I always crave it from time to time. The addictive spiciness. I've never been to the original Koikesan's, but I keep coming back to the main store. The spices are strong. I like that there's a lack of richness. The combination of Fukujinzuke and pickled ginger is spot on. It might have been pickled ginger and Shibazuke a while ago. Pickled ginger goes well with it. It seems they have started using various types of pickles as well.

I had curry for lunch. It's called Indian curry, but with so many authentic Indian curry restaurants popping up, it feels like it could also be called authentic Japanese curry. It was spicy but tasted nostalgic. The restaurant had a large photo of the founder displayed, which added to the charm. I heard they trained in Kagurazaka, Tokyo.

It's a bit spicy but deliciously addictive! It goes really well with fukujinzuke (Japanese pickles). The katsudon with a sweet broth was also delicious. I tried the original too, and it tasted almost the same. Maybe the main store's version is slightly spicier. I think the katsudon at the main store is sweeter.

Located at the foot of Mount Hakodate in Hakodate City, near the Hakodate streetcar's Horai Station. I ordered the Tonkatsu Curry for 1250 yen. It feels more like a Western-style curry than Indian curry. It's not the typical rich Japanese curry, but rather a lighter curry, so it might be somewhat Indian curry-like. It's spicy with a strong spice flavor, almost too loud. Quite spicy. It has a different taste from soup curry.

I mistakenly posted about "Motozuku Oike" instead of "Koike", so here is the corrected post ^_^ Located along the tram street from Cross Street to Yachigashira, Koike is a popular spot not only among locals but also for those looking to order curry for delivery. The bright and modern interior is spacious, with a counter as well. For my order, I got the Scallop Fry Curry for 1,100 yen, a mini salad set for 250 yen, and of course, a bottle of Hokkaido Classic beer. This curry is truly exceptional, with a spicy kick that caters to adult tastes. The crispy scallop fry pairs perfectly with it. Delicious! The way the bottled beer and glass are chilled is just right, enhancing the meal even more. Hakodate is not just about seafood and salt ramen, so I highly recommend stopping by here on your way back from Mount Hakodate. ^_^

Hakodate stay is coming to an end. Today, I visited a curry restaurant that seems to be a long-established place in Hakodate. There are two "Koike" shops with the same roots next to each other. I decided to visit both in one go, considering their business hours. I first visited the main store just before the last order at 14:30. Inside the restaurant, jazz vocal music was playing, creating an elegant atmosphere. I ordered seafood curry, a colorful side menu including potato fries, mini salad, and soup. There are also options like katsu-don and baked curry. The food was served soon after. The appearance was very typical. The potato fries, mini salad, and soup were decently tasty. The seafood curry, while not large, contained a fair amount of seafood. However, the seafood flavor didn't stand out in the curry sauce. The curry itself was well-balanced with a good spice level. It lacked a distinctive character or impact but was just right for a regular curry. Payment was also cashless. In terms of menu variety and usability, the main store seemed to be the clear winner.

Established in 1948, "Indian Curry Koike" has been a beloved curry restaurant in Hakodate, representing the city. Founded by Yoshijiro Koike, who trained in Western cuisine in Tokyo and Yokohama, and learned curry at "Sanyuken" in Asakusa. The "Indian Curry" made using unique methods like "Karakogashi" has been cherished as the "soul food of Hakodate". Currently, there are two "Koike" restaurants side by side in Hakodate's Takaraicho. In 1984, founder Yoshijiro Koike fell ill with a cerebral infarction and in 1985, he handed over the Takaraicho store to his apprentice. This became the current "Original Indian Curry Koike" store. Yoshijiro Koike passed away in 1986. His son, Koike Hiroyuki, took over the Koike corporation and opened the "Indian Curry Koike Honten" store right next to the "Original" store on the main street. It is not uncommon for a long-established restaurant to split into two lineages after the founder passes away, but having two shops operating side by side like this is quite unique and can be confusing for visitors. It is best to visit both and see for yourself. The "Indian Curry Koike Honten" is located prominently on the main street, contrasting with the more secluded "Original" store. The current owner is the third generation, the grandson of Yoshijiro Koike. The store prominently features photos and anecdotes of the founder Yoshijiro Koike. The "Honten" store has a spacious seating for 38, suitable for families. The menu offers a variety of options like baked curry, cheese fondue curry, keema curry, and scallop curry. The curry at the "Honten" has a different taste compared to the "Original". The "Honten" curry starts mildly spicy and gradually becomes milder and more rounded, closer to the image of a traditional Showa-era Western-style curry rice. Both stores offer a unique experience and it is recommended to visit both.

