From July 25 to August 28, four Afternoon Tea shops will be collaborating with the French picture book Gaspard and Lisa to celebrate the book’s 20th anniversary. The collaboration will only be running at the following branches: AEON Lake Town kaze, Koshigaya, LaLaport Yokohama, Terrace Mall Shonan and Nagoya LACHIC.

Tomboy Lisa Katsu Curry Plate (Drink included): ￥1,491 (after tax)  

Lisa’s Tomato Chicken Curry (Kids Drink included) : ￥1,005 (after tax) 

The Tomboy Lisa Katsu Curry Plate consists of a European-style curry with a crispy chicken cutlet and carrot marinade. There is also a sweet apple and honey tomato chicken curry which is limited to kids only.

Peach Peach Clown Parfait Straight Out of the Picture Book: ￥1,404 (after tax)

Lisa and Gaspard Strawberry/ Melon Sundae Sodas: ￥864 (after tax)

The menu also includes desserts and drinks from the picture book. For example, the peach peach clown parfait and two flavours of Lisa and Gaspard Sundae Soda. Make sure you order one of these drinks to go with one of the five delicious collaboration meals. 

During the collaboration period, the tea shop will be decorated with a special Lisa and Gaspard theme. There will be photo spots and even a book corner with 20 Lisa and Gaspard books (limited to Nagoya LACHIC only).

This is the perfect place to enjoy a special summer meal with your family so please check it out!

©2019 Anne Gutman & Georg Hallensleben / Hachette Livre

Rinko Murata loves all types of curry. In this edition of Tokyo Dinner, she invites the person she wants to meet up with the most to eat the curry she’s been wanting to eat the most.

This month’s notable restaurant she stopped by was HEIJITSU HIRU DAKE in Kōenji, Tokyo. Their curry portions are generous and are good for the stomach and satiety center. They serve a curry flavoured with Japanese dashi, or ‘stock.’

How do you spend your early afternoons when you have time off? Lounging around at home with quality time to yourself sounds like a good plan. Definitely appealing.

But this is a rare opportunity. How about going on a little adventure to try something you can get a kick out of because it’s midday and a weekday?

I know the perfect curry house for your hungry selves. HEIJITSU HIRU DAKE.

As the Japanese name suggests, it’s a curry that can only be eaten at lunchtime, a mysterious dish that doesn’t appear on regular days off.

I land in Kōenji, a place I love the most. Even though iKōenji is Kōenji, the closest station to the restaurant is Higashi-Kōenji Station.

My vision is filled with all kinds of sights.

It’s like being lost in a treasure chest.

This place is actually normally a café and goes by the name Schwarze Katze. It’s open mainly on Friday night, weekends and holidays. “HEIJITSU HIRU DAKE” runs in a rented room in the café and and is open when the café is. It’s kind of luxurious to have the chance to eat my favourite food (curry!) in a place like this.

My heart desires the Wadashi Soboro Curry (¥980) that I mentioned earlier. It also comes with self-service coffee for after your meal. For toppings you can choose whatever you like. Since I was there and didn’t want to get lost on what to pick, I went for all the toppings (¥300).

The water I ordered comes in a plastic bottle. The tables have antique displays. Everything on them was wonderful.

The air was clad in that rich, familiar scent of curry, a special one that I would never get to eat had I not come here.

The instant I hold the curry in my mouth the delicious flavour of the dashi sparks in my mouth like fireworks. The broth has a slight thickness to it and a strong, deep flavour that fades into a soft aftertaste on the tip of your tongue. It’s not at all spicy, and the goodness of the dashi is luxurious like being escorted by a gentleman. And I can’t forget the smell.

My taste buds throb at this new sensation.

Like its name suggests, this is a dish where the Japanese dashi stands out above the ingredient crowd. The restaurant owner has gathered much experience in the kitchen from traditional Japanese cuisine to sushi, ramen, yakiniku, izakaya style and so on. He encountered this place by chance, and with one look he said to himself, “I want to try doing curry.” The Wadashi Soboro Curry came about through his gained culinary experience combined with the aesthetics of the café.

