monch312
This time, I went on a curry tour to the Indian curry and buffet restaurant "Annapurna" in Ikeshita. This was my sixth visit (eighth if you include the Nagakute location). I prepare myself for a few days before coming here since just dropping by feels like a waste. On this visit, I tried the "Pumpkin Chicken Curry," which I hadn’t tasted before. The meal included:
- Pumpkin Chicken Curry
- Choice of 4 types of naan or rice
- Buffet (salad, appetizers, soup, dessert, and drink bar)
Everything except the curry was all-you-can-eat and drink. The price was 1,520 yen including tax.
**Food & Taste:**
The Indian curry and naan were easy to eat, and the variety of appetizers was abundant, including cafe-style desserts. I never got bored until the end. The sweet, fluffy, and chewy naan paired with authentic desserts was truly addictive. After indulging in a good amount of food, I enjoyed the customary hot naan paired with ice cream or crème brûlée naan. Once again, I ate plenty.
- **Pumpkin Chicken Curry:** This is like a chicken curry with pumpkin puree added. It doesn't have chunks of pumpkin in it. The natural sweetness of the pumpkin made it mild. It would be perfect for those who dislike spiciness or prefer gentler flavors. It paired well with naan, and I personally liked it. The chicken was very tender and fell apart—quite rare for lunch at an Indian curry shop.
- **Naan (4 types):** The naan is thick and has a chewy texture. In addition to plain naan, there are free refills of butter, honey, and garlic versions, served fresh. The first naan is about two-thirds of a typical size, while the refill naan is about half that size.
- **Salad:** It included lettuce, corn, potato salad, tofu marinade, cold pasta salad, carrot marinade, and Indian pickles (achar). I recommend trying the two marinated salads and the achar.
- **Appetizers:** The selection included Nepalese fried noodles, potato fries, stir-fried pork with bean sprouts, and soup. Among these, the Nepalese fried noodles were particularly delicious and addictive.
- **Desserts:** The selection changes by season. On this visit, there were jelly, crème brûlée, pumpkin mousse, mont blanc, soft serve ice cream, corn flakes, and fruits. When coming here, it’s essential to pace yourself with the desserts in mind. The crème brûlée, mousse, and mont blanc were of high quality.
- **Drinks:** There were various juices, chai, and more. As usual, I tend to eat too much before properly enjoying the drinks, so I haven't really had the chance to drink any.
**Service:** The service was consistent with previous visits. Despite being crowded, the staff was friendly and attentive.
**Atmosphere:** It remained the same as before.
**Cost Performance:** It was also unchanged from previous times. If you were to eat this variety of food at a regular Indian curry shop, it would cost much more.
**Overall:** Everything was as comfortable and enjoyable as before, offering a stable experience. There aren’t many Indian curry places like this one, and in that sense, Annapurna is truly unique.