Popular European-style restaurant in Tokyo: Sweet, spicy, and golden curry rice

Text & photos byHappy Cloud

"Jimbocho" is one of the spots in Tokyo that has always existed in my imagination; bookstores have always been places I visit during my travels, and this area, home to over a hundred second-hand bookstores, was definitely a must-visit on my list.

This year, during a little stroll around Tokyo, I finally made it here. Just as "strolling" means wandering aimlessly, that’s exactly what I did in Jimbocho that day. I hadn’t done any research beforehand, nor did I want to—I took the train from Asakusa to "Jimbocho," and as soon as I exited the station, there were rows of second-hand bookstores. I arrived a bit late that day, so after browsing the bookstores for a while, it was already lunchtime. I remember there are many curry rice shops in this area—no idea why?

What’s the reason behind the combination of books & curry?? Or coffee & books? Many Japanese cafés also serve curry—could that be why curry & books come together in "Jimbocho"? Or is it because books are closely tied to the literati, who often have limited budgets and thus gravitate toward affordable yet delicious food?? Haha, I don’t have the answers, but I’d love to hear from anyone who does!! Thanks

Honestly, this is exactly how I felt while exploring "Jimbocho"—so many questions, but no answers, because visiting here probably requires some knowledge of Japanese!! Most of the books here are in "Japanese," so if you want to hunt for treasures, you first need to understand Japanese to fully enjoy the thrill of discovery!! As someone who doesn’t speak Japanese, I can only be a casual tourist, though I still found it incredibly fun!!

And there, I accidentally stumbled upon a really amazing and famous curry shop. After searching online, I found this curry shop located on the second floor of a bookstore. At first, I wandered around the bookstore for ages and couldn’t find the entrance. Later, I went around the back and found the stairs near the parking lot and warehouse entrance. Following the aroma of curry, I found this place—haha, what a magical shop, Bondy Curry (ボンディ 神保町本店)! And wow, it was so crowded!!

Luckily, I got a counter seat without waiting. Sitting down, I started studying the menu. The menu had both Japanese and English, and it looked pretty simple and easy to understand!! There were curries with: beef, chicken, pork, shrimp, vegetables... etc. I ordered the beef curry and waited for lunch.

First to arrive was the side dish of potatoes that came with the meal—haha, this is truly Western-style eating!! Small, thin-skinned potatoes with a piece of butter on top. The heat from the potatoes melted the butter, and the peeled potatoes paired with the melted butter—such a simple yet perfect match. Simple deliciousness was born. It didn’t look like much, but it made you want to keep eating!! I’m guessing these potatoes were imported because they had that "fresh" taste I’ve experienced with European potatoes!!

Haha, this was the appetizer and also something to tide you over before the main meal. Many people paired their potatoes with beer, chatting and waiting for lunch. I just sipped on some ice-cold water, which was quite refreshing.

Soon, the beef curry arrived!! The curry and the accompanying plain rice were served together in the dish. Wow!! The curry smelled amazing, and up close, the aroma was even richer.

But it was quite interesting—the rice was a bit different from what we’re used to. It had cheese on top, and the heat from the rice melted the cheese, blending it with the individual grains.

This method is different from what you’d see in Taiwan, and this seemingly plain rice became even more enticing. Paired with the side pickles—haha, this is the essence of Japanese-style Western food. A spoonful of rice with melted cheese in the middle was delicious even on its own.

Now, let’s combine it with the beef curry!! Pouring the curry sauce over the beef, along with the cheese-infused rice—wow!!!! It was tastier than expected. The curry had a sweet richness from the vegetables simmered in it, and Japanese curry is naturally sweet. Even though I ordered the spicy version, it wasn’t very spicy. The blend of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors was just delicious. A simple spoonful of curry brought so many layers of flavor, making me smile—so good!!

Later, I learned that this curry shop actually has a long history. Bondy Curry opened in Showa 48 (1973). The founder, Murata, was a chef who later returned to Japan and opened this restaurant with a focus on curry. The current location in Jimbocho is the second branch; there’s also another location in Japan. Maybe you’ll run into them elsewhere too.

All the meals here are à la carte, and the prices aren’t expensive. At lunchtime, it attracts nearby office workers, so it gets pretty crowded. I felt a bit shy about taking photos of the interior, so I just took pictures of the food I ordered. The space has a classic old Japanese vibe. Today’s food and atmosphere were a great match—I’ll definitely come back again.

The only not-so-great thing here is that it’s not a smoke-free zone. The aroma of curry mixes with cigarette smoke, very old-school Japanese style. But maybe that’s just how it’s been since they opened. If you can’t stand the smell of smoke, this might not be the place for you. After eating my fill, it’s time to keep treasure-hunting in Jimbocho!!

Related Info
Bondy Curry (ボンディ 神保町本店)
Website:http://bondy.co.jp/web/
Address: 2-3 Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda, Tokyo (Kanda Koshoten Center Bldg. 2F)
Phone: 03(3234)2080
Business Hours: 11:00–22:30 (last order at 22:00), open year-round.
How to get there: Take the Hanzomon Line, Toei Shinjuku Line, or Mita Line subway and exit at "Jimbocho Station" via Exit A1.
Turn right and walk straight along Yasukuni Dori to the second alleyway, then locate the "Kanda Koshoten Center Building."
Take the elevator or stairs to the 2nd floor, then walk through "Nakano Shoten" to reach the restaurant.
(Don’t worry about walking through the bookstore—if unsure, you can also take the back entrance. It might feel uncertain, but just go for it!!)

*For more info, please see-->Happy Cloud's Travel Blog＊

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