I had been thinking of finding a way to eat the Christmas cake from Spice Cafe every year...! But I managed to book a Christmas lunch course for 12/25. It's a 6-dish course to enjoy the spices, priced at 7000 yen. The menu was simply listed as an appetizer platter, sea bream, beef, crab, beef cheeks and vegetables, and Christmas cake. I was really excited to see what kind of dishes would be served. Here's what the actual content was like: [Appetizer Platter] - Smoked duck and arugula - Shiitake mushrooms with karasumi (bottarga) and Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) - Flounder carpaccio with pickled radish - Cheese choux pastry - Strained yogurt with mushrooms and La France pear [Sea Bream] - Roasted sea bream [Beef] - Wagyu harami (skirt steak) [Crab] - Kegani (horsehair crab) biryani [Beef Cheeks and Vegetables] - Beef cheek stew - Vegetable curry [Christmas Cake] - Strawberry shortcake The dishes were made with luxurious ingredients that you wouldn't expect for 7000 yen! Especially the roasted whole sea bream was spectacular. Every dish was truly wonderful, and the strawberry shortcake was a great way to end the fantastic Christmas meal.

It was an amazing dinner. The pairing of spicy dishes with wine was unfamiliar but impressive. Each dish was meticulously prepared and perfectly complemented by the wine. The staff kindly explained each dish and wine, making it a delightful dining experience. At ¥12,000 per person, it felt incredibly reasonable. Definitely a restaurant worth revisiting.

I often passed by this place but couldn't find it easily. However, I finally went there for the first time. When I tried to follow Google Maps, it didn't lead me correctly. I rode my bike around the area and luckily discovered the shop! It was Saturday lunchtime, and I was the third in line, waiting for about 15 minutes outside before being seated. It was right after the rain, and I'm prone to mosquito bites, so I endured the discomfort while waiting and got bitten three times. I chose the lunch with two types of curry for 1500 yen including tax, and I went for Coconut and Garlic Chicken. Both were very delicious, a huge difference from other Indian curry places around here! I received a 10% cashback as part of the Sumida Ward cashless campaign.

I visited around noon on Saturday. Even though I arrived about 20 minutes before opening, there were already about five people waiting. The flavor of the spiced curry stood out, making it very delicious and quite cost-effective for Tokyo. Thank you for the meal.

The entrance is a bit hidden behind overgrown grass, so it might be a little hard to find, but that adds to its charm! I went there for lunch. They only have two menu options: one curry and two curries. There are about 5-6 types of curry, all sounding quite unfamiliar, so it took me a while to decide. I went with my gut and chose the Lamb Keema (left) and Rasam Curry (right). The Rasam is tomato-based, not too spicy, and has a light, refreshing taste. The Lamb Keema is spicier and full of flavor, really satisfying to eat. It seems like there's usually a line during lunchtime. I'd like to come back when it's less crowded and try more of their curries.

Wow, I can't believe I didn't know about this before! I regret not knowing earlier! There were so many curry menu options, and I couldn't decide which one to choose. In the end, my friend and I each picked two. But there were still so many more choices! The rice came out topped with a variety of toppings, each one delicious. I swear, just those toppings alone made the rice disappear in no time! (laughs) The curry was packed with spices and had a flavor that seemed good for the body. I was incredibly satisfied. I'll definitely try out their affiliated stores too! Thanks for the great meal!

I'm torn whether Spice Cafe's curry is Indian curry. They have shrimp curry, which I've never seen at Indian curry places. Anyway, today I planned to have two types of curry from the start. Shrimp curry and another one. I heard Keema is spicy, so I hesitated between Sambar and Rasam, but since it's the season for delicious eggplant and bell peppers, I chose Sambar. Both the shrimp curry and Sambar were delicious. Maybe because they use various spices, the taste is different and delicious from the curries I know. It took 50 minutes until we got seated today. We could wait in the shade, but it's 34°C today, so I was worried about heatstroke. Next year, I want to get takeout in August.

Arrived around 10:20 on Sunday and found about 8 people already waiting, but managed to get in on the first round. Chose the Garlic Chicken Curry and Shrimp Curry. The Garlic Chicken wasn't as spicy as expected, and the garlic flavor wasn't too strong, so even women can enjoy it without worry. The shrimp had a nice shrimp flavor, leaning towards the sweeter side. Both curries weren't too spicy, making them suitable for everyone. Located within a residential area, it's quite hard to find – if I hadn't arrived early, I might have missed it completely. For those planning to go, look out for the queue as a landmark.

