SPICE TRY

There’s a curry shop called SPICE TRY located in the Kintetsu Miyakomichi area inside JR Kyoto Station. It’s the third branch of INDIA GATE, a famous biryani specialty shop in Kyoto, and it’s garnering a lot of attention among Kyoto’s curry enthusiasts. Thanks to the shop opening at JR Kyoto Station—a major transportation hub—we’ve gained the incredible benefit of being able to indulge in spicy flavors whenever we want.

One afternoon, while walking around the JR Kyoto Station area, I found myself thinking, “I’m hungry… but I’m not really in the mood for ramen…” Just as I was pondering what to eat, I suddenly remembered this place and decided, “This is it!” so I dashed right inside. So, what was the shop actually like?

A glass of beer with some spice curry… This is what SPICE TRY is all about…

I arrived at SPICE TRY around 2:30 p.m. that day. In these times when many restaurants close temporarily after lunch service, doesn’t the fact that they stay open all day make you so happy it brings tears to your eyes? Located inside JR Kyoto Station, it’s part of the INDIA GATE chain, which has been named one of Tabelog’s Top 100 Asian & Ethnic Restaurants in the West. I imagined it would be bustling with customers regardless of the off-peak hours… but perhaps I was just lucky that day—there were a few empty seats here and there, so I was able to walk right in without a wait.

The atmosphere felt less like a curry shop and more like a trendy bar aimed at younger crowds. According to Tabelog, the restaurant has 22 seats, including 8 at the counter. The fridge right by the entrance was stocked with plenty of bottled beer, giving me the impression that this is a place where people enjoy a beer with their curry. Since it’s close to the Shinkansen ticket gates, having a beer while waiting for your train might be a nice way to pass the time.

A spice experience that goes beyond your imagination… SPICE TRY’s Spicy and numbing chicken curry—what was it really like?

So, let me introduce the Spycy and numbing chicken curry (1,680 yen, tax included) that I ordered at SPICE TRY that day. About 10 minutes after ordering, the curry was brought to my table, and this is what it looked like…

The curry sauce is topped with plenty of ingredients that look spicy—just looking at it, you can almost feel the heat. In the center of the curry sits a piece of chicken breast prepared in the style of “saliva chicken,” giving the dish a distinct Chinese flair despite being a curry.

But what struck me most when I actually tasted it was the sourness. Of course, true to its “spicy and numbing” name, the heat and that tingling sensation are definitely there. However, I could also taste a vinegar-like sourness at the same time. The coexistence of this sourness and spiciness created a new sensation—a strange yet pleasant feeling. On top of that, the complex aroma of various spices wafts strongly up to the nose, and before long, the body starts to warm up gradually—it’s a curry that seems to forcibly awaken every sense. The fluffy rice is cooked to perfection, making you think, “No wonder it’s produced by a biryani specialty shop,” and I think it’s an experience that’s well worth the slightly higher price.

So, I finished SPICE TRY’s Spicy and numbing chicken curry in about 10 minutes and paid the bill. It was a spice experience that exceeded my expectations, and in that sense, I was quite satisfied. However, there was one thing that was very disappointing: even though they advertise cashless payments, they didn’t accept transportation IC cards. Since it’s a shop inside JR Kyoto Station, I really wish they’d let us use transportation IC cards…

Other Menu Items at SPICE TRY (Prices include tax)

• Kyoto-style Dashi Katsu Curry Bowl: 1,780 yen
• SPICE TRY Katsu Curry: 1,680 yen
• North Indian-style Chicken Curry: 1,580 yen
• Fresh “Soy” Keema: 1,480 yen
• Fresh Keema: 1,480 yen

All-you-can-drink imported beer… SPICE TRY is a 3-minute walk from the Shinkansen Central Exit of JR Kyoto Station.

Believe it or not, SPICE TRY offers an all-you-can-drink imported beer deal. You can enjoy 14 different types of beer for just 3,000 yen… The sign didn’t mention a time limit, so I wonder if there is one? If there’s plenty of time, this is an incredibly good deal. It’s not the kind of place with the lively, bustling atmosphere of a typical izakaya, but it might be worth adding to your list as a spot where you can enjoy drinks without worrying about the price.

Here are the details of the restaurant…

P.S. If you are looking for delicious curry in Kyoto, please stop by this article below…