To bring out the full flavour of the dashi so it isn’t drowned out by the curry spices, the owner uses two types of skipjack tuna, kombu, dark sleeper, and dried sea slug, as well as a type of soy sauce called Kaeshi. 15 more ingredients are blended together to create the spices, creating deep and delicate flavours.

Now it’s time for a session with the mountain of ingredients I greedily asked for. It’s enshrined with classics like meat soboro, beefsteak, agedama, bonito flakes, and dried plum in addition to pickled daikon radish, crushed natto, Japanese ginger, and okra. The spinach and onsen tamago egg sit at the foot of the mountain and create a new culinary sight.

The base of the dashi is mobilized with a force of Japanese ingredients with a smell and flavour and that comes together harmoniously in your mouth. I’m spellbound by the flavours that stand out coupled with the pleasant textures of the agedama, daikon and ginger.

Hey, I must have hit every ingredient in there. All correct.

I added a sprinkle of pepper that was on the table and create yet another refreshing aromatic veil.

The compatibility of the pepper with the dish works so well precisely because it uses a Japanese dashi. Wadashi, or Japanese broth, is a staple of Japanese cuisine. The curry and Japanese soul carved into this dish resonates with me. It’s my first time eating it, yet I’m still filled with a sort of nostalgia―a warm embrace.

I also understand why when the shop opens, the customers in the café stand up and change with the next line of customers. The owner has a wonderful sensitivity, and has worked out a way to put his own matchless warmth into each and every bowl. I caught sight of his gentle smile as he was cooking in the kitchen. It left an impression on me.

What a delicious curry to enjoy in such a wonderful place. All five of my senses have reached peak happiness. I grab my post-meal coffee and head onto the streets of Kōenji.

What a wonderful weekday afternoon.

Text:Rinko Murata
Photo:Kayo Sekiguchi
Edit:Miiki Sugita

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

The Mount Fuji Lava Cafe, located in the Fujisan World Heritage Center in Yamanashi Prefecture, released a new Red Mount Fuji Curry on January 12 inspired by the woodblock print Fine Wind, Clear Morning from Hokusai’s Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series of landscape prints.

Red Mount Fuji Curry: ¥1,500 (Tax Included)

This red hot lava curry gets its vibrant colour from its picante spices and red chili oil. But it’s not simply a bowl of spiciness – it also has typical Japanese flavours like a dashi made from skipjack tuna and kombu. It’s also mixed with grape juice made from grapes grown in Fuefuki, Yananashi for deeper flavour.

Upon ordering this curry you can pick from three different levels of spiciness. Those who order the highest level, dubbed “Mount Fuji’s Peak,” are offer to take part in an eating challenge. If you’re able to devour the hottest version of this curry within 22 minutes and 30 seconds the price of your bill will be wiped and you will receive a free ice cream.

The Red Mount Fuji Curry serves as a follow up to the cafe’s original Blue Mount Fuji Curry which erupted in popularity on Japanese social media.

Popular smoked curry restaurant Kunkare is set to re-open along Hitotsukidori in Akasaka on November 27.

Kunkare was first established in 2011 in the quaint district of Ningyocho, Akasaka. It was the first curry roux restaurant in Japan to serve smoked curry and acquired a patent for its unique cooking method.

In line with the restaurant’s move to Akasaka, they have changed he taste of the curry. It still retains that smokiness but the flavour of the spices has been made more prominent.

All of the other items on the menu have been upgraded too, giving rise to an all-new Kunkare.

Tokusei Curry: ¥1,180 (Tax Included)

The Tokusei Curry (literally “specially made curry”) was always the No. 1 most popular dish when the restaurant was based in Ningyocho. This is an upgraded version served on a specially made and original Hasami ware curry plate.

Irodori Yasai x Curry: ¥850 (Tax Included)

This curry dish comes with colourful and seasonal vegetables and an upgraded smoked curry served with turmeric rice.

