Nasu Oyaji at Kitazawa Curry Dining in Shimokitazawa - Special Curry 1300 yen ・Set Drink (Coffee) +200 yen ・Set Dessert (Honey Yogurt) +200 yen Located about a 5-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station on the Odakyu Line, tucked away in a back alley off the main shopping street in the south exit, Nasu Oyaji is a long-standing curry restaurant in the curry town of Shimokitazawa. Established in 1990, the restaurant exudes a retro wooden atmosphere with the pleasant background music of analog records, creating a relaxed space where time seems to pass slowly. It's a quintessential Shimokitazawa establishment. The name of the restaurant comes from the founder, who earned the nickname "Nasu Oyaji" (Eggplant Old Man) from his part-time staff while training at "Mamekura" in Kichijoji, as he often snacked on eggplants topped on curry. When he opened his own place, he decided to use that nickname as the shop's name. The curry roux is a single type, with the menu changing based on the toppings. The "Special Curry" includes chicken, beef, vegetables, and boiled eggs. The roux is a thick type where the flavors of spices, vegetables, and meat blend together harmoniously. It's impressive that the same roux has been loved by regular customers for over 30 years. The second-generation owner took over the business in 2017, maintaining the base created by the previous owner while updating the spices, proportions, and ingredient combinations to suit the times. The meat and vegetables are cut into large chunks, providing a satisfying texture. The vegetables include broccoli, eggplant, cherry tomatoes, and decorative carrot slices. The carrot has a rare texture, as it is lightly cooked, almost like a salad. The set drink, hot coffee, is served in a retro stainless cup. The honey yogurt dessert is also served in a small nostalgic jar, adding a cute touch. While there is a recent boom in "spice curry" from Osaka spreading nationwide, with new curry restaurants influenced by curry cultures from North India, Nepal, South India, and Sri Lanka, Nasu Oyaji's curry offers a taste that is completely different from these trends. It follows the tradition of delicious curry from a nostalgic Showa-era home. The current owner was originally a band member, and in addition to running the curry restaurant, he continues his music activities. The BGM played in the restaurant is from a vintage record player. The amp and speakers used are from the 1970s, providing a warm analog sound that complements the curry's taste. In a world where music, visuals, and cuisine often overwhelm with high resolution and excessive information, Nasu Oyaji retains the nostalgic atmosphere of the good old Showa era. In this cozy space enveloped in pleasant music, one can leisurely read a book while waiting for the curry, enjoy the familiar curry, savor a cup of coffee afterwards, and immerse oneself in the afterglow, creating a luxurious experience.

I had been curious about this place for a while. I arrived in the early afternoon and there was only one other customer. I ordered the Special Curry for 1,500 yen (with extra large size for 200 yen). As soon as it was brought to me, I could tell it was delicious just by looking at it! The curry was not too spicy, with a hint of sweetness and a gentle flavor. The ingredients were tender and melted in my mouth, making it easy to eat and very delicious! I finished it in no time.

Walking in Shimokitazawa, you can see a lot of stylish and unique fashionistas. I wonder if my outfit, which fits in well here, would be considered strange if I went to the countryside. Pondering this, I smoked a cigarette at the ward's smoking area. Shimokitazawa is known as a curry town, and one of the curry restaurants that caught my eye was "Nasu Oyaji." Intrigued by the name and the pictures of their curry, as well as the reviews mentioning sweet curry and a rating of 3 or more, I decided to visit. I also love eggplant, so I hoped the curry would have plenty of eggplant in it. Arriving at the restaurant, I was met with a long line. Despite being used to having free time, waiting in the heat for about an hour and a half was tough. The storefront displayed road bikes, and inside, there were many records, indicating that the owner has a love for bicycles and music. The restaurant had three male staff members and a few tables. I ordered the special curry with beef, chicken, vegetables, and egg, as well as my favorite Hoegaarden beer as an aperitif. For dessert, I requested yogurt. The curry was visually appealing, with a thick sauce, beef, chicken, broccoli, boiled egg, and plenty of eggplant. The sweet and thick curry suited my taste perfectly. The yogurt served after the meal was also charming and had honey settled at the bottom, which needed to be mixed well. It turned out to be yogurt from Aizu, which was a pleasant surprise. Overall, it was a unique and enjoyable dining experience.

■Restaurant Information When it comes to curry, Shimokitazawa is a fierce battleground. Today, I visited "Nasu Oyaji," which seems to specialize in European-style curry. There is usually quite a line for lunch, but you can easily get in at night. However, they may sell out around 7 pm, so it's better to go early on weekends. Today, I ordered the following menu items: ■What I Ate - Special Curry: ¥1500 - Curry + Drink + Salad + Honey Yogurt: ¥500 It arrived in about 10 minutes. The curry had a moderate level of spiciness. Within the spiciness, you could also taste the umami of the vegetables and the fruity flavor of the fruits. The ingredients were plentiful and chunky, and the meat was tender. While ¥1500 may seem a bit expensive, this is definitely a curry that you'll crave from time to time. The honey yogurt served after the meal was sweet and delicious. Curry lovers should definitely give it a try. On the Instagram account "Nonaru Danshi no Tokyo Lunch Meshi," which has 70,000 followers, delicious food from Tokyo and various regions across Japan is being introduced!