I want to eat local specialties in Hakodate during my trip. However, my husband prefers B-class or non-seafood dishes. When we traveled to Obihiro, we enjoyed the local specialty Indian curry which was cheap and delicious. So, in Hakodate, I want to eat curry similar to that. Currently, I feel demotivated to go for a walk due to the changing rain intensity. After returning from the trip, I am back to reality and feeling reluctant to go to work. The reality of being a salarywoman is tough. There are two curry restaurants in Hakodate, both located very close to each other. The one with more popularity and reviews is the "Original Koike," but we visited the other one. We arrived at the "Koike Honten" for dinner and had a satisfying meal. My husband had a curry with pork cutlet topped with fried egg and cheese fondue, while I had a seafood curry with a raw egg topping and a mini salad. The curry at Koike was not a spiced curry but a traditional one. It was not too spicy, and we enjoyed adding toppings like egg and cheese fondue to reduce the spiciness. Both our dishes were delicious, and we were satisfied with the meal. The service was friendly, and we left feeling content as we went to see the night view of Hakodate. We talked about wanting to visit other places for curry and how much we enjoyed the food. We also mentioned wanting to try baked curry and my husband wanting to try pouring curry sauce over a pork cutlet bowl. The hospitality of the staff was also great. Overall, we had a great time and enjoyed the delicious curry in Hakodate.

I was torn between going to the neighboring pond or this place, but the neighboring one was closed, so I decided to come here. I ordered the Cheese Fondue Topped Pork Cutlet Curry. It was delicious. I couldn't help but think that it would be more convenient for everyone if one of the places were relocated closer.

◆ Hakodate Indian Curry Koike Main Store ◆ When it comes to curry in Hakodate, Goto-ken is well-known. Even though I am from outside Hokkaido, I have visited Goto-ken for curry since I was a child, and have visited several times since then. This time, I wanted to try a different restaurant in Hakodate. I visited the Indian Curry Koike Main Store, which is located near the famous "Original Koike." There are various types of "Koike" nearby, so I decided to visit the main store. I arrived a bit late for lunch, around 13:30, and there were only two groups of customers. When I tried to sit at the counter, they kindly asked me to sit at a spacious table. I ordered the regular curry for ¥800. It arrived in less than 10 minutes. It wasn't exceptionally delicious, but it was decent. The staff at the restaurant were the most pleasant I've encountered in Hakodate. They noticed my "Hakodate Streetcar One-Day Pass" on the table and offered me a discount. I can't remember how much of a discount it was, but it was a nice surprise. Having two similar restaurants close by may not be ideal.

The ladder curry from Motozo. The taste of the founder is so different that you wonder what it was like. This one has a rough texture, with spices coming later. If you want to compare, it's better to eat at the main store. Compared to the main store, the rice is slightly sticky. It's piping hot. There is plenty of curry roux. Including Ogik Curry, Juji-machi is a curry battleground. It's a really nice town.

This is the main store of Oike. I feel that they surprisingly have a good variety of menu items, with many curry dishes like cheese fondue curry and baked curry. They also have dishes like katsudon and mild curry for children. However, even though it's not necessarily Indian curry, they clearly label it as "Indian curry." Maybe just the spiciness is Indian? I think the taste is similar to the original. The original version is more rustic and served in a big portion, while the main store serves the curry and roux separately. The approach may be different, but one thing is for sure - this curry is addictive.

