Kitchen Nankai Numabukuro

Kitchen Nankai is a popular Western-style restaurant. Kitchen Nankai's main branch in Jimbocho, a mecca for curry and a fierce lunch battleground, is well known, but did you know that there are other branches of the same name?

The one we visited this time is "Kitchen Nankai Numabukuro," located about a two-minute walk from Numabukuro Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line. It is one of the oldest of the goodwill stores, having been established in 1973.

Katsu Curry (Curry with Pork Cutlet)

We ordered, of course, the popular "Katsu Curry" (700 yen including tax). When you order, the owner starts frying the cutlet on the spot.


The curry with pork cutlets has a delicious aroma and steam rises out of the air. The curry roux is a mellower shade than that of the main restaurant (the main restaurant is more like THE black! ). Comes with miso soup.



First, take a bite of the curry...mmmm! The roux is a thicker type, with a deep finish filled with the flavor of the ingredients. The curry is spicy, but not spicy, and has a perfect balance of richness, flavor, and spiciness.


It is more of a home-style curry, but it has a flavor and richness that is hard to achieve on one's own. It tastes best when mixed with a lot of white rice...!


The cutlets are a little thin, but the crispy batter goes perfectly with the roux. The cutlet is large enough to satisfy even those who want to eat a hearty portion.

Ginger Rice

Regulars usually order the Katsu Curry, but check out the rest of the menu! I had the ginger-yaki rice (700 yen including tax). It is also delicious!


One bite of the flavorful meat and you will not be able to stop shoveling down the white rice. The taste is not flashy, but it is a taste that makes you feel the "skill" of the chef. It is a taste that makes me want to eat it regularly.


The Jimbocho branch has a long line of customers at lunchtime, but this restaurant is tucked away off the shopping street, so it has a relaxed atmosphere with local regulars. Run by a friendly elderly couple, you can enjoy your meal in a relaxed atmosphere, as if you were returning home to your parents' house to have a home-cooked meal. This is quite a hidden gem, isn't it?

If you happen to be in the neighborhood, you should definitely take a peek at Kitchen Nankai in Numabukuro. It's worth a visit!

Kitchen Nankai Numabukuro
Address: Liberty Heights Takahashi 1F, 3-27-6 Numabukuro, Nakano-ku, Tokyo