Every year, it's a tradition to celebrate my birthday here. It costs less than 5000 yen in total but gives me a satisfaction worth over 10000 yen. It's so affordable. This is what true cost performance is all about. Many people misunderstand the meaning, but I'm glad to have been born in a time and country where this exists. Not only is the taste the best in the universe, but the service is also ideal. It has been like this since I started coming here until now. The owners are already elderly and have no successors, so I hope they can continue as long as possible within their limits. I hope to be able to eat this again next year in good health.

This was the most delicious curry I have ever had. I arrived at 11:30 and had to wait about an hour and a half to get a table. I ordered the beef curry with vegetable toppings, and the beef was very tender. The curry had a rich, Western-style flavor with a strong broth base. The price is high, but I would like to treat myself occasionally by visiting this place!

Arrived at 5th place at 5:54 PM on Monday. Lucky to have only waited for about 30 minutes. The restaurant opened at 6:13 PM. Today I had the beef tongue curry with seasonal vegetables on the side. It was served at 6:45 PM and the taste was as good as ever. The curry had a nice mix of various spices and the tongue was very flavorful. The portion was generous with plenty of vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, daikon, and okra. I left the restaurant at 7:05 PM when there were still 4 people waiting outside. The night session ended with a total of 11 customers. Overall, the food was delicious.

I want to try the best curry in Japan, so I visited with a foodie friend. After gathering information from Instagram and Twitter, I found out the following: 1. To eat during the first round on holidays, you should go around 9 am. 2. They may have a reservation system (not confirmed on Sundays). 3. Except for the pole position, there is direct sunlight. 4. The opening hours are usually earlier. 5. There are 15 seats, but only up to 10 people are seated. In September, it was still hot, so we aimed for the pole position and arrived at 8:50 am. We were the first in line, and thankfully the front of the store was shaded. As expected, the other spots were in the sun, so umbrellas were necessary. By 10:20 am, there was a long line, and lunch service was over. It's a must to be there in the 9 am range. They opened at 11 am, two hours earlier. In the end, only 9 people could enter during the first round: 1. Me and my friend - 2 people at 8:50 am 2. 3 people at 9:05 am 3. 2 people at 9:20 am 4. 2 people at 9:30 am We entered at 11:00 am. The interior was clean and cool, and the motherly service was excellent. We ordered seafood curry, beef curry, and beef tongue stew. The curry was quite spicy, while the stew was lighter than expected, and the tongue was tender. Personally, I preferred the curry overwhelmingly, especially the beef curry, which was amazing. The seafood curry had scallops, mussels, salmon, and crab, making it a recommendation for seafood lovers. The ingredients, including meat and seafood, were top-notch. While curry may seem a bit expensive, considering the heartwarming service and excellent Western food, the price is justified. Thank you for the meal.

A European-style curry and stew specialty shop in Ogikubo. Established in 1982, this long-standing store is one of the most difficult to visit in Tokyo, with around 22-23 servings sold out at both lunch and dinner. The curry uses 36 types of whole spices, and the roux is aged for a week. The most popular dish, "Wagyu Beef Jawa Curry," was inspired by a curry made with onions from Awaji Island that the head chef of a high-end restaurant in Umeda used to make for staff once a month. The rice used is Koshihikari, and the seafood curry includes shrimp, scallops, and salmon from Tsukiji Market. The beef tongue is sourced from Hokkaido, in contrast to the common use of foreign beef tongues in other places. This restaurant has the highest rating among curry specialty shops on Tabelog. Located a 4-minute walk from Ogikubo Station, the shop is open for lunch from 11:30 to 13:30 and for dinner from 18:30 to 20:30, with Sunday hours as well. Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. I visited on a weekend evening. It seems difficult to get in due to the limited number of servings (around 22-23) and the high demand, but surprisingly, you can get a table if you arrive before 6 pm. Once it gets full, it sells out quickly when a few more people arrive. Today, I ordered the "Wagyu Beef Jawa Curry" (¥2700) and the "Pistachio Ice Cream" (¥700). The Wagyu Beef Jawa Curry is popular among those who like spicy food, while the Veal Milk Curry is favored by those who prefer sweet flavors. The most ordered dish in the restaurant was the Beef Tongue Curry. The Wagyu Beef Jawa Curry and the Wagyu Beef Curry have the same ingredients but different spices. By default, the curry does not come with vegetables, but you can add them for an additional ¥700. The restaurant has a luxurious atmosphere like an old Western-style restaurant, with classical string music playing in the background. First, condiments were brought to the table, including onion condiments and a pickled vegetable similar to Fukujinzuke. The curry was served in the order it was ordered. My impression of the taste was "like a curry with high-quality ingredients like Bondi, topped with authentic spices." I first felt the sweetness of the onion like Bondi, followed by richness and a lingering spice that left a pleasant aftertaste. It is labeled as spicy, but the "spice level" is intense while the "heat" is not too strong. I think it would be okay to make it a bit spicier. The beef was incredibly tender, almost melting in the mouth. It's easy to understand why the Beef Tongue Curry is so popular. After eating, the intense spice lingers, but it naturally fades away after about 5 minutes, which is a characteristic of a top-notch restaurant. Finally, the pistachio ice cream. The golden kiwi's exceptional sweetness hints at the quality of the vegetables. The beautiful appearance and the gentle, mature taste of the pistachio ice cream were very satisfying. I would like to try other curries such as the Beef Tongue Curry, Seafood Curry, and Shrimp Curry. The friendly and kind service from the elderly female staff member added to the positive experience, and I left the restaurant feeling content.

