We will have a mixed lunch of "South Indian Taste Curry Leaf".

Hello. I'm Chiitan, a Nakano Tourism Reporter. Chibi Nakano is here with us. This time, I'd like to introduce a South Indian restaurant called "South Indian Taste Curry Leaf." It's a short walk from the west exit of JR Sobu Line Higashi-Nakano Station in Tokyo, along the tracks, and the bright sign is the landmark.

Opened on June 18, 1996, this restaurant is run by a husband and wife team. The owner trained for about three years at a long-established Indian restaurant in Chiba City, and then opened this restaurant with the desire to spread authentic, light South Indian cuisine.

The name of the restaurant, "South Indian Taste Curry Leaf," comes from the name of a herb popular in India. Its Japanese name is Nanyo Sansho, and it has a scent similar to Japanese pepper.

This time, we will enjoy the Saturday lunch. Lunch is only available on Saturdays and Sundays (take-out is also available). If you want to enjoy mixed rice, we recommend the Saturday lunch (1,280 yen including tax), and if you want to taste something spicy, we recommend the Sunday lunch (1,280 yen including tax). Naan baked over charcoal in a tandoor (Indian charcoal oven) can be enjoyed with the weekday evening dinner set (1,680 yen including tax).

It's a small shop with two or three counter seats and four tables. "It feels like we're in South India, Chibi Nakano-san."

For Saturday lunch, you can choose from three options: "Spicy Potato Curry (medium spicy)", "Mushroom Coconut Curry (medium spicy)", and "Dal Curry (lightly spicy)". For an additional 100 yen, you can change the cassoulet (soft French bread) to batra (fried bread). Chitan chose her favorite daal curry and batra.

As I mixed the dish, avoiding the boiled eggs, I could smell the wonderful aroma of spices. The red of the tomato sauce, the green of the beans, and the yellow of the paprika were all exciting. The more I mixed the dish, the more the flavor changed, which was irresistible. It was mildly spicy, but the spices had a nice tingling effect, and I could feel my pores opening up from the stimulation. I was surprised that even though it was spicy, only about six kinds of spices were used! It seems that the secret of South Indian cuisine is how to create spiciness with a small number of spices.

The fluffy batla melts in your mouth along with the curry. The texture of the pickles on the palate cleanser is also fun!

As I finished eating, the spiciness hit me again. "Chibi Nakano, at a time like this, I need some water. Thank you."

It goes well with beer and wine, and they also have organic wines available.

When I asked the owner about his commitment to cooking, he said, "I've heard that Indian people say, 'I make delicious food without using anything special,' so I try to keep that in mind." He uses techniques to cook familiar ingredients so deliciously.

Please note that payment is only accepted in cash. "Hey, Chibi Nakano, did you get a stamp card? Let's go again!"

South Indian flavour curry leaves

Address: Abe Building 2F, 3-1-2 Higashinakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo

Access: 1 minute walk from the West Exit of JR Sobu Line "Higashi-Nakano Station" or Exit A3 of Toei Oedo Line "Higashi-Nakano Station"

Phone: 03‐5330‐5134

Opening hours Dinner: Wednesday to Friday 6pm to 9pm

Lunch: Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 to 15:00 (ends when sold out) Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays