Hyperlocal Tokyo

I visited for lunch on a weekday. This popular restaurant, known for its keema curry, is located on the bustling Takeshita Street in front of Harajuku Station. This time, I went for the classic keema curry (¥1,000) without hesitation. I was also tempted by the keema curry with cheese, which comes with a generous amount of cheese, but I wanted to try the standard version first. The keema curry, with its beautiful circular shape, is a perfect balance of the gentle spiciness of the spices and the sweetness of the vegetables. The coarsely ground meat adds a satisfying texture. I love trying different toppings to change the flavor, but savoring the simple, consistent taste is also a great option.

Sunday at 2 PM, I went solo. 10-minute wait. Packed house, constantly turning tables! Truly a Harajuku institution! Minoringo Special, Medium Spicy + Sweet 1400 yen Keema Curry: The sauce is full of sweet onion flavor with large chunks of ground meat. The rich, spicy flavor mellows out when mixed with the soft-boiled egg, creating a curry that's addictive with its gradual heat. Chicken Curry: Tomato and yogurt base, blended smooth. A curry with fresh acidity and a gentle milkiness.

I visited for lunch on a weekday, a little after 11:00 AM. I had been wanting to try this place for a while and finally got the chance. I ordered the keema curry and a side salad from the menu. The salad came first, and it was reasonably priced and delicious, so I recommend it. Then, the main curry arrived. The keema curry was visually stunning, with a perfectly placed soft-boiled egg in the center. The keema had a strong spice flavor. I waited until I had eaten about half of the curry before breaking the egg, enjoying the mellow flavor as I savored the rest of the meal. Finally, they gave me a candy as a treat, which was a nice touch. As the self-proclaimed Spice Prince, I believe that hunger is the greatest spice. It was a delicious meal. Thank you.

I recently went back to the area near Harajuku Station, so I went to Minoringo for lunch and had their curry! Today I wanted both the keema and the sweet chicken curry, so I ordered the Minoringo Special. First, I broke down the western mountain with the creamy, warm egg keema, then I broke down the eastern mountain with the chicken curry overflowing with tomato and yogurt sweetness, and finished with a lassi... Thank you for a truly blissful time ☺️

I had the keema curry, and my family had the cheese keema curry. It might look flashy and unconventional, but the spices and heat were clean and refreshing, and we devoured it in no time. Maybe it was because it was the middle of a sweltering summer day? We were able to get a table right away on a Saturday afternoon.