One bite brings a complex, pleasant spice flavor that spreads through your mouth—that is the appeal of spice curry.
In central Soja City, there is a specialty restaurant serving carefully crafted spice curry.
It is “Shaka Spice (SHAKA SPICE).”
The owner has spent years researching spice curry through self-study and offers three spice curries as regular menu items. You can enjoy them individually, as a combination of two, or all three together.
There is also a chicken keema curry with no heat, so even those who do not like spicy food can enjoy it.
Let’s take a closer look at the care and history behind Shaka Spice, where not only the ingredients and spice flavors but also the umami are brought out through thoughtful cooking methods.
The information presented was current when this article was published in April 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Shaka Spice is a spice curry specialty restaurant opposite Soja City Hall to the north
Shaka Spice is a spice curry specialty restaurant in Chuo 2-chome, Soja City.
It is located in part of a building directly north of Soja City Hall, across “City Hall Street.”
The owner, Moriyasu Motomasa, who says he has loved cooking since he was little, took the plunge and opened the restaurant in 2024.
Although Moriyasu had no prior experience in the food-service industry, he has researched curry-making and spices on his own and serves carefully crafted curries.
The restaurant has only counter seating, with nine seats.
Menu
Information as of April 2025. Prices include tax.
The main spice curry selection features three regular varieties.
- Chicken curry
- Beef tendon curry
- Coconut shrimp curry
There are three ways to enjoy them: “one curry,” with just one variety; “combination” (two varieties), choosing two to serve together; and “all three” (three varieties), with all three at once.
The coconut shrimp curry is a little milder than the chicken and beef tendon curries.
In addition to the three regular varieties, there is also a mild “chicken keema curry.”
All curries are available in a regular size and a smaller kids’ size (for elementary school students and younger).
Seasonal curries are sometimes available.
Depending on the curry, seasonal varieties can be included in a combination (two varieties).
Chicken keema curry can also be included in a combination (two varieties).
Neither chicken keema nor seasonal curries can be included in the all-three option.
There is also a wide selection of toppings, as well as salad and drink sets.
There is also a wide selection of drinks, with various kinds of masala chai and lassi among the popular choices.
Curry is also available for takeout.
Popular and Recommended Dishes
Here are Shaka Spice’s popular curries and the curry the restaurant recommends most.
All curries are served with turmeric rice.
On top of the rice are fried onion chips, chopped red onion, and broccoli sprouts.
Every curry also comes with crispy papad, homemade cucumber and tomato pickles, and homemade cabbage achar.
Coriander (Okayama Mild Coriander) is another highlight.
If you don't like it, just ask when ordering and it can be left out.
Chicken Curry
The chicken curry is the most classic-tasting spice curry on the menu.
Its standout feature is the generously sized pieces of chicken.
There are plenty of hearty chunks.
It’s chicken curry, so of course it needs plenty of chicken!
The generous amount of chicken is what makes our chicken curry special!
It’s not just a matter of adding lots of large pieces of chicken.
The cooking time is carefully adjusted so the chicken has a springy texture and its savory flavor comes through. After plenty of trial and error, they’ve found the ideal cooking time for the best flavor.
The chicken’s savory flavor also infuses the curry.
The spice blend is adjusted to bring out the chicken’s delicious flavor.
The result is a curry with a noticeable spice flavor.
It pairs well with turmeric rice, making it easy to keep eating.
Beef Tendon Curry
The beef tendon curry is also popular.
Like the chicken curry, it stands out for its generous chunks of beef tendon.
Since it’s called beef tendon curry, I felt it had to contain a good amount of beef tendon, so I added plenty.
When ordering from our supplier, we specify a good balance of fat and lean meat, and carefully select what we bring in.
As with the chicken curry, we adjust the cooking ingredients and method so the beef tendon in the curry can be enjoyed at its best.
Another highlight of the beef tendon curry is that it contains Japanese ingredients.
Compared with the chicken curry and coconut shrimp curry, this curry has a flavor that is a little more familiar to Japanese palates.
The curry’s sweet-and-spicy flavor and fragrant spices combine with the hearty texture of the beef tendon and the sweetness and umami of the meat to make this dish delicious.
Coconut Shrimp Curry
Coconut shrimp curry is a little different in character from the chicken and beef tendon curries.
As its name suggests, it uses plenty of coconut, and its pale color makes a striking impression.
It was inspired by curries commonly eaten in Kerala, a coastal region of South India.
It is traditional to add shrimp as the main ingredient in coconut curry.
Too much coconut makes the curry overly thick, while too little weakens its flavor, so getting the amount just right was difficult.
The shrimp used are a variety called vannamei shrimp.
There are lots of them in the curry.
After trying various varieties, they found that vannamei shrimp went best with coconut curry.
When you try it, it feels light and smooth on the tongue.
The coconut’s distinctive sweetness spreads through your mouth, while the spiciness feels mild.
The shrimp flavor is also rich, and their springy texture makes a strong impression.
Chicken Keema Curry
“Chicken keema curry” is made with plenty of ground chicken.
A key point is that the ground meat and onions are thoroughly sauteed.
With the first bite, the fragrant aroma, sweetness of the onions, and umami of the chicken spread through your mouth.
It goes so well with rice that I kept taking bite after bite.
Chicken keema curry is only available without added heat.
If you’d like it spicier, add as much of the chili oil on the table as you like.
Actually, chicken keema curry was the first curry I made after I started cooking curry.
The key to chicken keema curry is sauteing plenty of onions with ground chicken!
Shaka Spice serves distinctive curries bursting with spice.
We spoke with its owner, Moriyasu Motomasa.
Shaka Spice (SHAKA SPICE) Information
| Name | Shaka Spice (SHAKA SPICE) |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-2-1 Chuo, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 0866-31-6521 |
| Parking | Available Two spaces about 300 m to the east, south of Araki Bookstore |
| Hours | 【Monday–Friday】11:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. 【Saturday】11:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. |
| Closed | Sunday Hours may vary during the year-end and New Year holidays or when participating in events |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted ・Table reservations are available only for visits after 5:00 p.m. ・Takeout orders can be reserved anytime during business hours |
| Seating | 9 counter seats |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Child-friendly amenities | Children’s tableware available |
| Website | Official Instagram |
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A popular topping is the “spice egg.”
A soft-boiled egg is marinated in a homemade sauce infused with spices.
It has many fans, and some customers even take home just the spice eggs.
Other popular options include cheese and, for those who like spicy food, “green chili achar.”
The achar is homemade, too.