Taj Mahal Niseko Hirafu — Restaurant in Kutchan

Tourists will say to come to Japan for the sushi, the wagyu, or the Hokkaido milk frozen berry drinks. But… I’m here to say that your trip to Niseko is NOT complete until you stop by Taj Mahal in Hirafu for the Indian cuisine. Come for the cheese naan, stay to witness a master craftsman make it. If Jiro Dreams of Sushi had an Indian sequel it would feature this man and it would be called: “The Man Behind The Clay Oven.” While he’s the star of a Broadway-esque performance, you and your skiing companions will be asked to put on a show of your own. Order away and let your ego outpace your abilities (just as you let your friend convince you that that cliff has a “super clean landing” on the mountain earlier today). Order a naan & a turmeric rice each and the owners will be so impressed that they might just give you a garlic naan for free. If you’re full (& fulfilled) before your plates are clear, then just pack a pocket samosa for tomorrow… you can polish it off on the ski lift later. Although not officially recognized by the World Heritage Organization (due to Western-based bias), the Taj Mahal in Niseko deserves...

The owner greeted us at the door, and upon seeing our disappointed reaction to a 30 minute wait he told us he would see what he could do.

He managed to find us a seat with a lovely young couple from Colorado who were willing to share their seat.

We each ordered a medium butter chicken, with rice. Which was very tasty indeed. Although I did later chat with the owner about how it wasn’t really medium spice and he joked with me that people from all over the world come everyday and often can’t handle the spice. The lovely man also told me that he would make the spice-level to my tasting next time.

We also ordered a garlic naan, after seeing how divine it looked while we waited for our seat. This garlic naan was bigger than both of my hands. It hanged over both sides of the plate, with a great fluffiness and a ton of crunch. It was definitely the star of the show.

We had a truely delightful experience featuring a warm and vibrant aura, friendly conversation & delicious food.

5 Star. Will definitely be back before our Niseko...

From the moment you stepped inside, you know you’re in for a treat. Despite being a small and cozy restaurant, is clear that the word has gotten out about the delicious food, as it was very crowded. Do you make a reservation to ensure you don’t miss out! We had a fantastic meal, ordering a wonderful selection of dishes. The chicken tikka masala was spot on. The sag paneer was perfectly cooked and the Aligobi was a delightful vegetarian option. We had the Lam Rogan Josh, which is a lamb curry, was flavorful and tender. We paired everything with curry rice. The mango lassi was a delightful drink not too sweet. The highlight is the garlic cheese naan, which was simply huge, delicious and a must try. The owner and staff were welcoming and gracious. Overall, Taj Mahal Niseko is a gem for anyone craving genuine authentic indian flavors. Just remember...