Curry & Spice Bar Curry Bito: Japanese-style curry plates

Curry & Spice Bar Curry Bito (カリ～ アンド スパイスバル カリ～ビト) is a small counter spot that has perfected the art of the Japanese curry plate. What makes it stand out is its generous serving style: every order comes with a complimentary bean curry (豆カリー), which means a two-curry plate effectively delivers three distinct sauces to mix and match with your saffron rice.

Guests consistently praise the quality of the mainstays, particularly the coarse-ground keema curry with its chunky texture and the deeply savoury roasted-onion chicken curry. The free bean curry is noted for adding another layer of flavour that changes the balance of the whole dish. Alongside the regular menu, the shop offers imaginative weekly specials and seasonal plates, like a summer 'bon curry' (盆カレー), which have included everything from mackerel and coconut to salsa-style toppings. The house-made pickles (achaar) and a potent spicy condiment called 'pikkīnu' (add it carefully) are also frequently complimented.

The main drawback is the restaurant's size. With only nine counter seats, queues are a regular feature, especially during the weekday lunch rush. Service can be slow when the single staff member is busy, and a few reviewers have noted brusque interactions during peak times.

Despite the waits, reviewers call it excellent value. Lunch sets with two curries (plus the free bean curry) were recently reported between ¥980 and ¥1,210, while three-curry plates cost around ¥1,650. Dinner is typically ¥2,000–¥2,999. The generous portions and high quality make it a bargain.

• Getting There: The restaurant is a short walk from Iidabashi Station, accessible via the JR Chuo Line (5 min from East Exit), Tokyo Metro Tozai Line (2 min), and Yurakucho or Namboku Lines (7 min).
• Reservations: Lunch is walk-in only on a first-come, first-served basis; expect to queue. Reservations are accepted for dinner service only and include a small cover charge.
• Seating: There are just 9 seats at the counter.
• Payment: Credit cards and electronic money are not accepted. QR code payments (PayPay) are available, but it is wise to bring cash, as some reviewers noted lunch was cash-only.
• Ordering: You order and pay at a ticket machine upon entry.
• Language: While the menu is in Japanese, several non-Japanese visitors have mentioned that the owner offered helpful explanations in English.
• Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
• Smoking: The restaurant is non-smoking, but a separate smoking area is available.
• Parking: There is no dedicated parking.