The Heart of Japan Lives Through Atsuko
Atsuko in front of her popular eatery, Tsuko, bringing Japanese cuisine and culture to the community.
Atsuko Tanaka-Morrison is a beaming example of great health and happiness when you enter her new Japanese Cafe Tsuko at The Coterie in the main street of Korumburra.
Worlds away from her motherland of Japan, Atsuko has made a beautiful life for herself, her two daughters and husband Richard, in our little town she describes as “beautiful people and community”.
With a dream in her head from the age of 10, Atsuko is now delivering her culture through the marvellous creations in her little store. Whilst calling our town her home for the past 15 years, Tsuko is the beginning of the next chapter of her life. Read on …
How long have you been in Korumburra?
I have been in Korumburra for 15 years now. My husband Richard and I met in Far North Queensland over 20 years ago. After we met we travelled around Australia in his Kombi camper. We eventually came back to Victoria and got married. Initially, we lived in northern NSW, then went to stay in Japan with my family for two years and had our first daughter. When we came back to Australia we eventually chose to live in Korumburra, it’s such a beautiful town.
What was it like back then?
There was not a lot here back then, foodwise. There were beautiful bakeries, the pubs and a couple of cafes, but not much else, just a great little old-fashioned town. We thought things might change over the following 10 years, and they did.
Have you always had it in your mind to start your own business here?
Yes, I worked in Leongatha for the past 10 years, and I had been looking forward to starting something that shared my Japanese culture in Korumburra. It was perfect to start that business here because Korumburra is my community. My kids have grown up in Korumburra and our friends are here. I didn’t have my extended family here but I have the community! I wanted to introduce my culture through the food, and that’s why we started Tsuko (which is named after Atsuko).
How has the community embraced your new business?
It has been fantastic to be honest. The local people are very supportive and travellers are always dropping by. I wanted to open the doors to people of all ages, which is happening now. Lots of different people want to share their experiences with me - visits they have had to Japan, their love of the food, their favourite dishes. The Korumburra community obviously can’t come and eat every day, but they often bring their friends and spread the word. It really has been lovely.
You always exude calmness and positivity. Like a ball of sunshine when you walk into The Coterie. Has that always been the case?
(laughs) Haha it may appear that way, but I’ve always got a lot to think about. I’ve had a dream about having my own little shop since I was 10 years old. I grew up with hard-working parents. I watched my father working during my school holidays. He used to take me to a little cafe across from his business where the owner made everyone relaxed and comfortable. I thought “I want to be that person”. That was the start. My upbringing had a lot to do with the happiness I have now. I’m happy as a person, but I also get happiness from seeing people coming in, whether it’s for coffee or something to eat. It’s all part of spreading wellbeing.
The food is spectacular. What’s at the heart of a great Japanese menu?
Authenticity. My menu is not westernised. My mum and I both cook similar things and those foods are sometimes not for different cultures. I was a little nervous about it, but I’ve stuck to being as authentic as possible. I’d love to add a few more menu items, and do some evenings, like once a month or something. I love details and presenting beautiful plates, it’s something to think about for the future.
The shop, food, plating, uniforms are all very feminine. Would you agree it reflects your personality?
The atmosphere definitely reflects who I am. The kitchen is pretty small, so it’s important we all work together smoothly. We encourage each other and other young women to work hard and have a go.
What’s your advice for people seeking to become more resilient in life?
Sometimes it takes a long time to trust yourself. Everyone has something amazing to offer themselves or others but it can be difficult to acknowledge that in ourselves and each other with how busy we all are. Personally, it took me a long time to realise “Hey, I’m okay. I’m a good person, I am enough for me and others”. You learn to trust yourself and realise how beautiful we all are. Everyone is beautiful, I want people to know that.
Do you feel responsible for sharing your positivity each day with the world?
I’m like most people, I can be tired getting into work each day, but as soon as I see people who are energised and happy, it lifts me up and makes me happy. If someone walks in the doors who has had a bad day, it’s part of my job to help make them leave feeling a little more positive about their day!
