There are times when you think about going somewhere but never actually make it, or you simply forget about it. One such place for me was the popular curry restaurant CURRYBAL Kujira in Koenji. I suddenly remembered it and decided to go. Koenji Shotengai Daiichi Ichiba is a space where down-to-earth shops gather. It was just before lunchtime, and there was a decent crowd of people. Everyone seemed to be enjoying their meals. Now, about Kujira. I ordered the Curry Combo with Chicken Curry and Pork Vindaloo with cheese topping, along with a lassi. The rice was served like a dam with curry on both sides. The Chicken Curry was mild in spiciness but rich in flavor, a curry that everyone loves. The Pork Vindaloo had a strong acidity from red wine vinegar and a moderate spiciness that tingles your taste buds. The unique tangy and spicy taste is a characteristic of Pork Vindaloo from the Goa region in India. Kujira's version truly captures the authentic taste of Vindaloo. The rice had a light and fluffy texture that complemented the curry well. While the unique flavor of Pork Vindaloo may be a hit or miss for some, the straightforward and authentic curry at Kujira is well-made without any gimmicks. The atmosphere of the restaurant and the Daiichi Ichiba market is friendly and inviting, filled with the essence of enjoying delicious food. Koenji has many charming shotengai with unpretentious shops offering a variety of cuisines like curry and ramen. It's truly a great place to visit.

Last night, I went to Koenji to have curry after work. Koenji is a place where I used to live for about 2 years when I was young. When you think of Koenji, you might imagine a lot of thrift stores or the image of Awa Odori dance. There are also many cheap and late-night izakayas. When I was young, my wife and I used to eat at izakayas until late at night. Nowadays, it seems that there are quite a few curry restaurants in Koenji. When you type "Koenji curry" into a search engine, it comes up as a suggestion. In Tokyo, when it comes to curry, I usually think of Jimbocho or Shimokitazawa. So, I decided to visit Kujira this time. Kujira is a small restaurant located about 2-3 minutes' walk from JR Koenji Station North Exit, in a food and drink market called Daichi Ichiba. It's a small place with about 8 seats, and it seems to be run by a single person. Even though it's a one-person operation, there don't seem to be many rules like at a certain curry restaurant in Ogikubo, and there was no line, so we were able to be seated right away, even though it was dinner time. The menu has four options: chicken, pork vindaloo, beef keema, and a two-color curry. They recommended the two-color curry, so I ordered the chicken and pork two-color curry with a large serving of rice and a half-cooked egg topping. The curry arrived just a few minutes after ordering. Normally, I would bring my face close to the curry and take a sniff, but even without doing that, the good smell arouses my appetite. I started with the chicken, which had a mild spiciness and a good balance with the chicken's flavor, making it delicious. The pork vindaloo had a strong acidity, but the spiciness and the flavor of the pork came after, and it seemed addictive. The rice, I'm not sure if it's Indica rice or Thai rice, but it wasn't too fluffy and seemed to blend well with the curry. At first, I ate the chicken and pork alternately, but then I tried mixing the gravy and breaking the half-cooked egg (the white was firmer than a soft-boiled egg) for a different taste, but personally, I thought it was better to eat them alternately without mixing. The contrast of flavors was clear, and it was simple and delicious, making it easy to eat smoothly. This curry is truly a "drink-like" curry. Another curry restaurant in Koenji, Seiran, had a great mix of flavors and textures, and I quite liked it, but I also appreciated the simplicity of Kujira. As I savored the happiness of being satisfied both in my stomach and heart with delicious curry last night, I left the restaurant. I will definitely come back again! Thank you for the meal. Total bill last night: ¥1,600.

Visited Koenji for an art gallery and decided to enjoy Koenji gourmet while I was there. I chose a restaurant that I had been eyeing for a while. It has been selected as one of the top 100 curry restaurants in 2019, 2020, and 2022. They open at 5:00 PM in the evening. I arrived on a Sunday at 5:00 PM and even though it was right after opening, there were already 2 groups of customers. I was seated at the counter. This time, I ordered the recommended 3 curry sampler for 1,600 yen. The interior of the restaurant is small and cozy, with a pleasant curry aroma filling the air. After 5 minutes, a salad arrived with garlic chips on a bed of cabbage. It helped ease my hunger. 2 minutes later, the curry was served. It was nice to be able to enjoy 3 different types at once. The pork curry was spicy with a strong acidity, the chicken curry was just right, and the keema curry had a rich flavor from the minced meat. I enjoyed mixing and matching the flavors. The rice was fluffy and perfect for the curry. I finished it all in no time. Even after eating, the spices lingered in my mouth. It was a truly authentic and delicious curry experience. Thank you for the meal.

It's about a 2-minute walk from JR Koenji Station. It's a small restaurant located in a corner where various food and beverage shops gather. Today, I ordered a 3-kind curry set for 1600 yen. The rice is basmati rice and it comes with a salad. The curries are beef keema, chicken, and pork vindaloo, all of them spicy. The pork vindaloo is the spiciest with a strong sour taste, so it may not be for everyone. The beef keema is highly recommended as it is meaty and delicious. The pork is a bit disappointing as it is on the tougher side rather than being stewed. Mixing all the curries together at the end made for a nice combination. Overall, I enjoyed the meal until the end. Thank you for the meal.

