A note on the words: spice curry is a distinct contemporary Japanese curry style emphasizing vibrant whole and ground spices rather than heavy roux. Aigake refers to serving two or more contrasting curries side by side on a single plate, allowing diners to savor each separately before swirling them together. Shio-koji is a traditional fermented seasoning of rice malt and salt, while tachiuo is beltfish, asari are littleneck clams, and keema is a spiced minced-meat curry.
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Kosui on Tabelog (English) — opening hours, payment details and the Japanese address are kept up to date there, not here.
Hello, this is Hangover Meshi. Hearing rumors that a spice curry shop had opened in Akasaka, I went to check it out: “Kosui”.
The location is roughly between Akasaka and Akasaka-mitsuke, near the Hong Kong restaurant I visited before. What is interesting is that it can be reached from both Misuji-dori and the Esplanade, the streets on either side. On the way in, I went down to the basement from the Misuji-dori side, but leaving from the Esplanade side turned out to be closer, ha.
The shop is deep down in the basement. Even if you find yourself wondering, “Wait, is this the right place?”, just trust yourself and keep going farther in.
Spinach and shio-koji chicken curry — 1,000 yen
Tender pork cartilage tom yum curry — 1,000 yen
Mackerel, tachiuo beltfish and asari clam coconut keema — 1,200 yen
Two-curry plate — 1,200 yen
Three-curry plate — 1,300 yen
Four-curry plate — 1,450 yen
I see! I was told the tom yum curry was a limited-time offering, but I get the feeling the mackerel and beltfish one might be limited-time as well, ha.
Since it was my first visit, I went orthodox: choosing the aigake combo of chicken curry and tom yum curry!
Now, after waiting a short while, here it is!
Terribly delicious-looking!!!
On the left is the spinach and shio-koji chicken curry, and on the right is the tender pork cartilage tom yum curry.
First, a spoonful from the right side. Mmm, this is delicious. It is unmistakably tom yum. I wonder if it is the aroma of lemongrass that gives it that feel?
It is quite a thin and soupy curry, yet properly spicy.
On the left is the chicken curry. This one is rich and deeply flavorful. The meat is so tender! Even on its own, the chicken curry is terribly good.
Now that I understood both flavors, I gradually broke down the border between them and mixed them together.
All those different flavors mingle into a complex blend, and it is delicious!
The curry was so good that I caught myself wondering whether I might have wanted just a bit more rice, but I polished it all off in no time.
Spice curry really is delicious! It seems to have been gaining popularity across Tokyo lately, and there are several shops in Akasaka now, all of them tasty. This has definitely become a place I want to return to. Highly recommended!
Kosui (Curry / Akasaka Station, Akasaka-mitsuke Station, Tameike-sanno Station)
Tabelog lunch rating ★★★☆☆ 3.5
I ate here and paid for it myself. Nothing on this site is a comped meal.
One more for the road?
