[Suzuka] "Repeat" Authentic Spice Curry in a Traditional Japanese House

Repeat is a spice curry specialty restaurant located in Naganoura, Suzuka City, Mie.

They started out operating from a food truck, then rented space before opening their own store in June 2023.

The colorful curry served in the stylish renovated old house is sure to be a photo-stealing experience! Since the restaurant is open only two days a week, many customers say, "I finally got to go!" Since its opening, the restaurant has been attracting customers with both its appearance and taste.

We got to talk to the owner of "Repeat."

*Information from the time of coverage in April 2024.

A combination of timing and fate
Starting a business in a traditional Japanese home

Repeat is located just a two-minute walk from Kintetsu Chotanoura Station.

- What inspired you to start making spice curry?

Owner:"We started selling keema curry from a food truck in 2020, but that was also the year the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and all of the events were cancelled.

Even after the COVID-19 situation calmed down, the impacts continued. However, when I saw other vendors at the event putting a lot of effort into creating their menus, I decided to expand the range of my menu so that I too would not be defeated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

First, I started by teaching myself how to treat spices from scratch, then I started selling them from a food truck and renting space, and that's how I got to where I am today."

- Why did you decide to use an old house as your store?

Owner:"The space we were originally renting to operate our business in was a cafe space that had the feel of a traditional Japanese home. It was built by the same construction company that helped build this shop, and they were the same construction company that built new buildings in the style of traditional Japanese homes.

The atmosphere of the building was very nice. I gradually became attracted to old private houses, and I strongly felt that if I were to open my own store, I would definitely want it to be like this.

- Please tell us how you came across this building.

Owner:"This building originally belonged to my husband's friend. It was a rundown row house, and they were planning to tear it down, but when I heard that, I asked them, 'If you're going to tear it down, can you rent it to us?'"

As for the renovation, we left the parts that could only be done by carpenters to the professionals, and my husband and I worked on the parts that could be done. It took us about two years to complete the renovation, which started while we were also opening events and renting out the space. I think we were satisfied with the interior, and I like it because it is close to the station."

The project took shape with the help of the construction company that had helped them when they were renting the space, as well as electricity and gas from the husband's friends who are self-employed.

The restaurant was created by a combination of timing and the thoughts of many people.

The owner was not originally interested in antique tools, but when she started looking for furniture and accessories for his store, she found it fun and traveled outside of the prefecture to make her selections.

Handwritten letters on blackboards in various places in the restaurant. Small items with a sense of warmth were incorporated.

The thoughts behind the name "Repeat"

The cute logo was designed by the owner's daughter. It is said to be a spoon fairy.

- Please tell us the origin of the restaurant name.

Shop owner:"It's the same name, but I chose it because I wanted to make a comfortable shop that customers would want to come back to again and again. In fact, some customers do come back again and again, and I'm grateful for that."

- Why do you continue to set up booths at events even now that you have a physical store?

Owner:"We continue to open event stalls because some customers are too far away to come to the store and we have customers we only meet at events. There are also those who say they came to our store because they enjoyed the food at the event.

Currently, in addition to store operations, I also open a store at events once or twice a month, mainly in Mie Prefecture. I try to go to the events I have been to because of the customers I meet there and the relationships that are created from those events." 

A spicy curry with a vibrant and rich flavor

The curry menu changes weekly and is made using seasonal ingredients, with an emphasis on color.

- All of the curries are appealing, but what is the most popular dish?

Owner:"Shrimp and other seafood curries are popular.

Basically, we offer four types of curries: chicken and seafood, pork or mutton, and vegetable curry. All curries use seasonal ingredients as much as possible, and you can feel the richness and umami of each ingredient.

I have studied spices in classes, but I have always loved strong spices, so I incorporate them into my creative menus.

*Prices are those at the time of coverage. Some have since changed.

There are four types of lunch menu. All lunches come with a side dish of the day. You can choose your favorite curry from four types.

-What do you recommend?

Owner:"Well, we have four completely different types of curry, so we would be happy if you could try all four and compare them. I think it would be fun to mix them all together."

4 types of curry + today's side dish ¥2,400 (tax included) + spiced egg ¥150 (tax included)

This plate is very filling. The four types of curry and side dishes are all different in color, making it a visual treat.

The plates were ordered from an artist in Kyoto who makes tableware specifically for curry. The black plates made the colorful curry and ingredients stand out.

The curry menu in the photo is clockwise from white curry
・Chicken Korma
・Scallop lemon
・Keema matar
・Beet curry

The side dishes are listed clockwise from the bottom of the beet curry.
・Meduwada (bean doughnut)
・Sauce next to Meduwada: Tomato chutney
・Pickles next to the rice: pickled radish
・Nozawana sabji (stir-fried vegetables)
・Pumpkin and sweet potato poriyal (fried with coconut)
・Purple cabbage achar (pickles)
・Spiced eggs
・Kachumbar (Salad)
・Bean curry
*Spiced eggs are not included in today's side dish.

The chicken korma and beet curry were mild in flavour, while the scallop lemon and keema matar had a rich flavour with a slight spiciness.

The colorful appearance of course, but the flavor of each dish spread in your mouth the moment you put it in, and the aroma was so rich that it was a pleasure to bring it to your mouth.

In the foreground of the photo: Spiced eggs, above the spiced eggs: Kachumbal

The popular spiced egg. It looks spicy, but it's not spicy at all, and the flavor of the spices goes perfectly with the soft, runny soft-boiled egg.

Kachumbal also contains pineapple, giving it a very refreshing taste! It's a great palate cleanser among the many dishes that use spices.

You can also try medwada, a savory bean doughnut, with curry.

Firefly squid achar (¥300), Hyuganatsu citrus achar (¥100), eggplant achar (¥100), masala chai (¥400)

The achar (a South Asian pickle from India, Pakistan, etc.) made with seasonal ingredientswas also delicious! It had a slightly sour, rich flavor that was quite distinctive. It made me want to eat more and more rice.

Future outlook

- What are your future prospects?

"I want to continue creating menus that customers won't get tired of. Because we only have a few opening days, some customers say, 'I'm finally here.' So I want to continue working hard to meet the expectations of those who take the time to come."

Ripito offers four colorful and completely different types of curry and a wide variety of Indian side dishes. Even the author, who is not known to be a spicy person, was able to eat the curry without any problem, so even those who do not like spicy food may enjoy any type of curry they choose.

Come and enjoy spiced curry that satisfies your sense of sight, smell, and taste in a restaurant with a great atmosphere.