When it comes to curry, it is a food that can be considered a national dish of Japan, alongside ramen.
Since around the 2010s, "spice curry," which focuses on unique Japanese spices, has also become popular.
And in Kurashiki, the number of spice curry shops has been increasing.
One of them is "Curry Shop Cardamon" (CARDAMON, hereafter Cardamon) located in Nishi-Achi-cho, Kurashiki City.
In addition to two regular menu items, keema curry and shrimp curry, there is also a curry that appears weekly.
Since it changes weekly, it is exciting to see what kind of curry can be enjoyed each week.
As soon as you step inside the shop, a very fragrant aroma of spices wafts through, making you feel hungry instantly.
Let’s introduce Cardamon, a curry specialty shop that is irresistible for curry lovers, by a writer who loves curry.
Cardamon is a curry specialty shop near Aeon Mall Kurashiki
Cardamon is a curry specialty shop located in Nishi-Achi, Kurashiki City.
You can enjoy curry that focuses on spices known as spice curry, as well as ethnic curries.
Upon entering the shop, the pleasant aroma of spices fills the air.
It whets your appetite.
The interior features white walls and wood accents, with potted plants creating a calm atmosphere.
There is also ample space between the seats.
▼The seating consists of an L-shaped counter with four seats in front of the kitchen.
▼Additionally, there is one table for two and two tables for four.
Cardamon is located near the boundary between Nishi-Achi and Mizue.
It is about 800 meters southwest of Aeon Mall Kurashiki.
It is right next to the "Mizue" intersection on the main road, Prefectural Route 396 (Sakatsu Nakajima Line).
Therefore, access by car is also very good.
Cardamon's menu mainly features three types of curry
Information as of November 2020 (Reiwa 2). Prices include tax.
Cardamon's menu mainly features three types of curry.
The price is 850 yen each.
Of the three types of curry, "Keema Curry" and "Shrimp Curry" are regular menu items.
The remaining type is the "weekly" curry, which changes every week.
You might be wondering, "What kind of curry is it this week?"
In such cases, you can check the official Instagram of Cardamon where it is posted.
By the way, when I visited for the interview, it was "Sag Chicken Curry."
Additionally, you can add toppings to your curry.
The toppings are "Keema Curry" (300 yen) and "Soft Bone Kebab" (250 yen).
Furthermore, the following options are all 100 yen each.
- Large serving
- Coconut snack
- Drink
The drinks available are as follows.
- Coffee
- Chai
- Coke
- Calpis
Also, the curry is available for takeout.
Takeout curry is 750 yen each for all three types.
Takeout of just the roux is also available for 550 yen each.
If you order by phone in advance, you can conveniently pick it up right away.
"Keema Curry" is made without water, allowing you to enjoy the flavor of the meat
The regular menu item "Keema Curry".
Keema curry is the type of curry that the owner, Hirai, has been making the longest, and it is Cardamon's signature curry.
From the moment the cooking started, an incredible aroma filled the air.
The keema curry is generously piled on top of a mound of rice.
There is cilantro on top of the curry, but if you let them know when ordering, you can have it without cilantro.
▼Keema curry is brown in color and has plenty of ground meat.
Cardamon's keema curry has a strong paste-like texture with little moisture.
Since it is made without water, the flavors of the ingredients, including the ground meat, can be tasted directly.
▼With the first bite, the flavor and sweetness of the ground meat spread.
And the moderate flavor of the spices.
The spiciness is just right, not too hot, and it pairs perfectly with the rice.
▼The rice is Kinu Hikari from Okayama Prefecture.
I continued to eat quickly and finished it in no time.
▼By the way, Keema Curry can also be topped on other curries.
It seems that the keema curry topping was started in response to customer requests for "pairing" with other curries.
▼By the way, when you order curry, a separate plate of pickles comes with it.
Of course, the same applies to the fact that pickles come with dishes other than keema curry.
“Shrimp Curry” is characterized by the texture and flavor of shrimp and the taste of coconut milk
Another regular menu item is Shrimp Curry.
When I ate it, I also added keema curry and soft bone kebab as toppings.
The shrimp curry is impressive with its beautiful golden yellow color.
Shrimp curry can also be served without cilantro.
▼ Unlike keema curry, shrimp curry is a thin curry.
