Tag Archives: curry

Heaping Helpings: Rice Curry Manten 

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Earlier this year, I traveled to Japan and went on a tear eating at as many curry restaurants as I could. I wanted to try all sorts of different places and styles, from the basic to the foreign to Japan.

One spot was Rice Curry Manten. Japanese curry in general is a very humble food, but what they serve at Manten is like a no-nonsense mechanic: It’s there to fill you up with few frills, and it’s dedicated to that job. It’s been around for decades, and site reviews praise it for its generous portions and affordable prices. While an oft-recurring joke is that Japanese food portions are miniscule compared to what you find in the US, this place is definitely what I’d call “America-worthy.” 

While the katsu curry seems to be the go-to, I instead opted for what I’d call a unique menu item: shumai curry. I’ve been going to dim sum all my life so I am very familiar with shumai (as well as how it tends to differ in Japanese cuisine), and I really wanted to see the approach this curry restaurant would take.

The answer: Make them huge and deep fry them. They were easily the biggest shumai I’d ever seen in any context, and I got plenty of pieces to boot. As for the main part of the dish (the rice and the curry), it was satisfactory. The rice was cooked well and the sauce was satisfyingly salty and savory. That said, because I was trying to eat my way through Japan, I did not opt for the largest servings, and in that sense, I may have not had the true Rice Curry Manten experience.

Prior to going, a friend told me about how they used to serve a kind of kitchen-sink meal, where they threw literally every topping onto a massive pile of curry rice. However, there was apparently so much wasted food from people giving up on finishing it that they stopped having it as an option. My only regret is not being able to try this for myself, or at least see someone else tackle the Manten monster.

Instant Curry Review: Whaling Ship Curry

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On a previous trip to Japan, I visited a shop called Curry Land, which is dedicated to selling pre-packaged instant curry from all over the country. The plan is to eat and review every single one, and this time it’s WHALING SHIP CURRY.

What that means is the curry is the kind served on a particular whaling ship. It contains no actual whale meat. 

However, what it does have as its first ingredient is actually thresher shark meat. I looked that up, and apparently it’s sustainable and not one of the ones that are over-fished. The meat had a chewy texture that’s different from something like tuna, and felt somewhere in the vein of fried dace or salmon jerky.

As soon as it touched my tongue, I could feel the hit of saltiness and spice. I would call it barely spicy at best, with maybe a slight lingering of peppery heat at the very end. Overall, it was nice and savory and didn’t have the overwhelming artificial taste of some instant curry.

Overall, the only really unusual thing about it is maybe the thresher shark, which gave a pretty decent curry a different texture than what I’m used to. I would probably eat it again, but would prioritize trying different curry styles. 

Instant Curry Review: Pink Curry

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This is my very first review of the instant curry I bought from Curry Land! Up is Pink Curry, from Tottori. I mostly bought it because of the Rose of Versailles–style art. 

It sure was pink! It reminded me of the blue Sonic the Hedgehog Curry, if it was themed after Amy Rose instead. The taste was all right but much saltier than I expected. The Ingredients include chicken meat, chicken bouillon, and chicken extract: triple chicken power.

Pretty unremarkable aside from the hue, but I felt like I knew that going in. It’s a fun gimmick, but I’m not sure I’d have it again over something more interesting.

Crunchy, Juicy, Menchi: Hinoya Curry

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As part of a trip to Japan earlier this year, I ended up eating a lot of curry, both Japanese-style and otherwise. Some were places I had scouted out, but others I just happened to find by happenstance. One such instance happened on an evening walk back to my hotel, where I got lost. While trying to find my bearings, I ended up in front of the original Hinoya Curry. A sign proudly boasted that it previously won an award for best curry in the Kanda area of Tokyo. Given that the area has some pretty stiff competition, I changed my dinner plans and went in there instead.

