Soup Curry Begirama — Restaurant in Hakodate

If you have read other reviews, you would know that this place has a long queue. Probably at all times. I was the last group to arrive for the day and still had to wait for over an hour.

However, people knocking a star off their reviews because of long queues is beyond my understanding. Let their success be their advertisement.

Disclaimer: I like soups, and I like curry, so this review might be biased.

This is my second time trying soup curry after a positive experience in Osaka, and by the nine divines, Begirama exceeded expectations. You'll only understand why they take some time to serve up the soups when you take your first bite. It's a ratatouille experience because you taste the passion in what they serve.

The curries are ordered by: Type Spiciness Rice size

If you don't know what to get, just go with the Chicken Leg Soup Curry. If you aren't a vegetarian, you'll likely love it.

So, back to the taste. Begirama's soup curry seems to have a little bit of inspiration from many cuisines. I can't tell you that it's unique because it's my second time having soup curry, but it is delicious. The main flavour was built with Indian spices with some Chinese/Japanese Huai Shan.

The rice served was similar to the Indian Briyani but scaled down in spices and not basmati.

We also ordered some of their fried oysters, which they had on promotion. Nothing to write home about, but just really fresh and hot, good stuff.

Even though Begirama currently takes the crown of soup curries for me, I won't be visiting anytime soon because of the insane queue.

Tourists can take the opportunity to try this restaurant if you want to check "HAVE GOOD SOUP CURRY" off your bucket list.

I'll be back when I come to Hakodate again in 15 years,...

This curry is life changing - soup curry as introduced by my brother. Soup curry is Hokkaido specialty and this is my first time eating soup curry. Had different curries before - Indian, Thai etc. however I am surprised how Begirama was able to infuse flavors of the East and West. All soup curry comes with plenty of vegetables and the same soup base. However, depending on the main/protein you choose, there are slight differences. The chicken soup curry was more Italian in flavour, seafood soup curry was more “authentically” curry-flavoured, kakuni soup curry has a sweeter undertone, and the black squid soup curry was most Japanese (with dashi and seaweed notes). But…. If you really want to eat it…. Be prepared to wait 1-2 hours in line. Restaurant is advertised as closing at 8:30 p.m. but we started waiting at 7:00 p.m. and was the last in line…. Imagine waiting in the blistering cold for 1 + hour… and when we finally made it into the shop, some people forget to close the door every time they leave the restaurant. Even the onsen can’t save my popsicle toes… I did eavesdrop and overheard people suggesting coming to the restaurant right when it opens. Best of luck to all...

Food is great! Highly recommend the vegetable and mushroom one, I personally think it’s better than the fried chicken one. Service is not so great, but it’s a very busy restaurant and just not enough staff. A bit pricier compared to other soup curry restaurants but I think it’s worth the price. Just wish the service and atmosphere were better. The first time I went by chance and arrived around 5:17pm, there were already a few people in line. The second time I went around 7pm and waited for maybe 40 minutes. If you go alone you will be seated at the counter, a bit awkward but no problem. The first time I went, because I was the first lone diner they wanted me to sit at the first seat at the very edge of the counter, which was close to 2 heaters and was extremely hot, I wanted to change the seating to the center of the counter area but was at first told by a waitress, no I have to sit at the edge of the counter, and then a waiter was okay with me switching when I asked again because it was too hot and I was already not feeling well. I understand that they want to optimize the space but seemed unreasonable considering I was the first customer at the...