Tabelog ratingTAKEUCHI Chiyoda kanda jinbou honten (タケウチ 神保町本店) has earned a devoted following for what many call 'edible art'. This isn't a typical curry shop, but a tiny counter where the chef serves a unique fusion of Indian, Japanese, and European techniques. The main draw is the 'Kimagure Plate', a meticulously arranged platter featuring three different curries, edible flowers, and numerous small, surprising side dishes like raita and kachumber.
Guests consistently praise the complexity and balance of the curries. The 'Umi' or sea curry is noted for its deep, creamy seafood umami, while the 'Musui' waterless beef curry is lauded for its rich flavour and generous portions of tender beef. Reviewers who ordered the 'Kimagure Plate' (気まぐれプレート) recently paid between ¥1,500 and ¥1,650. The sea curry (海カレー) alone typically costs around ¥1,200 to ¥1,600. Most diners find the meal to be excellent value for the level of craft and creativity involved.
The experience comes with practical trade-offs. The restaurant has only eight counter seats, so space is very tight and queues are the norm; expect a total time of one to two hours from arrival to exit. Service can be slow during peak times, and popular items sometimes sell out early. A few guests have also noted that some dishes can be quite spicy.
- Getting There: 5-minute walk from Jinbocho Station (Exit A5 on the Toei Mita, Toei Shinjuku, and Tokyo Metro Hanzomon lines).
- Booking: Walk-in only. Reservations are not accepted. Be prepared to queue, and all members of your party must be present to be seated.
- Payment: Cash only. Credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments are not accepted.
- Seating: 8 counter seats only. Groups will be split.
- Age Restriction: Children are not permitted due to the very small space and service of hot food.
- Practical Tips: The restaurant does not reliably provide paper napkins, so it's wise to bring a handkerchief. To try a specific dish, it's best to arrive early.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
- Parking: No dedicated parking is available.