Tabelog ratingCurry House Colombo (カリーハウス コロンボ) has been a Sapporo staple since 1973, beloved for its unique take on Japanese curry. Unlike the thick, mild versions common elsewhere, Colombo’s roux is a thin, almost soup-like 'shaba-shaba' style, built on slow-cooked onions and spices for a balanced, addictive heat. Each plate is served with a generous portion of rice and a main topping, most famously a pork cutlet (tonkatsu) fried to crispy perfection right after you order.
Guests consistently praise the satisfyingly spicy curry and the juicy, crisp katsu. The daily specials, such as the stewed hamburger on Wednesdays, are also very popular. What makes the experience truly memorable is the restaurant's service ritual: staff proactively offer a free refill of the curry roux mid-meal, and every plate is followed by a complimentary scoop of vanilla ice cream to cool the palate. Portions are famously large, with the default rice serving weighing in at around 350g, making it exceptional value. Reviewers frequently noted the warm, efficient staff and fast turnover, even when there's a line.
The main drawback is the space itself. With only about 10 counter seats, the restaurant is cramped and queues are common during peak lunch and dinner hours. Some diners also find the curry spicier than they expect from a Japanese curry house, and the small room can feel warm on busy days. Recent reviewers paid around ¥1,100 for a pork curry, ¥1,250 for daily specials, and ¥1,300–¥1,350 for the Stamina Katsu Curry. Given the portion sizes, free roux refill, and included dessert, visitors overwhelmingly consider it fantastic value for money.
- Reservations: Walk-in only; reservations are not accepted. Expect a queue at peak times, though it typically moves quickly.
- Location: In the B1 basement level of the Sapporo Kokusai Building, a short walk from JR Sapporo Station and the Sapporo subway station.
- Seating: 10 counter seats only. Space for bags and luggage is very limited.
- Language: An English menu may be available, and staff are reported to be helpful to non-Japanese-speaking guests.
- Payments: Credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners), electronic money (transportation IC cards like Suica, Rakuten Edy, iD), and QR code payments (PayPay) are accepted.
- Good to know: The default rice portion is very large; you can request a smaller portion ('A-rice') for a small discount. The curry is spicier than typical mild Japanese curry.
