Kakura
Get a fix of hearty health food at this hippie curry cafe in Nakameguro

Photos by Koji Nomura

A friend and self-claimed curry fanatic initially introduced us to Kakura, which specializes in curries infused with ayurvedic ingredients to promote a healthy body and soul. At first, we were skeptical of her enthusiasm, but after reading glowing reviews in Japanese magazines, we decided to give it a try.

After a seven-minute walk from Nakameguro station, we found Kakura on the main drag. From the moment we opened the door, we knew that this humble eatery would become our new favorite in the area. The interior is simple and a bit earthy, reminding us somewhat of hippie cafés in the Bay Area. Off-white walls, wooden furniture and lots of plants create a friendly atmosphere, as does the BGM of classic reggae. Kakura was pretty happening for a weeknight, packed with OLs and other folk with yoga and eco-friendliness written all over their faces. We were lucky enough to score comfortable corner seats on the second floor, which is quieter and more intimate than the tables downstairs.

The menu at Kakura is lengthier than the ones at franchise curry stands across the city. It lists appetizers and desserts, which makes the venue appropriate for a real sit-down dinner. We started out with a seasonal vegetable platter (¥800 and up) featuring steamed organic radishes, spinach, sweet potatoes and taro with a dash of yuzu pepper and sea salt. If you’re used to the taste of processed food with artificial seasoning, this dish’s simplicity is like a wake-up call. Our next dish, tofu with tonburi (¥600), was a surprise hit of the night. Although it was our first time trying tonburi, an edible seed often known as “field caviar,” its chewy texture was a great match for the creamy tofu.

At Kakura, you can choose from five base curry pastes: original, black, “half & half,” bihada (“for skin beauty”) and vegetarian. These can be paired with a variety of ingredients, such as chicken, pork and vegetables, for ¥1,000-¥1,900. Our female companions, hoping to achieve glowing skin, immediately ordered the bihada chicken curry (¥1,400). If you are looking for something out of the box, try kuro curry (¥1,100-¥1,700), which according to our friendly waitress is the most popular item at the restaurant.

Its jet black color and slight bitterness come from a blend of squid ink and sesame paste.
Overall, we were glad that we widened our horizon to the unknown, yet we’re not sure whether Kakura’s curry would fall into the Japanese or Indian category; we’d say it’s somewhere in between. What we are sure of is that the mix of spices and herbs used create a rich, one-of-a-kind taste.

2-42-13 Kami-Meguro, Meguro-ku. Tel: 03-3710-0299. Open Mon-Fri noon-1:30pm, 6pm-midnight, Sat, Sun and hols noon-midnight. Nearest stn: Nakameguro. www.ka-ku-ra.com

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