As of June 2023, the popular restaurant Souvenir no Ki is currently experiencing a shortage of naan bread as their tandoori chef is away in their home country. However, I personally love their saffron rice, so I actually find this situation somewhat delightful. Normally, the lunch set with two types of curry comes with half naan and half rice, but due to the lack of naan, you receive a full portion of rice instead. Of course, the naan is delicious as well. So, while I usually enjoy both, I can't help but appreciate the exquisite flavor of the saffron rice, making me want to savor it on its own. On this particular day, I had the chicken karahi and dal combination. Each curry is already delicious on its own, but when paired with the saffron rice, the flavors are elevated to a whole new level. The aroma of saffron complements the curry perfectly, enhancing its taste. The curry and rice are both exceptional, and the small salad served with every meal is always wonderful. The unique touch of the kachumbar salad is delightful, making it a truly enchanting lunch experience. In the midst of the current trend of spice curry, the opportunities to talk about such restaurants seem to have decreased compared to before, but this is a gem that shouldn't be overlooked.

Arrived a little before the opening time at 11:20 on a holiday. No waiting line, and two groups entered afterwards. "Wow, lovely!" The interior is a stylish space like a cafe. Immediately ordered the "Feelings Towards Trees" curry for ¥1390 with medium spiciness. Comes with two types of curry, saffron rice, and today's salad. The curries of the day were two types: Northern Indian chicken curry and Southern Indian coconut-flavored egg curry. The chicken curry uses ripe tomatoes from the tomato expert Ando-san in Kisarazu. The saffron rice is made with new rice from Uonuma's Koshihikari rice. First, a mini salad was served. It was delicious, with chickpeas as the main ingredient, small diced vegetables, and kiwi all wrapped in a curry flavor. The chicken curry had a refreshing acidity and spice without being heavy. I usually don't like coconut-flavored curry, but this one had a good balance between coconut and spices and was delicious. The saffron rice made with new Uonuma Koshihikari rice had a slightly chewy texture and was delicious to my liking.

A curry restaurant recommended by a friend. Climbing up a narrow staircase and opening the door, you enter a stylish space reminiscent of a small restaurant or a traditional Japanese sweets shop. It was past 1 p.m., so they had run out of naan. I ordered a combination of two curries with saffron rice. You can choose one or two types of curry from the daily selection, providing a great opportunity to try something you wouldn't normally choose. That day, I tried the keema curry and tomato curry. The tomato curry had a fresh flavor and a refreshing spiciness. The keema had a perfect balance of spices and meat. The saffron rice had a sticky texture, giving it a slightly Japanese touch. Despite being a flavorful spiced curry, it was light and not oily. The evening menu also looked delicious, so I want to visit this restaurant again.

Visited for lunch!! I heard that there is often a line at lunchtime, but we were able to enter without waiting. Normally you can choose between naan or rice, but today only rice was available. The rice used is from Niigata prefecture. Although I couldn't choose the level of spiciness, the spicy curry was delicious! (You can choose from 4 levels of spiciness)

The interior of the restaurant is quiet and has a calm atmosphere. The Papad with mango chutney is delicious with a savory taste. The warm potato salad with soft potatoes, beans, and finely chopped vegetables has a gentle flavor that goes well with Papad. The shrimp is plump and delicious. The locally raised chicken is grilled with Kishu Binchotan charcoal and the sauce is also delicious. The curry we had this time was Dal curry, slightly salty but tasty. The rice is also mild and delicious. The staff members were friendly and matched the style of the restaurant well.

