Opening her own restaurant was an inherent step for Koshiki Yonemura, whose food roots run deep, thanks to her upbringing in her family's restaurant in Japan. Being surrounded by the fresh aroma and taste of truly fresh food clearly isn't something that has eluded Koshiki, who insists on the same for her popular downtown St. Paul noodle house, Tanpopo.
It wasn't until after relocating to Minnesota as a teen and earning a degree in Psychology and Chinese at the U of M that Koshiki was lead to share her native cuisine with the Twin Cities. It was her and partner Ben Smith's intent to create a casual and elegant environment where diners could enjoy simple, hearty, traditional Japanese dishes. They have clearly made good on this intent, as Tanpopo Noodle Shop quickly became a highly sought-after St. Paul establishment. From the time her doors opened, Koshiki has served affordable, Japanese home cooking in a relaxed atmosphere and the rave reviews haven't ceased since.
Believing that the best ingredients are fresh ingredients, Koshiki is a regular face at the St. Paul Farmers' Market, where she is often seen gathering the goods from local growers. Koshiki owes the fresh and wholesome taste of her egg and chicken dishes to Mike and Linda Noble of Farm on Wheels in Kenyon. The Nobles, who believe that how you spend your dollars can change the world, are also regulars at the St. Paul Farmers' Market, providing shoppers with truly natural meats and eggs. Their animals are on a steady diet of green pasture and sunshine, and they are proud of what they offer, stating, "Our animals eat right so you can too."
