This time, I went on a curry tour in Kyoto. The place I visited was "Chakra". This restaurant offers not only Indian cuisine but also Bengali cuisine (from Bangladesh), which is not commonly seen, so I decided to give it a try. Located near a large intersection at the entrance of the street leading to Kiyomizu Temple, the area is always crowded with tourists on holidays. I made my way through the crowd to the restaurant. The menu had few set options, mostly individual items. I couldn't find any lunch menu items. The regular menu featured common curry dishes, naan, and biryani, while a hand-written special Bengali menu was displayed on the wall. Since I was aiming for Bengali cuisine, I chose from the wall menu. Thinking of Bengali cuisine as fish and rice, I ordered the "Fish Curry" (¥1,500 tax included) as the main dish and "Indica Rice" (¥500 tax included). The total price was ¥2,000. Food: - Taste... The dishes were light and different from typical Indian cuisine (Indian/Nepalese). There were no strong flavors or heaviness, making it easy to eat. - Fish Curry: A thin soup-like consistency. However, it was not watery but had a rich flavor with hints of spices and herbs, giving a gentle warmth to the body. The fish was cod that day, with a piece of skin-on meat included. - Indica Rice: Saffron rice made with long-grain rice. It was not sticky but rather light and slightly moist. It had a simple taste with a faint saffron aroma. Service: The staff, a local man, was fluent in Japanese and managed everything efficiently despite being the only one working. Atmosphere: The interior was adorned with the flag of Bangladesh and musical instruments, creating a cozy atmosphere reminiscent of a cafe or fast food restaurant, making it easy to relax and enjoy. Cost Performance: This is where it gets tricky. Although it was a la carte, the price for just curry and rice seemed a bit high. Perhaps it's due to the location. Overall: Worth a visit for the rarity of Bengali cuisine. However, the limited set menu options and high cost may be a drawback.

While wandering around on a solo trip in Kyoto, I decided to stick around Kyoto Station and Kiyomizu Temple area due to the rainy weather. I had been enjoying Kyoto vegetables and dashi during my trip, but I was starting to crave something different. Intrigued by the name "Chakra" and the unique Indian cuisine at Bengal, I decided to give it a try. It was lunchtime on a weekday, so the restaurant was not crowded. I ordered the daily fish curry with eggplant and cod, which the staff recommended with saffron rice instead of naan, as well as some samosas based on other customers' reviews. Everything was delicious! The fish curry was indeed better with rice than naan, and it had a great flavor without any fishy taste. The samosas were authentic and a bit spicy (more than what you might find at Japanese-friendly restaurants), but still easy to enjoy. As I ate, I noticed locals coming in and chatting with the staff, which made me feel like this place was truly loved by everyone. Even though I ordered from the regular menu instead of the lunch menu, they kindly served me a cup of chai as a gesture of hospitality. It made me feel so happy, and I thought I would definitely visit again if I'm in the area. By the way, the chai came with syrup on the side, which was perfect for someone like me who doesn't like overly sweet drinks!

Located about a 7-minute walk from Keihan Main Line Shimizu Gojo Station, just in front of Gojozaka, this restaurant serves authentic Indian Bengali cuisine. The dishes are not tailored to Japanese tastes, offering a variety of Indian cuisine including Biryani made with basmati rice. The curry, made with whole spices, is spicy and rich, with each bite bursting with flavor. The Samosas are also delicious, with a strong spice flavor and a bit of heat. The atmosphere of the restaurant is great, making you want to come back again and again.

Prawn Vindaloo (prawn and potato curry) with saffron rice. It was spicy but still tasty. There were about five prawns in it. If the prawns had a bit more sweetness, it would've been even better.

Intense curry! Whenever I come to Kyoto, I always go there.

