Curry Station Niagara — Restaurant in Tokyo

This compact spot caught my attention when I was watching a YouTube video about the fashionable Nakameguro neighborhood. The vlogger got caught in the rain and took what seemed like a long walk below the train tracks to get here. Sure enough, when my husband and I arrived in Nakameguro, it was raining, and we repeated the exact same walk we saw in the video. The cafe has been operating since 1963, and the first thing we noticed was the railway crossing signal in front.

Upon entering, we noticed every nook and cranny was filled with vintage train memorabilia. A pair of young American parents were struggling with the vending machine used to place orders. There are just three booths and a small counter, so we were fortunate to ensnare the second booth decked out with authentic train seats. There was no picture menu, so we took our chances with our orders. My husband ordered the ¥1,300 Vegetable Curry, while I went for the ¥900 Shinkansen Curry with a ¥300 Hashed Potato.

We went for Mildly Hot because we were mildly wimpy. The hook is that the food and drinks are delivered on a model train complete with locomotive sound effects. That's how we learned we received complimentary glasses of Lemonade. Our food came soon after. The Vegetable Curry arrived first on a regular plate on a flatbed rail car attached to the chugging engine. It was pretty good with a decent helping of veggies in a thick curry accompanied by melted cheese and a scoop of white rice.

Mine came on the next nonstop express. It turned out to be a kid's portion ladled into a bullet train tray with a baby spoon. They decided to put the hashed potato on top to make it look more substantial. It wasn't bad, and honestly, I was fine with the small serving because I knew we had a big multi-course dinner coming up at Den. However, if you're a grown adult, be aware that the Shinkansen Curry is for your bratty kid. They offer add-ons like fried chicken, pork cutlet, and hamburger steak, but we just came for the train.

FOOD - 4 stars...perfectly decent curry, nothing groundbreaking AMBIANCE - 5 stars...the train paraphernalia was a lot to take in but worth examining SERVICE - 4 stars...the Shinkansen model train delivery was a memorable touch TOTAL - 4 stars...pardon me, boy, is that the...

When my wife and I visited we were the only customers, and I honestly feel really bad about that. I want YOU to visit not only because it is a fun, unique experience but because the food is great and the owner is a solid guy.

The front door is a train door, so you have to slide it to the side to enter. Ordering is taken care of by a small ticket machine on the right. Do not be put off by this as an English menu is available and the owner is happy to tell you which button to press.

After that you take a seat in some train seats that are very comfortable indeed. Not only is your order delivered by train, but the owner (dressed as a conductor) will announce what is going where and when.

Normally the word 'cringe' would be bandied around by nitwits, so I'll say this:

In Japan it is easy to become a salary man and be ground to dust by an uncaring system. To do as he does takes huge balls of pure brass that cause tinnitus when they inevitably, not to mention deafeningly, clank together. The man lives his passion, is kind, caring, and serves a magnificent curry. Not just saying that - the chicken was moist and fell apart in my mouth.

So go there. Right now. Your soul will thank you in more...

I've been to this restaurant 30+ times as I live extremely close but recently quality has declined, prices have increased and service has been amiss.

Their standard curry used to be 890 yen and in the space of 1 and a half years this has gone up to 990 and now 1390 yen on my last visit. I know ingredient prices have gone up but this is an extortionate increase. The curry has seriously gone down in quality as well, and it was difficult to finish.

I was instructed cash only when I have paid by Suica/card for 3+ years. So either the staff member lied when I asked again, or they've reduced service here.

I entered at the same time as another Japanese guy, and then followed by a family of 4. The Japanese guy and myself made the same order at the same time, and the family made their order 5 minutes later. The Japanese guy got his food first, and then the entire family was served before me. The guy had finished his entire meal before I even got my food, and there was no rhyme nor reason (nor apology!) as to why this was the case.

I won't...