Japanese Curry Is Becoming Popular
Recently, it seems that Japanese curry rice has become popular among tourists visiting Japan.
Not only in Japan but also overseas, the major Japanese curry chain CoCo Ichibanya has opened many stores around the world.
Because of this, Japanese-style curry is becoming more familiar internationally.
In the UK, katsu curry has become especially popular.
However, when I looked into it, I realized that what is called katsu curry there is usually made with chicken cutlet.
As a Japanese person, I find this a little disappointing.
What “Katsu” Means to Japanese People
In Japan, katsu refers to a general category of dishes in which an ingredient is coated with egg and breadcrumbs, then deep-fried.
Depending on the ingredient, we have:
- Tonkatsu (pork)
- Chicken katsu (usually chicken thigh)
- Menchi katsu (minced meat)
But when Japanese people hear the word katsu by itself, most of us automatically think of tonkatsu.
And when we hear katsu curry, it naturally means curry rice topped with tonkatsu.
That is common sense in Japan.
My Relationship with Katsu Curry
I like katsu curry.
I used to eat it quite often when I was younger, and even now, I occasionally crave it.
When that happens, I walk about ten minutes from my office to a neighborhood called Jimbocho.
Jimbocho is famous for having many excellent curry restaurants.
Even a quick online search will bring up countless highly rated places.
Japanese curry itself comes in many styles:
- European-style curry
- Indian curry
- Soup curry
- Creative, modern variations
Personally, I prefer classic Japanese curry with a thick texture.
For the past ten years or so, I have only gone to two places:
Kitchen Nankai and Manten.
Popular with Locals, Invisible to Tourists
Both restaurants are extremely popular with Japanese salarymen and students.
At lunchtime, there is always a line.
Strangely, I have never seen foreign tourists eating there, even though many tourists walk around the area.
Both restaurants are located on small backstreets, so visitors probably do not notice them and instead go to well-known chains like CoCo Ichibanya.
Personally, I think the classic curry at these two places is many times better.
My Favorite: Manten’s Katsu Curry
In particular, I love Manten’s katsu curry.
Today, I suddenly had a strong craving for it and decided to go.
There were about ten people waiting, but the turnover was fast, and I was seated in about ten minutes.
Once inside, I sat where the owner told me to sit.
I simply said, “Katsu curry,” and the dish arrived shortly after.
Unlike typical curry, which contains potatoes and carrots, this curry only has ground meat.
That is what makes it so good.
And of course, the cutlet is tonkatsu.
A Taste That Has Lasted for Decades
I have been coming here for over thirty years, since my student days.
The taste has never changed.
The price, however, has gone up over the years.
It used to be 600 yen, but now it is 800 yen.
Still, I think it is very reasonably priced.
It was so delicious that I finished it quickly, paid the owner, and left the restaurant.
(Cash only, so be careful.)
Japanese Food Beyond Sushi and Ramen
Japanese food is now available almost everywhere in the world.
Still, sushi and ramen remain the most common.
I travel overseas frequently for work, but it is rare to encounter other everyday Japanese dishes.
I hope that the food Japanese people eat in their daily lives will become better known around the world.
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