【Number of visits: 1 time】Every time I passed through Kagurazaka, I had been curious about this Indian restaurant. I had been wanting to try their night Biryani, so I thought I would visit someday. However, in March, there was a sudden announcement on their website that the chef had been diagnosed with an illness and had to return to his home country, so they would temporarily close for a while. Later on, they gradually resumed operations for lunch and dinner, but the chef still couldn't return to Japan, so they decided to operate with a limited menu. Due to these circumstances, the Biryani has not yet made a comeback, but I found a chance to go for lunch, so I decided to make my first visit for lunch. The interior of the restaurant is a calm space and the service is not what you would expect from an Indian restaurant. They don't serve Naan for lunch; instead, it's Saffron Rice (unknown for dinner). I prefer rice over Naan, so I actually welcomed this change. The rice they use is not Basmati but Koshihikari. There are two types of curry available, and on this day, they had North Indian Chicken Curry and South Indian Egg Curry. A set with one curry costs 1320 yen, while a set with two curries costs 1420 yen, and I chose the set with two curries. You can choose the spiciness level of the curry from mild, slightly spicy, medium spicy, and spicy. I went for the medium spicy, which is said to be the most popular. They provide water, but I ordered the recommended Black Sugar Iced Chai for 880 yen. Although the menu mentioned a salad with the set, a small appetizer made with warm potatoes was served instead. I found this more delightful than a mediocre salad. The curry is flavorful with a good amount of spices. It seems the chef will undergo surgery, so the day of his full recovery may still be far off, but I hope to try the Biryani at this restaurant someday.

Kagurazaka Indian Cuisine Omoi no Ki "Feelings for Wood, Black Sugar Ice Chai" Established in 2010, a popular Indian restaurant in Kagurazaka where a chef from a high-class hotel in India offers exquisite Indian cuisine in a Japanese-style setting. Originally operating as "calicari organic" in Higashi-Ginza, they reopened as "Omoi no Ki" due to the expiration of their lease. "Feelings for Wood" is a lunch menu consisting of two curries (selected from the daily curries), saffron rice, and today's salad. Today's curries offered were a spicy South Indian chicken curry and a vegetable curry (North Indian). The salad had a pickled cabbage, and the rice was made with Koshihikari rice from Uonuma. The chicken curry had a tangy tamarind flavor and aromatic spices, while the vegetable curry had the fragrant cumin seeds and savory garlic, offering a rich and deep flavor that was incredibly delicious! It paired perfectly with the gentle saffron rice. Both the pickles and chai were flawless, and the atmosphere of the restaurant was wonderful. It was a truly delicious experience! Thank you for the meal! ✨

Finally, a gentle curry! The day has come. I've passed by the restaurant before, only to find it closed or not yet open, so I haven't had many chances to visit. But on this cloudy weekday, I saw the curtain hanging. I climbed the warm wooden stairs and opened the door to a cozy interior that felt warm as well. It was a cute space, almost like a mix between an Indian restaurant and a café. I was seated towards the back and ordered two types of curry. They informed me that they only had saffron rice instead of naan that day, but I still wanted to try it. While admiring the cute flowers on the table, a few minutes later, the beautiful curry arrived! I asked for a spicy version, and it had just the right amount of heat. As I was leaving, the staff kindly asked if the meal had suited my taste. They probably realized it was my first visit. The service was so subtly wonderful. I'd love to learn from them. It was a delightful meal!

It's about a 10-minute walk from Iidabashi. I arrived 5 minutes before opening and was the first customer. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is calm and very relaxing. Today's special was two types of curry with saffron rice, a spicy dish for 1420 yen. The two curries were butter chicken curry and dal curry, served with warm potatoes as a side dish. I usually don't order dal curry, but the dal curry here was delicious with the perfect balance of spiciness and flavor. It might be the best dal curry I've ever had. The butter chicken wasn't very spicy, but the garlic and butter flavors were excellent. It also had two large pieces of chicken, which made it very satisfying to eat. I enjoyed every bite until the end. Thank you for the delicious meal.

I have visited this restaurant several times on weekends, but this was my first time having lunch on a weekday! They offer lunch sets, which make the weekday lunch feel like a good deal. However, when I arrived at the restaurant a little after 12 o'clock, they had already run out of naan bread, so I recommend going early to avoid items being sold out. The rice was delicious too, so it wasn't a problem for me at all. I ordered a set with two types of curry (1420 yen), with the option to choose the level of spiciness - I chose mild. The curries that day were chicken curry and egg curry, which were completely different in taste. I was glad I chose the set with both as they were both very delicious.

