●SPICY CURRY Roka Attention curry lovers, the time for hangover food has arrived! This time, I visited the incredibly popular curry shop "SPICY CURRY Roka" in Okubo! It was actually my second attempt to finally get to eat here. - To eat here! If you want to have lunch, you need to sign up early in the morning! You can write your name for one of the time slots: 10:50, 11:30, 12:10, 13:00, or 13:40. Each slot is limited to the first 6 people! The sign-up usually starts at 9:30, but if the line is long, they might start earlier and fill up quickly. On my first attempt, I arrived around 9:20, but everything was already booked! I thought it would be impossible for someone with a regular job that requires a fixed schedule, but after some research, I came up with a strategy. Apparently, new curry dishes are released on Wednesdays, attracting a lot of professionals. So... Tuesdays are a good day to go since there are fewer professionals! Moreover, the Tuesday right after a holiday is particularly quiet. Using this strategy, I arrived at 9:20 on a Tuesday after a holiday and managed to secure a spot for the 10:50 slot! (Seriously, the difference between Wednesdays and other days, as well as holidays and weekdays, is huge!) Around 10:45, we gathered again, and we were called in the order we signed up! Since it was my first curry experience, I went for the Roka Plate! I also added the limited petite curry for good measure. ● Let’s try the rumored curry! Once inside, they take orders in the order of arrival and prepare them accordingly. The owner is "Eri Saito". Apparently, her nickname is "Eri-tin." The first customer was a regular who brought a gift and was chatting happily with the owner. It seems like a system that fosters regulars! - Roka Plate (JPY 1250 + Lamb Upgrade JPY 100) Wow! It looks delicious! I wanted to try the limited curry, so I asked for a smaller portion of rice. (The first person had a massive double meat serving, which was impressive!) Half of the plate was salad and achar, with curry on one side, a small serving of Lu Rou Fan (braised pork rice) on top, and a halved egg. The presentation is super cute. I knew the chicken curry was the most popular, but I love lamb, so I switched to Lamb Vindaloo. I felt like a curry connoisseur, even though it was my first time! When I tasted the curry, the spiciness and acidity of the spices hit my tongue, followed by the unique umami of the lamb. The flavors of the spices and vinegar were well infused. Unlike typical Indian curries, it didn’t have a greasy feel; it was light yet the lamb's texture was prominent, achieving a wonderful balance of delicacy and wildness. And then there’s the Lu Rou. The owner has researched this classic Taiwanese street food and adapted it for curry. It’s a sweet and savory braised pork that’s moist and tender, with a fragrant hint of star anise and a deep soy sauce flavor that seeps deliciously into the turmeric rice. The vibrant yellow turmeric rice, sweet and savory Lu Rou, egg, salad, and side dishes can be enjoyed separately. In the second half, when mixed together, the textures of the side dishes, spices, and the sweetness of the Lu Rou combine beautifully—so delicious! And mixing in the limited petite curry makes it even better! This is what curry is all about! The art of mixing! So tasty! - Limited Petite Curry (JPY 450) "Bone-in Pakistani Beef Korma Curry." Korma is a creamy curry that originated in Indian royal cuisine, but this one is adapted in a Pakistani style! The bone-in beef is simmered slowly, allowing the flavors from the marrow and the beef to meld into the broth. It has a robust spice profile typical of Pakistani cuisine, balanced with the creamy richness of Korma, and the fresh aroma from Roka's unique spice technique of sautéing instead of stewing. And it’s quite spicy! I was sweating a bit. Adding it to the Roka Plate for mixing was a great idea! Even with a smaller portion of rice, I was completely full and very satisfied! ● It was a great meal! The curry truly brings out the aroma of the spices. The fresh and bold flavors and aromas are exactly what Roka's curry is all about. It’s a delicious curry that everyone should try at least once. I thought it would be quite manageable if I could sign up around 9:20 in the morning, but realizing I’d have to go at 5 or 6 AM makes it tough to eat here regularly. There were also people taking food to go, so if you want to taste it, takeout might be easier! Here’s to hoping for more delicious encounters today!