The proof is in the name.
CoCo Ichibanya is a Japanese curry shop that opened its first shop in Nagoya Japan in 1978. Ichiban means best or first and ya means shop. So CoCo Ichibanya is the best Japanese curry shop in Japan. Quite a big claim but 41 years after first opening, there are over 1000 shops across Japan and shops have popped up internationally in Hawaii, California, Shanghai, Taiwan, Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam and UK.
And if that doesn’t convince you that they really are great, CoCo Ichibanya became certified as the largest curry chain in the world by the Guinness World Records.
But how is the food?
Awesome. Really Awesome.
Of course everyone has their own tastes and preferences when it comes to curry but CoCo Ichibanya seems to have the most customizable curry in Japan. There are a variety of choices of not only toppings or ingredients, but people can customize the spice level and the type of curry base they like.
There are seasonal curry dishes such as Grandmother’s curry, special spice curry and the winter soup curry (my all-time favorite). The toppings also come in such a wide variety there is something for everyone. Whether you prefer chicken, beef, pork or seafood there are plenty of types of meat. Vegetables are also plentiful for those who are looking to make their meal a little healthier. Not only is the spice level and toppings customizable but you can also choose the amount you would like from half size to portions increase per 100 grams.
And if you are looking for something to go with your curry, the side menu at CoCo Ichibanya is filled with everything from a variety of salads, fried chicken, fries, baked curry dishes and even ice cream and beer. There is a child menu with small, mild and delicious kid’s sets making it a good choice even for families. Seating is also set in tables, booths, and counters so people can enjoy their curry with their family and friends or on their own during a quick lunch break.
The staff is well trained, friendly and quick. I would say the service is as fast as at McDonald’s and the price is almost the same as well. Definitely a good place to eat when you are looking for cheap but delicious and filling food. Check out my CoCo Ichibanya video here:
I am going to admit something that I have never told anyone but this restaurant has been my go to restaurant in Japan for years. I would say I eat here about twice or three times a month and even more when the soup curry season is in full effect.
If you are in Japan or any of the places I mentioned before that have a CoCo Ichibanya curry, I highly recommend trying it out. You can’t go wrong with my favorite dish, Chicken Katsu curry, and level 3 spice.
Have you been to CoCo Ichibanya before? What was your opinion? Let me know!
Comments