Founded in 1948, I visited what I thought was the original curry shop that has been selected as one of the top 100 curry shops for many years. However, upon reviewing photos later, I realized that the atmosphere seemed different. Upon further investigation, it turns out that the intended shop is actually located very close to the shop I visited. Confusing! Just to clarify: - The shop I visited (the main shop) was taken over by a former employee after the original owner passed away, and the founder's son opened a separate shop. (This shop sells retort curry). - The original shop is managed by a former employee who continued running the shop after the founder's passing. The two-story house of the main shop exudes a sense of tradition with its counter and table seating. Inside, there are large posters of the founder, "Yiichiro Koike." The exterior, as well as the interior, can easily lead anyone to mistake it for the original shop. Considering I had plans to eat again later, I decided to order the Beef Curry (960 yen) verbally. Although there was a promotion for free extra rice, I declined. In less than 10 minutes, the curry arrived in a separate pot with the rice on a separate plate. The curry had a thick consistency that felt like it had been left to sit for a while. It had a slightly uneven texture, reminiscent of second-day curry, but it embodied the classic Japanese Showa-era Indian curry style. It was slightly spicy and made me break into a gentle sweat. The beef was delicious, and the rice was cooked to a firm texture, which I personally enjoyed. Adding some Fukujinzuke from the table condiments further enhanced the nostalgic flavor of the Showa-era curry. Overall, it was a satisfying experience with this old-fashioned Japanese curry. As I become more accustomed to spicier flavors, preferences may vary, but for me, this type of curry is something I would like to enjoy a few times a year. Perhaps it was a lucky mistake this time, and I look forward to comparing it with the original shop when I visit Hakodate next time.

A long-established curry restaurant near Hakodate's Horaicho Station. The cream-colored exterior and curry sign are the landmarks. There are two types of curry, "Indian Curry Koike" and "Original Indian Curry Koike". The main store of Koike is a spacious and relaxing space where you can enjoy curry. The taste is traditional curry. It may be a matter of personal preference, but I felt that the roux had a lot of flour and lacked the aroma of spices, which was not to my liking.

Located a two-minute walk from the Takarakucho tram stop in Hakodate City, Hokkaido, there are two shops: "Indo Curry Koike Main Store" and "Original Indian Curry Koike." I had visited the original store before, so this time I decided to compare both. It was a weekday lunchtime with no other customers. The interior of the shop had a Western-style cafe or restaurant atmosphere, bright and pleasant. I ordered the Beef Curry for 920 yen. The thick curry roux had a taste closer to European style than Indian, with a harmonious blend of sweetness and spiciness. It was delicious, reminiscent of the refined taste of Indian curry from Obihiro. I really enjoyed the flavor. The service was polite and kind. Thank you for the meal.

During the Bon festival when I returned home, I visited the main store of Koike, which I hadn't been to in a long time. Just like Lucky Pierrot, when I go back to my hometown, I look forward to visiting local restaurants. The curry here may not appeal to young people today, but it has a quaint charm that exudes history. Those who tried this curry when the restaurant was founded in 1948 probably felt it was quite new and groundbreaking. Many of the longstanding restaurants in Hakodate are closing due to the aging of the owners, so it's heartening to see this one being passed down to the next generation and still in operation. I will definitely come back. Thank you for the meal.

On a rainy night, I decided to go to a curry shop. There were two options, the original and the main shop, but since the original wasn't open at night, I ended up at the main shop. They had a variety of curries, so I had a hard time choosing. In the end, I went with the shrimp fry curry. It came with two large shrimp fries. The curry was served in a magical lamp-like container. It was refreshing yet spicy. Delicious though. They didn't complicate the taste by adding too many ingredients in the traditional curry roux, keeping it simple and tasty. It paired well with the fry. Hakodate has other famous curry shops like Rappy and Gotoken, making it a city blessed with curry options.