I had curry at Kujira-san in a market-style enclosed space in Koenji. There are several shops crowded together here, giving off a Koenji-like or Asian street food vibe, which I quite like. The neighboring biryani specialty shop and the Vietnamese restaurant across the way also looked delicious, but today I chose curry. I ordered a trio of chicken, pork, and beef curry. Each had a completely different taste, but I personally liked the familiar taste of the chicken curry the best, followed by the enjoyable texture of the beef. These two had a distinct spiciness that was delicious. However, the pork was too sour and didn't really feel like curry. I thought it might have been a bit too much.

Arrived around 12:30 on Sunday. There were about 5 people waiting. I ordered a 2-kind plate, a spice high, with yogurt topping. I didn't get the large portion, but the amount of rice was just right for a man in his 40s. The salad was delicious!

I occasionally do a curry crawl in Shimokitazawa and Nishi-Ogikubo. This was my first time in Koenji. I arrived around 6:30 PM on a rainy Friday. The second stop was Kujira-san. I was happy to see they now offer a delightful three curry plate: chicken, pork, and keema. The chicken curry was smooth, and while the chicken itself didn't seem to absorb much flavor, the texture was quite nice. The pork vindaloo had a wonderful tanginess that I really enjoyed. The pork pieces were quite large! The keema had a gentle and delicious meaty flavor. I love their basmati rice, it's always the best. It's light and fluffy in your mouth. Overall, the curries were delicious.

It was a bit difficult to find the place, but I managed to get there around 7:30 pm on a weekday. There was no line. I couldn't decide between the three or two options, but I went with the three types in large size. The Pork Vindaloo was amazing with its tangy and spicy vinegar flavor. Towards the end, I followed my colleague's advice and mixed the Chicken Curry and Beef Keema together. I will definitely visit again and try the three types platter. Also, there are many other interesting restaurants in Daiichi Market where this place is located, so I look forward to exploring them next time.

Hello, I'm Mogusuke! The password is "Delicious is 0 calories!" Today, I would like to introduce "CURRY SHOP Kujira" in Koenji. This restaurant is located in the bustling Daichi Market, known for its international atmosphere. It is a small restaurant with about 10 seats where you can enjoy spicy curry. I recommend trying the Spice Curry with two types of curry topped with a soft-boiled egg and baked cheese (I chose to have it on the Pork Vindaloo). The Pork Vindaloo is tangy and spicy, so if you're not a fan of spicy food, you can add cheese or try the Chicken Curry or Keema Curry. The chicken and pork curries, which are simmered to perfection, are spicy and delicious. When in Koenji, be sure to stop by! - Budget: ¥1000-1500 per person - Location: 1F, Daichi Market, 3-22-8 Koenji Kita, Suginami-ku, Tokyo - Nearest Station: 3-minute walk from Koenji Station - Taste, Alcohol, Mogu Degree: - Taste: 2 mogu - Price: 2 mogu - Trendiness: 2 mogu - Small and Deep Curry Shop Feel: 3 mogu * 3 levels of evaluation: - 1 mogu = As expected - 2 mogu = Would love to visit again - 3 mogu = So good that I don't want to share it

Located in the Daiichi Ichiba market right by Koenji Kita-Koenji Station North Exit in Suginami, Tokyo, Curry Hyakumeiten is a must-visit spot. I had some errands in Koenji, so I decided to stop by this place. I visited around 11:30 am on a Saturday and luckily there was one seat available with no wait. I ordered the Spice Curry with 2 kinds of curry for 1,300 yen. There was also an option for 3 kinds of curry for 1,600 yen, but I opted for 2 kinds due to my stomach capacity. Before the curry arrived, I was served a cabbage salad with fried onions and onion dressing, which was delicious. The curry was served in two separate dishes, each with chunks of meat. The chicken curry was made without butter, giving it a sharp and exquisite flavor with tender meat. The Pork Vindaloo curry, on the other hand, had mixed reviews due to its strong red wine vinegar acidity and spiciness. It was a bit too sour and spicy for my liking, but I managed to finish it. Overall, I enjoyed the experience and would like to try the beef keema curry next time.

Curry restaurant inside the gourmet mall "Daiichi Market". The recommended dish was a 3-kind curry set. Chicken, pork, and beef keema with basmati rice. The chicken curry has a refreshing, sharp flavor. The pork vindaloo made with red wine vinegar has a hint of bitterness in addition to the sweetness of onions. The beef keema stands out with the crunchy texture of lotus root. Overall, the focus seems to be more on the spiciness and aroma rather than the richness and flavor. The use of oil is moderate, resulting in a light taste. It can be considered as South Indian curry, but it stands out with its intense spiciness. Those who like this type of curry seem to really love it.

