Established in 1948, "India Curry Koike" has been a beloved curry restaurant representing Hakodate. Founded by Yoshijiro Koike, who trained in Western cuisine in Tokyo and Yokohama, and learned curry at "Sanyuken" in Asakusa. The unique "Indian curry" made with original methods such as "Karakogashi" has been cherished as the "soul food of Hakodate". Currently, there are two "Koike" restaurants side by side in Hakodate's Takaracho. In 1984, founder Yoshijiro Koike fell ill with cerebral infarction and in 1985, he transferred the Takaracho shop to his apprentice, Kenjiro Wakasa. This became the current "Original Koike" shop. Yoshijiro Koike passed away in 1986. His son, Hiroyuki Koike, took over the Koike Co., Ltd. and opened the "India Curry Koike Main Store" right next to the "Original Koike". It's not uncommon for a long-established restaurant to split into two lineages after the founder's passing, but having two shops operating side by side is quite unusual and can be confusing for visitors. It would be best to visit both shops and decide for yourself which one you prefer. The "India Curry Koike Main Store" is located slightly off the main street, next to the "Original Koike". The interior exudes a preserved Showa era atmosphere, with vintage decor and furnishings that are well-maintained and clean. The menu offers dishes like Pork Cutlet Curry, Hamburg Curry, and Chicken Steak Curry, indicating a Western cuisine base despite being called "Indian curry". The basic and classic dish is the Curry for ¥670. Served in a unique half-sphere shape, the rice is cooked firm using Hokkaido rice and steamed in a seiro to achieve a moist yet separate texture. The curry roux has a thick and slightly powdery texture, with only visible ingredients being pork and onions, creating a simple yet deep flavor. Surprisingly spicy, the curry transitions from a tingling heat to a sweet and rich taste. The curry is based on the "Karakogashi" method of roasting wheat flour and spices for a long time, then adding mango chutney and cream, and simmering pork bones and chicken for 3 days. The combination with the seiro-steamed rice is surprisingly perfect. Served with Fukujinzuke and red pickled ginger, the addictive flavor leaves you wanting to eat more immediately. The over 70 years of traditional taste is truly exceptional. I also visited the neighboring "India Curry Koike Main Store" on the same day, and while the preparation is the same, the flavor is completely different. I personally felt that the flavor of the curry here at the "Original Koike" is unique and highly addictive. Perhaps it's the subtle "touch" in the cooking process that has been passed down from the master. Nonetheless, the curry at the "Koike Main Store" is also delicious. The nostalgic Showa atmosphere and unique flavor of both shops are worth experiencing.

I visited Hakodate for a family trip while returning to Aomori. I took the opportunity to try the famous curry at "Koike," a local soul food establishment that has been around for 75 years. There are two locations side by side, the "Original Koike" and the "Koike Main Store." I went to the "Original" as it was my main goal. The retro interior of the shop blends well with the Hakodate cityscape. I ordered the curry for 670 yen, served in a unique plate with rice and sauce. The curry had a distinct taste that was hard to describe but incredibly delicious. It was a unique curry that resonated with the Japanese DNA and left me wanting more. Overall, it was a memorable dining experience that I would highly recommend.

My wife and child have returned home, which is commonly known as Golden Week!! (*≧▽≦) I spent the morning playing Minecraft while watching the trains on the Japan Railways. I was just sitting in a chair playing games, but I got a little hungry, so let's go eat lunch!! We decided to go to "Original Indian Curry Koike." It is a curry restaurant located about a 2-3 minute walk from the Hakodate streetcar Tamakocho tram stop. It's also just a 2-3 minute walk from our house, haha. Just a few seconds away, there is another similar restaurant called "India Curry Koike Main Store." Apparently, there were some things that happened in the past. I haven't been to the "India Curry Koike Main Store," but it seems that the taste and appearance are quite different. In short, it's like the difference between Eiko Koike and Yuriko Koike, haha! I made a light joke to the straightforward, pretty female staff member who appeared to be in her 40s, "It's so hot, I'll have the Otuka Curry, and I'll have the Katsu Curry, haha!" and the food was served in less than 10 minutes. The Katsu Curry is 980 yen (tax included). The curry has a texture that shows it is made from curry powder. It may be too spicy for those who are not good with spicy food, but personally, I'm okay with it being even spicier. At first, I was a little disappointed, thinking, "Hmm, this is Koike's curry, huh." But as I continued eating, the umami and richness started to come through more and more, and it became more and more delicious. It's a taste that becomes addictive. The cutlet is thin, but the crispy texture goes well with the curry!! Oh, it was delicious♪ I'll visit the "India Curry Koike Main Store" sometime soon.

It is a classical Japanese-style curry rice restaurant. I ordered the katsu curry. The tonkatsu was fried carefully and the curry sauce coated it well. The sauce was not the thick stew-like type that is common nowadays, but a lighter sauce with a bit of spiciness. It may not appeal to those who prefer a different style of curry.

