Japanese curry and yoshoku restaurants
Japanese curry
Moyan offers a huge variety of tasty Japanese-style curries and ethnic-style side dishes, along with inexpensive wines and cocktails. [Go to branch review]   Higashi-Ikebukuro 1-28-3, Ishikawa Bldg B1F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 6-10:30pm (LO) daily. The ever-changing menu here features interesting curries and unusual side dishes for your dining pleasure. Depending on the day you might find goat curry or curry mussel soup, and soy yogurt with arugula and pineapple. No reservations. Hyakunincho 1-9-11. Open noon-2, 5-9pm. Closed Mon, Tue. | |
Moyan offers a huge variety of tasty Japanese-style curries and ethnic-style side dishes, along with inexpensive wines and cocktails. [Go to branch review] Nishi-Shinjuku 8-19-2. Open 11:30am-2:30, 6-10:30pm (LO). Closed Saturdays. With its exotic-ethnic decor and Hawaiian background music, the atmosphere here is closer to a Bohemian cafe than a curry shop. The curry menu itself is rather exotic too - variations include ratatouille, avocado, pig's foot, and leek curries. The "Zenbu" (everything) curry (Y1550) is a good introduction - it contains beef, pork, chicken, shrimp and cheese in a sweetish roux, and it's quite filling. With its exotic-ethnic decor and Hawaiian background music, the atmosphere here is closer to a Bohemian cafe than a curry shop. The curry menu itself is rather exotic too - variations include ratatouille, avocado, pig's foot, and leek curries. The "Zenbu" (everything) curry (Y1550) is a good introduction - it contains beef, pork, chicken, shrimp and cheese in a sweetish roux, and it's quite filling.
Besides the many curry variations you can also choose special toppings (grilled cheese, fried egg, mushrooms), adjust the size of your rice portion, and specify your desired degree of spiciness on a scale of zero to twenty. Pick from various salads and side dishes for a well-balanced meal; the Thai-style cucumbers with coriander (Y300) are one of our favorites. Drinks include simple cocktails, inexpensive wines (Y2000/bottle), Korean makkoli and beer. [Show more] [Show less] Nishi-Shinjuku 6-25-14. Open 11:30am-2:30, 6-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays. Yoyogi -- Camp. 5411-0070 Vegetable-centered curries - variations include four-bean keema, asparagus and bacon, and German potato and soft-boiled egg. Lunch and dinner sets average around Y1000. Sendagaya 4-29-11, B1F. Open 11:30am-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
At lunchtime this neighborhood coffee shop serves a dazzling assortment of "British-style" curries, with variations like smoked pork and egg; mushroom, clam and egg; and smoked chorizo sausage and egg. At lunchtime this neighborhood coffee shop serves a dazzling assortment of "British-style" curries, with variations like smoked pork and egg; mushroom, clam and egg; and smoked chorizo sausage and egg.
We tried the special demi-glace version, and the recipe seems to be rather heavy on one spice - cloves perhaps - very different in character from the usual European curry interpretation and a little unbalanced for our taste. In the evenings Hutte Manx is a bar specializing in single-malt whiskeys. [Show more] [Show less] Yoyogi 1-23-7. Open 11:30am-9:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Moyan offers a huge variety of tasty Japanese-style curries and ethnic-style side dishes, along with inexpensive wines and cocktails. [Go to branch review] Shibuya 1-7-5, Seven Heights 1F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 6-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Having conquered the worlds of music and fashion, "A Bathing Ape" founder Nigo has turned his attention to curry rice. The small Curry Up shop on the northern edge of Harajuku was designed by Wonderwall and reportedly named by hiphop producer Pharrell Williams. Having conquered the worlds of music and fashion, "A Bathing Ape" founder Nigo has turned his attention to curry rice. The small Curry Up shop on the northern edge of Harajuku was designed by Wonderwall and reportedly named by hiphop producer Pharrell Williams. The look is simple but stylish - a white concrete storefront with a yellow neon sign, and lots of stainless steel and concrete on the interior. The modern style is tempered by subtly kitsch elements like the faux-wood-grained table and counter tops, old-fashioned white curtains in the window, and the gold-bordered shop logo with a smiling, mustachioed chef.
