, focused on the craft of owner Tsuyoshi, who even makes the pottery on which the food is served.

The menu's star is the 'Natural Potato' croquette, praised by guests for its silky, buttery mashed potato filling and an exceptionally thin, crisp shell. Also popular are the rich cream croquettes, particularly the 'Ebi Cream' with whole shrimp in a béchamel sauce and the 'Salmon Cream'. For lunch, the shop offers a 'Korokke de Gohan' set, an elegant two-tiered presentation featuring croquettes alongside seasonal vegetable side dishes, soup, and homemade sauces.

The shop's tiny size and hidden location are its main drawbacks; it can be difficult to find, tucked away off the main road. With seating so limited, securing a spot for the popular lunch service without a reservation is unlikely. Reviewers consistently describe the quality as exceptional for the price. Recent visitors paid ¥120–¥150 for a 'Natural Potato' croquette and ¥240–¥260 for an 'Ebi Cream' croquette. The lunch set costs around ¥1,650–¥1,800, with a typical lunch spend between ¥1,000 and ¥1,999. Takeout orders typically cost under ¥999.

• Booking: With only five seats, reservations are strongly recommended for the lunch service.
• Payment: Cash only. Credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments are not accepted.
• Seating: There are 5 counter seats only. The intimate space is not well-suited for young children.
• Access: The shop is a 20-minute walk from Kintetsu Gakuenmae or Tomio stations. A bus from Gakuenmae Station to the Gakuen Yamatocho 3-chome stop is more convenient (a 2-minute walk from there). Allow extra time as the shop is in a narrow alley and can be hard to spot.
• Parking: Limited, designated parking is available off-site.
• Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
• Takeout: Takeout is available, and you can buy croquettes raw or have them fried for you.