In the midst of the rain, I revisited the Spice Cafe after a long time. As usual, I navigated through the narrow path to the back and entered the restaurant. The portions of lamb curry and garlic chicken curry were just right, not too spicy, and offered a delightful aroma of rich spices. Rice refills were complimentary. The post-meal bite-sized pudding was firm and the caramel was rich. It paired excellently with iced coffee. Plus, it's a PayPay 10% cashback store in Sumida Ward.

I waited for about an hour. If it's a weekend, going around 12:30 might be good as the first round would be finishing. It's for lunch. They offer two types of curry, a drink, appetizer, and dessert for 1500 yen. The portion is quite generous. The taste was something I experienced for the first time. It's delicious. However, it might be tough for those who dislike cilantro, as there was a lot of it.

I chose the ram and shrimp from the menu. It's quite a deal because you can get a half rice refill, dessert, and drink included. The location might be a bit tricky for first-timers, but it's a highly recommended place in the curry industry.

I finally visited a restaurant I've been curious about! I made a reservation online and went there. When I arrived, it felt like stepping into a different world surrounded by trees! At night, they only offer set courses, so I opted for the wine pairing. We toasted with sparkling wine! The appetizer platter included Shishito peppers, pear and yogurt salad, baked shiitake mushrooms, tomato and basil jelly, and spiced green beans. The sparkling wine paired perfectly with these flavorful appetizers! The confit of trout with homemade sausage and chili sauce was delicious, although the sauce was quite spicy, so I used it sparingly. The corn biryani was sweet and tasty! For curry, you could choose between lamb keema and tomato-based shrimp. Both went well either over rice or with the biryani. The spiciness was mild, suitable even for those who don't like spicy food. For dessert, you could choose between fig tart and peach granita. The wine pairing included wines from Japan, Australia, and South Africa, which was enjoyable to pair with.

During the Obon holiday, I was finally able to fulfill my long-time wish by enjoying a dinner course with wine pairing that I had reserved. Every dish that came out was impressive, perfect for someone like me who enjoys spice but not the heat of chili peppers. The beloved corn biryani was also delightful. The natural wine was delicious, and I didn't get tipsy. The pairing was spot on; I highly recommend it for wine enthusiasts. The only drawback is that it's a bit far, but once you step inside the restaurant, it feels warmly comforting, almost like being in a place outside of Tokyo. I hear the lunch gets quite crowded, but I might give it a try.

Second visit. This time I had the flavored egg ramen. It had a strong dried fish flavor and was delicious. The flavored egg was really good. I feel like the noodles had a better texture when I had the rich ramen last time. Next time, I want to have the rich one again!!

Spice Cafe @ Oshiage, Komurai (@spicecafetokyo) [Pair Set] "Coconut" "Chilled Rasam" "Rice" "4 Side Dishes" "Iced Tea" "Blancmange" is one of the recommended curry shops serving wakameshi. SPICE CAFE. The renovated space of the old folk house feels like a hidden retreat. The unique curry varieties vary from day to day. They pay attention to the side dishes too! It's incredibly delicious, blending foreign and Japanese harmonies. You can even enjoy dessert with a smile (๑ ᴖ ᴑ ᴖ ๑) "Coconut Curry" A sweet curry infused with coconut and pumpkin. I loved it so much last time that I had to have it again. The seasoning might be slightly different, but the base seems unchanged. It's a curry with a fluffy texture, sweet yet never boring until the end. "Chilled Rasam Curry" A mysterious curry with kombu dashi, plum, and tofu. You can feel the Japanese and foreign influences, a strange sensation of being curry but not entirely curry-like. It's cool and refreshing, with a strong acidity and a clean aftertaste. While recalling the day I thought, "I want to come back," I realized once again that this is a wonderful place. Thank you for the meal ¨̮⑅*◎ Liked: ★★★★★ #spicecafe #スパイスカフェ #OshiageGourmet #OshiageLunch #OshiageCurry #OshiageCafe #KomuraiGourmet #KomuraiLunch #KomuraiCurry #KomuraiCafe #CurryLunch #Curry #ChilledRasam #CoconutCurry #wakameshi #wakameshi_Komurai #wakameshi_Oshiage

I had a lunch set with two types of curry (Lamb Keema and Garlic Chicken, including dessert and a drink) for 1500 yen. Considering the quality, it's a steal. The spices were well-balanced, giving a delightful aroma, and the overall taste was quite delicious. Although I usually don't ask for rice refills, I couldn't resist getting an extra serving. As someone who has lived in Thailand and Vietnam, it felt somewhat nostalgic yet creatively adapted to suit Japanese preferences. The vegetables alongside the rice were perfectly prepared. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant, and I definitely want to come back.