The decor was unpretentious and inviting. There were seats at a counter where the chef prepared curry, as well as a counter facing a wall, and a few tables for groups. The menu was full of items that sounded interesting (like the raw egg curry and the beef tendon curry), but I decided to go with what seemed to be a signature item of theirs: menchi katsu curry, or minced-meat cutlet curry. 

The sauce was rich in flavor, spiced well but not extremely spicy. It sat on the rice well, and was neither super thin nor super thick. I bet if I had just gotten a plain curry, I would’ve been pretty satisfied, but then the menchi katsu elevated it to something superb. 

The cutlet was enormous. While sometimes portion sizes in Japan can feel a little small even when ordering large sizes, that was not the case here. It was a middle ground between a pork or chicken katsu and a hamburg steak, and as someone who loves both and can sometimes feel conflicted over which one to get, the menchi katsu was just a wonderful thing to have, with its satisfying combination of tender meatiness and crispy breading that borders on fried fish batter. 

Hinoya Curry has stores throughout Japan now, and they’ve also expanded overseas with locations in Malaysia, China, and even San Francisco. Next time I’m in the bay area, I might just decide to check it out again and see how the American branch stacks up.

Boys Curry: Simple, Classic Dishes in Jinbocho

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A cup of soup, bowl of Japanese curry, a plate of white rice, and a plate of ginger pork with ketchup spaghetti and cabbage.

While walking in Tokyo, I happened upon a restaurant that had pages from a manga on its windows. Upon closer inspection, the comic was actually depicting that very restaurant: Boys Curry.

Located in Jinbocho—which is something of a curry epicenter in Tokyo—Curry Boys looks and feels like a restaurant from another generation. That makes sense, since it turns out to have started in 1982.

Going in, you’re immediately greeted by a horseshoe-shaped counter, and everything from the cooking to the service was done by an old man and an old woman. I love restaurants like this, as it reminds me a lot of Manhattan Chinatown, especially in years past.

The menu was about as simple as it gets, and I ordered their recommended combo: curry rice, ginger pork, and ketchup spaghetti with a side of broth for a nice hot drink. It wasn’t a mind-blowing experience, but everything was incredibly solid and for a decent price of 1,300 yen. If there was a quintessential Japanese curry that wasn’t trying to keep up with current trends, this was it. Flavorful but not very spicy, it was a welcome throwback, as was everything else.

This was actually my very first time eating ginger pork, despite the fact that it’s apparently second to tonkatsu in terms of Japanese pork dishes! I definitely understand the appeal now, and it’s not nearly as gingery as I was expecting based on the name.

A comics page from Boukyaku no Sachiko in the restuarant window. The character Sachiko is enjoying the food at Boys Curry.

At the end, I asked the owners what the manga on the windows was, and they told me: Boukyaku no Sachiko. It’s been running since 2014 in Weekly Big Comic Spirits, and it’s currently over 25 volumes! I haven’t read it at all, but I’m considering doing so and maybe even posting my thoughts on the blog.

Curry Land: The Store of My Dreams

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A sign that says in .a mix of Japanese and English the following. Pouch Curry Specialty Shop: Local Curry Curry Land

As I was looking up places to eat in Tokyo, I discovered an incredible place in the district of Jinbocho: Curry Land, a shop that specializes in selling instant curry from all over Japan.

Located in a small side street not far from the main intersection in Jinbocho, Curry Land is a tiny shop with no frills. Past the sliding door at the entrance are three or four shelves filled with pre-cooked curry in reheatable pouches. A woman was running the shop when I visited, and she was very helpful, though I don’t know if she’s the owner or just someone employed there.

A shelf full of prepackaged curry.
Another shelf full of prepackaged curry.

Many of these packages are local types of curry, normally found only in the specific regions from which they originate. There are also other unusual options, such as curries eaten on naval vessels or even a whaling ship. The shop even has its own special curry available!

I bought nine packs in total, which ended up being about 7,000–8,000 yen, with the price of individual packages varying.

