In Kichijoji, if you want to enjoy delicious curry and coffee and have a luxurious time, this is the place to go! Today, on a holiday morning in Kichijoji, I decided to visit some cafes and specialty shops known for their carefully crafted curry. (1st stop) "Kugutsu" is a popular cafe, but at 10 am on a Saturday, there was still plenty of space inside. The shop is located underground and is quite large. The interior is modern with a jazz theme, resembling a cave with stone and sand elements, and the subdued warm lighting creates a cozy atmosphere. I ordered the "Kugutsu Curry Set (1980 yen)" which came with a mini salad and a choice of coffee or tea. I asked for a hot coffee with a bitter taste after the meal. The curry had a deep brown color with a moderate viscosity, and it was an European-style beef curry sauce. It had a rich beef flavor, various spices, especially a strong pepper taste, and a hint of sweetness like chocolate. The beef was tender and cooked well, allowing you to enjoy the meat's fibrous texture. The side pickles included cucumber, pearl onions, and ginger in a sweet vinegar marinade. The mini salad consisted of carrots, boiled eggs, macaroni, parsley, cucumber, and lettuce with a sweet vinaigrette dressing. The coffee, served in an elegant small cup, was a French roast with a balanced acidity and no off-flavors. It was delicious! Thank you for the meal! #058

In Kichijoji, my favorite curry is the spicy Kugutsu Kusa curry, which is simmered slowly and has a perfect balance of spiciness and deliciousness. The jazz playing in the restaurant creates a perfect atmosphere for dinner. Since they are open late, this spicy curry is perfect for those tired days.

I entered the restaurant around 12:00 pm. During this time, many people were ordering curry. We were seated right away, but by 1:00 pm on Sunday, there was a long line formed. We ordered cheesecake and mild curry. The cheesecake had a tangy flavor, and it tasted even better when paired with jam. The coffee was carefully brewed and delicious.

As soon as I entered, my heart leaped at the wonderful space that spread out underground. I ordered the recommended curry set (Kugutsu grass curry + salad + coffee or tea). The curry was made with various spices and you could tell it was carefully prepared. The tenderly simmered beef also added to the satisfaction. However, there were a lot of coriander seeds in it, so for those who don't like cilantro, another menu item might be better. The coffee after the meal was very deep and delicious. Just as advertised, it had no acidity at all, and the nutty aroma and subtle sweetness spread slowly. The cheesecake is apparently famous and I was curious about it, but unfortunately it was sold out that day. I definitely want to try it next time!

Hidden beneath the arcade of Kichijoji Daiya Street is an entrance that could easily be overlooked if you're not paying attention. Stepping inside, you'll be transported to a cave-like atmosphere at a place called "Kugutsu Sou." The interior feels like a blend of Yurakucho Building's "Stone" and Ikebukuro's "Koubitei," with a touch of fantasy world charm. The counter resembles a guild, and the staff, dressed as weapon merchants, will guide you to a room where newly arrived weapons and tools are displayed. Rolling the dice on the tabletop, you'll decide where your adventure will take you today. The menu, styled like an ancient manuscript, features magical spells. The nostalgic feeling of childhood video game memories is awakened. The creative world of this place resonates with a fantasy setting. The curry set with iced tea is ordered, completing the "Kichijoji Curry Trio" with "Musashino Bunko" and "Mamezou." The attention to detail in the decor, designed by the renowned architect Yutaka Kujira, is impressive. The curry, a mix of dry and thick styles, leans towards European curry with a slightly spicy kick. Served with raisins, mini salad, and condiments, the curry is well-balanced and not overly spicy. Be cautious, as ordering the curry roux alone requires a set order. The atmosphere is filled with various gimmicks, creating a unique dining experience. The restaurant quickly fills up, indicating its popularity. Disconnecting from smartphones and immersing oneself in the cave-like ambiance is a refreshing change. The name "Kugutsu" means puppeteer, reflecting the origins of the restaurant founded by puppet theater members. Enjoy the trio of flavors, atmosphere, and dessert at Kugutsu Sou.

A calm café located underground. The curry lunch is popular, and the smell of curry fills the air during lunchtime. Some people enjoy lunch or coffee alone, creating a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere. The coffee has a rich aroma and deep flavor, and when milk is added, the milk itself is rich and delicious. The bread pudding is relatively small, but the mature flavor of rum raisins and the creamy texture that softens with heat are irresistible! I will definitely come back for this! Thank you for the meal!

I had a set with cheesecake and chose a strong blend coffee. I drank the blend coffee without milk, but maybe it would have been better with milk since it was quite strong. It had a good balance of richness without being too acidic or bitter, and overall it was delicious as a coffee.

Visit date: August 20, 2023 (Sunday) Visit time: 10:00 Number of people in line: 1 Ordered Strong Blend for 850 yen. Entered the shop right at 10:00 opening time. The shop is located underground and has a cave-like atmosphere. The dim lighting inside is very calming. The Strong Blend I ordered was a rich coffee similar to espresso, with a strong bitterness that was very delicious. Refills are available for 500 yen. It was delicious, thank you for the meal.

On Saturdays at 2:00 PM, there were always about 5 groups waiting. The place had a cave-like hidden atmosphere underground. The staircase was shaded and cool even under the scorching sun. The curry set with lotus root was spicy but easy to eat, not too hot! The homemade rare cheesecake had a hint of brandy fragrance, not too sweet! The coffee was easy to drink, with no unpleasant acidity!

