みゅ〜みゅ〜
Kyoto, Fushimi, Kataharamachi. From Prefectural Route 115, just across the factory of Tsukasa-kon, next to the FamilyMart store in the alley a little further in, this restaurant is located. By chance, I had work near here and was guided by local staff to visit. The restaurant is really tucked away in a residential area, so you would never notice it without someone telling you. The restaurant sign is only displayed during business hours, so you would easily miss it if you pass by regularly. The atmosphere of the restaurant was just like a private house. Upon opening the sliding door at the entrance, there was a genkan where you take off your shoes, and then I entered the open dining area as a customer. Inside the restaurant, there were about 2 table seats and around 3 counter seats facing the wall. The interior of the restaurant, with a base of wood, had a cozy atmosphere with bookshelves and animal-themed decorations, making it very comfortable. I sat at an available table and ordered the Chicken Curry with Hot Coffee and Dessert set. The curry on the day I visited was a combination of Chicken Curry and Eggplant with Myoga Ginger Curry. The menu only had this one item, but you could choose from about 4 types of coffee. The dessert was only one item, and on that day it was Carrot Cake. The atmosphere of the restaurant was very relaxed, and the curry arrived in about 5-6 minutes. The curry was served on a shallow plate, with rice shaped like a rugby ball in the center, chunks of chicken, and plenty of vegetables. Around the edge of the plate, there were various Japanese-style pickles and simmered beans, enhancing the visual appeal. I started by tasting the Chicken Curry, which was complex but very easy to eat. It seemed spicy but not overly so, not too mild, not too strong, just a perfect balance. What surprised me the most was how delicious the white rice was. The accompanying Eggplant Curry was also delicious, but the rice was so sweet and tasty that I wanted to eat it on its own. Mixing the Japanese-style pickles and simmered beans around the plate with the curry made it even more delicious. The slightly large pieces of chicken were tender and flavorful, not overcooked, retaining the essence of the chicken. The vegetables were soft and cooked just right, at the most delicious stage. I finished the curry in no time. After the curry, I had coffee and dessert waiting for me. The coffee I randomly chose (Peru) had a strong acidity, which I really liked. The Carrot Cake was very gentle in flavor, and paired well with the strained yogurt served alongside it. I wanted to savor it slowly, but I ended up finishing it in a moment. The service was very friendly, and if time allowed, I would have loved to have another cup of coffee and relax. If I could, I would come back to Fushimi just to eat this curry, not for work. I think this spice curry, with its mild flavor, is a must-try even for those who don't usually eat spicy curries.