ぱりそら
I heard that the Indian curry and chai at the popular restaurant Moriyama-ya in Nishi-Temma are delicious. You can choose from three types of curry: chicken curry, keema and eggplant curry, and a weekly special curry. The restaurant is located between Umeda and Yodoyabashi, with a sign that says "Indian curry and delicious chai" behind the American Consulate General's office. When I arrived before 2 PM on a weekday, there was only one group of customers inside. The unique rhythm of the owner's voice greeted me as I entered, and a lovely female staff member showed me to my seat. The interior of the restaurant had a spicy aroma typical of Indian curry places. The small restaurant had a counter with 6 seats facing the kitchen, as well as two tables for 2 and 4 people each, totaling 12 seats. The interior had a unique Indian-style decor with cute lamps featuring fish illustrations and Indian-style fabric on the walls, along with slightly rickety chairs that added to the atmosphere. Lunch is available from Monday to Saturday from 11:30 AM to 2:40 PM (last order at 2:40 PM, closes at 3 PM) (Please check the latest information on the restaurant's current business format and hours). This week's menu included: - Chicken curry - Keema and eggplant curry - Weekly special: assorted mushroom curry * Comes with HotHot sauce for extra spiciness * Extra large serving of curry available for an additional 300 yen. Set available until 3 PM: - Curry + Mini Chai (HOT/ICE) or coffee for 1,200 yen. I ordered the keema and eggplant curry with a mini iced chai this time. It was just before 2 PM, and there were only 2 servings of keema left. The keema of the customer who arrived later was the last serving available. The owner had an artist-like demeanor as he cooked while humming, carefully arranging the curry over warm in a small pot before adding the ingredients. The curry was served promptly, about 3 minutes after ordering. The curry also came with a separate HotHot sauce. The keema and eggplant curry looked delicious with a rich aroma. The curry was generously piled over a mound of rice. I took a bite of the keema curry first. It was rich and flavorful with a good level of spiciness. The minced meat overflowed with umami and the sweetness of fat, along with the deep aroma and spiciness of various spices that burst in the mouth. It was spicy but also had a strong umami flavor. The eggplant was fried, giving it a crispy and juicy texture. The okra and green beans also had a nice crunch, adding a good accent to the spicy keema. There was a good amount of minced meat, making it meaty. The rice was firm and paired well with the keema. Although it was Japanese rice, it was cooked to a slightly firm texture that suited the keema. The curry was served with cabbage pickles on the side, which provided a refreshing and slightly sweet contrast to the keema curry. Despite looking spicy, the spiciness was mild, so after a few bites, I added the HotHot sauce for a change in flavor. The HotHot sauce, served in a separate dish, had spices and chili peppers at the bottom. After mixing it, I drizzled it over the keema. It added a strong spicy kick, enhancing the umami of the keema. The flavor alternated between spiciness and umami, making it addictive. The more HotHot sauce I added, the more delicious it became. I ended up adding 3 more spoonfuls of HotHot sauce. However, the spiciness was unexpectedly intense, so it's best to add it gradually to adjust the flavor. When the spiciness became too much, the sweet chai after the meal was a savior! After clearing the plates, the owner brought a cold chai for me. The chai was served in a glass with plenty of ice, and the owner suggested adding syrup for sweetness. I took a sip of the chai as is first. It had a smooth milk and spice aroma with a refreshing aftertaste. Adding the syrup made it delicious! The sweetness enhanced the tea and spice aroma, making it even more enjoyable. The sweet and cold chai was a perfect way to soothe the spiciness and heat from the keema curry and HotHot sauce.