During my lunchtime commute (from Iwamotocho to Akihabara for a transfer), I passed through Akihabara, so I decided to have lunch there. I had been curious about "Niconico Mazemen & Curry" for a while, so I finally decided to give it a try. The restaurant has only a counter with about 8 seats. The menu features Mazemen and Japanese-style curry, but I decided to order the Sri Lankan curry that was displayed on the wall. The Sri Lankan curry comes in four varieties: chicken, beef, fish, and lamb, but I was told that they were out of lamb for the day, so I stuck with my initial choice of fish. I also wanted to try the Samosa, but I'll save that for next time. As I waited absentmindedly after placing my order, I heard the cheerful sound of something frying in oil. I hadn't ordered any fried food, so I was wondering what it could be when another customer's order of Samosa (2 pieces) arrived. I was a bit envious. Then I heard the sound of frying again... and this time, my fish curry arrived with quite a visual impact! A big chunk of bonito fish in the fish curry. Oh, right, Sri Lanka uses Maldive fish. But what really catches the eye is the deep-fried sardine. Its presence is quite striking. There's also lentil curry and Pol Sambol. Pol Sambol is a Sri Lankan condiment made with Maldive fish and coconut flakes, one of my favorites! I'm so happy to see it generously sprinkled on top. The fish curry is quite spicy, but when mixed with various elements, it becomes just the right level of spiciness. Especially when combined with the creamy lentil curry, it's a perfect match. The fried fish was easy to separate from the bones, so I made sure to eat the head and tail cleanly. But wait, the rice... isn't it not that much!? I was already quite full halfway through, but I managed to finish the rest while huffing and puffing. Next time, I'll definitely ask for less rice... ("Let's go all out for lunch!")

- Spicy Soy Sauce Ramen ¥1,290 tax included Located a little over a 5-minute walk from Akihabara Station on the JR Sobu Line, this place is a mix of ramen and curry? It's a curry shop? I think I first heard about it on Twitter, as a place that offers curry mixed with noodles, and I had been wanting to visit someday. So, when I happened to be in Akihabara for another reason, I thought it was the perfect chance to check it out. Therefore, I believe there might be a closer route if you're not coming from Akihabara. Either way, the transportation network around here is quite convenient. Now, about the restaurant. Despite the name suggesting a mix of noodles and curry, the curry, which was the popular Sri Lankan curry, was on hold. So, I had to decide between having the mixed noodles or trying the ramen. However, the menu mainly focused on ramen, with options like soy sauce, salt, miso, and even potage ramen. But there was no mixed noodles... what to do. The curry section mentioned a "Japanese-style" curry. In such a situation, I guess you have to choose from the top left of the menu or go with the "recommended" items. So, I ended up choosing the Spicy Soy Sauce Ramen. The staff, consisting of a male cook and a female staff member who seemed to be in training, were both attentive. The female staff member seemed to be still learning, and the male staff member was guiding her through the cooking process. I watched this while waiting for my noodles to be ready. When the Spicy Soy Sauce Ramen was served, it was quite good. [Spicy Soy Sauce Ramen] I was expecting a strong, curry-like spiciness to hit me, but the first thing that struck me was the bonito-based seafood aroma. The base was a rich tonkotsu ramen. The red sauce, resembling Sri Lankan curry, was like a flavored oil. It added spice and a kick of heat, but I was surprised by the fishy base of the ramen. It was quite rich and bold, so even though it was labeled as "spicy," I found it quite enjoyable. The noodles were thick and chewy, suitable for dipping or mixing. However, if they were to be used for dipping or mixing, they could have been a bit thicker. These noodles were versatile, but at the same time, they felt a bit lacking. The meat was lamb chashu, resembling the tender, old-fashioned drinking chashu, but with a different aroma due to the lamb meat. It was something unique to this shop. Although it wasn't the mixed noodles I was expecting, it packed a punch and was quite delicious. Thank you for the meal.

