Curry, the comfort food of Japan. It has that spicy smell sure to whet your appetite, as well as being a staple of good home-cooking. Some people even say that they could eat curry every day. Curry lovers have done an extensive research to make carefully prepared renditions that border on works of art. We’ve put together a list full of the best Tokyo curry restaurants where you’ll likely find your favorite curry in Japan. Let’s dig in!
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01
Yakuzen Soup Curry Shania in Meguro
Chicken and Vegetables Soup Curry 1,450yen
Tucked away in the back of a residential area, only a 10-minutes walk from JR Ebisu Station lies Yakuzen Soup Curry Shania. It’s a shop popular with those curry lovers in-the-know. The soup curry here has a chicken broth base with vegetables, seafood, jujubes, and safflower for an especially fragrant dish. Their curry is also said to have medicinal properties, and it’s good for people who suffer from poor circulation or chills.
Recommended dish: Chicken and Vegetables Soup CurryShania in Meguro
Shania in Meguro
- Yakuzen Soup Curry Shania
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- Tokyo Meguro-ku Mita 1-5-5
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- 0334423962
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- [Tuesday-Friday]11:30-14:30(…
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02
Beef Tendon Curry Chiisana Curry-ya in Shin-Okubo
You’ll find Chiisana Curry-ya (lit. “little curry shop”) on a backstreet 2 minutes on foot from JR Okubo Station. It’s got a fairly weathered exterior for that hideaway vibe. The Beef Tendon Curry comes in three sizes, with the largest running only 880 yen, but even the regular size almost overflows from the plate. The tender beef tendon is matched with a slightly sweet taste, and the fried onions add that extra texture to keep you coming back.
Recommended dish: Beef Tendon CurryBeef Tendon Curry 450yen and Salad 50yen
- Ushisuji Curry chisana Curry Ie
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4.0
18 Reviews -
- Tokyo Shinjuku-ku Hyakuninchou 1-24-10
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- 08034122114
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03
Sumatra Curry Kyoeido in Jimbocho
Pork Curry 950yen
Sumatra Curry is the oldest shop in the highly competitive area for curry restaurants, Jimbocho. Founded way back in 1924, the secret to their success is in the sauce. On first look, the black sauce may be shocking, but that’s because they use 26 kinds of spices stewed with meat and vegetables for smooth and satisfying taste without using any wheat flour. Once you try their curry, it’s easy to get addicted.
It’s a minute’s walk from the A5 exit of Jimbocho Station.
Recommended dish: Pork CurryKyoeido in Jimbocho
- Sumatra Curry Kyoeido
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3.5
69 Reviews -
- Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Kandajinbocho 1-6 San Building B1
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- 0332911475
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- 11:00-20:00(L.O.19:45)
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04
Curry Bondy in Jimbocho
Beef Curry 1,480yen
The plentiful use of dairy and several types of fruit and vegetables gives a mild flavor and thick texture to Curry Bondy’s offerings. Expect a rich sauce that’s a collaboration between the sweetness from onions and a hint of spice. In addition to a specially cooked rice topped with cheese, the curry also comes with two potatoes and a dollop of butter. Eating the rice and potatoes together gives the meal a dynamic edge, sure to fill you up.
It’s 1 minute on foot from the A6 exit of Jimbocho Station.
Recommended dish: Beef Curry -
05
Mandala in Jimbocho
Chicken Butter Masala 1,296yen
Mandala’s curry is based on the Northern Indian style without adapting too much to the Japanese palate. They also make their own garam masala (the spices crucial for curry) in-house for a unique taste. The Chicken Butter Masala curry combines the acidity of several tomatoes with the mild sweetness of creamy butter, all in concert with a healthy portion of spices. Don’t miss the fluffy, chewy naan to complete the meal, either. Mandala has been featured on several Japanese TV shows and even manga, so it’s the real deal.
It’s only a minute’s walk from the A6 exit of Jimbocho Station.
