Curry in Shimokitazawa: 9 Must-Try Spots for Foodies

The land of well-loved vintage shops, local music and surprisingly, curry, Shimokitazawa woos the hearts of those who want a more hipster and relaxed atmosphere while in Tokyo. The best part of this quaint neighborhood is its diverse shopping, dining and entertainment options. 

Not only can you dive head-first into well-curated vintage shops, but Shimokitazawa has a robust international restaurant and festival scene that draws attention from around the globe. 

Shizuka Anderson, our beloved YouTube host, even tried some of the best curry houses and spiciest curries in Shimokitazawa — for “scientific” purposes, of course! 

If you’re a curry lover or curious about the nuances of different types of curries in Japan, we have a list of the best curry restaurants to try next time you’re in Shimokitazawa.

The popularity of curry in this area began when a local salaryman with a slight obsession encouraged his local Shimokitazawa restaurants to make the flavorful dish. To increase public appreciation for curry, the story goes, he began hosting a curry showdown, which is now a famous local festival in November. 

Now notorious for its curry craze, the trendy neighborhood even hosts an annual Curry Festival with over 100 local eateries in participation.

Shimokitazawa is a haven for curry lovers. Not only can you find Japanese curry options, but there are plenty of curry restaurants from around the globe just waiting to be discovered!

Japanese curry, known as kare in Japanese, is milder with a subtle sweetness compared to Indian and Thai curries. It’s generally peeled potatoes, carrots, onions and meat (beef, chicken or pork) in a savory brown curry sauce. Depending on the recipe and time of year, even apples may be added to provide a little sweetness.  

The three most common ways to enjoy Japanese curry are with rice, curry udon and curry bread (kare pan). A common staple in Japanese homes, curry roux blocks can be found in grocery stores and convenience stores.

Find out more: How to Make Japanese Curry (Step-by-Step Recipe)

While there is the standard Japanese curry as mentioned above, soup curry uses a combination of spices and fresh stewed vegetables and meats to flavor the base. Rice is served on the side and dipped into the soup with a spoon.

Considered the “soul food of Sapporo,” soup curry has made its way to other regions of Japan and can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner in Shimokitazawa.

Originating in the Indian subcontinent, Indian curry has a long history in the country's cuisine and varies by region. Typically a wide array of spices such as coriander, cardamom, peppers may be mixed with yogurt like in Tikka Masala.

A variety of vegetables, meats, tofu, paneer cheese and even raisins are featured in different Indian curries. It is also often served with basmati rice and can be enjoyed with a side of naan bread.

In Thailand, popular curries include green, yellow and red curries, and they’ll often have a spicy kick. Varying region to region, different ingredients are featured in each type of curry. The chilies and ingredients used in the curry base gives each type its respective color.

Another popular type of Thai curry is Massaman curry, a thicker base featuring whole spices and peanuts that may have a milder and slightly sweet taste compared to the others.

On a quiet street, just south of Shimokitazawa station, Kyuyam-tei Shimokita-sou is a quaint curry shop with a rotating menu. Their curries change every month, so you may never try the same curry twice! 

Their famous mixed three-curry plate (zen-gake) is a set of three different types of curries ranging in flavor and spice levels. The chef uses fresh ingredients, vegetables and meats to create a unique curry experience. 

The curries are all served on the same plate with a delicious mound of turmeric rice in the middle. At the end, you’re served a chicken and dashi broth to be poured over the leftovers of the zen-gake to enjoy a unique soup curry packed with flavor.

Pannaya Cafe Curry is a 3-minute walk from the station and run by Japanese actor, Matsuo Takashi. 

Upon entering, you'll find a ticket machine to purchase your meal tickets and can sit at one of the twelve counter seats. You can specify your preferred spice level — choosing between medium dry and dry. 

The most requested dish here is the Maha Cutlet Curry, which features a unique pork cutlet. What sets it apart is the use of squid ink bread crumbs that give the cutlet a deep black color and a crispy texture. Would you wait to try the famed squid ink cutlet?

Its unique name comes from the Ainu language of Hokkaido in Northern Japan. The Ainu word ponipirika, which means poni (sprout) and pirika (beautiful), there are seven levels of spice to satisfy all types of curry lovers. 

Focusing on Hokkaido soup curry, each bowl is characterized by flavorful broth, featuring hearty meats and Hokkaido vegetables such as lotus root, pumpkin, sweet potato and eggplant. We recommend getting the crispy chicken leg atop your curry.

