murugye
After finishing the regular morning meeting in Kyobashi, I walked about 7 minutes to a restaurant in Hatchobori that I had been wanting to visit for some time. Arriving a little before the opening time of 11:00, I waited at a nearby convenience store to quench my thirst and adjust my timing. As soon as the restaurant opened, I entered. Surprisingly, there were already three customers seated at the counter who had already placed their orders. It was evident that the restaurant was quite popular. As a first-time visitor, I chose my dish by looking at the menu board with pictures displayed at the entrance, trying to understand the unique flavors of the restaurant. On that day, I chose a 2-type curry plate for ¥1,600. The rule was to choose 2 varieties from a selection of 4 sauces and 6 curries, creating a total of 15 combinations. After some hesitation, I opted for the Indian-style Whole Spice Chicken and the Special European-style sauce (black sauce) with lean pork cutlets on top. The 2-type plate included two-thirds of the portions of the individual menu items, and the rice was increased by 35%, as indicated at the entrance of the restaurant. I chose to sit at a table for two as it was available, placed my bag, and took a seat. Within a few minutes, the dish arrived. It was presented on a flatter plate than I expected, with thin pork cutlets, half a smoked egg, and potatoes placed on top of the white rice, looking appetizing. Now, for the taste test. I started with the European-style black curry, eating it alongside the lean pork cutlets. It had a mild spiciness with a slight bitterness, which I later discovered came from the thinly sliced bitter gourd. As I progressed eating, I felt a healthier aspect to it, despite having two chili marks, it was not overly spicy but delicious. The smoked egg and potatoes complemented the curry well, making it a perfect combination. The homemade pickles provided on the table seemed to have a mild and pleasant taste, possibly due to the addition of blueberries. The restaurant emphasizes using 20 types of homegrown pesticide-free vegetables and herbs, resulting in a flavorful and unique taste. The use of vegetable-based oil in cooking provided a light and refreshing impression. It seemed like a healthy and relatively low-calorie option. Although the rice portion in the 2-type plate seemed generous, it left me slightly unsatisfied, perhaps because of a light breakfast earlier. With a variety of curry sauces and toppings available, I feel that I will likely revisit to find my favorite combination for repeated visits. Before leaving, I noticed a "too good to be true stamp card" displayed on the table, offering a free meal after dining 7 times, regardless of the curry chosen. Overall, I enjoyed the meal. Thank you for the delicious experience. I plan to make time to visit again.