Kobe is becoming known as a curry town, and one of the popular places, 【ラージクマール】, will change its concept from October 2024. It will reopen as 【 "アール"ラートリー】, featuring creative spice dishes paired with Indian wine. You can enjoy both à la carte options and a "finishing curry" during dinner time. Recently, I visited with five friends to try out the special year-end limited drink-all-you-can忘年会 course menu! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ＼Limited Time Until 12/30!／ A must-try for beer and wine lovers! Year-End Party Course for 4,500 yen✨ - Assorted appetizers - 1 spice dish - 1 finishing curry dish - All-you-can-drink included This all-you-can-drink option is exclusive to this course! It’s perfect for spice cooking beginners, those who aren’t fond of spicy food, or anyone looking for a satisfying meal. The dishes are all mild and easy to eat. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - First, let’s highlight the wine and beer for all-you-can-drink...‼️ They offer Indian, Nepalese, and Sri Lankan bottled beers, which would cost about 600 yen per bottle at other places! You’ll also find Indian wines on the menu. The "wine of the day" features recommendations from Japan and other countries. One of my favorites is the spiced highball made with Jim Beam infused with cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. It tastes like a non-sweet craft cola and is delicious! For the appetizer platter, we enjoyed: - Salad with Awaji onion, tuna, and white beans - Carrot rabi with pomegranate vinegar, honey, and coriander - Cream cheese, mackerel, and turmeric rillettes - Pickled purple onion achar - Prosciutto with spices and olive oil - Crackers For the spice dish, we had: - Grilled five kinds of sausage with homemade spice oil - Hokkaido "Kitaakari" potato butter with cumin - Pancetta and tomato spice stew I was amazed at the variety and depth of flavor that can be created with spices! The depth of flavors is truly surprising✨ As for the finishing curry, we tried: - Pepper keema with ground pork, basil, and oregano - Parippu with Japanese dashi and coconut milk - Seasonal vegetable korma All curries are made from spices without using curry roux. They are not only healthy but also the spices have antioxidant, digestion-promoting, detoxifying, and relaxing effects, making them great for both men and women! Additionally, it’s incredible how these spice dishes don’t get monotonous at all. The menu has a structure similar to Italian cuisine, making it easy to eat and sure to fill you up! Located on the 7th floor of the building, as soon as you exit the elevator, you’ll be greeted by a stylish botanical interior. Reservations can be made through Tabelog or via DM on their account✍️ If you are still undecided on a place for your year-end party or meal, I highly recommend checking it out!♩

I tried the Nutty Fragrant Chicken Keema, Broth Lentil Curry, and Grilled Cheese Pork Curry at "Raji Kumar"! Each dish had its unique charm, and the Chicken Keema was particularly delightful with the nutty aroma and the savory taste of the chicken. The Broth Lentil Curry had a rich umami flavor, and the lentils were soft and healthy! The Grilled Cheese Pork Curry had a perfect match of rich cheese and the savory flavor of pork, making it very satisfying to eat!