As soon as I entered the restaurant, the Sri Lankan owner informed me that they were out of Sri Lankan curry and potage curry. I was disappointed as I had come to eat the "Potage Curry Noodles". So, I ended up ordering the "Spinach Curry" for 1,000 yen from the "Japanese-style Curry" menu. The owner, a Sri Lankan man, explained that once the new coronavirus pandemic is over, many foreign tourists line up outside the restaurant at night. He mentioned that preparing the labor-intensive potage curry noodles and Sri Lankan curry would only allow him to sleep for 2 hours. It must be tough to handle such a busy place. The curry, named Japanese-style curry, was thick and had a strong consistency. The spinach was well-cooked, adding to the thickness. It was sticky and delicious to eat. The curry was quite spicy, which I found to be its distinctive feature. Perhaps Japanese-style curry is the most suitable for Japanese people after all (laughs).

I went to this restaurant with the expectation of having Sri Lankan curry, but unfortunately they were not serving it at the moment. The staff mentioned that it would be a while before they offer it again. Nevertheless, since I was already there, I decided to have curry before leaving. This restaurant is Halal certified. Although I was also interested in trying their ramen, I was in the mood for curry that day. The restaurant was full, so I waited outside for about 15 minutes. The interior of the restaurant is small with only a counter seating. I ordered the "Beef Curry" for 1300 yen. The curry arrived in a large plate with just one small potato and carrot, but plenty of meat. The consistency of the curry was medium, and surprisingly it was quite spicy. The meat was tender. I hope they bring back the Sri Lankan curry someday.

During Golden Week, there were relatively few people in the streets. I decided to have a late lunch and felt like eating Sri Lankan curry. When I entered the restaurant, it was almost full. The lone staff member seemed to be working hard. I sat down and ordered a large portion of Sri Lankan curry with fish. There was a group of five salarymen waiting as well. The curry arrived, and it was quite a generous portion. The yellow part of the curry had a coconut milk flavor and was spicy, which made it delicious. I also tried mixing the fried fish with the curry, which was also tasty. I think the red curry had mackerel in it. Overall, the Sri Lankan curry here is really delicious. I finished my meal quickly. Sorry, all the photos came out blurry. Thank you for the meal!

I had Sri Lankan curry at a popular restaurant near Iwamoto-cho, close to Akihabara. The menu has a variety of options, making it hard to decide. The Sri Lankan curry had colorful flavors, allowing me to taste a bit of each before mixing them together to enjoy.

■ Pre-visit Evaluation Visited before 3 pm on a holiday. There was only one Southeast Asian male staff member, who spoke broken Japanese. Since the operating hours on Tabelog were until 3 pm, we asked if we could enter by opening the door, and although hesitantly, we were allowed in. Two colleagues and I entered the shop. ■ Atmosphere/Service It was a small shop with only a counter, but it was almost full once we sat down. All customers were Southeast Asian, so it seemed like a connection among foreign residents in Japan. Although there was a Sri Lankan curry menu posted outside, inside, there were only ramen and Japanese-style curry menus. I thought about confirming, but it seemed difficult to communicate in detail as they were busy, so I ordered the "Karaage Curry" from the Japanese curry menu. Order: Karaage Curry ¥1,100. By the way, my friend had ordered Chicken Cutlet Curry, but after ordering, they were asked if they could change it to Karaage Curry because the cutlet wasn't fried well. The reason was not clear, but it seemed like they were too busy to change the fryer oil. Although the counter seats were full, all dishes seemed to have been served, so I thought the food would be served quickly, but I waited quite a bit. About 20 minutes. It was a holiday, so those who were drinking alcohol had ordered some dishes, and some of them were not served yet, and there were people who had reservations, which caused a delay. ■ Taste/Cost Performance As it was labeled as Japanese-style curry, it looked just like typical Japanese curry. The roux was thick, but the flavor was somewhat subtle, lacking depth and range. Additionally, it was quite spicy by default, so those who are not good with spicy food would struggle. This spiciness seemed to be from chili peppers rather than spices. The solid ingredients included carrots, onions, and karaage. The karaage itself was ordinary, but I re-acknowledged that karaage goes well with curry. There was a generous amount of rice, and with three large pieces of karaage, my stomach was sufficiently satisfied. The women sitting next to me seemed to leave quite a bit of food, so it might be a large portion for women. ■ Overall I was reasonably satisfied, but my friend was dissatisfied, partly due to it being too spicy. However, if I have the opportunity to come again, I probably wouldn't order Japanese-style curry. I'm not sure if I could have ordered Sri Lankan curry, but next time, I would like to try that.