About a 15-minute walk from Exit B1 of Oshiage Station. After a tough journey under the blazing sun on a weekday afternoon, I finally made it to the restaurant. Last time I tried to visit, they were closed for lunch, so this was my first time here, and I was thrilled. The location is quite tricky to get to, and as someone not great at reading maps, I might have taken a roundabout route without realizing. Although lunch reservations aren't possible, I managed to get in without queuing this time. They offer a curry combo with two varieties for ¥1500, including a drink and dessert after the meal. I opted for the spicier curries: Rasam and Lamb Kheema. Rice refills are complimentary, I was told. The plate came with generous portions of rice and four sides. Each dish had a gentle but memorable flavor profile. The Rasam curry had a light tanginess from the tomatoes, while the Lamb Kheema was rich and satisfying. Neither curry had an overpowering spice, but they were well-balanced and left me wanting more. The homemade Blancmange was decadent and paired perfectly with iced coffee. It was definitely worth the visit despite the heat. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

Located quietly in a residential area, this place exudes a soothing atmosphere from the entrance. They offer only courses in the evening, and this time we opted for the one with wine pairings. From appetizers to curry, each dish is meticulously crafted, leaving us eager to see what the next course will entail on our next visit. It's a great recommendation as you can leisurely enjoy wine while savoring the meal.

I chose two types of curry. Since there are many unfamiliar words, I recommend asking the staff if you're not familiar with spice names or types of curry. I couldn't tell if they were spicy or sweet, so it's best to check. All the flavors were really delicious, and the overall value for money, including sides, drinks, and dessert, was truly excellent.

On Sunday at 1:10 PM, there were 12 people in line. Later at 1:25 PM, the queue increased to 15 people with some coming and going, but thankfully there were four empty chairs to wait. I got seated at 1:45 PM. The interior of the restaurant was like a café, renovated from an old Japanese-style house. The staff seemed quite busy. I had checked the lunch menu while waiting and opted for the curry set with two types of curry for 1500 yen: lamb keema and pork vindaloo, both with a large serving of rice. The side dishes on top of the rice were excellent; I enjoyed them separately and then mixed them with each curry. Both the lamb keema and pork vindaloo were delicious; the lamb keema had a nice spiciness and great texture, while the pork vindaloo was also very tasty. Although the service was a bit slow due to including dessert and a drink with the meal, I'd like to try other curries next time.

Please refer to the blog for details: https://tokyo-tabearuki.com/spicecafe-oshiage Content of this review: 1. What is SPICE Cafe? SPICE Cafe opened in Asakusa in November 2003. It has ratings of 3.73 on Tabelog and 4.4 on Google Maps (as of June 15, 2023). It has been selected as one of the top 100 Asian Ethnic restaurants in Tokyo by Tabelog in 2022 and one of the top 100 Curry restaurants in Tokyo from 2017 to 2020. It has also been recognized in the Michelin Guide Tokyo as a Bib Gourmand restaurant in 2022 and 2023. The owner of SPICE Cafe is chef Kazushi Ito, who has traveled the world. The cafe is housed in a renovated wooden apartment building dating back to 1960, making it a traditional Japanese-style cafe. It is often used as a filming location for dramas such as "Minshu" and "Reverse" and "Tokyo Sentimental." 2. How to get to SPICE Cafe Oshiage, its exterior, interior atmosphere, and opening hours: Address: 1-6-10 Bunhaku, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 131-0044 15 minutes walk from Oshiage Station on the Toei Subway Asakusa Line and Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line. As you walk through the residential area from Oshiage Station, you'll find the cafe tucked away in a surprising location. The exterior of SPICE Cafe is charming with greenery, well-maintained, and surrounded by a serene atmosphere. The interior features wooden tables and chairs, offering a delightful ambiance. The cafe is open for lunch and dinner. 3. Menu at SPICE Cafe Oshiage: The lunch menu includes a Single Set for 1,200 yen and a Pair Set for 1,500 yen, both served with dessert and a drink. The lunch menu offers a variety of curry options with complimentary extra rice and four side dishes. 4. What was consumed at SPICE Cafe Oshiage: Started with a creamy and tangy salad, followed by rice and three side dishes. The main dishes ordered were the Sri Lankan-style shrimp and garlic chicken curry. The shrimp curry had a rich and intense flavor, while the garlic chicken curry was milder with a subtle garlic taste. Both dishes were accompanied by generous portions of meat. The desserts, especially the mango mousse, were exceptionally delicious.