For lunch, we went to a South Indian dining place. We started with 4 pieces of Chicken Malai Tikka. For curry, I had the Thali Lunch with Chicken, Daikon, and Dal. I decided to make it extra hot. My companion had the usual Chicken Curry. The Malai Tikka was a flavorful chicken tikka with a hint of ginger, softer than Tandoori chicken. Today's curry had chicken and daikon, and being extra hot, it had quite a kick. The Dal curry was mild, but when made extra hot, it transformed into a different curry. We kept ordering more Naan as it was so delicious, and we ended up sharing it. As always, the menu was reliable and the food was delicious.

I had spinach chicken curry with naan and salad. The chicken unexpectedly had bones and was a bit difficult to eat. I couldn't remove all the meat from the bones... I didn't know what the red dish on the side was, but it was extremely spicy, so if you don't like spicy food, it's best not to eat it at all. It numbs your mouth to the point where you can't taste anything else. The staff were from the original country, so it was a bit hard to understand them at times... but that just added to the authentic feel of the food (although I've never eaten it in the original country). The dishes didn't have any strong flavors, but the spices were well balanced and it got spicier towards the end. I also ordered boneless mild tandoori chicken, which was also delicious! It had a unique flavor that I've never tasted before... I definitely want to come back for more. Thank you for the meal.

On Sunday, it was 34 degrees Celsius and rainy. I entered the restaurant at 13:44 and there were already 2 customers. I ordered a vegetarian meal for ¥1,430 and an iced chai. I asked for low-calorie Indian rice for the rice, and for the daily curry, I ordered chicken curry at 0.5 spiciness and bean curry at 1.5 spiciness. The tray arrived in 5 minutes. The tandoori chicken was flavorful at 1.5 spiciness. Unfortunately, the salad was not fresh and the dressing was only on the surface. However, the curries and chai were delicious.

I actually walked to another Indian restaurant nearby, but it was closed for lunch. I thought I had checked their Instagram, but I got the date wrong. So, I decided to go to this Indian restaurant that I had been meaning to try for a long time. It specializes in South Indian cuisine and is called South Indian Dining. It is located in Airodo in Arai Yakushi. I arrived after 12 pm and there were no other customers yet, which made me a bit worried. The lunch menu had six options, including curry lunch and biryani lunch. I ordered the Chicken Biryani Lunch Set for 1200 yen. The dish was served in a unique way, with the biryani being flipped onto the plate from a bowl held by an Indian woman. The biryani was stir-fried style, not the usual cooked-in style. It came with two large chicken legs, which was quite filling. The dish was served with raita and achar, adding a spicy kick to the meal. The set also included chai, which was a blend of cardamom and mint, perfect for cooling down after the spicy meal. The restaurant quickly filled up with regular customers, and I could see why.

I love Naan and Indian curry. It's a lunch set with two types of curry (daily special and choice). Chicken curry and butter chicken curry. Haha, in the end, I always end up choosing chicken curry because I like it... At first, I thought I liked chicken curry more, but gradually butter chicken curry started to grow on me... It has a taste that becomes addictive!! Haha, I guess the spices are just right... This comparison was my first time, so it was fresh and interesting. (I didn't realize the daily special curry was butter chicken and ended up ordering chicken curry) I would like to visit again! Thank you for the meal♪

It's about a 10-minute walk from the north exit of Nakano Station. On the way to Arai Yakushi, you will see shops on your left. Around 12:30 on December 22nd (Thursday), I visited with a friend! The lunch menu is quite reasonable with a daily special for 800 yen. There are also 6 other menu options to choose from. Additionally, all menu items come with one free refill of naan bread. This time, I decided to try the Thali Lunch for 1200 yen. For the Thali Lunch, you can choose between the daily special curry (chicken and mushroom curry on this day) and another option, I chose the bean curry from the 8 available choices. After the meal, they offer chai tea, with the option of hot or cold, and I chose hot. Both the chef, the service, and the atmosphere of the restaurant had a friendly vibe. The food was served in about 6-7 minutes. The naan bread looked deliciously large and was served with spicy onion pickle. The salad was simple and suited to Japanese tastes. The daily special curry was mild with a simple yet flavorful blend of spices that would appeal to everyone. However, the bean curry I chose was a great decision. It was packed with beans and a rich blend of spices in the curry sauce. Although not spicy, it was very flavorful and easy to eat. Mixing in the pickle completely changed the taste. The naan bread was not only visually appealing but also had a sweet flavor in the dough that made it quite tasty on its own. Even though we were full, the staff recommended more naan, so my friend and I ended up sharing an extra serving! The chai tea was unique and had a strong aroma. It was brewed in front of us, and the performance was surprising. It was a small but satisfying cup of tea. The toilets were small and had old-style Western toilets, so be cautious if you are larger in size. I would love to visit again when I crave South Indian curry. Thank you for the meal!