I ordered the Spicy Soy Sauce Ramen. It was a bit pricey, costing over 1,000 yen, but it was my first time trying Curry Ramen. The taste was spicy and different from Curry Udon. The noodles and toppings seemed a bit messy and not well put together, but overall it was delicious.

The Sri Lankan curry (especially the fish) is so delicious, but I was drawn in by the visual appeal and ordered the Chicken Katsu Don for 990 yen. The crispy chicken katsu is the type that doesn't get soggy. The sweet and savory sauce on the egg underneath is delightful. The generous amount of green onions adds a nice touch. The curry is delicious and the katsu don is delicious too! Thank you for the meal!

I was curious about this restaurant with its visually impactful fish curry. The restaurant has only about 10 counter seats, so I thought I might have to wait in line. However, when I visited around 13:30 on a weekday, there was only one other customer, so I was able to have the place to myself. I ordered the fish curry for 1200 yen. They had two types of curry, Japanese-style curry and Sri Lankan curry, and you could choose between rice and noodles, which was a unique menu option. The Japanese-style curry could be made spicy for an extra 50 yen or very spicy for an extra 100 yen. The Sri Lankan curry is originally spicy, so you couldn't choose the level of spiciness, but they made it spicier for me since it was not busy. The whole fried sardine was quite impressive and got me excited! You can eat it from head to tail, crispy and delicious, and the meat goes well with the rice. The curry was also very flavorful and spicy, with a sweet curry and stir-fried dish on top. Mixing it with coconut made it incredibly addictive! The staff were Sri Lankan and spoke fluent Japanese, and were very friendly. The restaurant is located between Akihabara Station and Iwamotocho Station, about a 5-minute walk from either, so it's not a bad location. Please try it out if you get the chance. Thank you for the meal!

Visited the curry specialty restaurant "Niconico" by crossing the Kanda Friendship Bridge from Akihabara Station. The restaurant is located in a somewhat quiet and lonely area. They offer Japanese-style curry and Sri Lankan curry as their main dishes. Opted for the safe choice of Japanese-style curry. Ordered the Potage Curry Noodles (with extra rice) for 1,100 yen. When I asked for a large portion of noodles, they mentioned that it comes with extra rice. The dish arrived after a 10-minute wait. It was a lively bowl with chicken, green onions, seaweed, and a half-boiled egg. I thought it was going to be like "maze soba" since they said it comes with extra rice, but in reality, it was more like curry ramen with plenty of soup. Well, I like both, so it's fine with me. Now, let's dig in. The curry soup was thick and rich, sweet at first and then the spices gradually kicked in. I was satisfied with the level of spiciness, but I think it would have been nice to add some extra heat for an additional 50 yen. The spices seemed like they were about to burst out, giving a delicious anticipation. The default medium-thick noodles were firm with a great texture that paired well with the soup. I asked if they had paper aprons to protect my shirt from splashes, and they said they did. After finishing the noodles, I added the extra rice. It mixed easily with the remaining soup. Eating with chopsticks was a bit challenging, so I asked if they had a spoon, and they did. The curry rice at the end was a nice change of taste, and the portion was satisfying. The service may not be up to Japanese standards, but I was content with enjoying my favorite curry ramen.

Lunch in Akihabara. I remembered that there was a new restaurant at the site where Curry No◯riko used to be, so I decided to check it out. They offer a unique combination of mixed noodles and curry. I saw the menu outside, with Japanese-style and Sri Lankan-style options, and the first item was Potage Curry Noodles, which sounded intriguing. I decided to try the Sri Lankan Chicken Curry based on the photo displayed. The restaurant only had counter seating, similar to when it was Curry No◯riko. The place was busy during lunchtime, but I managed to get a seat. The Sri Lankan man running the kitchen prepared the orders. I noticed confusion among customers about the menu items. When my order of Chicken Curry arrived, it looked colorful and appetizing. The dish consisted of two types of curry, chicken chunks, spiced edamame, carrots, and coconut flakes. The flavors were mild and I expected more spice complexity. The portion was generous, and I enjoyed mixing the different components. Overall, the experience was interesting, but I felt something was missing in terms of flavor punch. I plan to try the noodle dishes or other Japanese-style curries on my next visit.