The music is old-school, mainstream reggae - we enjoyed both "You Don't Love Me (No No No)" by Dawn Penn and "One Love" by Bob Marley during our first ten minutes in the shop. The high point of our meal (from a design point of view) was the little dish of pickles that came with our curry. They've taken the vivid pink, green and white curry-shop standard pickle assortment, diced everything up very fine and mixed it all together in a pretty, bright swirl of colors. [Show more] [Show less] Jingumae 2-35-9-105. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-8:30pm (LO) daily. | |
Sendagaya -- Curie. 3475-9777 Convenient to nearby baseball, soccer and rugby stadia, this unpretentious neighborhood counter-shop serves good, old-fashioned European-style Japanese curries in meat and seafood variations. Options include various cheese toppings. Sendagaya 2-33-1. Open 11:30am-7pm (Sat, Sun -6pm). Closed Mondays. | |
Japanese-style curries in a fast-food counter setting. Shibuya 1-24-7. Open 11am-10:20pm (LO) daily. | |
Good Indian-style Japanese curry. Medium-spicy variations include tomato, chickpea, lentil, pork, chicken, lettuce, cheese, mixed-vegetable (potato, carrot, chickpea), and mixed (tomato, cheese, spinach). There are also extra-spicy masala curries - shrimp, chicken, pork and various vegetable combinations. Good Indian-style Japanese curry. Medium-spicy variations include tomato, chickpea, lentil, pork, chicken, lettuce, cheese, mixed-vegetable (potato, carrot, chickpea), and mixed (tomato, cheese, spinach). There are also extra-spicy masala curries - shrimp, chicken, pork and various vegetable combinations.
The small counter shop has a clean, modern look with a striking red-and-white color scheme. In keeping with the Indian theme, Bhangra music plays at low volume in the background. [Show more] [Show less] Higashi 1-27-9. Open 11:30am-7:30pm (LO; Fri -4:30pm). Closed Sat, Sun. | |
An old standby in the Mita neighborhood, this long-running basement shop has solid wood furniture, stucco walls, odd little paintings and soft jazz in the background. The roux here is okay, but the quality of the meat really stands out - nice lean pork and very tasty and tender chicken. The mixed meat or all-chicken options are recommended. The boiled potatoes are also quite good. Shiba 4-6-16. Open 11am-3, 5:30-9:30pm. Closed weekends. | |
Shibaura -- Bondy. 3457-8750 A branch of a very popular Jimbocho curry shop, Bondy serves excellent European-style Japanese curries. Shibaura 3-14-5. Open 11am-10pm. Closed weekends. Shirogane-Takanawa -- Sun Line. 3441-0170 Slow-cooked, very garlicky "British-style" Japanese curries with fiery spices are the specialty at this counter-only shop. The beef curry is Y1500. Takanawa 1-5-15. Open 11:30am-2, 6-11:35pm (LO). Closed Sundays. This Japanese curry shop inside Tokyo Tower fashions itself as a laboratory for testing new curry recipes, and the interior is another statement from the always stylish Wonderwall design firm, with a science-lab motif and miniature TV screens at each seat. The curries are innovative and tasty, priced at Y1000-1200; take-out is also available. Shiba-Koen 4-2-8, Tokyo Tower Foot Town 2F. Open 11am-9:20pm (LO) daily. | |
Five famous Japanese curry shops have gotten together to create this tiny 15-seat counter. Try them all - for Y2500 you can get a set of curries from all five shops, or you can order individual curries for around Y1000 each. (The collaborating shops are Ethiopia, Delhi, Topca, Dom Pierre, and Hongo Petit Feu.) | |
The original Hachinoya opened in Kyushu in 1951, and moved to Ginza only a few years ago. Tasty beef, chicken and vegetable curries and hayashi rice are Y700 each, and there's a mega-large option for Y1600 that's 2.5 times ordinary size. For variety there's a crab croquette topping (Y250), Chinese pork bun with Pu-erh tea (Y550), and chocolate curry (Y980). The attractive counter-only basement shop is non-smoking. | |
A popular spot for local Yotsuya diners, Aubergine offers a good assortment of European-style Japanese curries, including two-ingredient combination platters. The shrimp and chicken combo (Y1580) had a sweetish, rich sauce; ample portions of well-prepared chicken; plump, flavorful shrimps; mushrooms and a tiny quail egg. Curries come with excellent homemade cole slaw. A popular spot for local Yotsuya diners, Aubergine offers a good assortment of European-style Japanese curries, including two-ingredient combination platters.