After a long time in Tokyo, with the temperature low and the rain coming and going, I ended up taking the wrong train. I was supposed to go to a South Indian kitchen in Toranomon, but ended up back in Shinjuku, so I went to a South Indian dining in Nakano instead. The restaurant was smaller than I expected. I chose the Veg Meals. The paratha was thin, the rasam was delicious, the sambar didn't have drumsticks, the vegetable curry was okay, the pakoras were tasty, I left the lentil pakoras, the yogurt was not too sweet, the daikon urugai was delicious, papadum, and rice made from Japanese rice. I wish they had basmati rice. I couldn't finish the sambar with Japanese rice because it didn't go well together. The hot tea with air was delicious. The staff's attention was also wonderful. The bill of 1320 yen was cheap. I wish I could have changed to basmati rice for an additional charge, that's my only regret.

The restaurant is located about a 9-minute walk from Nakano Station North Exit on the JR Chuo Line. On this day, I arrived at 1:04 PM. The restaurant was established in August 2005. It is a South Indian cuisine restaurant, which is quite rare compared to the more common North Indian cuisine restaurants. The restaurant is run by two men who appear to be Indian. There are mainly table seats with some counter seats, totaling about 25 seats. The lunch menu includes typical South Indian dishes like meals and dosas. I ordered the "Vegetarian Meals (1,320 yen)" for today's meal. The meal was quite filling and looked delicious. The vegetable curry included radish and carrots, but the other ingredients were too mushy to identify. It had a moderate level of spiciness and was quite watery. The sambar, a curry-like dish with beans and vegetables, was mild in comparison. The rasam, a spicy South Indian soup, had a strong tomato base with a tangy flavor. The pakora, made of onions and chickpea flour, was a bit spicy and had a crispy texture. The achaar, a spicy onion pickle, was served in a small portion but packed a punch. The paratha, made of unfermented wheat dough with butter, was heavy but had a chewy texture. It was served with rice, papadum, yogurt, and chai. Overall, the meal was enjoyable and I would like to visit again for dinner. Check out my detailed review on my blog: https://www.koumetan.com/article/492644330.html

Special lunch for 1300 yen. Visited before 12 o'clock on a holiday and there were 3 customers already. Had keema and mutton curry, which were flavorful but not too spicy. The naan was of a good size and you could ask for refills. The tandoori chicken and chicken tikka were delicious. The chai at the end was also tasty. Overall, great value for money.

◎Daily Curry (Bean and Chicken Curry) for 880 yen (including tax) was ordered, but the spiciness level was not specified and it was likely the standard spiciness of the restaurant. Upon tasting, it was not very spicy. The bean and chicken curry used coconut milk, which may have contributed to the mild flavor. The taste was like a textbook example of curry made with coconut milk, cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt, and pepper, nothing extraordinary. It was a decent chicken curry with a hint of cilantro, and for those who do not like spicy food, it could be considered more like a non-spicy Thai curry than an Indian curry. ◎Naan (One free refill) was thin and crispy. However, it was quite thin and lacked enough dough, making it cool quickly. The thinness made the inside a bit hollow. ◎Service was indifferent. The staff did not wear masks. ◎Atmosphere was cramped and lacked cleanliness. ◎Prices (Lunch) ranged from 880 yen to 1500 yen, with prices excluding tax on the menu. ◎Cost-Performance: The reviewer considered ordering a Meals set but opted out due to the high price of 1200 yen for just one curry, sambar, and rasam. Comparing it to other South Indian restaurants in Tokyo offering three curries for a similar price, the cost-performance seemed poor. ◎Overall: The taste and atmosphere were okay but nothing outstanding. The restaurant felt somewhat authentic but lacked cleanliness. The lack of complimentary services made the prices seem slightly high. The reviewer may not recommend it for a date or to friends. The service was not very accommodating for the price point, and there are other options in the area. The restaurant is popular for its unique dishes like dosa and veg meals, but it may not be worth seeking out for curry enthusiasts. The restaurant is part of the PayPay cashback scheme, so it was quite busy. Overall, it may not be a must-visit for curry lovers, especially with other options available in Nakano.

