Cooking becomes fun! Tools that add color to your life: "Flying Saucer"

Hello. I'm Chiitan, a Nakano Tourism Reporter who introduces various people and shops while walking around Nakano, Tokyo. Chibi Nakano is with me. As I was walking along Shin-Ome Kaido, I suddenly came across a stylish shop called "Flying Saucer". I went in right away.

I have a favorite kitchen tool that I've been using for over 10 years. It's the original cooking spoon from this place. It's a multi-purpose tool that can be used for scooping, frying, and mixing. It has no seams, so it's very easy to wash.

The interior of the store, which is frequented by professionals, is beautifully lined with kitchen utensils that everyone desires. It's very beautiful.

They apparently carry around 1800 different products.

Just looking at it makes me excited.

We spoke to store manager Chizuko Shimizu, who said, "The previous owner quit his job and started selling cooking utensils in Numabukuro. Now, our main business is taking orders for commercial tools and tableware, wholesaling them, and making promotional items for Fujiya's Peko-chan. My husband is the president of the store." She also sells online.

-What is the meaning behind the name of your shop? "It literally means 'flying plate'. In English, it means 'flying saucer', or UFO. The president asked his best friend for the idea, and decided on it because it sounded bold. Originally it was a showroom for commercial cooking equipment aimed at hotels and restaurants, but since it's located on a main street, it began selling to the general public 22 years ago (as of 2024). Commercial cooking equipment comes in a wide variety of sizes and is durable. It has an orthodox design that isn't too influenced by trends, so you can buy more at any time."

The cutlery design has remained almost unchanged since the store first opened.

-These kitchen tools are really strong and long-lasting. "If I were to create an original product, I wanted it to be more than worth the price. To be honest, it's tough to run the business. This spatula has been on the market for 11 years now (as of 2024). We have customers who bought one back then and now come back to buy a second one because the one they bought broke."

"We have a lot of repeat customers, with some customers coming alone the first time, then coming back with their friends, parents or children. Most of our customers are in their 30s."

-What are your most popular products? "The cooking spoon that Chiitan bought for me and induction-compatible products. Since induction and gas cookers transmit heat differently, they can make a big difference in the results of stir-fried vegetables or fried rice."

Shimizu gave us a demonstration using an induction cooker. When I boiled water in a commercially available frying pan and Flying Saucer's original deep frying pan and touched the sides, I could feel the difference! Flying Saucer's frying pan is hotter. It has a three-layer structure all the way to the sides, which distributes heat evenly and makes stews and other dishes fluffy. The Teflon deteriorates after about three years of use, but it is reapplied. Some people have reapplied it many times and it comes back looking like new.

"We are particular about products made in Japan, but this spatula is made in China. To achieve a heat resistance of 300 degrees Celsius, it would be too expensive to make it domestically."

During the interview, I met the company president, Mr. Shimizu. "Whether it's ceramic, iron, stainless steel, or glass, the president knows how to make it."

President Miki Shimizu (right)

This multi-functional deep frying pan. The gentle angle is the secret to its ease of use. The dent in the handle makes it easy to hold and fits in your hand. The dent is carved by hand by craftsmen in Niigata.

- What are some tips for cooking delicious food? "We believe that 80% of the cooking is down to the ingredients, 10% to the tools, and the remaining 10% to the skill of the individual, but you should choose your tools carefully. If you use a good frying pan, you can make delicious, fluffy fried rice."

They also hold cooking workshops, some of which are so popular that there are waiting lists for cancellations. Sounds fun. "It's also the concept of the store, but I don't want people to make mistakes when buying cooking utensils, so I hope that people will use the tools in the workshops and experience their merits."

--What do you like about Nakano? "I guess it's the fact that it hasn't changed in a good way. The area around Nakano Station has been redeveloped, but it's unpretentious and relaxing. I think Nakano is a good town to start something new. It's also friendly to the elderly and children. Also, the cherry blossoms on Nakano Street and in Tetsugakudo Park are beautiful."

-What do you want to do with your shop in the future? "We are proud to sell good tools. We want to spread that knowledge even further. I think there are many people who work and don't have time to cook their meals, so I think it would be good if we could make up for that with our tools. To make cooking more fun and easier. I want to recommend tools that are not stressful to use."

We've tried them out and found them to be easy to use and well worth the price. Please come and visit Flying Saucer. I'm sure you'll find your favorite kitchen utensil. Right? Chibi Nakano-san.

URL

Flying Saucer

Address: 2-15-10 Numabukuro, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 165-0025

Access: 11 minutes on foot from Numabukuro Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line, 15 minutes on foot from Shin-Ekoda Station on the Oedo Line, bus stop no. 7 at the north exit of Nakano Station on the Chuo Line

Take the Keio Bus bound for Nerima Station and get off at Ekoda 2-chome bus stop. It is a 1-minute walk from there.

Opening hours: Monday, 11am - 5.30pm

Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays (except Wednesdays), 11:00 to 18:00

Closed: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Parking space: Parking space available along Shin-Ome Kaido, opposite Nakano Ward 7th Junior High School

TEL: 03-3387-5474

Email: info@flyingsaucer.co.jp

Flying Saucer

165-0025 2-15-10 Numabukuro, Nakano-ku, Tokyo

We introduce and sell about 1,800 cooking tools, mainly original tools that were born from the voices of users, the knowledge that Flying Sa...