Aarlatree is a night spot run by Rajkumar, themed around "creative spice dishes and Indian wine." You can enjoy special curries and spice-infused dishes that are different from the lunch curry, as well as unique drinks that are hard to find at other places. You can enjoy both course meals and à la carte options! We would love for you to check out the following ↓☆ Year-End Party Plan Menu: 4500 yen [Assorted Appetizers (chef's choice)] [One Spice Dish] [Final Curry] [All-you-can-drink included]. Reservations can be made through Tabelog or via Instagram DM ✉️. This special plan is available until December 30th! ✨️ On this day, the menu included: - Chef's special assorted appetizers: - Salad with Awaji onions, tuna, and white beans with pomegranate vinegar, honey, and coriander. - Carrot salad with coriander and honey. - Cream cheese, mackerel, and turmeric rillettes with crackers. - Prosciutto. - Pickled purple onions. The luxurious assortment pairs perfectly with drinks and whets your appetite for the curry! - Grilled sausages with homemade spice oil: A selection of five different sausages, each with a unique flavor, making it fun to choose as a group! - Buttered Hokkaido "Kita Akari" potatoes with cumin: The perfectly cooked potatoes were subtly sweet, paired with a nice blend of spices that really hit the spot! - Spicy tomato stew with pancetta: Salted pork belly cooked in homemade spicy tomato sauce—a rich dish that makes you crave rice! ○ Curry Series ↓↓↓ - Pepper Keema with pork mince, basil, and oregano: Served in a round shape, this keema curry had the strongest spice flavor among the three varieties we tried! It was hearty! - Parippu with Japanese-style dashi and coconut milk: A unique curry with a distinct texture from the beans and a subtle sweetness from the coconut! It looked adorable too, showcasing Rajkumar's unique curry style. - Seasonal vegetable korma (1500 yen): This season, it featured Chinese cabbage and bacon as the main ingredients! The cute pink color was something you don't see often!! It was a beautiful and delicious curry that photographs well. With such luxurious dishes and access to unusual all-you-can-drink beverages, I felt it was an incredible deal! The biggest surprise was that the final curry was served as one dish per person. After enjoying various dishes and drinks, you end with a hearty curry, leaving you utterly satisfied!

I'm unsure which one to eat because they all look so delicious and are mild curries. This week's special is "Yuzu Pepper Fragrant Ethnic Chicken Curry." It’s a coconut-based curry with chunks of chicken! I also enjoyed some Nepalese beer in the afternoon. ♬

I was drawn in by the sign outside and visited before 12 PM on a weekday. After taking the elevator up to the 7th floor, I found the place divided into two areas. There was one other customer ahead of me, but by noon, more people started to arrive. The curry options included four types: three standard menu items and one weekly special. I decided to order the combination of two standard curries. It came with a side dish for 1,200 yen. After I placed my order, the curry arrived fairly quickly. The flavors were mild and the spices gentle. Personally, I found there to be a lot of rice, so I should have requested less rice. I paid in cash and enjoyed my meal.

I visited during a holiday afternoon. After 12 PM, there were two groups ahead of me waiting. I ordered the combination of three nut fragrant chicken keema, grilled cheese rich pork keema, and the weekly special mushroom keema cooked with red wine and tomatoes. The keema curry, especially with the texture and the umami-sweetness of the nuts, was delightful.

I visited a restaurant I had been curious about on Instagram that offers a plate with four types of curry. I was surprised to find it on the 7th floor of a building. Once inside, I was greeted by a space filled with greenery and light. The four types of curry are spice-based but not spicy, making them very easy to eat. The portion size is just right for lunch. The atmosphere and the dishes were both wonderful. Thank you for the meal!

I visited a lovely curry restaurant called "Kobe Curry Dining Rajikumar" near Tora Road in Sannomiya✨ It originally started in 2017 as a pop-up and has been operating as a storefront since 2019, celebrating its 5th anniversary this year. Their slogan, "Making Kobe a Curry Town," aims to turn curry into a local specialty like Osaka's takoyaki or Hakata's ramen. This restaurant is located on the 7th floor of a building, and as soon as you step off the elevator, you find a door that opens up to a chic cafe-style interior. There’s even a courtyard-like space that brings a great sense of openness and sunlight, which was particularly pleasant given the nice weather. I ordered the Rajikumar Plate for ¥1,600. Typically, you need to make a reservation the day before, but they mentioned that if they have availability, they can accommodate some walk-ins. I got lucky and was able to order without a reservation this time! The plate includes four types of curry, six side dishes, and a special spiced egg, which I was really looking forward to! The four curries were as follows: A. Crunchy Chicken Keema with Three Types of Nuts B. Rich and Creamy Pork Cheese with Grilled Cheese C. Comforting Lentil Curry with Dashi D. Weekly Special Curry (this week featured thick-cut bacon with cabbage and tomatoes) Curry types A and B were served on the same plate, while C and D were on separate plates. The wait for the food was about 8 minutes, which was quicker than I expected, and when it arrived, it was eye-catching and beautifully presented✨. A colorful dish is important for spice curries in my opinion. Now for the taste! Taking the first bite was delightful, and as I continued eating, it just kept getting better. Personally, I really enjoyed the weekly special curry with the thick-cut bacon, which had a lovely smoky flavor. However, the restaurant’s concept is to provide curry that can appeal to those who might not like spicy food, so for someone like me who enjoys spiciness, I felt the heat was a bit mild. It would be nice if there was an option to choose the spice level or if they had chili powder on the table. I love their concept of making Kobe a curry town and will definitely continue to support them^_^ The staff was also very polite and had a warm demeanor, which added to the experience. Thank you for the meal! #Rajikumar #KobeCurryTown #CurryCity #SpiceCurry #MildSpicedCurry #CurryForEveryone #ChicCafeStyleInterior #ConnectWithSpiceLovers #ConnectWithCurryLovers #KobeCurry #RajikumarPlate