Access: Less than 5 minutes walk from Ogikubo Station South Exit. Today, I came to have a delicious curry before the long-awaited talk event with Naoya Inoue. I arrived at 9:15 am and joined the line with 3 people ahead of me. One person left just before the store opened, so I became the third in line. I heard that each dish takes over 20 minutes to prepare once you are the third in line, but it made me excited to think about the attention to detail. When the Seafood Curry arrived, it had a striking appearance with mussels, scallops, and shrimp, all with a firm and delicious texture. Additionally, salmon and crab were included, making it a luxurious dish. The mussels were particularly juicy and full of flavor with each bite. The curry had a rich depth and flavor, with a strong presence of spices that added to its deliciousness. I didn't taste any bitterness, and although extracting the mussels and crab meat was a bit of work, the taste today was truly impressive. Next time, I might try the Tan Curry again. Thank you for the meal!

On Saturday night, I visited the restaurant 1 hour before opening. I heard that it's easier to get in at night compared to during the day, but there was already a line of over 10 people when they stopped accepting customers. It's a very exclusive curry restaurant, but definitely worth a visit. It may sound cheesy, but it was the best curry I've ever had in my life. Just one bite filled me with happiness. They use 36 different spices, creating a very deep and rich flavor. I added vegetable toppings, which was the right choice. The curry was filled with various seasonal vegetables, making it very enjoyable to eat. The elderly couple who run the restaurant might close it in the near future, so I want to make sure to visit again before that happens.

Access from Ogikubo Station South Exit is less than 5 minutes on foot. I arrived at 9:30 am and was the first in line. Around 9:50 am, a staff member came out and informed us that due to concerns about heatstroke, they were implementing a reservation system until 11:30 am. We were asked to return to the restaurant 10 minutes before our reserved time. I ordered the Veal Milk Curry for 2300 yen, Pistachio Ice Cream for 700 yen, and Iced Coffee for 500 yen. Normally, I would order the Java Curry or Beef Tongue Curry with toppings like vegetables and cheese. The Veal Milk Curry has a different taste with a mild spiciness, richness, and depth of flavor. This was my fourth visit, and I found the curry to be uniquely delicious. Last time, I tried the Mango Ice Cream which was tasty, but this time I opted for the Pistachio Ice Cream. It had a rich flavor with a hint of saltiness and generous amounts of pistachios inside. It was the best pistachio ice cream I've ever had. I recommend it to pistachio lovers. I'm considering trying the Seafood Curry next time. Thank you for the meal!

It is about a 5-minute walk from Ogikubo Station. The evening business starts at 6:30 pm. I visited on a weekend, so I arrived early around 5:15 pm and got a good spot in line. The restaurant opened a bit early around 6:10 pm. At that time, there were 7 groups and 11 people waiting in line. The curry is made with vegetables, fond de veau, and 38 kinds of spices, and you can really taste the spices, making it delicious. The okra, tomatoes, shimeji mushrooms, and other seasonal vegetables were also very good. The Beef Jawa Curry with seasonal vegetables and pistachio ice cream was excellent.

