辛い好きもぐたん
**Completely Non-Smoking** The Taj Mahal opened in Niseko Town, Niseko, on November 30, 2015. This Indian restaurant originates from Sapporo and has been in business for 35 years. As of the end of November 2017, the restaurant has additional locations: Factory Store, Kutchan Store, and Kimobetsu Store, along with the Niseko Annupuri Store. The restaurant is situated in a building resembling a mountain lodge, and recently, perhaps due to the popularity of Niseko's ski resorts, the interior has taken on a vibe that caters to international visitors, particularly from Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The location is along Route 66, about 300 to 400 meters towards Niseko Station from the T-intersection leading towards the ski resorts, pensions, and hotels.
On July 2, 2017, at around 4 PM, I visited for the first time. After entering Route 66 from National Route 5, I approached an area lined with pensions, which has quite a steep incline. Despite it being only about 5 to 6 kilometers long, the ride from Shinsapporo, about 120 kilometers away on my mom’s bike, may have been quite taxing. Of course, I didn’t attempt to pedal while standing! (laughs) I learned about the opening of Taj Mahal from a review by my fellow reviewer, Lilias. When visiting Niseko for skiing, I always want to maximize my time on the slopes, so this visit was my last chance to stop by.
Initially, the restaurant was closed between lunch and dinner, but they graciously let me in. Since I had an unexpectedly filling egg sandwich earlier, I decided to go light with a dish here. I ordered Chicken Biryani for 1,050 yen and requested to make it five times spicier than the menu’s maximum “very very hot.” As my body started to chill, I also ordered a warm drink: Chai Toddy for 650 yen. A chef, possibly from Nepal and very fluent in Japanese, started preparing my meal, and a family came in shortly after. It was a slightly odd time, at half past four, but it turned out great for both parties!
In about 7 to 8 minutes, my dish arrived, and once again, the portion was surprisingly large (laughs). The service was excellent! The saffron rice was delicious. The curry on top had a decent spice level, but, from my perspective, it was mild. When the chef asked about the spice level, I replied, "It could be spicier," and he promptly brought out some extra spices for me. The finely ground chili powder had fennel in it, giving it a spicy yet refreshing aroma, which I really liked. Initially, I added half to taste, then I put it all in!
The chicken was generously chunky, contributing to the overall volume—truly impressive! As for the hot drink, it was particularly welcome since the evening had grown cold. The Chai Toddy included rum, and I found it to be delicious—just as I expected! It warmed me right up. The water served was also tasty, and the service was wonderful. I would love to return! It seems they’re open until 10 PM, making it a nice option for dinner after skiing and before soaking in a hot spring. Now, it was just a short distance to my accommodation, which happens to be a pension serving delicious Nepalese cuisine!