Another service to look forward to falls on Saturday every week where Kunkare will serve popular curry dishes from famous restaurants in the local area. The first item on the menu is a keema curry from Kai, a cafe and bar in Fukuoka that has continued to be loved for 19 years and which brings in lines of customers. Limited quantities will be served, so you’d better get in there quick if you want to enjoy some authentic Indian cuisine laced with a Japanese touch – salted rice malt, condiment paste made from yuzu zest and chilli peppers, Japanese pepper and more.

Kunkare is a place where you can expect to try curry you won’t find anywhere else.

Shimokitazawa in Tokyo is known as the ‘Curry District,’ and for good reason. Not only is it home to countless curry houses, it’s also where the annual Shimokitazawa Curry Festival takes place.

Tariki Honganji Curry is a new curry restaurant opening in Shimokitazawa on July 1. Their name means to prosper as a business by servicing others which is also part of their policy.

Their menu will include a very special Gold Leaf Keema Curry which promises not only to taste delicious but look gorgeous too! Priced at ¥5,000, only five of these curries will be available each day, making it a rare sight. There’s plenty of other choices to choose from if you can’t get your hands on one of these, including the Tariki Hongaji Curry (¥1,500) as well as ordinary curry (¥800).

They are also taking curry recipes from customers which will be served at the restaurant and change each month. Compensation will be given for recipes used.

Additionally, the restaurant is recruiting for their gallery exhibition. The wall can be rented out to be used as a gallery, so if you’re interested be sure to enquire in-store.

Head to Tariki Hongaji Curry and try to get your hands on that Gold Leaf Keema!

The Lava Cafe, located in the north block of the Fujisan World Heritage Center in Yamanashi Prefecture, has introduced the new Mt. Fuji Curry to its menu.

The blue coloured curry dish is made to look just like Mount Fuji while the pickles represent the surrounding forest at the base of the mountain Aokigahara, also known as the ‘Sea of Trees.’ This Instagrammable meal is aimed at both Japanese and foreign tourists.

There have been many curry dishes on the market with rice formed in the shape of Mount Fuji, but this dish not only maintains the shape, but the colouring too. It took them over half a year to perfect the dish.

The cafe will also begin serving a ‘mega size’ version of the blue curry from June 22 to bring it closer to the size of Mount Fuji. They also plan to release a spicy red version in autumn to bring to life the scene when Mount Fuji appears red when the sun’s rays shine over it. Make sure you don’t miss out on this one either.

Head to the Lava Cafe to try eating this stunning curry that you can’t get anywhere else!

Did you know that there are lots of places to eat irresistibly delicious curry in Harajuku, but not that many people know about them yet? Now you can get in on the secret.

From standard Japanese-style curry to more unique flavours, here’s our list.

Suzuki Satomiさん(@_suzukisatomi_)がシェアした投稿 – 2017年 7月月6日午前1時36分PDT

YOGORO

This spinach-based chicken curry (¥900) is a reputable item on YOGORO’s menu, made in a tetsunabe pot! There are two types to choose from: one with spicy tomato as the base and fresh cream, and a milder version made with spinach. You can pick from pork and chicken for the meat to enjoy an original combination. We also recommend it topped with the soft-boiled egg!

@beggar_manがシェアした投稿 – 2018年 5月月3日午前6時34分PDT

Minoringo

This Keema curry (¥900) looks just like a decorative cake. The top of the curry is flooded with cheese. Its rich flavour is simply irresistible! We also recommend the standard Keema curry without the cheese too♡

カレーとスプーンさん(@curry_spoon)がシェアした投稿 – 2018年 4月月5日午前8時09分PDT

Curry Up
This curry house is produced by ‘A Bathing Ape’ founder NIGO. The beef & butter chicken curry (¥1,100) has a distinct mild yet rich taste to it. It’s enjoyable to enjoy two different flavours in one as seen in the picture. You can also combine your own flavours to your liking.