Nowhere but here can you find a unique curry experience - "refreshing POP" spiced curry and spiced shochu highball to enjoy a refreshing morning! I ordered: 1. Pork Vindaloo - a rare curry with a tangy taste from red wine vinegar and a deep spiciness from various spices. 2. Chicken Curry - the signature curry made with 10 exquisite spices and a homemade blend of garam masala for a "refreshing POP". Spiced Shochu Highball - a shochu highball made with special spices from the restaurant. If you ever go to Koenji, you must try this curry!

I chose two types of curry, Keema and Chicken, in a half-and-half combination. They were both delicious! The portion size in the photo is large and very satisfying. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere. The limited-time squid curry was also very tasty.

A popular curry restaurant in the Daiichi Market. I tried the Green Pepper Squid Curry this summer. Originally, it comes with cilantro on top, but I asked for it on the side since I'm not a big fan. In the end, I ate it all, so I should have just left it on. The Squid Curry was incredibly delicious. It had tender squid cooked in the curry. I want to try their other regular menu items too. I also ordered the Beef Keema Curry, which was also delicious. It's no wonder they're on the Tabelog Top 100 list. Next time, I plan to order the 3-kind combo with an egg on top of the keema, as shown in the picture on the table. #KoenjiGourmet #CurryShopKujira #KoenjiLunch #SquidCurry #KeemaCurry #TabelogTop100 #DaiichiMarket #CurryLoversUniteVisited: 3.75

For first-time visitors to Koenji, it may be a bit difficult to find this shop, but once you arrive at the exotic Daichi Market, you'll see the stylish and clean shops adorned with badges from a hundred shops, making it easy to spot. This time, I ordered the following: - Spicy curry combo (2 types) ¥1300 * Pork Vindaloo * Chicken Curry The cabbage salad with a tangy dressing is refreshing. Before I could finish the salad, the curry arrived. The aroma of the spices is wonderful! Both the Pork Vindaloo and Chicken Curry have large pieces of meat that provide a satisfying bite. The meat is not tender, but rather has a chewy texture that cannot be cut with just a spoon. The curry is thin but has a natural thickness from simmering the vegetables, and it pairs well with the fluffy basmati rice. The Pork Vindaloo starts with a tangy flavor and then hits you with a strong spiciness that is addicting! For those who don't like spicy food, the Chicken Curry is easier to eat. Eating spicy curry and sweating in the hot summer is the best, right? d(^_^ )

I had always been curious about Kujira-san. They have a shop in a building that looks like a market. I visited Koenji after a long time and arrived just in time for lunch. The banana milk crush was delicious! The curry with a side of rice had tender meat that was well-prepared. Jasmine rice, which I occasionally eat, always tastes so good. Thank you for the meal!

I finished work and headed to Tensuke, but they were only open for lunch. So I decided to go to a curry restaurant that I had bookmarked. It was located in a corner of a food court that didn't look very appealing. It was a little past 5:30 and I easily found a seat. I ordered the 3 kinds of curry for 1600 yen, added a half-boiled egg for 150 yen, and got a complimentary salad. The cabbage with garlic chips was delicious. The curry was decent, but it had a strong sour taste that was unique. I'm not a fan of rice, and the pork on the left was tough.

I ordered a combination of two dishes for my first visit, chicken curry and pork vindaloo. There was also squid curry available today. I usually start with plain rice, and the long-grain rice here was delicious. The chicken curry was mild in spice, easy to eat but not to my taste. The pork vindaloo, on the other hand, had a strong sourness and good spiciness, which I enjoyed. The spiced shochu highball was ginger-based, possibly with cardamom. They also provided a salad with the meal. It's great that they are open every day, even during this season. Thank you for the meal.

However, I'm not very good with spicy food, but I love curry. I always enjoy curry with lassi by my side. Our shop, located in the market in Koenji, is small but always crowded. The chicken curry is rich and smooth, while the pork curry is tangy and spicy, perfect for those who enjoy a kick. I think I prefer the chicken. The light and fluffy Thai rice paired with the smooth sauce is exquisite.

We ordered a two-item combo, choosing chicken (spiciness level 2), pork (spiciness level 3), and keema (spiciness level 1) to choose from. I chose chicken and pork, while my wife chose chicken and keema. We shared a little, so we got to try three different dishes. The chicken had a standard taste, the keema was gently sweet and spicy. The pork was my favorite! It had a strong spiciness and the flavor of the spices, but it wasn't too spicy to the point where you couldn't taste the deliciousness. It had a hint of acidity, keeping the spiciness from getting boring.

I visited a small restaurant in a narrow market in the afternoon around 1 pm. It was a bit hard to find, but I finally spotted it with a whale sign at the entrance. The restaurant had a counter with three seats and two small tables for two people each. Today, I ordered a set of three types of curry for 1,600 yen. The set included keema, pork, and chicken curry. The keema curry was chunky, the pork curry was tangy and spicier than expected, and the chicken curry was not very spicy. Both the pork vindaloo and chicken curry had generous amounts of meat. Overall, it was a satisfying meal.

I ordered a combo of two types of spicy curry (large portion) and a lassi. I chose pork and chicken for the two types of curry. The pork was spicy, but I managed to finish it with the help of the lassi. The large pieces of meat were very filling. The chicken curry was just right in terms of spiciness, and I could also taste a hint of sourness which made it delicious.