This was my first time visiting a curry restaurant in Kagurazaka. While looking for the restaurant, I caught a whiff of delicious curry aroma and realized I had passed it by. The entrance was small. It seemed like they opened at 11:30 AM on Sundays. I arrived around 11:40 AM and found that the place was already full with the first customers, but I was able to get a table after waiting for about 30 minutes. I ordered two types of curry (Butter Chicken and Dal) in spicy flavor. I received explanations about the rice, ripe tomatoes, and Dal curry, which showed their commitment to quality ingredients. The Chicken curry was a gentle tomato-based curry with a distinct tomato flavor. The Dal had a unique taste that spread in my mouth with each bite, disappearing as soon as it entered my mouth. The base of the curry was slightly sweet, and the spiciness of the spicy flavor was felt a little after the sweetness. I enjoyed the delicious curry. Also, the dishes were very nice. While waiting outside, the staff kindly expressed concern about the heat, and even inside the restaurant, they were thoughtful and considerate, which I appreciated.

I love the atmosphere here. The dimly lit interior with orange lighting is like a temple. It feels like stepping into a different world from the hustle and bustle of Kagurazaka. I've been wanting to come here for a year and a half, but couldn't get in due to the restaurant's temporary closures. One weekend at lunchtime, as I passed by the front of the restaurant, it was open! I ordered a combination of two curries. I couldn't order naan, so I chose saffron rice only. With the first bite, I thought, this is delicious! Curries can be tricky with their complex flavors, sometimes too bland or too strong on spices, but this one was perfect. The chickpea salad that came first was light and refreshing, perfect for a hot day. I devoured it with a beer. The lassi recommended by the waiter also looked delicious, but I didn't order it because I had beer. The waiter was great at explaining things! The atmosphere is nice too, I'd like to come back at night next time.

After exploring Kagurazaka and struggling to find a new restaurant to try, I visited this place during a weekday lunch when I suddenly craved curry. When I arrived, I was relieved to see that the restaurant was open, despite the closed door at first. The interior had a calming Japanese-style atmosphere. I was seated at a table and given an explanation of the menu. Unfortunately, they could only offer saffron rice instead of naan at that time, but I hope to try the naan next time. I ordered the medium-spicy chicken curry from the lunch menu. The rice and curry were served promptly. The curry was delicious, not too spicy, and the chicken was tender and flavorful. The staff provided detailed explanations about the rice, vegetables used, and offered excellent service. I would love to visit here again when I crave a comforting curry, and next time, I would like to try two different kinds.

I visited for lunch on a weekday right after opening, and since it was raining, I was able to get in without waiting. On that day, they were out of naan bread and only had saffron rice. The interior of the restaurant was stylish and had a calming atmosphere. The service by the staff was also very good. The curry set with two types of curry and a salad was 1,420 yen. I also had a lassi for 400 yen after the meal. Both curries had a refined taste and the portion sizes were overall small, but just right for me. The presentation of the dishes was also good. I would like to try the petit lunch course next time.

A renowned Indian curry restaurant in Kagurazaka. The interior lighting and the unique Asian incense scent create a delightful atmosphere. I ordered two types of curry: Keema curry and shrimp curry. The curries were served in elegant dishes. The weightiness of those dishes alone exceeded my expectations. The carefully prepared dishes clearly show the artistry involved. Each bite felt like a work of art. The saffron rice was made with rice from Niigata, giving it a chewy texture that Japanese people would appreciate. The taste, ambiance, and service were all top-notch. It's not easy to find curry of this high quality. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

5 minutes walk from JR Iidabashi Station. The restaurant is located on the 2nd floor up the stylish staircase. Arrived at 11:45, no waiting line to enter. Upon entering, the staff asked, "Would saffron rice be alright for you?" Of course, it's fine. Seated at the counter. "Feelings for Wood" (2 types of curry) for 1420 yen, ordered chicken curry and vegetable curry. Appetizer of potatoes arrived before the order. The appetizer is very delicious with spices. 5 minutes later, the curry arrived. The saffron rice is delicious, moist and simple, you can enjoy the rice alone. The vegetable curry with eggplant and asparagus is flavorful and elegant. The chicken curry has a perfect blend of spices and large chicken cuts, satisfying. A fusion of Japanese and Indian curry, highlighting the quality of ingredients and enjoyable spices. At 1420 yen, it's a great deal. The atmosphere of the restaurant is nice, and the staff's service is polite and wonderful. I would like to try the course meal next time.

