If you’re looking for a real taste of Japanese mom-and-pop cooking, look no further than Spice, just a few minutes walk south of Hatagaya station in Shibuya City.
A passing visitor would likely miss this hidden gem tucked into the corner of an unassuming building on Nishihara Shopping Street, but the smells of Japanese curry wafting out of the door, usually propped open on fair weather days, catch the attention more than any neon advertising board hanging further down the street.
Upon entering Spice, you’ll find a few tables scattered around a welcoming, if unassuming space which feels like a living room which has been halfway converted to a dining room. A TV near the front quietly mumbles the news. Slightly out-of-date band and sports team posters line the walls. Showa-era knick-knacks, uchiwa fans, and boxes of tissues line the windowsills by each table.
Spice’s menu is simple: choose a curry or two between pork (mild), beef (medium), and chicken (hot). Those are your three options, and they’re served to you just as quickly as Grandma can holler your order back to Grandpa in the kitchen. If you’re lucky, he’ll bring it out himself in his tall white toque.
The chicken curry is tasty, but quite spicy (for Japan). Pork curry is mild and most likely to suit all tastes. The dark brown beef curry is the most unique. It has a thick, smoky flavor which caught me off guard on my first spoonful but has quickly become my favorite of the three. Side salads and drinks are available as well. For a few extra yen, you can add a boiled egg for a little extra protein, if the ample portion of rice which divides the two-curry set doesn’t look like enough to sustain you.
The reason you’ll remember this place is grandpa and grandma’s kind welcome. If you go after the lunch rush, you’ll often see grandpa standing by the TV, hand on hip, discussing the day’s news with anyone sitting close by. Once, when I moved over to a smaller table to accommodate a larger group, grandma added half a boiled egg into my curry for free as a little thank you.
Spice is open six days a week from 11:00 to 18:00, so drop by for lunch if you’re in the area and looking to experience Japanese curry in Tokyo like the locals do. In proper grandparent fashion, you’ll leave Spice satisfied, stuffed to the brim, and knowing you’re welcome back anytime.
Visit Spice - Japanese Curry Shop in Hatagaya, Tokyo
Address: 2 Chome-28-2 Nishihara, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0066
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/p5gAyqTdPwHYm4Bx9
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