I visited for lunch to fuel up before the Hakodate horse racing. The hamburger curry had a normal amount of rice and roux, but the hamburger itself was large. The roux was quite spicy, suitable for those who like spicy food, but may be too much for those who are not used to it. The spices added depth to the flavor, with a nuance similar to the scent of tobacco. I had eaten quite a bit in the morning, so I was a bit worried if I could finish it, but I managed to eat it all with ease. Thank you for the meal. This was the first stop on my Hakodate curry tour.

The red brick warehouse was not even glanced at as I had seen it before - operating hours are from 11 to 15, so I decided to try this place with a high hurdle. "Koike" is located along the road and seems to be run by a different family. I arrived just before 12 and was surprised to find about 80% of the seats filled. There were few empty seats, but I was able to sit down easily. There are various options like pork cutlet curry, but I decided to go with the simple curry for 670 yen. The curry pot and rice arrived, and I poured the curry all at once. Wow, the rich spices spread in my mouth and exploded. This is really good. The taste is so deep with spiciness, spices, and a refreshing aftertaste. If this was in my local area, I would definitely visit often. The high-quality, firm rice and the Fukujin pickles were also great. The cost performance is amazing, there is nothing to complain about. Come to think of it, I used to have curry for breakfast at the hotel... Well, this is completely different so let's just enjoy it. I definitely want to eat this again. They also accept PayPay. Thank you for the meal!

Arriving in Hakodate with a theme of full-on Hakodate sightseeing, we were a bit confused by the multiple "Koike-san" signs around. We decided on the one we wanted to go to and tried the Katsu Curry. It was surprisingly spicy, with a good balance between spiciness and pepperiness. The curry had a slightly thick consistency and the katsu was tender with a crispy coating. It reminded me of a similar dish at Ishikawa. I would like to try the other "Koike-san" next time. Thank you, Wu-ta!

The curry is spicy but delicious, with a traditional taste. It's not the sharp spicy type of curry, but it doesn't get boring and makes you want to eat it again. The portion size is just right, not too much or too little. The cutlet is thin and finely sliced, so if you find it lacking, there is an option to size up. I'm not a fan of spicy food, but I would definitely eat here again.

At this establishment, the original curry (670 yen) is the highlight. Despite its simplicity with only onions and pork, it is packed with flavor and richness! Toppings include two types: Fukujinzuke and red pickled ginger. Surprisingly, it has a strong spiciness. The pork cutlet curry is also popular, so I would like to try it next time.

Local people seem to be well aware, but there seems to be a bit of history in the neighborhood with the "original" and the "main store" facing each other. Both are said to be delicious, but we decided to visit the "original" this time. We ordered the hamburger curry and the pork cutlet curry to share. The pork cutlet had a crispy coating and was thinly sliced, making it easy to eat with the curry. The hamburger didn't have juices coming out when cut, but it had a strong umami and sweetness. We were informed in advance that the spice level was high, and indeed, it was spicy for me who is not good with spicy food. However, after the spiciness, the umami, richness, and sweetness from the vegetables come back, which is probably what keeps fans coming back. It was very delicious, and as always, I left the restaurant sweating like I had been standing under a waterfall. Thank you for the meal.

After finishing eating at the main store, I took a short walk around the area to digest a bit, and around 3 pm I entered this original store. The opening hours are only until 3:30 pm, but I had confirmed before stopping by that 3:30 pm was the last order time, not the closing time. Unlike the main store, the original store has no side menu. The curry menu is also limited, but there are 3 types of rice bowl dishes other than curry. Despite the temptation to try the katsudon at this type of store, I resisted and ordered the chicken steak curry instead of the katsu to watch my calorie intake after going to two different places. The background music in the store was AM radio, playing a horse racing program at that time. It was a stark contrast to the jazz vocal BGM at the main store. The interior of this store is more like a cafeteria compared to the coffee shop atmosphere of the main store. The food was served soon after ordering. The curry was a bit more yellowish compared to the main store. It was a bit disappointing that the chicken steak was a bit small. I tried the curry right away. It was a safe and nostalgic deliciousness. I couldn't find the right words to describe it further. The second plate came about 30 minutes later, but I managed to finish it smoothly. I didn't feel much difference in the curry roux, but personally, I felt that this one was easier to eat. I was able to pay with cash and also use PayPay.

I had finished all the sightseeing plans in Hakodate with a visit to the Red Brick Warehouse, and was wandering around when I stumbled upon a restaurant that I had planned to skip this time. It was around 3 pm on a weekday and the restaurant was not crowded. Across the street, there was another branch of the restaurant which was closed, so I ended up trying the one I stumbled upon. The curry I ordered was priced at 670 yen and at first glance, it looked like a regular Western-style curry. However, as I ate it, the spices started to kick in and it became quite spicy and addictive. I enjoyed it so much that I ended up buying a retort curry as a souvenir at the airport, although it was from the main branch and not the original one. Overall, I really liked the taste and would recommend trying the curry dishes at this restaurant.