Visited the restaurant before 2 pm on a holiday. There were foreign tourists, a group of women who seemed familiar, and a solo female diner. The owner was friendly and engaging, making it a comfortable place to dine. - Lunch Course The soup of the day had a strong cinnamon flavor with hints of mushrooms and ginger. It was a soothing soup that is perfect for digestion. The salad was fresh and crunchy, a good source of fiber. The Tandoori Chicken was tender and flavorful. The Biryani, made with Indica rice, had a unique texture with sweet potatoes adding a different touch. The Lamb Curry was rich and spicy, with tender meat. The naan bread was crispy and slightly sweet, perfect for dipping in curry or yogurt. The yogurt with mango sauce was a refreshing dessert. The hot chai had a gentle spice flavor, no sugar needed. For a solo diner, the portion was quite large. The naan bread was so delicious that it was hard to resist. The spice level and crispy texture of the naan were impressive. The restaurant seems to have many regular customers, and I can see why. I will definitely come back when I crave those spices again. Thank you for the meal.

The story is about a two-night, three-day trip to Kyoto and Nara to heal the mind and body exhausted from work. The main purpose of the trip is to experience the culture and art of the ancient city, but since they were in Kyoto and Nara, they decided to try some Indian cuisine as well. On the final night of the trip, they visited "Chakra" in Kiyomizu Gojo. After a day of exploring Ohara, the cold winter weather in the mountains left them feeling drained of energy. So, they decided to replenish their energy with Indian food. They ordered mushroom soup, paneer pakora, mutton biryani, Bengali fish curry with rice, and kulfi. The food was delicious and satisfying, especially the spicy Bengali fish curry. They reminisced about their first visit to the restaurant two years ago and were glad they had tried the Bengali fish curry back then. Overall, the trip was filled with Indian cuisine, and they look forward to their next visit to Kyoto.

I revisited the restaurant and ordered various dishes. The taste was good, but they didn't bring any water. It was the first time this happened and I had to eat while feeling thirsty. I went there out of curiosity. I ordered Chicken Masala and Chana Masala. The Chicken Masala was delicious, with no extra ingredients, just the flavors of onion, tomato, spices, and chicken. The Chana Masala was also tasty, textbook flavors. It seems that sticking to the basics is the best. Based on my experience, restaurants where the chefs have confidence in their cooking stand out. They seem to care more about creating good food rather than just making a profit. It felt like I was at a Japanese-run Indian restaurant. Japanese people are quite particular, after all...

Today's lunch was at an Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant called "CHAKRA" in Higashiyama Gojo, Kyoto. The lunch set options were the Sadar Lunch (900 yen) and the "Daily Lunch Special" (1200 yen). There was also a 2500 yen course available. I ordered the Daily Lunch Special with lamb, while my companion ordered the chicken. We were served pumpkin soup as a starter, which had a unique Indian spice flavor with hints of fennel and clove. Next, we enjoyed a plate of Kitchuri (rice and lentil stew), Tandoori chicken, Malai Tikka, salad, and curry. We also had half portions of naan. It was interesting to see Kitchuri included in the lunch set. The flavors were slightly mild in the curries. We also ordered Baingan Bharta (eggplant curry) made with Kamo eggplants, which was spicy and delicious.

Located near Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, this Bengali restaurant on Gojozaka offers a variety of Bengali dishes. While I have had the opportunity to try Sri Lankan fish curry more often, Bengali cuisine is not as common. I tried the Fish Masala with Basmati rice. The chef, Ashish, speaks fluent Japanese and even understands Kansai dialect. Today's fish was yellowtail, prepared with turmeric and salt before being fried. The curry had a distinct spice that wasn't quite Sri Lankan or Keralan. It had a spicy kick that leaves you wanting more. After the meal, I enjoyed some kulfi and masala chai, which I really like.

On this day, it was like the second day of a seminar!! I traveled even further than Benkei-san to Chakra, located a bit north of Higashioji Gojo. It's about a 20-minute walk from Kiyomizu Gojo. The owner, a local man, was running the place by himself. I sat at the slightly high counter. For lunch on weekends, there is only the "Today's Lunch" set menu. The "Sada Lunch" is only available on weekdays. The "Today's Lunch" includes Today's Soup, Tandoori Chicken, Curry, Rice and Naan, Salad, Yogurt with Sweets, and Chai & Coffee. The soup of the day was tomato soup. You can choose between chicken, shrimp, or vegetable curry. The shrimp curry had a mild spice level, and the shrimp was added later. The naan was not as fluffy as expected, with some burnt spots on the underside. The chai could have had a bit more spice. The spice level was milder than expected, but it might be different if you try a variety of dishes a la carte.