Recommended dish: Chicken Butter MasalaMandala in Jimbocho
- Mandala
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4.0
62 Reviews -
- Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Kandajimbouchou 2-17
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- 0332650498
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- [Weekday]11:00-15:00(L.O.14:…
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06
Ethiopia in Jimbocho
Vegetable Curry 930yen
Ethiopia’s curry is a happy mix between medicinal style and Indian style curry, offering a heaping helping of vegetables and 12 types of spices. It has a healthier appeal, chock full of vegetables like broccoli, green peppers, eggplant, and cabbage that are cooked separately to preserve their crispness. The vegetable curry also comes with a small potato and margarine for an appetizer, and you can have as many as you’d like to make sure you don’t leave hungry.
It’s only 3 minutes on foot from the A5 exit of Jimbocho Station.
Recommended dish: Vegetable CurryEthiopia in Jimbocho
- Curry Rice Ethiopia Main Shop
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4.0
107 Reviews -
- Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Kandaogawamachi 3-10-6
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- 0332954310
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- [Weekday/Saturday] [1F] 11:…
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07
Tomato in Ogikubo
Wagyu Beef Java Curry 2,300yen
Tomato has a reputation as possibly being the best curry in Japan. It has a line even before it opens, and it was listed in the Bib Gourmand Michelin Guide for Tokyo. The super thick curry is stewed with vegetables, 36 spices, and wagyu glace de viande and stock for an entire week. It’s matched with rice topped with fragrant sultana raisins to complement the spiciness of the sauce, the richness from the meat, and the savory sweetness from the vegetables. This is a special treat for curry lovers.
It’s a 5-minute walk from the West Exit of Ogikubo Station.
Recommended dish: Wagyu Beef Java CurryTomato in Ogikubo
- トマト
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- 東京都荻窪5-20-7 吉田ビル1F
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- 0333933262
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08
Minoringo in Harajuku
Keema Curry 900yen and Extra cheese 200yen
Fans of keema curry have to try Minoringo. The savory ground meat (beef and pork) is combined with spices, fruit, and vegetables for a delicious keema on the spicy side. It’s presented atop a round serving of rice, then topped with a poached egg to balance the spiciness. For an extra 200 yen, you can add melted cheese to the top for the dish that put the restaurant on the map. It is crowded on weekends, so go early to grab a plate before it sells out. Or skip the crowd with a late lunch during the week.
It’s 3 minutes’ walk from the Takeshita Exit of JR Harajuku Station.
Recommended dish: Keema CurryMinoringo in Harajuku
- Mino Ringo
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3.5
25 Reviews -
- Tokyo Shibuya-ku Jingu-mae 1-22-7 WEST Building 1F
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- 0364472414
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09
Curry Kusamakura in Shinjuku
Chicken Curry 780yen
Curry Kusamakura doesn’t use any wheat flour and very little oil, giving the spices center stage. For each plate, an entire onion is used for a sauce base that’s mixed with their special assortment of spices. It’s a unique style of curry, but the style is closer to an Indian-style curry with a smooth taste that goes down easy. The rice is on the harder side, and it matches well with the lighter sauce. Butter and cheese toppings are available to thicken it up, though.
It’s 8 minutes walk from JR Shinjuku Station.
Recommended dish: Chicken CurryKusamakura in Shinjuku
- curry kusamakura
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- Tokyo Shinjuku-ku Shinjuku 2-4-9 Nakae Building 2F
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- 0353790790
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- 11:00-15:00/18:00-21:00
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10
Rojiura Curry Samurai in Shimokitazawa
Chicken and 20 Kinds of Seasonal Vegetables Curry 1580yen
Check out Rojiura Curry Samurai to get a Hokkaido specialty, soup curry. There’s always a line here, no matter what day it is, but you order while you’re waiting outside to speed things along. The most popular menu item is the 20 Kinds of Seasonal Vegetables Curry. Vegetables of all sorts fill the bowl, including pumpkin, broccoli, white corn, and other favorites, and many are sourced from Hokkaido for that extra sweetness and fragrance. Inside is also very stylish for a more refined experience. It’s a 5-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station.
Recommended dish: Chicken and 20 Kinds of Seasonal Vegetables CurryRojiura Curry Samurai in Shimokitazawa