September 2nd (Saturday) It has been about a month since my last visit. Barely maintaining a monthly pace. ★18:43 I decided to walk by the restaurant and was surprised to see no one waiting in line. The sign on the door said they were open. I peeked inside. "Are you ready to order?" "Please wait a moment." So, I waited outside. The tables inside were full, but it looked like someone was almost finished eating, so I was able to get in quickly. ★18:53 I entered the restaurant. I only had to wait for 10 minutes. Sometimes, things like this happen. Another person came in behind me, but they were told that they were closing for the day. Today, I had the Wagyu Beef Curry for 2,700 yen. I added extra spiciness for 120 yen. It was served in about 7 minutes. As always, the spices blended together. Sometimes, the spices and my teeth seemed to be fighting or playing around. There are 36 different spices used in this curry, so as a complete amateur, I can't tell which is which, but it is an exquisite curry.

After finishing a customer visit and on my way to the next place, I stumbled upon this place I had been looking for! The reviews seemed very promising, so I decided to visit right away. I called and was told they open at 1:00 pm, so I arrived almost on time at 1:05 pm. However, there was already a line of 10 people waiting, and they said lunchtime was over. I just made it in time! It was a bit of a wait, but I finally got in around 1:50 pm. The restaurant had tables for 4 people, tables for 2 people, and 2 counter seats. The curry cooked by the elderly gentleman with a dignified presence was delicious, right? I ordered the Wagyu Beef Jawa Curry for 2,700 yen. I waited for about 30 minutes, and the foreigner next to me was already starving and getting impatient, haha. Finally, at 2:24 pm, I got to taste it. The complex aroma and rich flavor of various spices, along with the flavorful and melting meat, were irresistible. The side dishes of onion pickles and Fukujinzuke were the best I've ever had, I wanted to take some home! I left the restaurant at 1:37 pm, so I spent less than 10 minutes eating, haha. Whether it's worth spending 100 minutes is something you should go and confirm for yourself.

I went at 9:30 in the morning and was able to make a reservation for the 4th group (12:30-)! When I arrived around that time, there were a few people who visited without a reservation, so please be aware of that. Unfortunately, seafood is only available until the end of August, so I ordered beef tongue and shrimp curry! The curry roux for each was different and delicious! The onion marinade side dish was incredibly tasty. Next time, I want to try the beef stroganoff and seafood.

Today, I came to a curry restaurant in Ogikubo for lunch. It feels more like a Western-style restaurant than a curry shop. I had seasonal vegetable curry, iced coffee, and for dessert, pistachio ice cream. I wanted to try the beef tongue stew, but unfortunately, it was sold out today. I will have to come back for a rematch. Lastly, just some random information, the tomato sign of this restaurant is a PokeStop.

Located near Ogikubo South Exit, this is one of the top Western-style restaurants in Japan. The owner has even appeared on NHK's "Professional" program. I first visited about 30 years ago and was amazed, so I returned soon after for another meal, despite the high prices. After over 30 years, I recently heard that there is usually a one-hour wait due to long lines. However, when I passed by, there were only 6 people in line due to a sudden thunderstorm, so I decided to have another meal. This time, I tried the scallop curry, which was fantastic. The flavor was deep and rich, and the Western-style curry was top-notch. The onion garnish was also delicious.

I arrived at the restaurant at 10 o'clock and finally got to eat at 13:30. It was worth the wait! The Jawa Curry I ordered was described as spicy, but it was not overly hot. It contains 36 different spices which give it a complex and delicious flavor. It was so tasty that I can't even find the right words to describe it. I will definitely go back again!

Located about a 5-minute walk from Ogikubo Station, you can see the shop when you turn at the intersection. The exterior looks like a Western-style restaurant you would see in town, but Tomato-san is known for serving curry that is among the top in the country. They gained attention for their curry collaboration with Seven-Eleven. I visited on a Monday, about 1 hour and 10 minutes before opening at 10:20 am. There were already 3 people waiting. After waiting for about 10 minutes, I was told, "It's getting very hot, so you don't have to wait in line. I'm taking down the names of customers," and I was given a return time of "12:30 pm." I entered at 11:30 am, and the first customers must have arrived earlier than that. According to reviews, the "Beef Tongue Curry" was popular, so I ordered that with vegetables on top. The onions soaked in sauce had a unique flavor that was addictively delicious. The Beef Tongue Curry had a rich, spicy flavor in the thick gravy, and the tongue was so tender it could be cut with a spoon. It might be closer to Western or French cuisine than typical curry. The delicious curry, combined with the wonderful customer service from the couple who run the shop, was truly fantastic. Especially the wife's customer service was like a model for the industry. The atmosphere and ambiance of the place truly reflect the wife's personality. The only downside is the long wait due to its popularity, but you can understand why it's so popular after just one visit. A shop that stays true to the basics and serves as a model for others. =====MENU===== - Beef Tongue Curry with seasonal vegetables - Address: 5-20-7 Ogikubo, Suginami-ku, Tokyo - Reservation: Not available - Business Hours: Friday-Tuesday 11:30-13:30, 18:30-20:30 - Closed: Wednesdays, Thursdays - Payment Method: Cash only - Estimated Cost: 4,100 yen - Tabelog Rating: 3.93 Instagram ID: tam_gourmet_

