Tabelog ratingRecognised by Tabelog’s prestigious “100 Famous Restaurants” list, kamal (カマル) is a modern curry house in Kyoto that has perfected the art of spice. The main draw is the ‘combination’ plate, which allows you to pair two different curries, offering a spectrum of flavours in a single meal. The restaurant builds its curries on a ghee base, giving them a distinct richness and depth.
Guests consistently praise two signature dishes: the butter chicken, noted for its creamy texture and restrained spicing, and the keema, a punchy, spice-forward minced chicken curry that many reviewers describe as addictive. For those seeking heat, the beef curry is famously labelled “gekikara” (extra spicy) and served as a thin, chilli-forward soup. A gentler vegetable curry with chunky potatoes is also a popular choice. While most find the food to be excellent value, a few guests have noted that the famously spicy beef curry can sometimes be light on meat or overwhelmingly hot, and that service can be brisk during busy periods.
A typical meal for lunch or dinner costs between ¥1,000 and ¥1,999. Reviewers recently paid ¥1,150 for a small curry combination (e.g., butter chicken and keema) and ¥1,350 for a medium. Lassi and other soft drinks are around ¥400–¥450.
- Getting There: Located in Nakagyo-ku, a 3-minute walk from Karasumaoike Station.
- Booking: Walk-ins are welcome and common. Reservations are accepted but may be declined during peak hours.
- Seating: 24 seats, including 6 at the counter and 18 at tables.
- Payment: Credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners, UnionPay), electronic money (transportation IC cards, iD, QUICPay), and QR code payments (PayPay, Alipay, etc.) are accepted.
- Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
- Practical Info: An English menu is available. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. No private parking is available, but there are paid parking lots nearby.