Akiko Shibataさん(@akiko.shibata)がシェアした投稿 – 2018年 3月月25日午前5時21分PDT

SHANTi
If we’re talking soup curry, then where else to go than SHANTi. The spice is on point and there’s a hearty serving of vegetables. There’s also many varieties of curry to choose from, so expect to be spoilt for choice. During lunchtime you can get a large serving of rice for free, and you’re free to enjoy a second helping, so if you’re a big eater, look no further.

@mi__ko__がシェアした投稿 – 2017年 5月月4日午前4時01分PDT

BRITISH INDIAN CAFE 1930
You wouldn’t think that this is a curry house, with its landmark stylish red wall. They serve Indian curry made the way the British do. Their popular butter chicken curry mixes together honey and fresh cream to give it its distinct sweet flavour. The faint spiciness and milk sweetness has made it a particularly popular dish with female customers. The softness of the tandoori chicken is great too. Being British-style, the curry goes well together with black tea.

@i.nori_jpがシェアした投稿 – 2015年 5月月15日午後9時02分PDT

HENDRIX
You could call the chefs at HENDRIX spice masters. They’re extremely thorough and attentive with the timing of when they put their spices in the curry. A popular dish on their menu is their pork curry. It’s cooked gradually with a large amount of spice and has a deep flavour that doesn’t just simply scream ‘hot.’ They’re also particular about their saffron rice which complements the curry. They use only koshihikari rice from the city of Inzai in Chiba Prefecture. The fact they’re even particular about the rice means you can look forward to some truly layered flavours!

MOKUBABZA

This keema curry restaurant is located on the corner of a secluded street. It originally used to open only as a night bar, but keema curry became the talk of the town for being delicious, so it came to be open during lunchtime too. The most popular item on their menu is undoubtedly their ‘Cheese Keema Curry.’ It offers a large serving of rice topped with keema curry and melty mozzarella cheese. Placed again on top of that is a perfectly round egg yolk, giving it a unique appearance. This exquisite dish is cooked thoroughly with carefully selected spices.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/38757/2

Drooling yet? You’ve absolutely got to try the exquisite curry hidden away in Harajuku. Tuck in during lunchtime or dinnertime!

In line with the opening of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpen Route, the Kurobe Dam Curry Festival 2018 will be held at on the doorstep of the Kurobe Dam front April 15 to May 31. The event will see the local speciality meal ‘Kurobe Dam Curry’ of Omachi in Nagano Prefecture served at each of Kanden Amenix’s restaurants in Nagano, Kyoto, Osaka and Hyogo.

Kurobe Dam Curry has its roots in the Showa Period in 1957 when workers, during harsh working conditions at the Kurobe Dam through the Omachi Tunnel (now Kanden Tunnel), had to battle against the strenuous cold weather upon returning. They looked forward to nothing more than a plate of Kurobe Dam Curry.

The curry was something the workers could rely on at the construction site of Kurobe Dam. After the building of the dam was complete, the Omachi Club House (now Kuroyon Royal Hotel), the curry was served under the name ‘Arch Curry,’ and the start of 1965, proper sales began at Ogizawa Station Daishokudo (now Ogizawa Rest House). In July 2009, seven restaurants began sales of the curry under the name ‘Kurobe Dam Curry’ to promote tourism and interest in Omachi. It’s now a well-known regional speciality.

Now, five restaurants will sell original Kurobe Dam Curry created by head chefs for a limited period. There are five unique versions of the curry to enjoy, including one served in a French restaurant with calf fillet katsu, fruit and vegetables, as well as another to celebrate 30 years of the Kuroyon Royal Hotel made with Shinshu brand cutlet.

A campaign will also be held at Kurobe Dam Curry Festival 2018 to win a pair of tickets to stay at the Kuroyon Royal Hotel.

Experience the construction of the Kurobe Dam, its tourism and its historical curry.