This visit marks my first time dining here since attending a meetup 10 years ago. I happened to be in the neighborhood for errands. It's not often I visit places nearby^^; Arrived 20 minutes before opening, but there was already a line. More people lined up after me. Lunch reservations are not accepted. At the appointed time, we went upstairs. The interior still had a calm atmosphere, and the service was the same. We ordered two types of curry (1420 yen) and lassi (880 yen). Started with warm potato salad, spiced up. The curries were Chicken Keema and Dal. It's interesting they have both North Indian and South Indian options. Chicken Keema uses brand chicken. The rice was saffron rice from Uonuma Koshihikari. Alternating between the spicy keema and gentle dal. Carefully prepared. The lassi we had after the meal was quite rich in flavor. Filling to the stomach. A very nostalgic restaurant.

First visit. It was lunchtime but we were able to enter without waiting in line. The atmosphere inside the restaurant, with its lighting and the scent of incense, was impeccable. The chef in charge of cooking was unwell and unable to make naan bread. They were only serving saffron rice, but I really wanted to try their curry so I decided to go in. According to the staff, they usually have a wider variety of curry and appetizers on the menu, but I was very satisfied. I had the domestic chicken curry and shrimp curry. Both had plenty of ingredients and a nice texture to enjoy. The curry was not too spicy, making it easy for Japanese people to eat, perhaps because it seemed like they had simmered lots of vegetables. The curry leaf in the appetizer and curry reminded me of Sri Lanka. Some people may find it a bit tough. The scent of mandarin leaves adds a nice exotic touch. The portion sizes are generally small, which is actually appreciated as it helps you eat until you are 80% full. I tend to eat too much curry, so... Maybe it would be nice if they had larger beers, or perhaps it would be better to enjoy it with lassi. I would like to try a different curry next time.

After the closure, they were only serving chicken curry sets for lunch. I hadn't visited before the closure, so I can't comment on how busy it used to be, but perhaps due to the bad weather, there was no wait. The interior of the restaurant is cozy with valuable wooden decor. The curry is spicy but well-balanced, and you can taste the quality of the ingredients like the eggs and chicken. I plan to come back next time after they resume evening service to try their North Indian curry.

After the closure ended, I visited Omoi no Ki which had reopened. Omoi no Ki is one of the restaurants recommended by a friend who frequently travels to India. The curry, which seems to be carefully prepared, had a wonderful blend of spices and a sophisticated flavor. The rice was Koshihikari rice from Uonuma. The side dish, Indian pickles called Achaar, was also delicious. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was calming, allowing us to enjoy chatting with my friend whom I haven't seen in a while while savoring the delicious curry. The staff members were also very polite, making it a pleasant and cozy experience.

It's been a while since I visited Kagurazaka, but the atmosphere around here is always nice. I can feel the seductive charm of the geisha district, yet the elegance is what I find charming about this town. This restaurant is located at the top of Waseda Street. Looking at their website, words that resonate with me like "no pre-made dishes, bringing out the goodness of ingredients, facing inefficient tasks" are embedded. With high expectations, I entered. The concept is to handle each dish carefully, so it's a small restaurant with five tables and one counter seat. The large beam on the ceiling, which is also the origin of the restaurant's name, is distinctive. Combined with the light brown ceiling and walls, it creates a warm atmosphere. I immediately ordered a beer. This time, I opted for the course menu: - Spicy soup with tamarind and spices blended in - Impressive chilled salad with very sweet cherry tomatoes - Fragrant cheese naan with Provolone - Fried cauliflower, boiled and then fried, with depth of flavor from mint and coriander sauce - Very tender and juicy tandoori - Medium-spiced vegetable and butter chicken curry, with a rich depth of spices, refreshing taste of vegetables, and smooth umami of butter chicken - Chai - Finished with soy milk pudding. I switched to a South African Chardonnay halfway through, which paired well with the robustness and Indian cuisine. Although I am not familiar with Indian cuisine and spices, the dishes at this restaurant were elegant and of high quality. I felt the perfection in balancing restraint and assertion in the dishes. It is natural that there are different levels in Indian cuisine, but it still surprises me. The beautiful Mino ware dishes are lovely, showing good taste. The Indian cuisine I had in Kagurazaka left a very good impression.