Shinjuku Golden Gai is lined with historic bars that inherit the old-fashioned atmosphere. It is also famous as a city where writers, actors and movie directors gather. This city has a strong image of being active at night, but in fact there are shops that are open only during the day. This time, we will introduce "Epitaph Curry", a curry shop where you can enjoy exquisite curry only during the daytime.
■ To Golden Gai in the daytime
"Epitaph Curry" is located just after entering Shinjuku Golden Gai Akari Hanazono 5th Avenue. In the suburbs, there are Yoshimoto Kogyo Tokyo Headquarters and Hanazono Shrine.
Inside the "Epitaph Curry" store, there are 5 counter seats and 1 table seat. The interior of the store was bright, probably because the doors were left open, and it was a space that even people who were new to Golden Gai could easily enter.
Akari Hanazono Fifth Avenue entrance
There is a signboard at the entrance of Fifth Avenue
The blue wall is a landmark
■ South Indian curry that suits the Japanese tongue
Epitaph Curry basically offers South Indian curry. The owner, Mr. Sato, loves curry. In 2016, he went to India to check the local taste and took curry cooking lessons. "Epifu Curry" offers South Indian curry that has been "improved" to better suit the taste of Japanese people by adding an arrangement to such authentic taste. It is a taste that even people who are not good at authentic taste can enjoy.
I ate two kinds of the most popular "Kerara chicken" and "Pork vindaloo" this time. With white rice as the border, the bright shade of "Kerara Chicken" is on the left and the dark brown "Pork Vindaloo" is on the right.
You can eliminate the coriander in the center if you tell it in advance.
◆ Kerara chicken
"Kerara Chicken" is a mild dish made with chicken and coconut milk. The large, cut chicken is juicy and appetizing. Also, the chili pepper inside was a good accent. This pepper is fried in oil until it turns black before being added to the curry, so it's not too hot to eat as it is.
Chicken with a satisfying taste
"Kerala Chicken" is a dish from the state of Kerala, India. In Kerala, there is a strong recognition that "red = delicious", so there are many red foods. Somehow, even the water may turn red! Therefore, "Kerara Chicken" of "Epitaph Curry" is also finished with paprika powder to make curry with strong redness.
A mellow and easy-to-eat curry
◆ Pork Vindaloo
"Pork Vindaloo" is a curry that has been carefully simmered using a large number of spices, garlic, and vinegar. Basically, many Indian curries are not stewed very much, but "Pork Vindaloo" is said to be stewed well and laid down well. By doing so, the flavor will be closer to that of European-style curry, and it will become a curry that fits well with the Japanese tongue. Because it contains vinegar, it is a sweet and spicy curry with a strong acidity. It's a little spicy compared to "Kerara Chicken".
"Pork Vindaloo" is a dish from Goa, India. Pork seems surprising to Indian food, but Goa is originally a Portuguese territory with many Christians, and many people eat pork. Compared to "Kerara Chicken", the roux has a darker color.
◆ Special rice
"Epitaph Curry" is particular about rice and mixes Indian basmati rice and Japanese rice. If you use only basmati rice, it will be dry, but by adding Japanese rice, you can cook rice that is light but cohesive and often entwined with roux. The reason why he doesn't use turmeric rice is that "Japanese people like white rice." This is also one of the commitments to making "Indian curry for Japanese people".
If you look closely, you can see the basmati rice
"Epitaph Curry" can be eaten from 12:00 to 17:00, and is open during Golden Week. Holidays are Tuesday, which is a regular holiday, and 5 / 8-5 / 10 after the Golden Week holidays. It will end as soon as there are no more roux. The price is 800 yen for one type and 1,000 yen for two types.
Also, it seems that there will be a bar called "Kangaroo Court Decision" at night, and you can eat curry even at night on Monday when Mr. Sato is a bartender. In that case, a charge fee is required.
Curry at the bar on Monday night
■ With exquisite chai
At "Epitaph Curry", the drink menu "Chai" is also excellent! Chai, which is brewed in front of you after ordering, is thick and sweet, and has a lot of cinnamon. The strong sweetness and milkiness will heal the tongue of spicy foods, and it is a perfect cup after a meal. The price is 400 yen per cup. You may have to wait for a while after ordering.
Chai that you definitely want to drink
It ’s a sweetness that makes you feel relaxed.
■ Also pay attention to the fashionable logo mark!
The logo mark that is also the icon of the official Twitter of "Epitaph Curry". It seems that this mark was designed by Naoyuki Asano, who directed the drawing of the popular anime "Osomatsu-san" and the movie version of the anime "Doraemon" and worked on the music video for musician Gen Hoshino. The owner, Mr. Sato, got acquainted with Mr. Naoyuki Asano's family and asked him to design it when the store opened. The silhouette of the rhino is an impressive logo mark, isn't it?
Also pay attention to the logo!
Eat in Golden Gai in the daytime "South Indian curry arranged to suit the taste of Japanese people. GW is a golden street with a slightly retro atmosphere, why not try exquisite curry and chai? For menus and opening information, You can check it on the official Twitter of "Epi Tough Curry".
Check the official Twitter account before you go!