I've wanted to visit this famous curry restaurant for a long time. I went there at 1 PM during the peak of the Obon holiday and waited about 15 minutes in line. Since it was my first time, I ordered the recommended four-curry platter. Today, the curries included eggplant, zucchini, and tomato. The presentation was beautiful, and the aroma of the spices really stimulated my appetite. I started with one type at a time, and I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the chickpea curry was. In the end, I mixed everything with the side dishes. Today's side dishes were from a separate menu, and I'm really curious about those as well. I also learned that you can enjoy curry with wine in the evening. The bright interior made it a comfortable place to be. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

I enjoyed a four-kind curry dish. The restaurant, located on the 7th floor of a building, has created a space that feels like a courtyard, making it bright and stylish. True to its concept, the curry doesn't emphasize spiciness but features a gentle flavor. Each type of curry is carefully prepared, and its visual appeal conveys its deliciousness.

I found a place for spice curry online in Sannomiya! (ﾟдﾟ)！ I ordered the three-nut fragrant chicken keema for 1200 yen and a spice highball for 600 yen. First, the spice highball arrived! It’s a refreshing drink with notes of cinnamon and cardamom, making it quite easy to sip. Then the keema curry came (they mentioned it can take time to serve during dinner time, but it came quickly today since it was not busy). The curry has a bit of coconut milk in it and the spices are rather mild. While the chicken has a good flavor, I felt the overall taste lacked a bit of richness. The three types of nuts contribute a strong crunchiness to the texture. I think it’s tasty. It’s not bad, but there’s nothing particularly standout or exceptional about it; it feels like an average spice curry to me (^O^;)

I visited the restaurant at night. The interior was cute and stylish, and I enjoyed a trio of appetizers along with a half-size keema curry, paired with white wine. The curry was delicious, with a deep flavor enhanced by various spices. I would like to try a different flavor of curry next time.