The shrimp and chicken combo (Y1580) had a sweetish, rich sauce; ample portions of well-prepared chicken; plump, flavorful shrimps; mushrooms and a tiny quail egg. Curries come with excellent homemade cole slaw.
There are two other branches (Mita and Tsukiji), and together they deliver through large swaths of Tokyo. Prices range from Y1260-1575, and take-out is available. [Show more] [Show less] Yotsuya 3-1, Fukushima Bldg 2F. Open 11am-3, 5-9:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
This off-the-beaten-track shop on a Hanzomon side street serves some of Tokyo's better European-style Japanese curries. The mixed curry with chicken, pork and beef is especially recommended - the meats are tender and skillfully prepared, the sauce rich and spicy. Curries come with a good-size helping of boiled potatoes. The coffeeshop decor is nicer than average, although it can get smoky when crowded. Ichibancho 8-13. Open 11:30am-9pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Suidobashi -- Manten. 3291-3274 This famous Japanese curry joint is known for their dirt-cheap prices and extremely unpretentious setting. The flagship tonkatsu curry is Y550, while wiener and croquette curries are Y500 each. If you're brave there's also a massive "everything" option that includes all of the above plus fried dumplings. Kanda Jimbocho 1-54. Open 11am-8pm. Closed Sundays. Perusona serves top-quality European-style curries, and two- and three-ingredient combination curries are easy to order. We opted for eggplant, chicken and beef (Y1400) on a recent visit - the sauce was richly spiced and on the sweet side, while the beef was lean and very tender. The eggplant is a nice option, adding some balance to the ubiquitous meat ingredients. The spacious second-floor dining room is done up in classic kissaten style, with Brazilian easy-listening music in the background. Kanda Jimbocho 1-28, Matsumoto Bldg 2F. Open 11:30am-4, 5:30-9pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
 Jimbocho -- Bondy. 3234-2080 The curry sauce here is scrumptious, with a natural fruit sweetness, well-balanced spices and complex flavors. The entrance is through a used bookstore - take the far right-hand aisle. The curry sauce here is scrumptious, with a natural fruit sweetness, well-balanced spices and complex flavors. There aren't many mixed-ingredient options, but the shrimp, clam and chicken was quite good, with plump shrimps and juicy, flavorful clams. It also came with button mushrooms, almonds and a sprig of watercress on top - a nice touch - plus umeboshi and a couple of sweet and delicious potatoes on the side.
The entrance is through a used bookstore - take the far right-hand aisle. Bondy gets extra points in our book for being open all afternoon. Prices average around Y1500, and take-out is available. [Show more] [Show less] Kanda Jimbocho 2-3, Kosho Center 2F. Open 11am-10pm daily. | |
This famous, highly rated Japanese curry shops serves just four varieties - chicken, beef, vegetable and shrimp - plus combinations. Portions are large, and prices start at Y880. Kanda Ogawamachi 3-10-6. Open 11am-10:30pm daily. | |
This large traditional coffeeshop plays classical music and specializes in European curries and espresso. Curries include scallops and several other seafood variations along with the usual beef, pork and chicken, but it's not as easy to put together your own combination as at some other places. This large traditional coffeeshop plays classical music and specializes in European curries and espresso. Curries include scallops and several other seafood variations along with the usual beef, pork and chicken, but it's not as easy to put together your own combination as at some other places.