During the Bon festival, I went back to Hakodate for a visit and decided to go to a nostalgic Hakodate-style restaurant, the Indian Curry Koike Honoten. The original Indian Curry Koike, which is nearby, was a place my grandfather often took me to when I was a child, and he used to say it was the best curry in Hakodate. While my grandfather enjoyed the curry, I always thought it had a musty and old-fashioned taste. It's a nostalgic curry for me. The restaurant is very old-fashioned, so for someone like me who grew up with Western-style curries, it feels a bit old-fashioned and lacking in flavor. However, when I visited the original restaurant this New Year's, I found myself appreciating the nostalgic taste. Now, onto the main topic, the Koike Honoten, which I visited for the first time. It is located right next to the original restaurant. Inside, it has a stylish cafe-like atmosphere, and the staff are very friendly. Unlike the original, this main branch has a wide variety of menu items, including dishes like Hamburger Curry, Ebi Fry Curry, and Baked Curry, which made me wonder where the Indian influence went. This time, I ordered the Beef Curry in a large portion for 1210 yen, which comes with pickled ginger on the side, just like the original. The appearance of the curry is more like a typical Western-style curry. The original is known for its bright yellow color from turmeric, which sets it apart visually. So, I took a bite, and the spice flavor is very strong! The aroma and taste are quite intense, and I really enjoyed it. The taste is a mix of the old-fashioned flour-based curry and the modern Western-style curry, leaning slightly towards the old-fashioned side. It was surprisingly delicious, and I was pleasantly surprised. However, the price is a bit high. While I had the impression that the original was affordable, paying 1210 yen for a regular curry portion seems a bit much. I think around 900 yen would be more reasonable. It's like paying for the history of the place. Hakodate has many restaurants that are pioneers of Western cuisine due to its historical background, making it a great place to take friends visiting for sightseeing. I will visit again in a few years. Thank you for the meal.

During our visit to Hakodate for sightseeing, my spouse and I went to "Indo Curry Koike Main Store." To be honest, we actually wanted to go to the "original" store, but that's just between us. We knew it was nearby, but... Imagine our surprise when we realized that the mummy collector becomes a mummy! Although it was my fault, it was quite frustrating when I noticed it while leaving after our meal. The fact that the wife laughed about it was a relief. Hahaha. Now, about "Koike Main Store." The restaurant is a clean Western-style eatery with photos and caricatures of the founder displayed prominently inside and outside. The service was polite, which was nice. It was Sunday lunchtime at 11:30, and there were only a few customers, so we were seated at a table right away. We ordered the "Pork Curry" for 920 yen and the "Beef Curry" for 960 yen, with an additional 250 yen for salad. In about 10 minutes, the curry rice arrived. The curry was served in an Aladdin-like dish, and it had a slightly bitter taste rather than umami. It was a rich and quite spicy curry. We felt that there was not enough rice compared to the amount of curry. We enjoyed it with Fukujinzuke and pickled ginger. The pork and beef were a bit disappointing, lacking in umami and being rather tough. Despite being advertised as "Indo Curry," it was more like a Western-style curry with a hint of spiciness. We had high expectations, so it was a bit disappointing. The salad consisted of fresh vegetables with potato salad, which was delicious. And then, we realized the tragedy after paying the bill. I don't know what happened in the past, but isn't there a way to fix it? Thank you for the meal.

I took the streetcar from JR Hakodate Station and got off at "Takaradomachi." I wanted to eat curry, so I went to the "Indo Curry Koike Main Store" along the road. When I opened the door, I was surprised to see that the interior was quite spacious. There was a counter on the left, a kitchen at the back, and a large number of table seats on the right. First, I ordered a lunch beer. A bottle of beer (Sapporo Classic) was only 500 yen, which was surprisingly reasonable. They even served a complimentary appetizer, which had a curry flavor and was quite spicy. It seemed to be curry-flavored ginger. Next, I ordered the pork curry. The curry and rice were served separately, like in a restaurant. I had imagined a more casual curry, but the taste was spicy and slightly thick. It was spicier than I expected, but when eaten with rice, it was delicious. The amount of meat was a bit small, and I noticed some onions, but the other ingredients seemed to blend well. Overall, it was a standard curry that would suit anyone's taste. Interestingly, right across the alley is the "Original Koike" restaurant. I won't delve into the original vs. main store issue, as it's not my concern. Thank you for the meal. The pork curry was delicious.