I had Veg Meals. The vegetable curry looked not spicy at all but it was surprisingly spicy (laughs). You can choose up to 4 levels of spiciness, and this is considered normal...!? The Rasam was also spicy. The acidity was strong too. But it was delicious (^ ^) The Sambar had a mild and gentle taste. It's nice to have yogurt on the side. When you mix it at the end, the spiciness in your mouth completely disappears and it feels refreshing... Mysterious. By the way, the rice here is not Basmati, just regular rice. You can't see it in the picture, but these delicious Pakoras come in 2 pieces!! I was too full to eat both, so I left one on the side without saying anything, and they kindly offered to pack it for takeout! They are so kind (＊><＊) Also, I brought my child with me and they have a "Not Spicy! Kids Set" which includes Naan, Butter Chicken (which I tasted and found to be sweet enough for even small children to eat, my kid enjoyed it), salad, yogurt, and juice for 800 yen (^ ^)

The curry and chai were delicious and my favorite flavors! However, I think the other dishes may have a taste that is more of an acquired taste. The seasoning seemed authentic to the country's taste. The staff were all foreigners, giving the place an exotic vibe. The restaurant was quite hot inside, so as someone who gets hot easily, I would prefer to visit when it's cooler. I would like to try the biryani next time.

Arrived around 11:45 on Saturday and was able to enter without waiting. Ordered the vegetarian meal for 1,200 yen and added cheese naan for 615 yen, totaling 1,815 yen including tax. The restaurant offers South Indian dishes like biryani and dosa. The food was served in about 10 minutes. The vegetarian meal was impressive, including rasam, sambar, green bean and eggplant curry, pakora, yogurt, pickles, paratha, papad, and rice. Although the curry and soup options were a bit limited, the portion sizes were generous. The flavors were well-balanced and the spices complemented the ingredients nicely. The rasam, in particular, had a strong and tangy taste that was very enjoyable. They also served chai tea after the meal. I would definitely consider revisiting if I am in the area again.

I visited this place around 12:00 on January 3rd, as I had been eyeing it for a while for curry. There were 3 groups of customers before me. I ordered the Lamb Chop Biryani. The staff were very polite and provided excellent service. It took about 10 minutes for the food to be served. The Biryani was overflowing from the plate and came with salad, chicken curry, raita (yogurt salad), and halva (dessert) on a tray. The lamb chops had a nice texture and I enjoyed eating them with the Biryani, pouring curry over them, mixing them with the salad, and so on until the end without getting tired of it. The spiciness was just right. You can choose between hot and iced chai. I chose hot chai, and the staff poured it in the traditional way. Everything was delicious. I would like to visit again. Thank you for the meal!

Visited for the first time with my son. I ordered Chennai Meals (Vegetarian Meals), and my son ordered a Cheese Dosa Set and Blueberry Lassi. They have a kids' set, but my son prefers Cheese Dosa. First, we tried the Chennai Meals. The curries and pakoras were all delicious, but the rice was disappointing as it was not Japanese rice. The Cheese Dosa my 6-year-old son ordered was quite large, but he managed to finish it completely. The staff kindly offered my son a Chicken Curry as it was not spicy. I tried a bit of the Dosa, and it was really delicious. The Blueberry Lassi and Chai were not to my liking. This restaurant is known for serving on banana leaves, but they only accept orders for two people. I would love to come back and pay a little extra to order it even if I'm dining alone.

Continuing the journey in South India from the previous day. A delicious lunch place just a 7-8 minute walk from Nakano Station! Although this restaurant displays a sign for South Indian cuisine, it mainly features North Indian "naan" as the staple, which may be a remnant of the popularity of Indian curry in Japan. From the menu, I ordered the "Vegetarian Meals" which includes options like "dosa," "paratha," and "biryani," but I chose the "paratha" option. The Vegetarian Meals included vegetable curry, sambar, rasam, paratha rice, pakora, yogurt, and chai. The paratha had a chewy texture and went well with the vegetable curry and sambar. The vegetable curry with lotus root had a mild flavor. The pakora served as a meat substitute and was crispy and flavorful. The rasam had a spicy kick, typical of authentic South Indian flavors. Towards the end, the staff offered more rice, but I was already full. I enjoyed the chai, which was frothy and mixed well with the air, along with yogurt to aid digestion. Overall, it was a truly wholesome Vegetarian Meal. Thank you for the meal. The only downside was that the menu prices were before tax, which was briefly mentioned on the cover of the menu booklet. This rule changed in April 2021...