We tried the mix of shrimp, asari clams and chicken, which had juicy shrimp and nice mushrooms, but the hot (karakuchi) version was just a little too fiery to let us appreciate the subtleties of the spices - we'd recommend sticking to the mild setting. The boiled potatoes were sweet and very tasty, but our smoked salmon and endive salad was overly ambitious. Curries are priced Y1100-1700. [Show more] [Show less] Uchi-Kanda 3-6-14, 2F. Open 11am-10pm (Sat -8pm). Closed Sundays. | |
This tiny counter shop inside Akihabara Atre has assembled five famous Japanese curry shops from this curry-strong neighborhood - mini-branches of Kyoeido, Ethiopia, Delhi, Topca and Hongo Petit Feu. For Y2500 you can try a sampling of curries from all five shops, or you can order individual curries for around Y1000 each; other combination sets are also available. | |
An unusual collection of curries is on offer at this festively named shop - beans and cheese, mushroom and eggplant, fried chicken, spicy chorizo sausage, fresh tomato and avocado among them. Lunch curries start at under Y780; at dinnertime they also serve meatier options like garlic beef steak and herb-marinated roast chicken. Soto-Kanda 4-14-1, Akiba Ichi 2F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily. | |
Kichijoji -- Mamezo. 0422-21-7901 A very relaxing place to enjoy Japanese curry - there's jazz on the stereo, art on the walls and cute knickknacks on the wooden shelves. Curries include a lot of vegetables and a nice rich roux, and are priced Y850-1000. Kichijoji Honcho 2-18-15. Open 11am-9:30pm (LO) daily. | |
Medicinal-herb curries are the specialty here; prices range from Y1000-1900. Kami-Meguro 2-42-13. Open noon-1:30, 6-11:30pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays. | |
Yoshoku
Ikebukuro -- Rikyu. 5952-0404 Beef tongue is the main ingredient in the kitchen at Rikyu, where it's transformed into well over a dozen different dishes, from tongue sausages, meatballs, and terrines to curries and Western-style stews. The piece de resistance though is the excellent charcoal-grilled tongue - a popular regional specialty of Sendai, where this small chain restaurant originates. The menu is rounded out by creative and original izakaya fare, with a nice selection of Sendai-area sake to wash it all down. [See FULL REVIEW.] Nishi-Ikebukuro 1-12-1, Esola Ikebukuro 7F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily. | |
"Since 1930 Ginza" claims the sign, and they still offer the same nostalgic faux-Western yoshoku specialties like hamburg steaks, cabbage rolls and scallop cream croquettes, for an inexpensive trip down memory lane. Lunch is served 11am-4pm. | |
Akasaka -- Rikyu. 3568-7787 Good charcoal-grilled beef tongue from this Sendai-based chain. You'll also find beef-tongue curries, stews, sausages and other yoshoku-style dishes, along with regional sake from Miyagi Prefecture. [Go to branch review] Akasaka 3-14-8, Akasaka Sagamiya Bldg 2F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-10:30pm (LO) daily. | |
It's a trip back through time - this Ginza fixture (it opened in 1895) invented the strange Westernized dishes hayashi rice and omu-rice (rice omelette), and they still serve them the same way. Budget Y1500 for lunch or dinner. Guinness Stout is served, and it's a good match for the food. Ginza 3-5-16. Open 11:15am-2:15, 4:40-8:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
A branch of the highly popular Nishi-Azabu yoshoku restaurant. The specialty of the house is a dressed-up omelette rice, but the seafood gratin and hamburger steak are also good. Marunouchi 2-4-1, Marunouchi Bldg. 5F. Open 11am-10:30pm daily. | |
Yaesu -- Rikyu. 5220-6811 Good charcoal-grilled beef tongue from this Sendai-based chain. You'll also find beef-tongue curries, stews, sausages and other yoshoku-style dishes, along with regional sake from Miyagi Prefecture. Located in the North Court dining area in the middle of Tokyo Station (within the gates). [Go to branch review] Marunouchi 1-9-1, JR Tokyo Station 1F North Court. Open 7am-10pm (LO) daily. | |
One of Japan's more famous yoshoku establishments, the decor here is 1960s-modern, with wood paneling and a big dessert cart. The beef curry is Y1890, and beef fried-rice omelettes are Y2625. One of Japan's more famous yoshoku establishments, the decor here is 1960s-modern, with wood paneling and a big dessert cart.
