Soup Curry Soul Food
Greetings! I'm Greg of KINSHA’s localization group, and a new writer for this blog. I hope you enjoy my articles!
Today, it is my pleasure to introduce the most criminally overlooked jewel in the crown of Japanese cuisine: soup curry. Compared to sushi’s eighth century origins, soup curry is a new addition to the Japanese foodscape. It was originally created in 1971 by a restaurant in Hokkaido as a meal with medicinal properties. However, it is popular today as a dish that envelopes meat and a bevy of vegetables within in a curry broth. It is said there are now more than one hundred specialist soup curry restaurants in Hokkaido.
To find the true taste of soup curry, normally one would have to make the journey up to Hokkaido. Indeed, this is what I have done in the past! However, for Kyoto’s residents and tourists alike, relief has come in the form of Curry Hiroshi, Kyoto’s one and only dedicated soup curry specialist.
What’s more, there’s an interesting story behind the restaurant’s origin: apparently, Kyoto used to have a delicious spot for soup curry. Curry Hiroshi’s owner was a regular at this restaurant, but to his dismay, the restaurant went out of business. Robbed of his source of delicious soup curry, Curry Hiyoshi’s owner took it upon himself to fix the problem, journeying to Sapporo to study the art of soup curry. Four and a half years later, with his training complete, he triumphantly returned to Kyoto and opened Curry Hiroshi in tranquil Nakagyo-ku.
So, what’s on the menu? Soup curry, of course! The menu has five variations of soup curry to choose from; chicken, vegetable, clam and shrimp, nattō (fermented beans popular in Japan), and finally a combination of the previous four in one extravagant bowl. Additionally, you can customize your dish further with optional toppings, but in my experience, sticking with one of the core options is best as they are well-balanced and the recipes fine-tuned to perfection.
Once you order, the owner will prepare your curry for you behind the counter. He cares deeply about the quality of his ingredients, and is fully able to talk at length about the origin of each vegetable. I was happy to hear that the vegetables all originate from different parts of Japan.
The soup is wonderfully warming. Given that summer’s heat is still in the air, you may doubt the appeal of a hot bowl of soup curry. However, no matter the weather, the sensation of swallowing the soup and letting it flow into your body feels like a warming hug from a loved one. Moreover, it is delightful to know that you are eating an extremely healthy and nutritionally well-balanced meal. Let it be known, Curry Hiyoshi’s food is beyond reproach!
However, personally speaking, there is far more to the experience of eating out than just the food itself. My enjoyment also depends heavily on the atmosphere and décor of the place, and I’m happy to report that Curry Hiroshi excels in this regard. It is like an oasis, a space calming just to be in. The simple, tranquil atmosphere design feels like it has been plucked straight out of a MUJI style guide book. It makes the place both extremely homely and incredibly chic at the same time.
If you’re looking for relaxation and a great meal, then look no further than Curry Hiroshi. And if you’ve never had the pleasure of previously eating soup curry, then what are you waiting for?! Hop on the train to Enmachi as soon as you can!