Curry is deeply rooted in the Japanese diet. However, in recent years, people have become more health-conscious about food, and some people want to eat curry but are reluctant to do so because they are worried about the calories and stomach upset. Karei-ya was established with the desire to let such people also enjoy curry, and is located in Machida, a hotbed of curry.

We spoke to Shimoda, the owner of Luce, a famous Italian restaurant in Machida that has been in business for over 20 years, about the curry he created that people "want to eat every day," and the passion he has for his restaurant.

Even if you are dining alone as a woman, you can enjoy the feeling of a cafe. The aroma of "dashi" fills the hideaway.

A small sign appears as you walk around the bustling station. Once you climb the stairs and open the door, you'll find a quiet, relaxed space and the aroma of spices and broth.

The interior of the store, which has a warm wooden interior and an inviting atmosphere, was designed to make it comfortable for women to come in and relax, and is filled with people dining alone and families.

Shimoda-san originally ran the Italian restaurant "Luce," which was enjoyable even for families with children, and was loved for many years in Machida, where restaurants are constantly changing. With the COVID-19 pandemic as a trigger, Shimoda-san wanted to try a new business model and started operating a restaurant focusing on takeout.

"Curry is often avoided by women and the elderly because it is high in calories and makes you feel heavy on the stomach, but we thought that if we could create a place with a light roux and a place where women could come alone and relax, like a fast food restaurant, they would feel comfortable coming and enjoy themselves, so we raised funds through crowdfunding to open the restaurant."

Thanks to the support of regular customers, we surpassed our goal and opened "Koreiya". Many customers from the Italian days still visit the restaurant, and you can feel the warmth of the people there, not just the space, but also the passion of the regulars.

Delicious just the way you like it. Gluten-free, additive-free curry

The secret to a smooth roux is in the stock.

"I traveled around the country to try a variety of different curries and ingredients and thought they were all delicious, but they all used wheat flour and, perhaps due to my age, I felt like they made me feel heavy in the stomach. I tried and tested various things to find something original, and I got my inspiration from curry udon, which isn't too thick and has a roux that goes well with rice," says Shimoda.

After much trial and error in the pursuit of creating something comforting, like miso soup made with bonito flakes and kelp, they created an additive-free dashi curry that uses absolutely no fats, oils, or flour.

Another appeal of Koreiya is that you can customize your meal to your liking. Not only can you choose from 6 types of curry and 7 types of toppings, but you can also choose from an infinite number of combinations, such as spiciness, amount of rice, and sets.

Shimoda's recommendation is the Japanese-style topping of pickled plum and seaweed. Rice, pickled plum, and seaweed are a combination that has long been familiar and loved by Japanese people. Although it is unusual for curry, he recommends that you definitely try it.

This time, I ordered the beef curry in a rich brown sauce topped with the recommended pickled plum and nori. You'll want to come back again and again to find your own delicious combination.

A unique curry that even women can enjoy casually alone

"Nothing makes me happier than hearing our elderly regular customers say, 'I want to eat here every day.' We're also considering franchising in the future to attract more women. We'd also like to focus on creating a relaxing space where people can drop in whenever they want."

"I'm happy when I create something new and it's well-received," says Shimoda with a smile. He actively incorporates customer feedback from questionnaires placed on trays, and continues to create menus that are open to change.

"We're adding more side dishes and toppings, and you can also add sauces to make mixed curries. Please look forward to our future offerings," Shimoda said confidently.

This one-of-a-kind curry is something we hope you enjoy every day, just like miso soup, and will provide you with a relaxing moment and the joy of food while you're in Machida.

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Koreiya

電話番号：​​042-707-6157 

Address: 3rd floor, 6-7-14 Haramachida, Machida, Tokyo

Access: 4 minutes walk from Machida Station on the Odakyu Line/4 minutes walk from Machida Station (North Exit) on the JR Yokohama Line

Official website: https://kareeya-curry.square.site/

SNS: https://www.instagram.com/careeya_curry/

*For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.