Curry, Osaka Style…

● Just got to try!

Many people visit Japan expecting to eat Japanese food. But as usual, Osaka is mixing things up in the culinary world and creating something unique that you’ve just got to try!

This relatively new genre hailing from Osaka is a dish known as “Spice Curry” or “Osaka Spice Curry”. The name might sound strange since, we know that all curry is made with spices. But this, this will change your whole idea of curry! The variety of spices used and the way they harmonize on your tastebuds is something very refreshing and totally addicting. Most restaurants serve their curry pooled around a mound of rice and add colorful vegetables to brighten up the plates.

We visited the original Columbia 8 location in Kitahama to talk to owner and chef Ogeemeal, a forerunner of the Osaka Spice Curry movement, to find out more about the secrets behind this new trend in curry and why people love it so much. He told us that no matter where you go, the curry will be unique. And the reason Osaka’s curry is so different from others is that it uses a lot of spices, with an emphasis on A LOT, but it won’t necessarily be a spicy hot. The trick to Osaka Curry is that it’s made in its own way, with its own style. This is the Osaka way!

Columbia 8 is well-loved by locals, and visited by curry enthusiasts from all over the world. It’s the first restaurant of its kind to be listed in the Michelin Guide! Plus 2019 is their 2nd consecutive year to be included in the guide.

The Kitahama menu includes a keema curry (made with chicken), spinach and keema curry, hanabi curry (extra spicy), vegetable curry, & a mixed curry (vegetable & chicken). Columbia 8 has 4 other locations around the city of Osaka where you can get their signature keema curry. Plus you can take some home with you since Columbia 8 started selling their own curry in a box (available from Amazon and supermarkets nationwide).

*Please note, the vegetable curry is suitable for vegetarians. However, it is only available at the Kitahama location and it usually sells out, so get there early.