Clockwise from top left: Go Go Curry (not actually at the shop but I included it in the photo anyway), Whaling Ship Curry (does not contain whale), Curry Land’s Own Black Wagyu Cream Cheese Curry, Graceful Lady Pink Curry, Iwakuni Naval Flying Forces Curry, Ibaraki Chestnut Curry, Famous Osaka Curry with Worcestershire sauce, Enoshima Naval Curry, Dinosaur Curry (made with chicken), and Spicy Mutton Curry.

Some could be relatively expensive (~1,300 yen), so while this store won’t break the bank (unless you try really, really hard) this is not the place to go if you really care about getting the cheapest options. Nevertheless, Curry Land is basically a dream come true for me, and I recommend it to anyone who loves curry, but also anyone who wants to experience a thin yet broad slice of Japanese food.

I plan to review each curry eventually, but I don’t know if I’m going to devote a separate blog post for each curry, or if I’ll cover a few at a time. I know it’s not exactly anime, but I hope you’ll indulge me.

Instant Curry from the Japan Railway Museum

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When I visited Japan’s Railway Museum last year, I wasn’t able to eat at the museum itself. However, I did stop by the gift shop, where they were selling two different kinds of instant curry! I brought them home with me, and now I’m here to give my report.

The first item is the Shinkansen Nostalgic Beef Curry, meant to replicate the actual curry served on the Shinkansen for decades before the dish was retired in the 2000s. It’s also something you can order at the aforementioned museum restaurant. 

I was pleased with the flavor—while it’s not the best curry I’ve ever had, it definitely ranks very  high among microwaveable versions. The curry didn’t taste artificial at all, and it even had a surprising kick, especially given that Japanese food tends to shy away from spiciness. 

The second item is the Beef Tongue Tasty Curry, which advertises itself as using 30 different spices.

This one was noticeably less spicy than the Shinkansen Curry, though the key ingredient, the tongue, gave it an interesting depth of flavor. While the package didn’t have a ton of meat in it, the amount was still pretty substantial, and it had visible slices of beef tongue. Once again, I came away satisfied.

(Broccoli not included).

Overall, I think they were fine purchases. I just hope I can go back to the museum and try the real deal someday.

Eating Among the Trains

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Continuing my visit to train and train-adjacent locales in Japan, here are my thoughts on two eateries in and around Tokyo: Platinum Fish Cafe and Curry Niagara.

Platinum Fish Cafe

A plate with a small round cake, some vanilla ice cream, and some whipped cream

Located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Platinum Fish Cafe is actually inside of an old decommissioned train station. It has some standard food options, like curry, pasta, and cakes, but also drinks named after different train lines. I got the Yamanote (the loop that goes through Tokyo, Akihabara, Ikebukuro, and other stops), which was actually double muscat grape flavor. Between this, the Love Live! cafe, and other places, muscat grapes seem to be popular. 

The real appeal of the cafe, however, is the view. Platinum Fish is situated between two train tracks, and you can see them zooming past on both sides pretty regularly. For those coming from NYC or elsewhere in the US, this might sound like torture you inflict on your worst enemies. In Japan, though, the trains are smooth and relatively quiet. It actually makes for a relaxing experience, if you like urban ambience and a nice cityscape.

Curry Station Niagara

A plate of hamburg curry, with the rice in a football shape, cheese sauce on the hamburg steak, and plenty of curry sauce

This place has been on my bucket list for many years now: a curry restaurant run by a huge train enthusiast. 

The inside is covered wall to wall in rail travel memorabilia and paraphernalia, including some Galaxy Express 999 merch. Right outside the door are a couple gashapon machines with replica train station signs, specifically branded for Curry Station Niagara. Close by is a play area for kids featuring model trains and other toys.

Almost everyone in line was parents accompanying their train-loving little kids, and it was downright adorable. There’s a track not far from the restaurant, and as one passed, I could hear a kid identifying a passing train’s line as “Yokohama navy blue”—the rail system is indeed color-coded. As someone with younger relatives, I could see parallels, and wondered if those relatives would have also become train fans if they lived in Japan.

