Eikokuya, Nagoya's second oldest Indian restaurant in Kakuozan. A tea specialty store that gained a reputation for its curry?!

The Kakuozan area is lined with stylish and unique shops. Eikokuya Indian Restaurant, located in Kakuozan, has been in business for over 40 years, making it the second oldest Indian restaurant in Nagoya.

It seems that it originally started as a tea shop, but why it became an Indian restaurant ... I will also introduce the history of the restauramt.

Started as a tea specialty store.
It became popular as an Indian restaurant.

Eikoku-ya was started by Mr. Arakawa, the founder and current chairman of the company, who quit his job as a salaried worker. When he wanted to import something to sell, he started importing tea privately because there were no specialty tea stores at the time. Therefore, the store was initially intended as a black tea product store.

Opened as a tea store, it will change its format to a restaurant with the sign "Tea House" to serve tea and other light meals such as sandwiches, in the hope that people will actually try the tea.

Later, when he started dealing in spices, Mr. Arakawa thought it would be a good idea to add curry to the menu as well. He was so particular that the owner of the oldest Indian restaurant in Nagoya at the time introduced him to a local chef from Nepal, and this led to the current Indian restaurant.

However, they were not pushing curry in particular, but curry became popular before they knew it due to the reputation of their customers.

A calm space where even one person can relax

Entering the restaurant, you will find a long and narrow space. The tenement building, which remained unburned after the war, is exactly as it was at the time. When it first opened, there were only 10 seats from the entrance area, but it was expanded to the back floor, which used to be used as a residence.

There are many tables for 1-2 people, so it is also recommended when you want to spend a relaxing time alone.

The space at the end of the room, which was formerly a residence, can be used as a private room by closing the door.

Many of the furnishings in the restaurant have a retro feel, and the warmth of the incandescent light from the lanterns matches the atmosphere of the restaurant, creating a relaxing space.

The Asian ornaments and decorations will catch your eye.

Made by a Nepalese chef,
Simple and gentle curry

Mixed grill (pictured) / 1,800 yen * Lunch (Monday to Saturday) is 1,600 yen

Now, let's talk about cooking.

The main dish is still curry, but there are a wide range of items from single items to side menus and set menus. The restaurant's recommendation is the "Mixed Grill".

In addition to the standard chicken curry, it also comes with tandoori chicken, seekh kebab, naan, salad, rice, and even a drink!

Sikh kababs and tandoori chicken are also available as a la carte menu, but they are not suitable for ordering for one person and rather expensive. However, for lunch, each item is served with a special lunch price, making it a good choice for those who want to enjoy a variety of flavors.

Nan 390 yen (single) / half naan 290 yen

The naan is made from high quality flour, which gives it elasticity and a simple taste that allows you to enjoy the true flavor of the wheat. The naan is cooked in a tandoor (earthenware pot) made in Seto, using binchotan charcoal that was left to rise for about an hour or more.

In addition to plain, for single items, there will be more variations such as cheese, keema, and vegetable. Plain and cheese can be ordered in half sizes.

Spinach 700 yen (single item)

There is also a wide variety of individual curries. Starting with the standard "Chicken," there are a total of 16 varieties, including "Small Shrimp," "Spinach," the especially popular "Chicken Butter," and the aptly named "Banana," which contains bananas. It is hard to choose.

The ``spinach'' in the photo is a simple dish made with plenty of spinach without using flour, but it has an addictive flavor with a mix of mild and spicy with a hint of garlic.

Chicken curry (single) 650 yen

And the restaurant's most popular dish, "Chicken Curry," is very mild! Not spicy. It is said that the Nepali chef at the time of its establishment adjusted it to suit the tastes of Japanese people, and it is still a classic curry that is loved by men and women of all ages.

*If you want to order spiciness, ask the staff when you order and they will make it spicier for you!

Biryani 850 yen (with soup and salad) * Weekday lunch is 800 yen

For those who say "I want to eat rice too!" , "Biryani" is also popular. Indian fried rice with a curry fried rice-like taste in Japan. Using Japanese Koshihikari rice, cashew nuts and fried onions are a nice accent. It's definitely a taste that suits the tastes of Japanese people.

Samosa 480 yen

This is "Samosa" from the side menu. A croquette-like Indian dish made by mixing potatoes, green peas, and spices and frying them crispy in oil. The red chutney on the side is also perfect!

In addition, there are “Seek kebab / 1,200 yen)”, “Tandoori chicken / 1,200 yen”, and “Chinese steamed bun / 250 yen” that goes well with Chinese tea.

As I explained at the beginning, it is originally a tea specialty store, so there is a wide variety of tea menus.

The popular chai in particular is made from Assam CTC tea leaves, which are boiled with rich milk to create a perfect balance of richness and a bitter aftertaste. The standard chai is included in lunch set, but you can also order ginger, cinnamon, masala, etc. as individual items, so if you are interested, please give it a try.

Not only eat-in, but also take-out is available! It is nice to be able to enjoy authentic Indian cuisine in the comfort of your own home.

“Eikokuya Indian Restaurant” started as a black tea specialty store in Kakuozan. The idea of wanting people to drink delicious tea has led to the current Indian restaurant, and it remains unchanged to this day.

If you want to enjoy black tea more at home, please visit Eikokuya Tea Shop next door to learn more about recommended teas! 

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