I came to Hakodate and decided to visit Koike's Curry for the first time in over 10 years after seeing it and reminiscing. The interior of the restaurant was just like before, and this time I ordered the Hamburg Curry for 980 yen, Curry for 670 yen, and Kids' Lunch for 700 yen. It was my first time in a while, and it was delicious!

I stopped by for lunch during my trip to Hakodate, Hokkaido. We were seated promptly without any wait. I had the "Katsu Curry" and "Hamburger Curry". The curry was a bit spicy and had a nostalgic Showa era taste. It seemed like a soul food of Hakodate.

There is a business succession issue common in long-established stores, so it can be confusing for tourists with both "Moto-Ike" and "O-Ike Main Store" located in the same neighborhood (almost the same place). I visited the "Moto-Ike" located 10 meters back from the main store along the train street. The interior of the store exudes a Showa era atmosphere, but it is evident that the store is well-maintained. The attention to detail, such as the container of Fukujin pickles on the table, is also clear. The customers are a mix of locals and tourists, mostly coming in groups of one or two. After ordering, there is a bit of a wait, but everyone waits quietly. The large pork cutlet curry (1,080 yen) and hamburger curry (980 yen) were served. The side dishes included Fukujin pickles and pickled ginger. The cleanliness of the containers, such as the sauce or soy sauce dispensers, often reflects the attitude of the restaurant, but this restaurant is very pleasant. The sauce pot where the curry is served, with its curves reminiscent of a magic lamp from Aladdin, gives a sense of luxury to those born in the mid-Showa era, and brings back memories of ordering curry or hashed beef at department store restaurants in childhood just to see this sauce pot. With that excitement, I enjoy the curry. The heavily simmered pork and onions, the thick consistency typical of Japanese curry, and the slightly powdery texture that seems to come from the spice and roux-making process, are different from what I remember tasting elsewhere, but this must be the taste of O-Ike. And the spiciness is more than meets the eye, causing quite a sweat after finishing the meal, followed by cooling down in the outdoor air. I didn't get to compare it with the main store, but it is undoubtedly the taste of Hakodate curry.

I visited this famous restaurant in Hakodate for lunch. I ordered a simple curry (670 yen including tax), but most of the other customers were ordering the katsu curry (980 yen). Soon, a pot of curry and a mound of rice in the middle of a plate were brought to me. They poured the roux around the rice. The appearance was like a thick homemade curry roux, but the taste was unique to Hakodate's original curry, with a refreshing cumin flavor that was completely different from the usual thick roux of homemade curry. If you're not used to it, it can be quite surprising. Furthermore, unlike regular curry where the ingredients are melted into the roux, this curry had very few solid pieces, which was somewhat disappointing. I can understand why the katsu curry is popular here. Looking at the menu, they also had katsudon and oyakodon. It seems worth trying them out.

It's been a while since I visited Hakodate. It seems like there have been some changes while some things remain the same. The Koiike restaurant here hasn't changed. [Order] Pork cutlet curry. Pork cutlet curry is always a good choice. It's simple but delicious. It's a nostalgic taste. Oh, they started accepting PayPay for payment now. Times are changing.

I visited this restaurant known for its long history. The interior has a nostalgic Showa-era lighting that adds to its charm. The curry is slightly spicy, but the heat is just right and delicious. The pork cutlet is crispy and satisfying. They also offer dishes like pork cutlet rice bowl and hamburger curry, which look delicious and I would like to try them when I have the chance.

I visited around 2:30 PM. There were two groups in the restaurant, which had a cafeteria-style atmosphere. I ordered the pork cutlet curry and it arrived quickly. It was thick and quite spicy. The perfect blend of spices made it irresistible. I recommend it to those who can handle spicy food.

I went to the curry restaurant "Original Indian Curry Koike" at the East Hyakumeiten and the current rating is 3.66 as of July 26, 2022. I checked out of the Kenneth Hotel at 10:30 and walked about 30 minutes while pushing and pulling a heavy suitcase to visit. I arrived at 11:05. There is another "Koike" restaurant next door, both are curry restaurants, but the Hyakumeiten has a yellow sign. There was one group of two customers before me, and more customers started coming in after I entered. It seems to be a popular restaurant with a mix of tourists and local customers. I ordered the Pork Cutlet Curry for 980 yen, and it arrived promptly. It was a classic Pork Cutlet Curry and I enjoyed it! Thank you for the meal! I will definitely visit Original Indian Curry Koike again!

I originally planned to have lunch at a different restaurant, but even though I arrived before opening, I had to wait for 45 minutes. I got tired of waiting, so I decided to eat at this restaurant instead. If you want to eat quickly, I recommend this place. However, if you don't like spicy food (if you're not good with spice or prefer mild curry), I do not recommend it. Sorry, but the taste seems average to me.