If you get a seat at the tables, a miniature train delivers your food straight to you. Because the space is very small and there were lots of kids, my group opted to sit at the counter and not deprive the young ones of that experience.

The menu is mostly pretty typical, with different toppings like tonkatsu and such, but there are also a few curve balls: extra spicy options for a premium price, curry spaghetti, and so on. I went with the Hamburg steak curry, which did not disappoint. It had a bit of a kick, but nothing overwhelming. However, one person I was with seemed to have gotten their curry cold by accident. After our meal, we got commemorative replica train tickets.

Overall Thoughts

I love restaurants just run by some person with a passion. This includes Platinum Fish and Niagara, but they’re relatively common in Japan. While making money is important, these places feel like they’re humbly dedicated to a craft or a desire to share something with their customers. I really wish more places like this existed in the US, but with real estate prices and rent being what they are, I sadly don’t see it happening anytime soon. One can hope, though…

I Imported Japanese Curry Because of a VTuber

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When a Virtual Youtuber you like is mega popular, it’s not hard to get their merch. But when they’re not in the big leagues, it’s a different story. So when the chance came to support one of the smaller VTubers I follow—by buying instant curry, of all things—I decided to do just that.

Sena Aimi (nickname: Ivy) is the last remaining member of Shiritsu Virtual Joshi Gakuin, a Japanese indie VTuber group. She loves to drink, enjoys Pokémon Unite, and has a strong Kyoto accent. So when food maker launched a collaboration with travel guidebook publisher Rurubu to sell instant curries based on regional styles, they decided to promote it using VTubers across Japan and have Aimi represent Kyoto Japanese dashi curry.

I imported the curry from their promotional website via a third party. The package contained two boxes (one serving each), along with two Aimi-themed buttons. The buttons are nice, though: One has official art of her with the words “I am a Fan-Gyojin” (the name for her supporters), and the other has a drawing by her with the words “I love curry!” As someone who indeed loves curry, this makes me realize that I don’t have enough paraphernalia declaring that fact. This is a start.

In terms of the actual taste, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t know what Kyoto curry was like, but if this is a good representation, I’d be eager to try more. It’s got a strong bonito flavor with a bit of a spicy kick (labeled “medium spicy” per tame Japanese standards) that I mostly felt in the aftertaste. Notable ingredients include tofu and lotus root, and according to the ingredients it uses beef and pork extracts. It’s definitely a cut above your typical instant curry of the pouch variety (as opposed to blocks). 

I will not say that I paid a fair price for it because I definitely did not—I had to get it at a time when shipping options were limited. The campaign was also over by the time I received the curry, so this is a bit of a futile review on my end. Even so, the Kyoto Japanese dashi curry is solid, and I would eat it regardless of any virtual spokespeople. Given the opportunity, I probably would have sampled the other regional curries as well (and maybe discover some VTubers along the way).

And at the end of the day, that “I love curry!” button can’t be beat.

In Case You Forgot, I Love Both Anime and Food

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I’ve written a blog post on Sailor Moon as my introduction to Japanese food over at the Waku Waku +NYC official blog. If you’re interested in me waxing nostalgic and rambling the way you expect out of Ogiue Maniax, take a look.

Sailor Moon Was My Gateway into Japanese Food

I’ll be a regular contributor to the Waku Waku +NYC blog from now on, so look forward to more posts from there in the future. As always, I will continue to devote myself to Ogiue Maniax as well.

If you’re curious, Waku Waku +NYC is an upcoming Japanese popular culture festival from August 29-30 in Brooklyn, NY. Unlike a lot of anime cons and Japanese events, this one looks to more thoroughly integrate food with Japanese anime, games, fashion, etc. If you’re even half as interested in eating and watching anime as I am, it might be worth your while.