junyamajun
From Ichigaya Station, head towards Yasukuni Shrine along Yasukuni Street, and turn right at the traffic light just past the intersection with Ichiguchi-zaka Street. You’ll see a building with Otsuma Women's University in front of you. Turn left at the second road, and you’ll find a cute shop. It’s about a 6 to 7-minute walk from the JR station.
The interior features a beautiful white decor with calm chairs and tables, creating a soothing atmosphere. There’s counter seating, and the capacity is about 20 people. The restaurant specializes in medicinal herb stone pot soup curry. As you enter, the aroma of spices fills the air. There are eight types of curry, including omurice and chili con carne, all looking delicious and making it hard to choose. This time, I decided on “Eggplant and Tomato with Pork.” You can select the type of carbohydrate from options like ten-grain rice, butter rice, or glass noodles, with sizes of S, M, or L (the glass noodles come in a set amount). After some consideration for the best pairing with the curry, I opted for butter rice in size L, adding cheese and half a boiled egg as toppings. My companion chose the most popular curry, “Vegetables and Chicken,” with ten-grain rice in size M, also topped with cheese and half a boiled egg.
Ordering was done using the QR code at the table, and free Wi-Fi was available. We also shared a “Mushroom Salad,” which was said to be enough for two, and ordered drinks: mango lassi and oolong tea. The salad was packed with mushrooms and vegetables, especially tomatoes, and paired perfectly with the Japanese-style dressing. The portion was generous, equivalent to about four small bowls.
Soon after, our curry arrived in a black stone pot, bubbling away, releasing an enticing spicy aroma. The heat level was visually displayed in three stages, making it a fun touch. Of course, I aimed for the maximum heat level of 100. I mixed in the toppings of cheese and boiled egg, and the table offered cayenne pepper and garam masala for adjusting flavors. After tasting, I added those to refine the taste before stirring in the rice.
Though I struggled a bit with the cheese sticking to the spoon, the first bite was heavenly. Despite loving curry, I hadn’t enjoyed soup curry much in the past, and this experience was a refreshing surprise. The consistency was not too watery, having a slight thickness that clung well to the rice, making it easy to eat. The spice level was just right—not too hot and not sweet, creating a very pleasant balance. Although the eggplant and tomato were somewhat soft and didn’t add much heft, their flavors melded beautifully with the curry. I finished the meal feeling pleasantly warm and satisfied. Although I could probably eat more, the refined atmosphere might feel a bit delicate for hearty eaters.
They started us off with disinfecting wet towels along with our aprons, which was a nice touch. For dessert, we chose cinnamon chiffon cake and basque cheesecake, paired with Largo's Dark coffee, while my companion had café au lait. The coffee was incredibly good, possibly the best I’ve had recently. Both cakes were delicious, and the presentation was beautiful, demonstrating their care for the cafe experience.
Next, they brought out lavender-scented wet towels, providing a lovely touch of hospitality. The staff was composed of young, friendly women who moved efficiently, enhancing our pleasant experience. I was thrilled to have found such delicious soup curry after a long time and would love to try their other dishes like curry, omurice, and chili con carne. Thank you for the wonderful meal!