While looking for a Southeast Asian restaurant near Akihabara, I found an unvisited Sri Lankan restaurant in Kanda Sudacho, so I decided to have lunch there. The name of the restaurant is "Nikoniko," and the nearest station is Iwamotocho, but it is also within walking distance from Akihabara and Kanda stations. The location of the restaurant was a bit difficult to find as it was slightly hidden from the main street. The exterior didn't give off an inviting vibe, and I probably wouldn't have entered if I didn't know about it beforehand. There were menus displayed outside, offering Japanese-style curry, Sri Lankan curry, and Sri Lankan curry noodles. Inside, there were only about 10 counter seats, giving off a ramen shop atmosphere. The Sri Lankan curry options included chicken for ¥1,000, and fish, mutton, and beef for ¥1,200, with the curry noodles being slightly more expensive. I wanted to order mutton, but the staff recommended either chicken or fish, so I went with fish. *When I asked the staff later, they explained that they only offered two options that day due to the expected low number of customers because of the rain, but on sunny days, they have four options available. However, looking at previous reviews, very few people seem to have tried the mutton, so there remains a question. The plate consisted of rice topped with pol sambol, parippu, fish curry (possibly bonito), moju (eggplant?), and fried fish (sardine?). The four items on top of the rice were all well-spiced, with the fish being spicy, while the others were moderately spicy. The dishes were not too oily, and each tasted delicious on its own, but mixing them added complexity to the flavors, making it even more enjoyable. The rice, although it looked like Japanese rice, had a different flavor, possibly Sri Lankan rice. It was fluffy and paired well with the curry. The portion of rice was more than it seemed, and I struggled to find the right balance with the curry, but I ended up feeling almost full. A female customer who came after me ordered "less rice," so for those with a smaller appetite, that might be a better option. Despite the unassuming exterior, the restaurant offered authentic flavors, and although the prices were a bit on the higher side, I was satisfied with the portion size, making it a positive experience.

Today I visited Nico Nico Maze Men & Curry for their Sri Lankan curry noodles, which I had been wanting to try. It had been 10 months since my last visit. When I asked if I could have the Sri Lankan curry in noodle form, I was told it wasn't possible, but I insisted and finally got to try it. I arrived at 2:20 pm with only one other group of two customers leaving. I chose the fish option and was served the fish curry noodles with Mama curry (sappa) and mackerel. The curry had a tangy and sweet flavor due to the addition of pineapple. The noodles were chewy and delicious, although a bit more saltiness would have made the flavors stand out more. I added a bit of salt and pepper from the condiments on the table to adjust the taste. The dish was generous with two types of fish, and I thoroughly enjoyed mixing it all together and finishing it. It seems like the restaurant is focusing more on Sri Lankan curry dishes, so I hope to visit again before the curry noodles are no longer available. Thank you for the meal.

The restaurant recently reopened with a revised menu. It was my first visit, even though I frequent the Akihabara area. The surroundings felt quiet, likely due to it being a Sunday in an office district. I imagined it would be livelier on a weekday. The area is competitive with curry restaurants like "Kamui" and the longstanding "PLUCK." The interior had a unique atmosphere resembling a local food stall, with only counter seats available. I ordered the Sri Lankan curry noodle with fish (1250 yen). It was a Sri Lankan curry mixed with noodles, a dish I had never seen before. Surprisingly, it was incredibly delicious. The fish had a strong flavor but did not overpower the overall harmony of the dish. The combination of Sri Lankan curry and noodles was unexpectedly perfect, creating a unique and complete dish. It didn't resemble Japanese ramen or mixed noodles, giving the illusion of eating authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. The taste was one-of-a-kind, leaving me unable to think of anything similar. Despite the price of 1250 yen, which may seem high for mixed noodles, the generous portion of fish made it feel worth it. I highly recommend this dish to those who enjoy unique and delicious food. I would rate it 8 out of 10.

