I visited "SPICY CURRY Roka" in Okubo, finally overcoming the high hurdle of their strict reservation system. I ordered their signature dish, the "Roka Plate." The plate features turmeric rice and a seasoned egg at the center, surrounded by braised pork, curry, takana (pickled mustard greens), assorted achaar, and salad. Let’s break it down by components. The spice curry is incredibly bold, with a vibrant aroma and a pleasant heat that hits you directly. On the other hand, the braised pork showcases a rich sweetness from the fat and a strong anise flavor, making it excellent on its own. Given the quality of this plate, priced in the low JPY 1000 range, it is indeed very reasonable and offers great value. However, I was quite disappointed with the condition of the fresh vegetables, particularly the sunny lettuce piled on top of the plate. Many of the leaf tips and torn edges had turned brown and wilted, losing their moisture completely. The essence of this dish is to mix everything together and enjoy the contrast of fresh textures, but I couldn’t bring myself to eat the vegetables in such a state, so I had to leave the salad untouched. This completely disrupted the balance of the dish. No matter how affordable the price is or how well the spices are blended, if the basic quality control in preparation and presentation is lacking, it undermines the trust in this restaurant as a renowned establishment. Having made the effort to visit with high expectations for the dish's overall quality, it felt like a real shame and resulted in a somewhat bitter dining experience.