▼ And as the name “shrimp curry” suggests, it is impactful with plenty of shrimp.
▼ In addition to shrimp, it is also nice to have plenty of ingredients like shimeji mushrooms, onions, and daikon radish.
▼ You can see how thin it is when you scoop it with a spoon.
When you eat it, the unique sweetness and flavor of coconut milk spread in your mouth.
You can also feel the flavor of the spices, with a pleasant spiciness that is not too hot, making it delicious.
In addition, the texture of vegetables like shimeji mushrooms and a gentle sweetness are added.
I also felt that the flavor of shrimp was faintly present in the curry itself.
The shrimp is added to the curry and cooked after the order is received.
Therefore, you can enjoy the flavor and texture of the shrimp.
▼ When you eat the shrimp, it has a plump, shrimp-like texture.
The flavor of shrimp and the flavor of curry match perfectly.
Shrimp curry is a delicious dish with a complex interplay of the sweet flavor of coconut, the flavor and texture of shrimp, moderate spiciness, and the texture and gentle sweetness of vegetables.
I think it is a curry that has both sweetness and mildness, while also enjoying the spiciness and spice flavor.
Of course, the shrimp is a highlight.
The topping keema curry is the same as the standalone keema curry.
The soft bone kebab will be introduced later.
Weekly Curry
The weekly curry is, as the name suggests, a curry that changes every week.
Therefore, I can't help but wonder what kind of curry they are serving this week.
The curries made are diverse, ranging from Cardamom's original to ethnic curries.
▼ During the interview, it was Saag Chicken Curry.
It is a curry made with spinach and chicken.
Saag Chicken Curry was a popular curry that had appeared several times as a weekly curry in the past.
▼ The greenish-brown color of the curry is impactful.
Of course, it is greenish because it uses spinach.
We add pureed spinach.
To preserve the flavor and nutrients of the spinach, we add the spinach puree to the curry after the order is received and simmer it.
Also, cheese is included in the curry.
The appearance of the curry looks like it has a thick consistency.
▼ However, in reality, it is a thin curry.
When you try the curry, you can faintly feel the flavor of spinach among the sweet and spicy taste.
And the flavor of cumin is nice.
▼ The main ingredient, chicken thigh, is a bit large.
And it was quite chunky.
The chicken is tender, and the umami comes out nicely, making it delicious.
▼ On another day, the weekly curry was Japanese Chestnut Chicken Korma.
▼ Large chestnuts are included with their skins, making a big impact.
This is a curry made with seasonal chestnuts, enjoyed during an early autumn visit.
The topping "Soft Bone Kebab" has a taste similar to "Tsukune" and a crunchy texture that adds an accent
The topping is Soft Bone Kebab.
Two larger oval-shaped soft bone kebabs are topped on the curry.
The meat used is chicken thigh.
▼ The soft bone kebab has a texture similar to grilled chicken tsukune.
▼ There are many pieces of soft bone inside.
When you eat it, the flavor of the chicken spreads, and the crunchy texture of the soft bone is likely to become addictive.
Additionally, the surface is grilled to a crisp, making it fragrant.
With spices included, it is moderately spicy and could also be a good snack with drinks.
Drinks are a great deal for an additional 100 yen!
Cardamom offers four types of drinks.
All can be ordered for an additional 100 yen with the curry, making it reasonable.
▼ I ordered chai.
The flavors of ginger and cinnamon are pleasant.
At Cardamom, you can enjoy unique curries such as keema curry, shrimp curry, and the weekly curry.
I conducted an interview with the owner of Cardamom, Hirai Mutsumi.
Curry Shop Cardamom (CARDAMON) Data
| Name | Curry Shop Cardamom (CARDAMON) |
|---|---|
| Address | 11-2 Nishi-Achi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-465-5044 |
| Parking | Available 2 spots in front of the store, 8 shared spots in the southwest area |
| Business Hours | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Regular Holiday | Saturday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation Availability | Not available Takeout can be reserved by phone (excluding drinks) |
| Seats | 14 seats total ・Counter: 4 seats ・Table for two: 1 table ・Table for four: 2 tables |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Childcare | Stroller access available |
| Website | Cardamom Official Instagram |
Cardamon's keema curry is made without water!
Also, it contains a lot of cardamom spices.