Hyperlocal Tokyo

A Sri Lankan coconut curry with a surprising amount of flavor and a good amount of spice! I visited "Benibana Bekkan" in Nihonbashi for lunch on a weekday. Even though I arrived just after 11 am, there were already many customers and the restaurant was almost full. I felt the popularity of the restaurant and stepped inside with anticipation. That day, I decided to try three types of coconut curries: shrimp coconut curry with cheese and egg, beef and mushroom coconut curry, and coriander, avocado, chicken, and coconut milk coconut curry. We shared it among three people. The salad and rice were brought out first. The salad dressing had a pleasant acidity that whetted my appetite. The first curry I tried was the shrimp coconut curry with cheese and egg. The curry in the pot was visually stimulating. The first thing I noticed was the spiciness of the curry. The richness of the cheese and the creaminess of the egg tempered the spiciness, and the springy texture of the shrimp was a perfect match. However, it might be a bit too spicy for those who are not used to spicy food. Next, I tried the beef and mushroom coconut curry. This was also served piping hot in a pot, and the beef flavor permeated the entire curry. The mushroom flavor blended well with the spices of the curry, creating a deep flavor. The beef was incredibly tender, which I loved. This curry was my personal favorite. Finally, I tried the coriander, avocado, chicken, and coconut milk coconut curry. The unique aroma of coriander stood out, and the creaminess of the avocado and the tenderness of the chicken were perfectly balanced. The coconut milk added a mellow sweetness to the whole dish, tempering the spiciness and making it easy to eat. This curry is especially recommended for women and those who are sensitive to spice. Overall, the curries at Benibana Bekkan are very spicy, and I found myself sweating with every bite. However, there is a solid flavor that lingers even after the spice subsides, making it a truly unforgettable experience. The rice is refillable, and a good amount to refill would be just right for the volume of the curry. The balance of spice and flavor is exquisite, making it a must-try for curry lovers. However, I felt that there was room for improvement in terms of customer service. The staff's response was a bit mechanical, and a little more warmth would have made the experience even more satisfying. Nevertheless, the quality of the food is so high that it makes you want to visit again. The coconut curry at Benibana Bekkan is a dish packed with rich flavor, despite its spiciness. Even if you don't like spicy food, it's worth trying. It was a delicious meal.

●Curry Exploration Diary Vol. 179 2024/8/XX (Lunch) I took a day off to try the "Casserole Curry" served during weekday lunch hours. Due to train delays, I arrived at exactly 12:00 pm, peak time. There was a line of 11 people outside, but I was able to enter within 5 minutes. I was seated at a square-shaped table near the entrance, surrounding a teppanyaki grill. It was a shared seating style with other customers. The atmosphere was calm and sophisticated, though not particularly new. I ordered the following: ■ Beef Casserole Curry @ ¥2,000 (tax included) ※ Salad included ※ Rice refills free ※ Payment by credit card ※ ¥500 discount per person with LINE coupon The salad was served first. It was a simple salad with lettuce as the main ingredient, dressed with a homemade-style French dressing. The curry, as the name suggests, was served in a casserole. It was a rather large casserole, and the server warned me to be careful not to touch it as it was very hot. The curry sauce was made with Sri Lankan spices and had a thin, soup-like consistency. It had a unique spice flavor, was spicy, and very delicious. I thought it was similar to the curry at "The Curry" in Shimbashi, which I personally love for its thin, spicy style. The ingredients included large chunks of beef that were tender and flavorful, melting into the curry sauce. There were also plenty of onions, shiitake mushrooms, and other mushrooms, which added a good broth. The rice was a decent amount even by default, but there was a generous amount of curry sauce in the casserole, so there was no need to worry about running out. If you can eat it, you could probably have two servings of rice with the curry. Pickled ginger and radishes were also provided, and these could be refilled. If you need more, just ask the server. The price might seem a bit high at first glance, but considering the generous amount of curry sauce and ingredients, it actually feels quite affordable. The service was professional and courteous, as expected from a high-end teppanyaki restaurant in the evenings. The curry was spicy. It wasn't super spicy, but it had a decent level of heat that lingered after you finished eating. My wife ordered the "Shrimp Casserole Curry", which had cheese and egg, and was slightly milder than the beef curry. If you're worried about the spiciness, you could choose the shrimp or add an egg as a topping. If it's your first visit, the LINE coupon (¥500 discount) is a great deal, so I recommend using it. I spoke to the staff, and they mentioned that they are considering offering curry lunch on weekends starting in October, so I definitely want to visit again to try the weekend curry lunch. Thank you for the meal.

Located in Nihonbashi, "Benibana Bekkan" is a renowned restaurant where you can enjoy teppanyaki and Western cuisine. While their lunch menu boasts a variety of dishes like steak, hamburgers, and omurice, the "Coco Curry," a Sri Lankan-style chicken curry, reigns supreme in popularity. (This is the only lunch option.) Opening the lid of the coco (a covered pot) reveals an intoxicating aroma that whets the appetite. The curry, a soup-based dish made with chicken broth, is a symphony of flavors: the deep richness of spices, the savory essence of braised chicken and vegetables, and a refreshing, lingering spiciness. It's a taste that will leave you wanting more. The lunch menu consists of only four items. Perhaps due to the price, you can often find a table if you arrive a bit early on weekdays.

I ordered the seafood curry. I had been wanting to visit this long-established, famous restaurant in Nihonbashi for a while, and finally got to have lunch there. The curry itself is a bit pricey, but by 12 o'clock, there was a long line of salarymen. This time, instead of the classic chicken curry, I went with the seafood curry based on my mood. It was a soup curry, and the restaurant described it as Sri Lankan curry (cocotte curry). The curry was served in a ceramic bowl, and rice was free refills. Many regulars around me ordered large portions from the start. The curry itself had a slightly sharp flavor and was relatively spicy, but it was a delicious kind of spicy that was somehow addictive and I couldn't stop eating it. It was incredibly delicious, the kind of curry that makes you want just one more bite, and it felt completely different from what I usually eat. It reminded me of the Sangria in Marunouchi. I'd definitely like to go back again if I have the chance.

Lunch is served quite quickly. The Cocotte Curry is spicy and delicious. I wasn't quite sure about the proper way to eat it. Also, if you tend to sweat, it's a good idea to bring a towel.