I used this restaurant for my first night during a solo trip to Kobe. Right after arriving in Kobe, I indulged in some Kobe beef steak for lunch and figured that if I wasn't too hungry, I could skip dinner. However, as I strolled around the Sannomiya area, despite the heat, I found myself feeling quite hungry. The great thing about traveling alone is that you can spontaneously change your plans based on your own preferences. While there's a certain loneliness in not being able to share delicious food with someone, the freedom to alter my itinerary is liberating. That said, I didn't want to venture too far from my hotel. Prior to my trip, I had checked several curry shops in the area on Tabelog and decided to head to one called "Raj Kumaar." The restaurant is located on the 7th floor of a small building, and if you didn't know it was there, you probably wouldn't go up that high. I once again appreciated the convenience of Tabelog; if it were a street-level shop, I might have wandered in, but I wouldn't have thought to try a hidden place like this without it. Especially for someone like me, who enjoys traveling alone but tends to be a bit cautious, such a high-risk venture would have been daunting. When the elevator doors opened, I was immediately at the entrance to the restaurant, which had a cute, café-like interior. Being on the top floor, the center space was designed like a mini garden with a view of the sky, surrounded by seating areas. I settled into a seat facing the inner garden around 8 PM on a weekday, and I noticed two other groups, both of whom seemed to be solo diners as well. I asked the staff for recommendations and ordered the "Japanese-style stock and coconut milk Parippu" and an "appetizer trio." I also ordered a white Indian wine that was recommended to pair with the appetizers. The trio of appetizers could be selected by me or could be left to the staff's recommendations, and I opted for the latter. Following my own rule of letting chefs pick their best dishes to try, I ordered "Cream cheese and mackerel with turmeric rillette," "Salad of Awaji onions, tuna, and white beans," and "Camembert cheese marinated with herbs and olive oil." First, I enjoyed these appetizers with the white wine while awaiting my curry. "Parippu" is a Sri Lankan bean curry, commonly known as dal curry. Interestingly, I didn’t know this when I ordered; I was simply intrigued by the term "Parippu" which I had never heard before. While I tend to be very selective about restaurant choices, I often end up ordering things I’ve never heard of or tried before, particularly when it comes to curries. This has often led to enjoyable discoveries, which might be why I feel comfortable broadening my culinary horizons. The Parippu I ordered features Japanese stock instead of the more traditional Maldive fish. The appetizers were excellent and perfectly paired with the Indian white wine. Meanwhile, the Parippu had soft, comforting flavors, reminiscent of Japanese cuisine thanks to the stock, making it very palatable for a Japanese person's taste. I love trying curries from Indian chefs that are rich in authenticity but also enjoy experimental dishes the same way. Furthermore, I appreciate spice-based curries that incorporate elements of Japanese cuisine. My tolerance for different types of curry is quite high. As I was enjoying my meal, I struck up a conversation with the restaurant owner and a woman sitting back-to-back with me who seemed to be a regular. When the owner asked me how I found out about the restaurant, I excitedly shared that I came to Kobe for a Mrs. concert, which I hadn’t planned to mention. The owner was easy to talk to, so I felt comfortable asking about the menu and placing my order. I highly recommend this place to locals. The serving style differs between lunch and dinner, so take note. If I lived nearby, I would want to become a regular like the woman at the counter. It’s a cozy enough place that even those dining alone in the evening, like myself, can feel comfortable. As I left, both the owner and the woman wished me a wonderful trip, which added to my happy mood on my first night in Kobe. A side note: I was quite overjoyed at that time, and during the concert, I was at an all-time high in energy. It’s possible that my state of mind, or perhaps the heat, caused me to lose track of some important memories during that evening. Lastly, I sincerely hope that a DVD of the concert is released. **Total Bill:** Japanese-style stock and coconut milk Parippu - ¥1,200 Appetizer trio - ¥1,000 Sura Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc - ¥700 Total - ¥2,900

Perfect for solo lunch for women. There are many people like that. On the other hand, I think men might not be as enthusiastic about the portion sizes. The prices felt a bit high for what was served. The taste is good, but I found it to be just average. The restaurant has a lovely courtyard on the 7th floor, which is a nice space. However, I found it a bit stressful that the waitress kept saying, "Please wait a moment," every time she was called. The food, especially the curry, took too long to be served. The self-service water only trickled out, making it difficult to refill. It’s a wonderful place, but I found several aspects disappointing. I hope they can improve.

I visited "Kobe Curry Dining Raj Kumal," which is about a 5 to 6-minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station. This time, I had the "Three Types of Nuts Fragrant Chicken Keema." The chicken keema was served on top of rice, and it was full of delicious chicken and generously packed with nuts, providing an interesting crunchy texture! The spiciness was mild and easy to enjoy. There was more volume than it appeared at first glance. The restaurant is located on the 7th floor of a building, making it a bit hard to find, but the interior was stylish, and the staff's service was excellent. Thank you for the meal!