-Wagyu Beef Curry (medium spicy) (2,700 yen) -Seasonal vegetable topping (+700 yen) I arrived at another ramen restaurant at 8:40 AM, but there were already over 40 people waiting, so I decided to give up as I couldn't wait for 2 hours due to the bad weather. I thought I should try lining up here in the afternoon instead, so I visited the restaurant with determination. It had been 1 year and 8 months since my last visit (I took a day off). I arrived at 16:44 and there was one customer ahead of me. I lined up on the right side of the shop. By 16:52, there were 3 customers behind me. The restaurant opened at 18:00 (30 minutes earlier than usual) and there were 8 customers waiting outside, with 6 of them being able to enter. On this day, the stew was sold out and the seafood curry was not available until late August. When I left at 18:30, there were 9 customers waiting outside, and the restaurant closed with those 9 customers. If you visit in the evening, there are about 15 customers, and if you arrive after 18:00, you can still have a meal. Despite the wait, the evening was relatively cool, with occasional wind and no direct sunlight, so it wasn't too hot. I ordered the Wagyu Beef Curry with seasonal vegetable topping, which had a cute presentation with cauliflower and broccoli. The gravy was rich and strongly spiced. The wait was worth it. The seasonal vegetables included potatoes, carrots, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, bell peppers, okra, bitter gourd, zucchini, shishito peppers, nagaimo (Japanese yam), winter melon, and shimeji mushrooms, making it a dish with plenty of ingredients and a rare blend. The gravy was rich and the medium spiciness was not too hot. Perhaps the Jawa (spicy) option would have been good too. If you want to taste the meat more, the Beef Tongue Curry is recommended. I still want to try the Seafood Curry when it's in season, and I couldn't solve the previous assignment this time, so I'll carry it over to next time. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Currently, it's hot so they have a ticket system for ordering. While waiting in line, the owner comes out and takes your order. This is helpful. At 9:45, I was fifth in line. This place is my favorite for European-style curry. I topped the tank curry with seasonal vegetables. The tank was so tender that I didn't need a knife. It had a rich flavor and was the best curry I've had. The rice alone was delicious. When you add the curry sauce, the melted cheese on top adds a nice touch. The curry with lots of vegetables was also delicious. The smiles of the two owners were very comforting. The reason why this place has been a top restaurant for so long is clear once you taste the food. The tomatoes were really delicious.

The curry at this restaurant was so delicious that it's no wonder it's ranked number one nationwide on Tabelog. The thick and tender tongue paired perfectly with the flavorful curry. Due to the extreme heat, they had a system where you could give your name and come back at a specified time, which was very convenient. The line started at 9:00 (I was at the front), I gave my name and waited at a designated spot, then returned at 11:30 to order and eat. I had the tongue curry for 3400 yen and seasonal vegetables for 700 yen. I left the restaurant at 12:00.

Visited a curry restaurant in Ogikubo during lunchtime. ~Order~ Beef Jawa Curry (Spicy) 2760 yen. First, a soft and penetrating sweetness. Then, a rounded acidity derived from fruits. Rich spice aroma harmonizing with the curry as a whole, with occasional bursts of refreshing whole spice fragrance. A crisp bitterness tying it all together. It gave the impression of a high-quality, adult curry sauce. The spiciness at the "spicy" level was slightly hotter than commercial spicy curries. The beef, simmered to just the right tenderness without losing its texture, added a luxurious touch with its chunky pieces. The raisins and cheese topping on the rice, along with the side of pickled vegetables, were also good. Overall, it was good, but the saltiness and sweetness were a bit too strong for my taste. I personally prefer Indian or Thai curries over Western-style ones, so there was a slight mismatch in preferences. Recommended for those who like Western-style curries. Thank you for the meal.

Tomato-san after a month break. Today's dish was Wagyu beef curry, extremely spicy. Ran out of vegetables so had beer instead. Arrived at the restaurant at 6:45 and only 3 people were waiting. Managed to get in after waiting for about 15 minutes. The curry arrived in 15 minutes after entering. Consistently delicious as always. The blend of spices is so good that I feel like coming back again and again. I've been coming here for 2 years now. Please note that they will be closed from July 30th (Sun) to August 4th (Fri).