Recent Reviews
A hidden gem tucked away in the back alleys of Shinjuku West Exit. You can enjoy curries with varying levels of spiciness and cheese kulcha (a type of flatbread made with naan dough). The restaurant is a 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station. It's located on the 3rd floor, up the stairs after passing through a shuttered entrance. The interior is larger than its exterior suggests, with 15 seats, and first-time visitors are often surprised by its spaciousness. This time, I ordered the "Two Curry Set (¥1,200)" with a cheese kulcha and mini rice (+¥300). The curries change daily, and today's options were "Spicy: Chicken Curry" and "Mild: Masoor Dal and Spinach." The chicken curry was absolutely fantastic. The thickness, flavor, and spice blend were all perfect. In contrast, the lentil and spinach curry had a gentle flavor and was very healthy. It was also delicious. I highly recommend the cheese kulcha. It's filled with plenty of cheese inside the dough, making it incredibly gooey and delicious. I definitely want to visit again and try the other curries.⭐︎
Spice Bazaar Achakana in Nishi-Shinjuku Visited for lunch on October 2, 2024. The lunch curry offers a choice of one or two curries, with two daily specials to choose from. You can also select from four combinations: naan and rice, naan and rice with butter, naan only, or rice only. This time, I had the spicy mutton keema and the medium-spiced masoor dal and spinach curry. The naan was a bit small, so if you're a big eater, you might want to consider the additional option. The flavors were authentic, and after finishing, I realized I prefer the single curry option as a mutton lover.
Wow, I never knew there was a place in Shinjuku that served such delicious, authentic curry... It's located near the Kawaijuku right outside Shinjuku Station's West Exit. It's on the third floor of a mixed-use building, and while there's a sign, it's easy to miss if you're not paying attention. I called to make a reservation at the last minute on a Friday night, and they only had a spot at the counter, which I was happy to take. When I first arrived, there was only one other group, but after 7 pm, customers started pouring in, and the place was packed in no time. It seems like reservations are essential. That night, I ordered butter chicken, Kerala shrimp, a skewer of lamb meatballs, and cheese kulcha and jasmine rice to go with the curry. Since I was at the counter, I got to watch them make the cheese kulcha and lamb skewers right in front of me, and then cook them in the tandoor oven. It was a really immersive experience. The lamb was spicy, with a slightly chewy texture, and had a nice smoky flavor. It was perfect for pairing with beer. By the way, I had an Indian craft beer called BIRA IPA that night. It was refreshing and light, as you'd expect from a beer from a hot country, but it also had a good body and a hint of fruitiness, almost like a Belgian white beer. It went perfectly with the lamb. I ordered without much thought, and when the curries arrived, I was a little surprised by their creamy appearance. I thought maybe I should have ordered some achaar, but as soon as I took a bite with the jasmine rice and cheese kulcha, all those worries vanished. The butter chicken had a slightly strong tomato acidity, and while creamy, it was also refreshing, which I really liked. The Kerala shrimp, on the other hand, was very rich and had a strong, spicy flavor. Both were completely different and absolutely delicious. This has become one of my favorite curry places in Tokyo. From now on, whenever I want a quick dinner in Shinjuku, this will definitely be one of the first places that comes to mind. It was incredibly delicious. I'll definitely be back soon.
The taste…★4 (Indian curry made with meticulous care, catering to Japanese preferences, but a bit on the smaller side in terms of volume) Atmosphere…★4 (Relaxing) I visited around 12:30 on a Friday and there was a 3-person wait. This curry shop is near the Welcia drugstore in Shinjuku West Exit. It was located in a run-down, mixed-use building that made me a little uneasy, but I was surprised to see a line of people. And then I ate it and understood…it's quietly delicious. This is the two-curry set with rice, mini cheese naan. Everything is meticulously made and delicious. The interior is clean and relaxing. It might sound rude, but even though it's in a run-down, mixed-use building, the service is still polite. Thank you for the meal.
Kerala Shrimp ¥1,300 Assorted Mushroom Pickle ¥600 Spicy Potato Salad ¥600 Lamb and Scallion Stir-fry with Lemongrass ¥980 Two Types of Tandoori Chicken ¥850 Shrimp with Aromatic Spices ¥900 Cheese Kulcha ¥730