Coco Ichibanya is a popular franchise of Japanese curry with stores located all over Japan and even globally, but just how good is it?
Curry is a dish we often associate with Indian or Thai cuisine with its strong spices and intense flavors. On the other hand, we tend to associate Japanese cuisine with sushi and ramen. In truth, curry is one of the staples of Japanese cuisine that you’ll find in just about any generic Japanese restaurant. Offering a more mild taste and incorporating its own unique flavors and ingredients, Coco Ichibanya may be the tastiest curry I’ve ever had.
Menu offerings
Coco Ichibanya is a restaurant chain that specializes in customizable Japanese curry dishes. This popular curry house allows you to choose a curry and protein base, sweetness and spicy level, and toppings from a wide selection. Options for toppings include vegetables, egg, garlic, cheese, corn, and more! They also offer a variety of beverage options from soft drinks to iced coffees, teas, and juices.
My Coco Ichibanya experience
I visited numerous Coco Ichibanya branches across Tokyo on multiple occasions to try the various menu items and topping customizations available.
On my first visit, I went for the original curry option with a mild spice/sweetness level and chicken katsu as my protein choice. For toppings, I chose the soft-boiled egg with garlic, mashed potato, and cheese.
Words cannot describe how delicious and mouth-watering this plate of Japanese curry was. I simply had to revisit the restaurant multiple times to try the different combinations.
One of the other notable combos I tried was the hash beef curry base with chicken katsu, egg, and garlic. Perhaps a little overboard for some, but I personally loved to maximize the sweetness level of my chosen curry bases for a tastier experience.
A perfect balance of flavors
Diving a little deeper into what makes Coco Ichibanya so amazing, I’d have to say it’s the balance of flavors. The crispy texture of the chicken katsu complements the soft warm curry base for perfectly delicious harmony.
This intertwining of flavors and textures is only intensified when you include toppings. The tasty goo of the egg yolk adds a soft layer to the dish while the bits of garlic give it an extra crunch! To top it off, you can maximize the taste with stretchy succulent cheese that mixes into the saucy curry base for that extra “wow” factor.
I am by no means a qualified food critic, but Coco Ichibanya really hits the spot in what I look for with curry dishes. While its maximum spice level may not compete with Indian or Thai curries, it’s a delicious alternative, particularly for those who don’t handle spice too well (myself included).
If you consider yourself a “curry connoisseur” that won’t compromise your beliefs about Indian curry being the only “real” curry, I’d still recommend Coco Ichibanya to you. To me, Japanese curry should not be compared to curries of other nations but should be enjoyed for what it is.
Coco Ichibanya is a MUST-TRY for curry lovers!
Curry opinions aside, you should definitely try Coco Ichibanya no matter what kind of curry lover you are! The franchise truly brings a new identity to curry that, once embraced, you certainly won’t regret! With branches located all over Japan’s major cities and even some remote locations, Coco Ichibanya is a MUST-TRY when you come to Japan!
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