#Rajkumar #Rajkumari #KobeCurryDiningRajkumar @rajkumar_curry A 10-minute walk from Sannomiya. All toppings for 1600 yen. Open from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, closed on Mondays. I discovered Rajkumar dining after seeing Rajkumari and found it above me! ✨ I arrived at 11:30 and it was already full! So popular! The all-topping dish allows you to enjoy various flavors, and it's delicious! You can really taste the spices, but there's also a strong dashi flavor—it's amazing!!!! It's not too spicy, making it easy to eat!!!! I want to eat it again! #SannomiyaCurry #SannomiyaCurryShop #SannomiyaCurryGourmet #SannomiyaCurryLunch #SannomiyaCurrySpecialtyShop #SannomiyaLunch #DeliciousFoodRecordbyUmeji #CaféRecordbyUmeji

I visited GW Kobe with a friend who loves curry. It was their first time trying dry curry, and they were very satisfied. By the way, the other side dishes and homemade highballs were also delicious. Above all, the owner was very kind, making it a truly enjoyable dinner. I would love to go back if I have the chance! ^ - ^

My husband and I ordered two appetizers and two main dishes. We each had a regular-sized curry and ordered drinks as well. The "Crunchy Nutty Chicken Keema" curry was delicious with its crunchy nuts. The rice in the curry was packed tightly, making it more filling than it looked. We ended up very full!

During a break between the street live event at Acoufes, I had dinner at Raj Kummal, known as the curry holy land of Kobe! This was my first visit since they relocated. For dinner, there was a menu where you could choose three appetizers (about eight options), a main course (about eight meat options), and curry (also about eight meat options). You can also choose half portions for the curry. According to the staff, the half portion is around 150g of rice, but it felt like it was a bit less than that. I found it a bit insufficient. The full-size portions that other customers had looked quite substantial. Next time, I'll go for the full size! I ordered the appetizer set that included carrot ragu, a bean and tuna salad, and onion and clam soup (¥1000). For the curry, I chose the minced curry with three kinds of nuts and a curry made with Japanese dashi and coconut milk (both half portions). Unfortunately, I didn't order a main course due to time constraints. The appetizers were wonderful and paired well with wine—I wish I could have enjoyed some! The curries were delicious, but the half portions didn't quite fill me up... Next time, I will definitely go for the full size! In the evening, I would love to take my time and enjoy the food with some drinks. The staff were attentive, kind, and had a great demeanor. I will definitely visit again!

I finally visited a curry restaurant that I've been curious about for a while. It's located on the 7th floor of a building along Toa Road in Sannomiya. I went on a Saturday around noon, and there were available seats, so I was promptly shown to a table. There are counter seats and table seats available. I ordered two items: the four-type special plate (1,500 yen) and a Tosa bergamot soda (600 yen). The four types were chicken keema, pork keema, lentil curry, and the weekly special curry. Each was refined and had a gentle flavor, making them very delicious. The bergamot soda was light and easy to drink, which would be nice as it gets hotter. I think it pairs well with the curry.

Raji Kumar, which gained popularity as a curry shop sharing space, has opened a physical store in Sannomiya. Located on the top floor of a building, as you exit the elevator, you’re greeted by a luxurious courtyard-like space. During the day, they offer a curry style with a combination of flavors, while at night, you can enjoy appetizers and main dishes, finishing off with curry. To start, I had the cream cheese, mackerel, and turmeric rillettes. When spread on a cracker, it tasted almost like curry—a creamy mackerel curry experience that works perfectly as a snack. The signature dish here is the three-nut aromatic chicken keema, which can be ordered in a half portion, a thoughtful option. The texture and aroma of the nuts stand out, enveloping a gentle keema underneath. It's unique and delightful. I visited Raji Kumar for a light solo drink, and I appreciated that they cater to such needs. Sometimes you don't want a full meal, but still crave curry. It's definitely worth remembering for those moments when you want something light yet satisfying.