On a regular day in Shimokitazawa, I, a salaryman, stick out like a sore thumb, but when it comes to curry, everyone is equal and that's all that matters. The former Yamu residence was closed, so I decided to try out this place that had caught my attention. Located a bit off the main street, the restaurant was almost full even though it was past 2 PM, with people waiting outside as well. It's a small place but clearly popular. Not knowing when I could come back next, I ordered the Special Curry (beef, chicken, vegetables) for 1500 yen. Soon enough, a cute-looking curry arrived. It had carrot slices shaped like flowers as toppings, which didn't really appeal to me, but I dug in anyway. The highlight of this place is the curry sauce! Initially, there's a sweetness from various ingredients, but then the spices and heat kick in afterwards. It turned out to be spicier than I expected, and the rice that seemed like a lot at first kept disappearing. The beef, chicken, and vegetables were all delicious, but if you want to fully enjoy the curry sauce, I'd recommend going with the beef. I'll definitely be back for more, next time it's beef all the way!

I arrived at 12:10 on Monday, but there was one group ahead of me. I waited for almost 30 minutes for my turn for the second round, and by the time I got in, there were about five groups waiting. Depending on the time of day, you may have to wait even on weekdays. Today, I added a boiled egg for an extra 100 yen to my beef curry, and upgraded to a set with beer and salad for an extra 500 yen. I used to always order chicken curry here, but this time I tried the beef curry and the meat was so tender that I didn't even need to chew much. The boiled egg was cooked perfectly, with a soft yolk that paired beautifully with the curry. The cozy atmosphere of the restaurant, along with the delicious curry, made me feel happy both in my stomach and in my heart. I will definitely come back to eat here when I visit Tokyo again.

European-style curry. The moment it enters your mouth, there is a sweetness of onions, but the aftertaste is spicy. The balance between sweetness and spiciness is good. The eggplant is soft, and the tomato bursts with juiciness. The meat is also tender. The onion chips add a fun texture. The yogurt is thick and creamy, with a drizzle of honey on top. It pairs perfectly with the lingering spiciness of the curry. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is quiet, with many solo diners. Even on weekdays, there is always a line of 3-4 people. I want to go back again.

I found a cute sign in a residential area of Shimokitazawa. It's a shop that serves curry, coffee, and music. When I entered the shop just after opening, there were already 7 customers, and it quickly became full despite being a weeknight. I ordered the chicken curry, which had a perfect balance of spices and tasted excellent.

"Eggplant Oyaji in Shimokitazawa Station is a basic curry restaurant! In a city where soup curry is popular, this home-style curry with chicken, beef, vegetables, mushrooms, and boiled egg in the Special is recommended! It has a moderate spiciness, so even if you don't like spicy food, you can still enjoy it! #TokyoGourmet #TokyoCurry #ShimokitazawaGourmet #ShimokitazawaCurry"

Vegetable curry for 1200 yen. Boiled egg for 100 yen. This curry restaurant in Shimokitazawa is known to have long lines at times. The interior is stylish. The vegetable curry is filled with plenty of vegetables and is very easy to eat. Don't miss the records on display.

The curry has a traditional yet European flavor, similar to home-cooked curry but with a unique taste profile. It starts off mildly sweet and then gradually becomes spicy, creating a delicious balance. While it's described as homey, it's a flavor that may be hard to replicate at home. The special portion size might be a bit small for men. The honey yogurt also looked delicious!

A long-established curry restaurant in Shimokitazawa since 1990. I visited before opening time, 30 minutes early, to avoid the long queue I encountered last time on the weekend. It's located right in the middle of Shimokitazawa and Setagaya-Daita, quite close to Bonustrack. The menu is simple, offering curry only: Chicken for 1100 yen, Beef for 1200 yen, Vegetables for 1100 yen, or an All-in-One option for 1500 yen! I ordered the All-in-One with less rice, which comes with a boiled egg. Salad and a drink are included for an additional 400 yen. The curry, served promptly, was thick and creamy European-style curry. It had a complex flavor, with a noticeable sweetness from the vegetables and a slow-building spiciness. Surprisingly spicy! In addition to chicken and beef, it was loaded with eggplant, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and a boiled egg. There were also flower-shaped carrots and burdock roots. The eggplant was deliciously tender, even though it's not the specialty of the restaurant. The beef was simmered until it fell apart. The background music was selected from a large collection of records. The sign at the entrance read "Curry, Coffee, and Music," so I had a hot coffee after the meal. It was mild with a subtle acidity, exactly to my liking. I really enjoyed the retro vibe of this long-standing curry restaurant! As I left, I saw about 20 people waiting in line! Since they are open all day, it might be best to visit during off-peak hours on weekdays.

