Toi Inshokuten

Toi Inshokuten is a breezy, two-story store occupying a space in the leafy Hanashibacho area, run by a husband-and-wife duo who fell in love with the cuisine. Owner-chef “Tam” had worked as a chef at another restaurant downtown and initially rented a room in Ayameike to start his business before finally opening his brick-and-mortar store in 2021. By 2024, Toi Inshokuten had already earned its Michelin feature. The word “toi” in the restaurant name is an acronym for “trip to the imagination,” so a meal at Toi Inshokuten can be like a tour through India’s diverse regional cuisines. Curry selections are ever-changing, with twists and turns: spicy chicken madurai curry from South India, pork vindaloo stewed in dry vinegar, sweet potato curry stewed in bonito leaf paste and squid curry. The clever choice, however, is to pick the curry-tasting set, served in a round thali platter with rice centered around several types of curry and side dishes in an artistic arrangement — two words: simply stunning. Toi Inshokuten’s cozy, minimalist interior is instantly recognizable in Nara. It has industrial lighting fixtures and concrete walls that continue to the ceilings. Little nods to India are everywhere, like the stairway lined with Hindi text. Michelin Guide accolades: 2024 - Bib Gourmand