Mi no Ringo’s keema curry is saucy, soul-warming, and spicy - a perfect lunch break on a chilly autumn day in Harajuku.

A broken yolk and melted cheese over keema curry and rice - all you ever need out of life right here. - image © Florentyna Leow
I love curry. In the last two weeks alone, around 8-10 of my meals have included or revolved around curry in one form or another - which, given the sheer variety of curries out there, is not as monotonous as you might think. Harajuku is home to many excellent curry restaurants (such as Mokubaza, which I’ve written about here), and when you’re craving curry, it’s great to have different options for lunch in the area.

You might have to wait if you arrive after noon, but turnover is quick here. - image © Florentyna Leow
Just up the road from the super-crowded Takeshita Street is Mi no Ringo, a little restaurant specializing in keema curry. For a brief explanation of what keema curry is, check out the review of nearby Mokubaza here.

Mi no Ringo was featured in Dancyu’s curry-themed issue in 2010. - image © Florentyna Leow
It’s something of a local gem, having been featured in a number of local food magazines, including Dancyu, one of Japan’s most prominent gourmet publications.

It’s a small but relatively popular restaurant, so don’t linger too long. - image © Florentyna Leow
Mi no Ringo is a one-man operation and has counter seating for just 10 people, so do be willing to dine solo or with a friend rather than as a large group. You’ll also want to drop by relatively early - preferably around or before noon. Still, turnover is pretty fast. A good proportion of diners here are workers on their lunch break, so they’re in and out as soon as they’ve scarfed their curry down. After arriving closer to half past noon, I was seated within 10 minutes (even with a queue of 6 in front of me), and received my curry 10 minutes from placing my order. This is great, because waiting outside while being assailed by the smell of curry is a little torturous.

The most important parts of the menu distilled into this chalkboard. - image © Florentyna Leow
There is a brief English menu on the chalkboard at the back, which makes it relatively easy to order. The keema curry is only medium-spicy, so if you’re looking for something spicier, try their pork curry. Including the cheese topping (an additional JPY200) will add a couple of minutes to service, but you won’t wait long anyway.

The combination platter is not the prettiest plate of curry, but it doesn’t matter here. - image © Florentyna Leow
I ordered the special combination plate to compare both curries. Their chicken curry is on the sweeter side, with a barely perceptible hint of spice, more akin to a tomato stew with chicken chunks in it. It goes well with the salty, stretchy cheese, and it’s not bad, but it’s not what I’m looking for in a curry. What I look for is a sauce that makes my tongue and throat burn a little, just enough to make me sweat and tear up.

The handwritten sign on the wall says that not a single drop of water is added to the chicken curry and keema curry. - image © Florentyna Leow
Happily, Mi no Ringo’s keema curry pushes all those buttons. Their keema curry is what I want, and I’m going to go out on a limb and say that it’s what you’ll want too. It’s a different beast from Mokubaza’s keema curry. Where Mokubaza’s is reduced to an almost paste-like intensity, this is more like the kind of filling I want in a Sloppy Joe, or chili con carne. Loose and saucy, and loaded with ground beef and chunks of diced tomatoes, it has a homespun, rustic feel to it. I especially love how the flavors arrive in waves. First you taste the sweetness of onions and tomatoes, and then the warmth of various spices (coriander and cumin, for starters). Finally, the burn from black pepper and chili flakes hits the back of your throat, leaving it tingling. The pink peppercorn atop adds a lovely bite. With the melted cheese and gloriously oozy half-boiled egg, I almost never want to eat another curry in the neighborhood. Almost.
If you like your curry on the saucier, spicier side, hit up Mi no Ringo. Mokubaza’s keema curry might be more photogenic, but Mi no Ringo’s rendition doesn’t lose out in any way.
For more Tokyo curry rice choices, see our Best Curry Rice in Tokyo page.
Name:
Mi no Ringo
Name in Japanese:
みのりんご
English address:
1F West Building, 1-22-7 Jingumae, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo
Japanese address:
東京都渋谷区神宮前1-22-7 ウエストビル 1F
Opening hours:
Tues~Friday: 11:30~15:00(L.O.) 18:30~21:30 (L.O.)
Weekends and public holidays: 11:30~19:00(L.O.)
Closed Mondays
Smoking environment:
No
Nearest station:
Harajuku (JR)
Reservations:
No
Outdoor seating:
No
Telephone:
+81-3-6447-2414
Website:
N/A
Near To Here:
Mi no Ringo is located in Tokyo's Harajuku district. See our complete list of things to do in Harajuku, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Eat Like A Local In Tokyo
See all recommended places to eat in Tokyo where you can mingle with the locals.
More Tokyo Restaurant Recommendations:
See all Curry Rice places we recommend on our Best Curry Rice In Tokyo page and get the complete list for all cuisines on our Best Tokyo Restaurants page.

Where Is This Place Located?
See this place 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