Features and benefits of a share house with a shared kitchen

While a shared kitchen in a share house offers benefits that you can't get when living alone, it also has some disadvantages.
Here we will explain the benefits of shared kitchens and common problems.

The appeal of a shared kitchen

The appeal of a shared kitchen is mainly threefold:

• A large kitchen is available
• Cost savings
• Interact with other residents

The shared kitchens in many share houses are more spacious than kitchens for single people, so you can cook comfortably.

A shared kitchen isn't just a shared space.
Various cooking utensils and seasonings are shared, so there is no need for individuals to purchase them, which helps keep cooking costs down.

Using the shared kitchen naturally increases the opportunities to meet other residents.
If you make too much food or have leftover ingredients, you can share it with others so nothing goes to waste.
Another attractive feature is that it serves as a place for residents to interact with each other, sharing recipes and cooking together.

Disadvantages and points to note about shared kitchens

The disadvantages of a shared kitchen are:

• Usage time needs to be adjusted
• Privacy and hygiene must be taken into consideration

Since the kitchen is shared, you may find it inconvenient that you cannot use it whenever you want.
In addition, other residents may see you cooking, and the kitchen is shared by multiple residents with different hygiene standards, so you will need to be careful about things like how you dispose of garbage.

These problems can be solved by using a schedule to adjust kitchen usage times or by setting rules for how the kitchen should be used.
Good communication between residents can also help to avoid problems.

Basic rules for the shared kitchen in a share house

In a shared house with multiple people, certain rules are necessary to avoid trouble.
Here are some basic rules regarding the shared kitchen.

Cleaning and tidying rules

In a shared house, where there are a variety of people, from meticulous people to careless people, the way people tidy up also varies.
Therefore, most share houses seem to have the following minimum rules:

• Don’t leave things out or in use
• Wash your dishes regularly and don't let them pile up in the sink
• When you finish cooking, do not leave food in the cookware.
• Finish by cleaning up the kitchen area.

Managing ingredients and seasonings in shared spaces

When it comes to shared spaces, it's easy to confuse shared items with personal belongings.
It is important to follow the rules to avoid problems such as your information being used without your permission.

• Don't privatize what is shared
• Don't leave expired food lying around
• When placing food or dishes in the refrigerator, write your name or room number on them.
• Personal condiments should be stored in a designated box with your name on it or in your own room.

Be considerate of other residents when cooking

In a shared kitchen, there may be times when you want to use it at the same time as other residents.
To achieve this, the following considerations are necessary:

• During busy times, prepare meals that can be completed quickly.
• When cooking something that takes a long time, let other residents know how long it will take.

If you become friends with other residents, you'll be able to cook together when your schedules overlap.
Communicating daily and building good relationships will make life easier.

Tips for using the shared kitchen comfortably

In order to use the kitchen comfortably with other residents, it's important to use items and save time.
Here we will introduce some useful items and ideas for saving time.

Convenient and easy-to-use kitchen items

Cooking utensils and tableware are provided in the share house, so you don't need to bring your own.
However, there are some handy items that you can use, so let me introduce them to you.

• seasoning
• Ziploc
• Tupperware
• Peeler
• Plastic Basket

By using your favorite condiments in addition to those provided, you can expand the flavor of your dishes.
With Ziploc bags or Tupperware, you can store ingredients and cooked food, eliminating the waste of throwing food away.
Having a peeler that can peel vegetables more easily than a knife can help save time when cooking.
If you keep your personal condiments, peelers, etc. in a plastic basket, you won't have to search for them and you can start cooking right away next time.

Many of these items can be easily obtained at 100 yen shops, so be sure to make use of them.

Efficient cooking methods in a shared kitchen

Some people may feel uncomfortable monopolizing the shared kitchen for long periods of time.
Here we will introduce you to some efficient cooking methods.

Rice cookers take a long time because they soak the rice in water.
So instead of cooking rice every time, it's a good idea to cook several servings at once and freeze them for later.
When you're ready to eat, just defrost it in the microwave.

Cooking together with other residents also helps avoid kitchen queue issues.
Hot pot, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and gyoza are recommended menu items as they are easier to make for a large group than for one person.
You can also enjoy bibimbap and yakiniku using a hot plate, which can be enjoyed by a large group of people.

How to Enjoy Socializing in the Kitchen

If you're living in a share house and want to interact with the other residents, the shared kitchen is the perfect place for you.
The shared kitchen offers more opportunities to meet other residents.
Try to be proactive in engaging in conversation and sharing food. It might also be a good idea to treat them to some of your local cuisine.

Cooking together on the weekend or holding a drinking party where each person makes a dish will encourage lively conversation, deepen relationships, and make for an enjoyable shared house life.

summary

A shared kitchen has the advantage of allowing you to cook in a spacious area and also provides an opportunity to interact with other residents.
However, there are some disadvantages to using the toilets, such as overlapping with other people's usage times and getting into trouble if used carelessly, so it's important to be considerate of other residents and follow the rules when using the toilets.

If you make good use of the shared kitchen, you can enjoy cooking, save money, and interact with other residents, allowing you to live the sharehouse life you've always dreamed of.
I hope you live a fun life!