The indirect lighting illuminates the calm atmosphere inside the restaurant (^^) The curry was surprisingly more Asian than Japanese, with cilantro giving it an exotic flavor, and it was very delicious♪ Although the price was high, the taste was worth paying for.

I ordered the Kugatsuso Curry and Dessert Set for lunch. The Kugatsuso Curry has a variety of spices that can be tasted. The balance between the sweetness of the raisins on top of the rice and the sweet and sour pickles served on the side is excellent. The meat in the curry is also very tender. The rare cheesecake is not as sweet as it looks. When eaten with the sauce on top, it has just the right amount of sweetness. The atmosphere is calm and inviting, making you want to stay longer. Thank you for the meal!

〈Taste 3.7〉I ordered the limited 10 servings of omurice curry for the day. It had a hint of spice aroma and a well-balanced taste with the omelette. 〈Service 3.5〉I arrived around 10:05 and was the first customer. The service was polite and attentive. 〈Ambiance 3.8〉The place was clean with spacious seating. The interior had a stylish ambiance with cave-like walls, wooden furniture, and dim lighting that matched well, creating a comfortable and chic atmosphere.

Second visit. Finally got to try the curry I wanted. Ordered a curry and iced tea set. The curry had a good amount of spices and occasionally tasted like coriander. The chunky curry was to my liking and not too spicy. It was simply delicious. The raisins on the rice were a nice touch.

This was the first cafe we visited on our tour of Kichijoji. I remember easily walking in before, but this time we had to wait for about 10 minutes. (Probably because it was around 12:30) If you're just looking for good coffee, it's definitely worth it. Also, if you're in Kichijoji, it's a recommended spot. However, if you're looking to spend a long and leisurely time, it might not be the best choice as it's a bit crowded and not very relaxing. It's underground, so the ventilation isn't great, and it's more of a place for dates or hanging out with friends.

I don't understand why this place has such high ratings. The interior looks like a cave, maybe it's for Instagram-worthy cheesecake? Despite that, people keep going in. And of course, there's always a line. A cup of coffee costs 850 yen, cheesecake 800 yen, and if you order a set, it's 1300 yen. The cheesecake is smaller than expected! So I also tried the pudding, but that was compact too! The cheesecake leaves a gritty feeling on the tongue, so I think homemade cheesecake is much tastier. The coffee seems to be high quality, although I had tea.

I visited the restaurant for the second time to kill time. I ordered the curry set during lunchtime. The curry had raisins in it, which added a pleasant sweetness. The curry had a rich and sweet flavor, and the rice went well with it. There was a lot of curry sauce, so you need to pour a lot to finish it all. The spiciness also increased as I ate, making it delicious. However, the coffee felt like it was a small amount for the price...

The café has a lovely atmosphere right from the entrance and staircase. When you open the door and go down the stairs, you are greeted with a cave-like space. Established in 1972, I have been to this café many times since high school, and this time I visited after 7 years. The cave-like interior of the café always makes me feel relaxed. It's great that they are open until 10 pm. I visited around 8:30 pm this time and wanted to order some sweets, but unfortunately, cheesecake, bread pudding, and coffee jelly were all sold out. I ended up just ordering a café au lait. There was no sugar on the table, and they didn't bring any, so I just drank it as it was. The cashier is located around the middle of the café. The restroom is located outside the café, at the end of the hallway.

When entering the restaurant, the staff immediately greeted us and said, "Please choose any seat you like," creating a welcoming atmosphere for a first-timer like me. The interior of the restaurant had a nostalgic Showa-era coffee shop vibe. I ordered two omurice dishes, but I slightly regretted not choosing one with kikutsu grass curry. The rare cheesecake, which I was curious about due to its price, I decided to try after all. My daughter opted for just the cake, while I went for the set which included coffee. The iced coffee was served in a chilled glass, enhancing its deliciousness. The handmade cake was incredibly tasty. However, the total bill came to around 5000 yen for the two of us, making it quite a luxurious lunch.

I finally visited a restaurant that I had been curious about for a while. A friend had told me it had a "Totoro-like atmosphere", and when I arrived, it was indeed a popular spot. I waited for about 10 minutes at 5 pm. The interior had a very cozy atmosphere, maybe because of the dim lighting. The menu was also cute, with a Ghibli-like world. I ordered an iced coffee and asked if they had milk. The waiter explained that they serve a cream made by mixing milk and cream, which was a nice touch. The cream container that was brought to me seemed to be made of copper. It was so cute, with "kugutsu grass" carved into the cup! I was impressed by the attention to detail.

Visited on a Sunday morning around 10:45 am. When I arrived, the place was already full, so I waited outside on a chair. It only took about 10 minutes before I could enter, possibly when the first round of customers left. I decided to order the morning set (toast). The coffee arrived first after ordering, followed by the toast in less than 10 minutes. The set included thick buttered toast, jam, salad, and coffee. The coffee was served in a smaller cup than expected, which was a bit disappointing. In terms of cost performance, it's average. The atmosphere was great, so overall it was good! I thought it would be nice to come back on a weekday evening and relax.

I received a soft blend coffee at the cafe. It was a bit crowded, so they mentioned that the fancy ones would take time to prepare. However, as stated on the back of the receipt, the blend coffee was also carefully crafted, with a good aroma from the roast, and it was delicious. The atmosphere inside the cafe was nice, and it's a great place to enjoy alone or with someone. I wish the portion was a bit bigger, but maybe they adjust with a discount from the second cup onwards.