Curry is a very dish among Japanese people and it is regarded as a standard menu item of Japanese food. The restaurant “Kamakura Yasai (vegetable) Curry Kantakun” located on Komachi Street, Kamakura is run by a farm family and offers curries that use vegetables produced in Kamakura. The restaurant will start offering a new menu item for vegetarians and vegans who have egg/dairy allergies. The name of the menu is “Noka no (farm family’s) Yasai Curry” and it uses 10 different kinds of vegetables produced in Kamakura. The menu will be sold from the 4^th of April.

Kamakura’s soil includes lots of minerals, so the colors of the vegetables produced in this area are very vivid. The restaurant uses fresh vegetables produced by Kamakura Leaf (Sekiya, Kamakura) which are delivered on a daily basis.

“Kamakura Yasai Curry Kantakun” was opened in 2014 under the concept of “introducing the great flavor of Kamakura vegetables.” “Kanta Curry” made with chicken broth used to be their standard menu but they developed this new vegetable curry named “Noka no Yasai Curry” to meet their customers’ (vegetarian and parents who have children with allergies) requests.

Noka no Yasai Curry – 1400 yen (10 plates will be served per day)

This healthy and colorful menu item uses 10 different kinds of deep fried and boiled Kamakura vegetables. The red colored soup of the curry is made with lots of tomatoes.

Vegetables that will be used during spring/summer season.

White bitter gourd/kohlrabi/collinky(Japanese pumpkin)/island okra/trumpet zucchini/banana pepper/fairy tale/green egg plant

※The vegetables used for each curry will differ depending on the supply situation

Their menus which are Kanta Curry (1200 yen), Keema Curry (1200 yen) and Yokubari Set (1500 yen) use fresh Kamakura vegetables (about 10 different kinds – deep fried or boiled)!

Let’s try their healthy menus items using lots of vegetables.

“Miyako Konbu Iri Curry” is sold at Tsutenkaku, Ichibirian, Little Osaka and other gift shops in Osaka.

The product will be sold at the shop inside Shin Osaka Station, the shop inside Osaka Station, and the shop inside Osaka International Airpot/Kansai International Airport. Also, promotional goods of “Miyako Konbu” such as clear files and memo pads will be sold.

The curry has the smell of “Miyako Konbu” which stimulates your appetite and the product has a wonderful flavor, the perfect combination of “Miyako Konbu” and curry.

Thinly sliced “Miyako Konbu” is included in the pack and the package of the product has a big impact making one imagine “Miyako Konbu.”

If you are not sure what to buy as a souvenir of Osaka, why don’t you buy “Miyako Konbu Curry?!”

I was waiting for so long.

Just longing…longing for the day we could meet again.

The distance was too much. We just couldn’t meet, so I was starting to give up on you…but then I heard you’re coming to me…?!?

Today, we’ll be looking at something that grabbed the hearts of people in the Kansai area. The long-awaited Shimokitazawa Kyuyamutei Curry!! Visitors who arrive in Osaka are immediately swept in! This is something that you absolutely must try when you visit Osaka.

I just can’t believe it’s finally coming to Tokyo. The people of Tokyo greet the curry shop with open arms.

As excitement built up in my stomach, I made my way to Shimokitazawa. From the stylish retro outside of the shop, I could sense the lively atmosphere. Even the entranceway made the shop looks so picturesque.

Something about the interior reminded me of a café. Just by sitting down, you’re already surrounded by a wonderful atmosphere that makes for the perfect photograph.

And what’s on the exciting menu?

There are two varieties of daily special curry called “Honjitsu no Curry”, and one type of monthly special curry. There is also a mini pot of curry soup on the menu – a special edition roux that goes perfect with your main!

Today’s curries are; a Chinese Scarlet Eggplant and Chana Dal Spicy Mutton Keema with Bamboo shoots, and Salted King Oyster Mushroom with Green Pepper and Chili Oil Pork Keema Curry, which is garnished with new Atchara Ginger.

The monthly special was the Herb Tartar Fresh Lemon Shrimp Keema. I wonder just how many spices have gone into preparing these three dishes. Of course, they prepare the food with the utmost care every day, but here they even go as far as handwriting the menu!! I felt so special!

