Hokkaido soup curry might be one of the greatest Japanese culinary inventions of the last few decades. It’s exactly as it sounds - a thin soup flavored with Indian spices and herbs, packed with meat (optional) and vegetables, served with rice on the side.
Special Chicken & Vegetable Soup Curry with Crispy Grilled Cheese @ Dominica. - image © Florentyna Leow
In a land famed for its lack of spices, soup curry is an explosion of spice, heat and flavor. Most importantly, there’s a heavy emphasis on vegetables you don’t see in most casual dining options in Japan, making soup curry a lighter, healthier option when you have a curry itch to scratch.
The only caveat to soup curry? The broths are invariably meat and fish-based, so it’s not a vegetarian-friendly dish. But barring dietary restrictions, if you want a variety of cooked vegetables when eating out, soup curry is the delicious and reliable option.
- Dominica (Tokyo Station area; budget)
Dominica’s soup curry is a fine example of the genre - spicy and hearty, generously portioned with meat and vegetables in equal measure. It’s no wonder this Kyobashi restaurant is so popular with local office workers! - Audrey (Jimbocho; budget)
Few districts in Tokyo are better than Jimbocho and its environs for curry. And when it comes to soup curry in the area, Audrey is the joint to hit up. Their pork bone and vegetable bowl is like a hug for your stomach. - Ganesha (Shimbashi; budget)
Located a 6-minute walk from Shimbashi Station, Ganesha is a cozy soup curry eatery that’s a firm favourite with local office workers. Join them for some of the area’s best soup curry! - Shanti (Harajuku; budget)
For good soup curry packed with vegetables and spices, we like Shanti in Harajuku. We also love that it’s a little less crowded than most places in the area, and that you won’t have to queue for hours! - Soup Curry Kamui (Akihabara; budget)
Fancy your soup curry with a dose of kawaii? Soup Curry Kamui in Akihabara is the place to go. You get anime-style artwork on the walls, and the waitresses are decked out in maid costumes on the weekends. It’s a novel treat, that’s for sure!
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- Best Soup Curry in Tokyo
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Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Truly Tokyo Google map:- Open the Tokyo map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Tokyo Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Tokyo
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokyo to Osaka and Tokyo to Hiroshima
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda airports. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals. Check my guides to arriving at Narita Airport and at Haneda Airport.
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help