Mutton Biryani / ¥1,430 It's been about half a year since I last had Biryani. I've been craving it so much. The taste was just as I expected. Each bite has a different flavor due to the whole spices, which is interesting. It's also quite spicy, so I had some yogurt (raita) to cool my mouth. Even though I ate quite a lot, there's still some left. It's quite filling. The mutton was generously portioned and had no unpleasant smell. I was very satisfied~

At Nakano's South Indian Dining, I had Biryani. This restaurant has been on my list for a long time. I used to be crazy about Biryani, thinking about it from morning till night. I opted for the mutton Biryani set. The Biryani was simple in appearance but had a generous portion and fluffy texture. It wasn't too spicy but had a nice spice flavor. The chunks of mutton were delicious and the portion size was impressive. I personally don't use raita, I prefer to just eat the Biryani. My companion had the Thali B set, which allowed them to customize their meal with items like chicken curry, shrimp curry, tandoori chicken, kebab, and samosa. The curries were decent. We also had lassi and chai, and left the restaurant feeling extremely full. The ambiance of the restaurant, which has been around for a long time, was quite pleasant!

Palm's visit to the Omui, aiming for Marol Gabawan, but... it was a regular holiday /(^o^)\ It's not open for Uzbek cuisine either... So, in the end, I returned near Palm's. Now, should I go for the traditional yakisoba, soupless tantanmen, or the difficult-to-enter South Indian restaurant with a challenging exterior... After much contemplation, I ended up in front of this place. The strong local smell emanating from the place made it difficult to enter... But since I had come this far, I wanted to go in \(//∇//)\ I arrived at the restaurant at 13:20. An older man wearing a face shield greeted me sharply, "Welcome!" He pointed to a table in the middle, so I sat down and looked at the menu. Hmm, there are many options. They have dosa, but maybe I should go for the biryani. I suddenly felt a strong craving for biryani. I ordered the "Mutton Biryani (1300 yen)" and looked around the restaurant. The interior had a similar vibe to the exterior, with intense music playing in the background. Perhaps it's for COVID-19 measures, as each table had acrylic dividers. There was only one young couple as the previous customers. Wait, wasn't this the place where they had a meal and BM?! I realized this just as it was completed in 12 minutes. A salad, raita, pickle, and a bowl with a Japanese touch were presented. The man, who had not softened his expression, removed the bowl with a somewhat respectful gesture, revealing the biryani molded in the shape of the bowl. What kind of presentation is this with a Japanese bowl? Well, it seems like a "unique" presentation, I thought, as the biryani crumbled away. But that's fine, it's meant to be fluffy, right? (￣▽￣) So, the biryani was all mixed together, not in the dam style. It had a fluffy texture, with a blend of short-grain rice and basmati. The filling was mutton, mutton, mutton. There was a lot of it! It was tender, almost no smell, and the fatty pieces were delicious. There were also some sliced chili peppers and whole spices that occasionally burst. The raita was not as crunchy as the biryani at Anas Dosa, which means it's a biryani that's gentle on the teeth. The salad had a Nepali-like appearance and a sweet dressing. Maybe it had tamarind? The pickle seemed to be made of carrots. Oh, it's spicy! This was a good flavor change. I mixed in the not sweet raita in the middle, and towards the end, I mixed in the salad and pickle. It was tangy, sweet, spicy, and savory! \(//∇//)\ I finished eating and felt full. But compared to the prawn biryani at Kerala Pawon, it was about two-thirds the volume (the price was about the same). It was not as rough but still spicy. They used plenty of mutton. As I got up to pay with my mask on, the man stopped me and said something about "chai... hot chai..." I only caught that part (･_･;) I quickly responded with "ice chai"... and it seemed to go through. It must be part of the set. While I was having this exchange, two young women arrived. They ordered a cheese dosa and an egg biryani. Maybe they are regulars (￣▽￣) The bill came to 1450 yen. Oh, it's a bit expensive, I thought, but when I handed over the exact amount, I received 20 yen back (｀・ω・´) It felt like a Sandowichman skit, but the price was correct at 1300 yen plus tax. I left the restaurant and headed to Arai Yakushi, to be continued.