Today is the day of the Chinenichi pilgrimage at Kiyomizu Temple, and it is incredibly crowded. Many people are speaking foreign languages, and the hot weather makes it even more difficult. Thinking that the restaurants on the slope of Kiyomizu might be crowded, I decided to try this restaurant just before that. Since today is Obon, they only offer a lunch set for 1,250 yen, with no weekday lunch set for 900 yen. However, I found the portion to be a bit too much for me, so I only ordered for my husband. I decided to just have coffee. The soup of the day was carrot soup, but it tasted like curry. The set included salad, tandoori chicken, a choice of chicken or eggplant curry, saffron rice that was like a cross between risotto and regular rice, naan, yogurt, and chai tea for dessert. It was quite a generous portion. The spiciness kicked in later. It's important to replenish our energy after sweating a lot in the scorching heat. There were also foreign customers, who clearly looked like they were from outside the curry region. They were being explained the menu in a language other than English. There was also a Japanese female staff member dressed in a stylish outfit resembling a sari, who seemed knowledgeable in Japanese as well. They are doing a great job.

A passionate female enthusiast recently attended a "Serious Bengali Home Cooking Party" at the Indian Bengali restaurant Chakra in Higashiyama Gojo, Kyoto. The owner and chef, Ashish Choudhury, originally from Bangladesh, is known for his delicate seasoning and ingenious ideas when it comes to Bengali cuisine. The party featured a variety of dishes, including Chana Aloo Chaat, Kichuri, Eggplant Bhaji, and Chef's original Spinach and Paneer Cutlet as starters. The main course included Bengali-style Fish Head Curry, Murgh Jhol (Chicken and Potato Soup Curry), Chingri Malai Curry (Shrimp Curry), and Shukto (Bengali vegetable stew with drumsticks). The dishes were expertly prepared, with a unique blend of spices and flavors that impressed the guests. Chef Ashish also served a special dessert, Kulfi made with matcha, and creatively presented Rasgulla with yogurt and mango sauce for easier consumption. Overall, the experience at Chakra showcased the chef's dedication to Bengali cuisine and his innovative approach to traditional dishes. If you're looking to explore authentic Bengali flavors in Kyoto, Chakra is a must-visit spot for a unique dining experience.

I had been curious about this restaurant for a while, so I visited for lunch on a weekday. They said they couldn't offer the cheapest lunch option today, so I ordered the 1350 yen lunch set. I was a bit disappointed since I usually like to try the cheapest menu item to judge the restaurant's true value. The set included soup, tandoori chicken, salad, curry with risotto on top, naan bread, yogurt, and chai tea. The tandoori chicken wasn't very tasty, and the salad was just lettuce. The soup and risotto were good, but overall everything had a curry flavor, which was a bit disappointing. The curry I ordered with chicken was mild and not very spicy, despite requesting it to be spicy. It was delicious, but not enough to make me want to revisit. If they had a cheaper lunch option without the tandoori chicken and yogurt, I might consider going back.

A Bangladeshi male veteran chef runs a curry restaurant. It's located near the Gojozaka bus stop, and if you take the train, it's about a 10-minute walk from Gojo on the Keihan line. I've been curious about Chakra for a while, as the name is lovely for Indian food lovers. On this day, I heard they were serving a special menu item - Fish Mustard Curry. It was made with mackerel this time. The combination of whole chili peppers and mustard provided a refreshing and not overwhelming spiciness. I asked for the recommended level of spiciness, and it was just enough to make me slightly sweat on my forehead. (I like level 5 spiciness at Coco Ichibanya) I chose the green pea pilaf as my rice, which turned out to be a good choice as it was lightly seasoned, making it a good match with the various curries. Of course, they use high-quality basmati rice. The mango lassi I had after the meal was also very delicious. It had a good balance of carbonation and strong yogurt fermentation. Next time, I plan to try their famous mutton biryani and seekh kebab. This restaurant offers rare Bangladeshi cuisine in the Kansai region, and the owner is known for various specialties, so it's worth asking for recommendations. The owner mentioned that many enthusiasts visit the restaurant (laughs).

