For lovers of super spicy ramen in Japan, “Kikanbō” is well-known hot spot. In 2022, Kikanbo branched out to open a curry specialty restaurant called “Karashibi Curry Kikanbō!”
“鬼金棒カラシビカレーライス,” Karashibi Kikanbo Curry Rice 1,100 JPY (tax included)
Much like the ramen shop, the flavor cherished at Karashibi Curry Kikanbo is the spiciness of chili peppers and the numbing sensation of sanshō (Japanese pepper).
At the restaurant, you can choose the level of spiciness and numbness for each curry offered.
There are five levels available to choose from. “None” is suitable for those who are not fond of spiciness or numbness.
However, since Karashibi Curry Kikanbo uses plenty of spices in its curries, you can feel the stimulation of various spices.
Ordering “oni level” is an additional 200 JPY (tax included)
Another unique point of Karashibi Curry Kikanbo that sets them apart from typical curry restaurants is that you can choose either rice or noodles for your curry.
It’s fitting for a curry specialty shop opened by the ramen shop Kikanbo!
Soupy Curry or Keema Curry? Choose your favorite super spicy curry!
The restaurant offers two types of curry. There’s the soup-based curry with a liquid-like roux and the keema curry, which is simmered down to remove moisture.
The “Karashibi Kikanbo Curry Rice” is a soupy curry topped with keema curry.
The star of the show, the roux, is made from a soup base extracted from pork, chicken bones, and shellfish.
Sautéed onions, vegetables, citrus fruits, and spices are added to complete it.
Not just the ingredients, but the cooking process is also crucial. The vegetables are puréed into a paste before being added to the soup to thicken it.
The essential spice for used in Karashibi Curry Kikanbo’s curry is sansho oil, which enhances the numbing sensation on the tongue.
The oil is made by slowly heating the sansho peppers, which brings out their aroma. The indispensable chili peppers for the spice include a blend of 6 varieties such as habanero, carefully balanced for sweetness, spiciness, sourness, and bitterness to avoid overpowering the roux and pepper aromas.
The keema curry has a deeper, richer flavor compared to the soup curry.
The key is the rich umami of hatchō miso, a type of miso exclusively made from soybeans without rice or wheat. It has a robustness that doesn’t get overpowered by the spices and chili peppers.
“カラシビキーマカレーヌードル,” Karashibi Kikanbo Curry Noodles 850 JPY (tax included)
While the keema curry goes well with rice, the Umami bites editorial team recommends trying it with noodles!
The noodles are tossed in soy sauce and aromatic oil, adding a spicy flavor to the keema curry.
Noodles coated with keema curry are similar to abura soba, a type of ramen that doesn’t use soup. Thin noodles are used to ensure they mix well with the roux and provide a satisfying texture.
Make use of a variety of toppings
To fully enjoy the curries at Karashibi Curry Kikanbo, it’s recommended to take advantage of their wide variety of toppings.
(top left) French Fries 150 JPY, (top center) Cilantro 200 JPY, (Bottom left) Fried Baby Corn 200 JPY, (Bottom center) Achaar Cherry Tomato Pickles 200 JPY, (Bottom right) Achaar Onion Pickles 100 JPY (tax included)
The fried baby corn has a delicious crunchy texture, while the French fries add sweetness to the spicy curry.
The cilantro provides a refreshing aftertaste that pairs wonderfully with both the soup and keema curries.
Adding the toppings after eating about half the curry allows you to enjoy a changing flavor profile.
The highly recommended topping are achaar pickles!
They offer two varieties – onion and cherry tomato achaar.
The cherry tomato achaar has a fruity sweetness despite using minimal sugar and vinegar, achieved by soaking in a secret brine to maximize the natural sweetness.
The onion achaar has a unique flavor unlike typical pickles. At Karashibi Curry Kikanbo, the onion achaar strikes a perfect balance of sourness and sweetness that will have you craving more.
Particularly when eaten with the soup curry, the onion achaar brings out the richness of the broth, dramatically enhancing the deliciousness.
While tasty enough on its own, be sure to mix it well with the curry roux!
The curry at Karashibi Curry Kikanbo pursues originality and offers a taste that cannot be compared to any other curry specialty shop.
It will surely captivate not only curry lovers and spicy food enthusiasts but also ramen lovers!
Information
| Store name | カラシビカレー鬼金棒 Karashibi Curry Kikanbo |
|---|---|
| Address | GC Kanda Kajicho Building 1F, 2-10-10 Kajicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Kanda Station 3-minute walk from Kanda Station East Exit
Iwamotocho Station 4-minute walk from Exit A1 Akihabara Station 9-minute walk from Shōwa-dōri Exit |
| Phone number | 03-3256-2960 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
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| Hours | Mon-Fri. 11:00-21:00 Sat. 11:00-16:00 |
| Closed | Sunday |
| Seating | 8 counter seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://kikanbo-curry.com/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of May 2024.