If you’re brave, you can pay a little extra to increase the spice level. This is for real adventurous diners or spice-tolerant guests.

Rojiura Curry SAMURAI is the first location of this chain shop in Tokyo outside of Sapporo. It’s famous for its packed-to-the-brim bowls of soup curry. If you’re looking to fill up on hearty vegetables, this is the spot to be.

The slow-cooked curries feature Hokkaido vegetables and are a hit with veggie lovers. Everything here is completely customizable. Choose your soup base (regular, mild, coconut soup or mild coconut soup), up to 20 different toppings, and spice levels (from 0-10 on the spice scale). Lastly, choose the amount of rice you want with your soup, or remove the rice entirely.

If you want to try a more unique curry flavor, select from their limited-time menu.

Opening in 2022, this Hokkaido soup curry joint prepares all curries with exclusively Hokkaido ingredients. Soup Curry & Dining Elvis incorporates Hokkaido vegetables, rice and meats, which are then prepared to marry the flavors together for a mouth-watering bowl of soup curry.

Every bowl features a rainbow of colors, making it appealing to the eyes and taste buds. Try popular toppings like cheese or lamb shabu-shabu for a soup curry that’s unlike any you’ve had before. 

Magic Spice is hard to miss! The bright red restaurant is just a 4-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station and serves up a mix of curries from Indian, Indonesian, Nepalese and soup curries. 

When you walk in, you’ll be greeted by the psychedelic decor that prepares you for how you’ll feel after taking a bite of the most spicy curry, not featured on the main menu. 

Magic Spice features a wide variety of toppings like gyoza, tempura, egg, tofu or mushrooms. If you want a mind-altering, tear-producing curry, try the Aum Air level, using the equivalent of 20 peppers.

As the name suggests, at Nan Station you’ll be served a large piece of naan bread alongside authentic Indian curry. 

Its reasonably priced set menu items include your choice of curry, a serving of rice and a hearty piece of naan to dip in the curry. The cheese naan goes perfectly with the Butter Chicken or Tikka Masala. 

If you’re lucky, you may get cute hand-drawn curry art.

A small curry shop near the station doubles as a rotating art gallery space. Known for its keema curry (a minced beef curry), they’re big on flavor and visuals. 

The recommended Tarikihonganji Curry features a striking yin and yang design, while the 4696 Curry is a dream for cheese enthusiasts, served with a generous heap of cheese atop black keema curry.

Taiya Taikaokaokao Shimokitazawa Ten is a Thai food stall located inside Mikan Shimokitazawa. Its neon lights and the pungent smell of Thai curry invite you to take a seat. The owner wanted to introduce the flavor of her roots and grandmother’s cooking to Japanese people.

Featuring Thai street food such as Red Tom Yum Kung soup, stir-fried crab in curry and pad Thai, guests can eat around Thailand right in Tokyo.

Ever wanted to learn how to make a delicious curry base? That's the foundation of this fun, beginner-friendly curry-making class in the scenic Lake Kawaguchi, where you'll choose to create your personalized curry base from over 20 spices.

Then, blend your spice blend with Fujiya’s 10-ingredient soup stock to make your own unique curry. Mix in your choice of mushrooms, potatoes, vegetables, chicken thigh or shrimp, then settle in for a homemade meal created by your own two hands.

Once you're full and fueled up, take a walk around the lakeside town of Fujikawaguchiko, one of Japan's famous five lakes, with enviable views of Mt. Fuji on a clear day.

Running low on time? Omit the curry-making element of the class and make your blend of spices (leaving you with a 250g jar of spice to take home).

Shimokitazawa is arguably the best neighborhood in Tokyo to try curry restaurants. With hundreds of curry restaurants ranging from Japanese curry, soup curry from Hokkaido, Indian curry and Thai curry, there’s something here for all tastes.

Can’t get enough of curry in Tokyo? Read our ultimate guide to Japanese curry, try these Japanese curry restaurants in Tokyo, or keep the hipster feast going with the best restaurants in Shimokitazawa.

The most popular curry dish in Japan is katsu curry, featuring a deep-fried, breaded pork served over rice and smothered with a delicious curry sauce. The sauce contains a variety of spices, including turmeric, cumin and ginger, and creates a comforting flavor for locals and tourists alike.

It is believed that curry became popular in Japan because the Imperial Japanese Navy, after learning of curry from the British Navy, adopted it as a menu item on their ships.

It's estimated that on average, Japanese people may eat Japanese curry as often as once a week, a number that is sure to increase during the colder months.