[Revisited on June 22, 2022] Once again, on this weekday, my return home was slightly delayed. Feeling hungry near Kanda Station, I got off the train and found that it was already close to the last order time for places other than izakayas. Before I knew it, I was in Iwamotocho. Then I remembered this restaurant. On my first visit, I had ordered the "mixed noodles" at this Sri Lankan curry restaurant and was surprised by its high quality. I decided to try the curry menu next time, but due to the early closure caused by COVID, I couldn't fulfill that plan. When I entered the restaurant around 9:30 pm, there were only two other customers inside. Looking at the menu, the curry dishes didn't seem very Sri Lankan in the photos, but when I asked for "Chicken Curry," I was asked if I wanted the Japanese or Sri Lankan version. Seeing the Sri Lankan curry menu on the wall, I decided to go with that. The other customer who came in after me also ordered the same and was asked if it was spicy, to which they replied that it would be fine when mixed with the other curry that comes with it. Both dishes arrived in less than 10 minutes! The presentation was surprising for a curry priced at 1,000 yen including tax. It included Chicken Curry and Dal, generously topped with Maldives fish flakes and Porsambol. The Chicken Curry was moderately spicy, with a kick that might be a bit much for those who don't like spicy food. The flavor and richness of the curry were slightly overshadowed by the spiciness. As the staff suggested, mixing it with the Dal provided a nice balance in terms of flavor and texture. The Dal was not too thick and had a good umami flavor. The combination seemed well thought out. The meal, including the side dishes, was satisfying when mixed together. This restaurant truly offers high-quality dishes. The previous tenant in this location was a very popular restaurant. Keep up the good work! Thank you for the meal.

NicoNico mixed noodles & Sri Lankan curry fish. What surprised me was the amount of rice. It's a dish that will definitely fill you up. It has fried fish like Gurukun, a big chunk of fish curry, Maldives fish flakes, spinach, and lentils. The taste is wild too. The Sri Lankan shop owner seemed serious and not very smiley. Next time, I'll try the mixed noodles.

I revisited for lunch. This time I ordered the Sri Lankan fish curry. It had fried sardines on top. It was delicious to eat while breaking them apart with a spoon. The restaurant was not crowded around 1 pm. The owner, as always, managed things smoothly by himself. Thank you for the delicious meal again.

Curry shop in Akihabara. It used to be Curry Notrico. Visited at night around 8 pm, no other customers. Sri Lankan brother who speaks Japanese is running the shop. Ordered Sri Lankan beef curry for 1200 yen. Was asked about the level of spiciness, but was told that in Sri Lanka, you can't choose the spiciness level, it can be made spicy but it changes the flavor. After a bit of hesitation, decided to go for spicy. The curry that came out was around level 6-7 in terms of spiciness, with a nice kick. The beef curry itself was delicious and easy to eat, with no strong flavors. There was also salted cabbage stir-fry, pumpkin curry, and bean curry as side dishes. Additionally, there was bonito flakes and coconut sprinkle, which added a nice touch. The bonito flakes might be Morjib fish. Mixing them into the curry enhanced the flavor. The only downside was that the rice was Japanese rice, it would have been better with basmati rice. The portion of rice was quite generous. Recommended for those who like Sri Lankan curry.

When I visited the shop around 1 pm on Saturday, there was only one customer at the small shop with a counter. I chose the fish curry. The fish curry of the day included mackerel curry, paripp, polsambol, mallun, fish fry (sardines), and Japanese rice. The mackerel curry was tomato-based and quite spicy. However, the other dishes were not spicy, and I think this mackerel curry was made milder for Japanese taste. The paripp seemed to be coconut-based and quite mild. The polsambol had a slightly nutty flavor, and the texture was good, but I think it would be tastier with more nuts. The most delicious dish was the fish fry. It was made with sardines that were easy to eat as they were crispy and could be easily broken with a spoon. I'm not sure if it's the right way, but I ate it from head to tail. Looking at other reviews, I noticed that even with the same fish curry, the type of fish may vary from day to day, so it's nice to be able to try different fish curries each time I visit. I would have been even happier if the rice was basmati. Also, please note that cash payment is the only option.

A hidden gem in the back alleys of Akihabara, serving mixed noodles and curry with a smile. The young Sri Lankan owner offers a unique menu at this L-shaped counter-only establishment. They have mixed noodles, curry, Sri Lankan curry, and other interesting dishes available. I tried the Fit Curry (1,100 yen tax included) which included bonito curry, dried sardines polsambo, tender cabbage, and Japanese rice. I visited this place due to its connection to AJICO Salon, a hidden Sri Lankan gem in Koishikawa. It was quite an interesting spot.