【Revisit】Visited around 19:45 on October 21, 2014. I had a very good impression of the biryani from my previous visit, so I decided to revisit after about 10 months. - Location: Located on the northwest corner of Higashioji-dori in Higashiyama Gojo, a short walk north from the Gojozaka bus stop. I took the 207 bus to get there. - Ordered items: Godfather (700 yen), a small bottle of Indian local beer with a strong sour taste. Seekh Kebab 2PC (600 yen), which the regular menu offers 4PC for 1,200 yen but they kindly offered a half portion. The meat has a spicy and slightly gamey flavor. Mutton Biryani (1,200 yen). The total bill was 2,500 yen. - Taste and overall impression: The mutton biryani was very appealing. The rice is topped with chunks of mutton and curry. The curry is made with over 20 different spices like ginger, bay leaf, cinnamon, cumin seeds, etc., tailored to suit Japanese taste and tempered with yogurt to control spiciness. When asked if I could handle spiciness, I found it just right, causing a pleasant sweat on the face. The harmony of spices and the flavor of the meat was a perfect balance for me. There aren't many places in Kyoto that serve biryani, so I would definitely like to visit again. This review will be considered final unless there is additional information. (As of November 23, 2014: 10 reviews, average rating 3.54, no ratings from MyReviewer users.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Visited around 19:45 on December 17, 2013. Felt like having curry today for some reason. This restaurant was featured in the Leaf magazine December issue's "101 Delicious Eateries in Kyoto and Shiga" special. I was intrigued by the mutton biryani that looked very delicious, so I visited with that as my target. - Ordered items: Draft beer (Asahi Super Dry) (500 yen). Tandoori Murgh (450 yen), which is essentially tandoori chicken. Tender young chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, then baked in a tandoor oven, served with lemon. Mutton Biryani (1,200 yen). The total bill was 2,150 yen. - Taste and overall impression: The mutton biryani was excellent. It's a dish of spiced rice with curry on top. They use Indica rice (long-grain rice different from Japanese rice, with less water content and pairs well with curry). The rice is flavored with saffron. It involves a complex process of adding spices to the rice, cooking it, making the curry, etc., which seems to be quite labor-intensive. The dish is not commonly found in Japan but is popular in its home country. On top of saffron rice, there are chunks of meat (mutton) and curry. The mutton doesn't have a strong gamey flavor and blends well with the dish. The curry is made with over 20 different spices like ginger, bay leaf, cinnamon, cumin seeds, etc., tailored to suit Japanese taste and tempered with yogurt to control spiciness. I may not know the details, but the spice blend in the rice and curry perfectly matched my personal taste. While it may be relatively difficult to access, I enjoyed the taste and would like to visit again. The chef is from Bangladesh and trained for many years in a famous Indian restaurant before becoming independent. It has been about 16 years since he came to Japan.

During a leisurely stroll, I happened to stop by an Indian Bengali cuisine restaurant called "CHAKRA." They offer a weekday lunch menu for 900 yen and 1250 yen. I opted for the 900 yen Sadar lunch. It started with a green soup (smelled like Indian spices), followed by salad, curry risotto, and fish fritters. Then, they served naan (half) and curry. Lastly, you could choose between coffee or chai. You can choose between chicken or vegetable curry. The dishes were served in a Western-style tableware in a course-like manner. The chef, who has been living in Kyoto for a long time (from Bangladesh), was friendly and engaging. The ambiance of the restaurant was cozy, even for solo diners. I definitely want to visit this place again.

Today, I had lunch in Gion! I went down the hill from Kiyomizu-dera, turned right onto Higashiyama Gojo, and found Chakra 50m to the west. I recommend the ¥1250 lunch set. First, a fragrant and slightly tangy soup is served. Just before finishing the soup, a plate with tandoori chicken, salad, and a risotto-like dish is brought out. Of course, curry and naan follow. The curry is best a bit spicy! The spiciness is felt at the back of the throat, with a rich flavor. There's also something like yogurt to balance the heat. Finally, enjoy some chai and a cigarette to savor the lingering spiciness. Well then, see you later.