I went to Nasu Oyaji in Shimokitazawa. This place is a curry restaurant. As someone who has never waited in line at a curry restaurant before, it was quite a challenge for me. I ended up waiting for an hour and a half just to get inside the restaurant. I ordered the vegetable curry (1200 yen) with a salad and drink set (400 yen). The salad came first, followed by the main curry. Despite the many female customers and couples, the curry was surprisingly spicy. It felt like a medium to hot level of spiciness, and I started sweating while eating. The taste of the roux was strong, and the simmered tomato in the curry had a hidden sweetness to it. The eggplant, which is in the restaurant's name, was also included in the curry, but it didn't have the same impact as the tomato. There were three carrot slices shaped like cherry blossoms on top, but they tasted raw and didn't quite fit well with the curry. The restaurant is surrounded by countless records, giving it a trendy vibe, but the time spent waiting in line far exceeded the time spent eating, and the overall taste balance was not that great. Personally, I found it to be mediocre with no standout points.

I felt like eating curry, so I headed to Shimo-Kitazawa. There are so many curry restaurants, but I don't like it when there are too many spices. I wanted something that would appeal to everyone but still have a good amount of spice. That's when I found "Nasu Oyaji-san"! There was a line of about 3 people, but luckily I got in after about 5 minutes. I was curious about the weekday limited mushroom curry, but I ordered the vegetable curry! The eggplant was so tender. The tomato had just the right amount of acidity, and the broccoli was delicious! The curry sauce seemed pretty normal at first bite, but as I kept eating, the spices and flavors gradually emerged! It wasn't too spicy, and it paired perfectly with the firm rice. The amount of sauce was just right, not too much or too little. The staff were also very friendly, and I think I'll try the special next time, haha. Thank you for the meal!

This is a delicious curry restaurant in Shimokitazawa. I went around 2:00 pm on Sunday and had to wait in line for about 30 minutes to get in. I ordered the special curry. Delicious! I would definitely wait in line to eat this again! The eggplant was especially tasty. I will definitely go back.

Date and time: Saturday or Sunday around 11 o'clock Reservation: Not required Wait time: 1 hour Number of people: 2 Seating: Table Frequency: First visit The curry with vegetables and meat was delicious, with the flavors well concentrated. The rice portion seemed small but was actually quite a lot, so next time I will order a smaller portion.

I arrived at the restaurant at 3:30 pm and was seated in just 30 minutes. I ordered the Special Curry (tax included 1500 yen) and Yogurt (tax included 200 yen). The curry was moderately spicy with a unique flavor. It was luxurious with both chicken and beef in it. The eggplant, as mentioned in the restaurant's name, was juicy and delicious. The boiled egg was tasty, so I want to try making it at home. I thought sharing tables with strangers could help ease the long waiting line.

I visited the restaurant "Nasu Oyaji" for lunch on this day. It's a popular spot in the curry battleground of Shimokitazawa in Kanto, where I've been going to work a lot recently. Even though it was past lunchtime at around 3 p.m., the restaurant was still open, which was a relief. Despite the time, there were still quite a few people inside. I sat at the counter and checked the menu. I ordered the "Beef Curry for 1,200 yen." The curry that arrived was beautifully presented on a clear plate, with rice spread out all over and curry in the center, which was a unique way of serving. Carrot slices cut into flower shapes were used as decoration. The curry had a rich and deep flavor, and the thick type of roux was addictive the more you ate. The beef was also large and tender, which was a big plus. For curry lovers like myself, this restaurant was irresistible in terms of taste and atmosphere! Thank you for the meal!

Arrived around 1 o'clock on Friday. There were about 5 groups waiting in line. I noticed that the line was in the shade and I had someone to talk to, so before I knew it, it was my turn. The curry seemed to have a single flavor, but you could choose the ingredients to put in it. I decided to go all out and get the Special (beef, chicken, vegetables + boiled egg). It had just the right amount of sweetness (maybe from the vegetables?) followed by a nice kick of spiciness. The spiciness was at a level where my friend who doesn't handle spicy food well could just about tolerate it. It might be a bit lacking for those who love really spicy food, but for me, it was just right and I enjoyed every last bite. This place is definitely worth the wait.

Visited around 4 pm on a Sunday. Although it was past peak hours, there was still a wait, and I waited for about 15 minutes. The restaurant had 3-4 table seats and 3-4 counter seats. I chose to sit at the counter. The menu included chicken, beef, vegetables, and a special option with everything. I ordered the special (1,500 yen). It arrived in about 5 minutes. The plate was filled with rice topped with curry, with a boiled egg in the center. The curry had a nice thickness and included chicken, beef, vegetables, and eggplant. I liked the stress-free feeling of being able to scoop up rice and curry together without worrying about proportions. The atmosphere of the restaurant and the service from the staff were just right, giving off a cool vibe of Shimokitazawa. (Records, mutual respect, etc.) Also, having a water pot at the table where I could refill at my own pace was a nice touch. I had a great time. Thank you for the meal.

In a back alley in Shimokitazawa, there is a shop that embodies the essence of the area. The sound of records playing from JBL speakers creates a pleasant atmosphere. Today, they were playing songs by Taeko Onuki. The photo shows a vegetable curry with eggplant, which is my favorite part. The curry has a tangy flavor and is different from spicy or Indian curries. It is simply presented but incredibly delicious, making it easy to keep eating without hesitation.