After receiving everything I ordered, the manager Fujita-san explained each of the dishes. For just ￥1,350, this is luxury!

t looked so cute! Just seeing pictures of this dish sparked my unrequited love…and on this day, it suddenly appeared before me – I couldn’t stop smiling! The flavours of each curry are original and this was the first time I tried shrimp curry!

I dug straight in!

Just by taking one spoonful of the daily special, the flavours danced in my mouth. The exquisite match of flavours and the perfect blend of spices – the intense flavour was just too good!

After finishing up my curry, it was time for curry soup!!! I enjoyed each mouthful again and again. I really loved it. After meeting the love of my life, I fell in love even more.

It’s not just the curry that was attention grabbing, but the kind and jovial owner Uetake-san and manager Fujita-san!

They gave me their business card that was decorated with a cute picture of a cat on it. This is the shop’s mascot cat called Taro Karohori of the Karahori shopping district!

6 years ago, curry was so widespread – there was Indian curry and then there was Western curry, which created what could be referred to as a bipolar world of curry. This is where Kyuyamutei Curry was born. Uektake-san reminisced how times were hard, but through perseverance and a competition of spice, they made it though.

Taro-kun just waltzed in at that time, giving them the business they have today – a restaurant serving up new and true flavours with nothing else like it! No wonder they are such a popular and flourishing business! It seems that so many people are coming because of Taro-san – this is a real life lucky fortune cat!!

Uetake-san then admitted with a giggle: “Taro is the real owner here. I can’t compete with him. He eats well, the high class guy!”

There we have it – the wonderful Uetake-san and Taro, along with their shared dream of warming our stomachs with their splendid curry…

Just at that moment, something golden suddenly flashed before my eyes!!

….Curryman?!?!

I know this person from Shimokitazawa – the commander of Curry; Curryman-san?! During October, it seems that he will be helping to advertise for the curry festival by visiting the shop. I’ve seen him many times at the station but this is the first time I’ve ever talked to him. He was wearing a crazy and flashy costume.

This must be fate! To commemorate, we just had to take a commemorative photo. Aaahhhh…it’s so amazing to see so many passionate curry-lovers together! lol

Having so much fun, I lost track of time. A smile was fixed on my face the entire time. Today, I enjoyed the wonderful flavours of curry and indulged in every bite, my smile shining strong. Everyone was enjoying the delicious curry. This was the best time of my live. The lucky cat even managed to beckon in Curryman. Kyuyamutei Curry, Shimokitazawa has such a way of drawing in people. Today I fell in love, and I have my heart set on returning. I hope I can…I also want to see Taro the cat again… When can I next go to Osaka? （´-`）.｡oO

Navigator&text：Rinko Murata
Photo：Kayo Sekiguchi
Edit：Miiki Sugita／Namiko Azuma

Source：She magazine

From the 6^th of October 2017 (Fri.) to the 15^th (Sun.), “Shimokitazawa Curry Festival 2017” where curries from more than 20 countries can be enjoyed, will be held. The number of participating Shimokitazawa restaurants will be 145.

Shimokitazwa, where various and unique cultures expressed in fashion, music and plays gather, is also known as “the town of curry.”

This year will be the 6^th Shimokitazawa curry event and the name of this year’s event will be, “Spicy Cruising ～Shimokitazawa de Sekai Isshu? (Once around the world in Shomokitazawa!?) Spice Kaoru Curry na Tabi (spicy curry journey).” Curries from all over Japan (from Hokkaido to Okinawa) and more than 20 countries such as India, Germany, Sri Lanka and Hawaii will gather. Of course, curries which were born in Shimokitazawa can also be enjoyed.

The content of the festival will include an opening ceremony, a stamp rally and a “Ms. Curry” contest.

Let’s enjoy the desserts and shopping at second hand clothing stores and general stores and have lots of fun.

Why don’t you come to Shimokitazawa and tour the world by eating curries from every corner of the world?