Kanagawa Japanese-style Bistro – Limited to 25 portions daily of rich, adult-oriented “curry rice”

Text/Photos bySean

I had seen photos of a few friends dining at Da Ren Wei Japanese-Indian Curry on Facebook before, so I immediately checked their business hours and added them to my must-visit list. Unfortunately, their operating hours are quite tricky—they’re only open Monday to Friday—so I wasn’t able to try them during my previous trips to Chiayi. Finally, during my last break, I got to eat there. It turned out we were having the last two lunch servings, so there was no line, but also no choice.

The beautiful old house is decorated very warmly and tastefully—I have to admire the owner’s sense of style.

Funny enough, I only took a photo of the thoughtful hook design and didn’t manage to capture the whole counter... sob.

The TV was playing Japanese commercials, and eating while watching really gave me the illusion of being in Japan.

Even the restroom is beautifully decorated.

Here’s the menu:

The soup is a vegetable soup with a faintly fragrant aroma. The first sip revealed it to be sesame oil-based, which was perfect for the slightly cool weather.

Originally, I wanted to try their signature curry—the hamburger steak curry—but on that day, only beef ribs and German sausages were left. Since I hadn’t queued up anyway, I didn’t get a choice. But I felt lucky just to be able to eat here.

The curry sauce is a deep color, which is quite rare, with hints of spices like turmeric. Both the aroma and flavor of the spices are intense—it truly lives up to its “adults-only” name. The portion of rice made me think I wouldn’t finish it, but the curry was so delicious that I ate it all without realizing. The beef ribs were flavorful and tender from slow cooking—absolutely delicious.

Eating while watching the owner and his wife bustling in the kitchen, combined with the warm atmosphere of the shop, gave me the feeling of visiting a friend’s home. It was really wonderful.

The post-meal black tea somehow reminded me of... the taste of bubble tea ice, which was good, but with an indescribable extra flavor.

Da Ren Wei Japanese-Indian Curry excels in every aspect—from the food to the attitude. It’s just a pity that the owners only prepare 25 servings per day and close once they’re sold out. Getting to eat this delicious curry really depends on luck. I suggest adding it to your must-visit list and trying your luck when you’re in Chiayi.

Da Ren Wei Japanese • Indian Curry
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Address: No. 94 Chengren St., Chiayi City
Business Hours: Mon - Fri 11:00 - 14:00, 17:00 - 20:00 (Closed Sat & Sun)

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