CoCo Ichibanya - JAPANESE CURRY FOR ALL TASTS
Introduction to the chain
CoCo Ichibanya (CoCo壱番屋), often abbreviated to CoCo Ichi, is Japan’s largest chain of Japanese curry restaurants. It’s famous for its unique concept allowing customers to customize their curry: choosing the level of spice, amount of rice, and toppings.
Nationwide presence
With over 1,000 locations in Japan, CoCo Ichibanya is present in all major cities and residential areas. You can also find them in some airports and shopping malls.
What can we eat?
The main course is Japanese curry, served with rice and a wide range of toppings: breaded pork (tonkatsu), fried shrimp, cheese, vegetables and more. You can choose the level of spiciness (from 0 to 10), the size of the rice, and add side dishes.
Ordering at Yoshinoya
Order at the table or counter. English menus are often available, and options are clearly indicated. It’s also possible to order takeaway or via delivery services in certain areas.
What are rakkyo?
Rakkyo is a Japanese condiment made from the bulb of a plant in the onion family. It is usually marinated in a sweet-and-sour solution, which gives it a crunchy texture and a flavor that is both sweet and tangy. In Japan, it is commonly served as an accompaniment to curry, to balance flavors and aid digestion.
A little anecdote: at CoCo Ichibanya, rakkyo must be ordered separately.
However, in many restaurants in Japan, when you order Japanese curry rice, it’s common for condiments such as rakkyo or beni shoga (pickled red ginger) to be served free alongside the dish. For the Japanese woman in our family, rakkyo has a very distinctive flavor and leaves quite a strong aftertaste in the mouth. Not surprisingly, many children don’t like it, and many Japanese adults don’t like it at all. From the point of view of the Frenchman in our family, it’s rather reminiscent of the little onions in jars of pickles, only a little sweeter, which makes it an excellent, softening and fresh accompaniment to curry.
Personal experience
One weekday lunchtime in June, we went to eat at CoCo Ichibanya located just off the Karasuma-Gojo intersection. As it was already past 1pm, we were quickly directed to a table upstairs after indicating the number of people to the staff. There were customers in the restaurant, but several tables were still free. The curry offered at CoCo Ichibanya is what we call a Japanese curry served with rice, not a traditional Indian curry accompanied by naan.
In Japan, curry rice is a very common household dish, and always tops the list of children’s favorites. Children generally prefer mild curry, but at CoCo Ichibanya, you can personalize your curry by choosing the level of spiciness and the garnish, making it a popular choice with curry lovers.
Once seated at the table, you can place your order using the tablet provided. As the menus are illustrated with photos, it’s easy to order without worrying. The tablet allows you to personalize your dish: choose the amount of rice, the level of spiciness of the curry, or even the toppings, according to your preferences. There’s also a children’s menu featuring curry with fruit juice and jelly. Depending on the establishment, you may also find udon curry or ramen curry on the menu. If you’re curious about Japanese curry, why not give it a try?
Actual cost
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Pork curry with cream croquette: ¥677
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Plain lassi (included in menu) : ¥170
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Japanese pickled onions (rakkyo): ¥50
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(200 g rice – ¥60)
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Chicken and summer vegetable curry with soft-boiled egg: ¥1,176
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Iced café au lait (included in the set): ¥170
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Spinach: ¥252
Total for 2 adults: approx. ¥2,435 ≈ $15.13
(based on an exchange rate of 1 USD = 161 yen)
Basic information
📍 Location: all over Japan, including shopping malls and train stations
💰 Average price: ¥800 – ¥1,500 per dish
⏰ Opening hours: generally 11:00 – 22:00
👪 Recommended for: all publics, families, partial vegetarians (some menus)
🌐 Official website: https://www.ichibanya.co.jp/
Highlights
– Highly customizable menu
– Tasty, accessible Japanese curry
– Good value for money
Note
-Mild Japanese curry, different from Indian or Thai curry