Our beef curry (a specialty of the house) was very tasty, with tender meat and mushrooms and flavors that blended together smoothly and gently. It seemed more like beef stew than a typical Japanese curry, though, the roux more like a rich gravy with a bit of curry flavor. It was accompanied by a small salad of baby tomatoes and carrots (good) and cornichons (not really a good match).
The beef curry is Y1890, and beef fried-rice omelettes are Y2625. [Show more] [Show less] Kyobashi 2-3-4. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-9pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Unlike most yoshokuya, the decor here won't make you sigh with nostalgia - the dining room is done up in a tasteful pastel color scheme from the current century. Chef Suzuki is a veteran of the famous Dom Pierre yoshoku establishment, and the menu also covers standards like hayashi rice and rice omelettes, and even offers tasting menus at Y5,000 and Y10,000. Loup de Mer proves that good yoshoku cuisine needn't be stuck in a time warp. Our lunchtime Hokkaido beef curry (Y1100) was accompanied by a very appetizing salad of head cheese and red-cabbage slivers. The hunks of beef were tender, lean and very flavorful, beautifully complemented by the curry sauce, rich but with a bracing tanginess. The soft but still slightly crunchy deep-red pickles were excellent, with an almost cherry-like flavor.
Unlike most yoshokuya, the decor here won't make you sigh with nostalgia - the dining room is done up in a tasteful pastel color scheme from the current century. Chef Suzuki is a veteran of the famous Dom Pierre yoshoku establishment, and the menu also covers standards like hayashi rice and rice omelettes, and even offers tasting menus at Y5,000 and Y10,000. [Show more] [Show less] Uchi-Kanda 2-14-3. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-8:30pm (LO; -6 Sun). Closed Mondays. | |
Old-fashioned Japanese-style Western favorites like hayashi rice (braised beef in a dark demiglace sauce), curries and crab croquettes. There are several combination platters that let you sample their most popular dishes. [See FULL REVIEW.] Ueno 2-13-13, Kikuya Bldg 4F. Open 11:30am-10pm (LO) daily. | |
This small neighborhood yoshoku-ya serves "European stews and English curries." The flavor of the curry is rather unique and very appealing - similar to other European-style Japanese curries but with an intriguing hint of medicinal herbs. This small neighborhood yoshoku-ya serves "European stews and English curries." Curry sauces are built on a fond de veau base and incorporate some 36 different spices, all on display on the shop's counter. The flavor of the curry is rather unique and very appealing - similar to other European-style Japanese curries but with an intriguing hint of medicinal herbs.
We enjoyed a mild, "creamy" Hokkaido veal curry, and we highly recommend the seasonal vegetable option (Y300 extra), which features around ten different vegetables such as asparagus, okra and lotus root. There's also a popular beef-tongue curry, which might be an even better match for the rather assertive sauce. Y2000 for veal curry with extra vegetables and dessert. [Show more] [Show less] Ogikubo 5-20-7. Open 11:30am-1:30, 5:30-9pm. Closed Tuesdays, 3rd Monday. | |
Kichijoji -- Rikyu. 0422-23-8141 Good charcoal-grilled beef tongue from this Sendai-based chain. You'll also find beef-tongue curries, stews, sausages and other yoshoku-style dishes, along with regional sake from Miyagi Prefecture. A set menu with grilled tongue, curry, oxtail soup and salad is Y1575. [Go to branch review] Kichijoji Minamicho 1-1-24, Atre Kichijoji B1F. Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily. | |
|
: Open late
: Notable decor
