Japanese Curry
Japanese curry is a somewhat unique experience and a meal you can easily try more than once on your trip to Japan. While there tends to only be one type of curry sauce on offer that is unique to the store (but to be honest all tastes the same), there are a dizzying number of topping combinations and places to go that a single visit to one location might leave you wanting more.
As for the curry itself, it is not meaty at all so in general toppings are added to give volume and are extensive, especially at the popular chain restaurants of CoCo ICHIBANYA and Go!Go! Curry!. Popular toppings are pork cutlets and fried shrimp, although pages of toppings including a number of vegatables. Meals are cheap although avoid the “stamina” sets where they pile high a number of toppings for less than ￥1500. The quality of the toppings is fairly low (hardly any meat in the cutlets, for example, or very small shrimp). Stick to a reasonable volume for around ￥1000.
Notice for Vegan, Vegetarian and Halal eaters
CoCo ICHIBANYA is one of the few chains in Japan that specifically caters for special dietary needs. The standard menu notes what can and can’t be eaten and includes allergy advise as detailed as you would expect in Europe. Also, there is a Halal compliant location in Shinjuku and Akihabara.
For those wanting something spicy, CoCo ICHIBANYA will spice up the curry sauce to level 10, which is seriously hot. Even hardened pros find this level tough and they often will not serve it to you the first time you ask.
Most places will also allow you to adjust the amount of rice and discount slightly when you decrease the rice from the default.
