202 Curry Dou: The Best Soup Curry in Shimokitazawa

Shimokitazawa draws crowds for its vintage shops and narrow streets, but the neighborhood also happens to be Tokyo's soup curry capital. Take a break from shopping and pop into the many soup curry shops nestled in small alleyways and up unassuming stair cases.

Worried about choosing the right place? Let me introduce you to the shop serving up what may just be the best soup curry in Shimokitazawa: 202 Curry Dou.

Why is Tokyo's Best Soup Curry in Shimokitazawa?

Unlike the thick, gravy-like curry typically served with meat, carrots and potatoes, soup curry is light and clear. The dish was born in 1970s Sapporo at a café called Ajanta, originally dubbed Yakuzen Curry (“medicinal curry”), because it fused Chinese and Korean medicinal broths with Southeast and South Asian spices.

It became Hokkaido soul food before making its way across all of Japan, including Tokyo.

Among the many soup curry restaurants in Shimokitazawa, 202 Curry Dou has built a loyal following.

It sits near the station's west exit, up a set of stairs – easy to miss if you're not looking. The space is unassuming, with simple wooden tables, warm lighting, and two dozen seats, but it’s earned a big reputation among locals who know their soup curry.

What to Order at 202 Curry Dou

202 Curry Dou keeps things simple with just four types of curry, each customizable by soup base and spice level. After selecting a dish, you choose between a tomato or coconut broth, both built on a foundation of slow-cooked, caramelized onions that gives the curry a remarkable depth.

The tomato base leans tangy and bright, while the coconut is creamy and mellow. The spice level runs from 0 to 10, with levels 3 through 5 offering a gentle warmth and anything above 6 bringing real heat. Each dish comes with rice on the side.

The most popular dish is the bone-in chicken with seven vegetables curry. The vegetables – lotus root, pumpkin, potato, carrot, broccoli – are grilled until their edges char and their sweetness comes through. A sprinkle of fresh greens on top adds a bitter, minty contrast.

You can order the chicken crispy-skinned or fall-apart tender. In the tender version, the meat slips cleanly off the bone, moist and flavorful, while the outer edges still hold a light char.

The other standout dish is the crispy tandoori chicken with charred cabbage and cheese curry. The chicken is marinated in yogurt and a blend of spices including garam masala before being cooked until deeply red crispy. This curry comes with a similar set of grilled vegetables and fresh greens, plus charred cabbage that adds a gentle smokiness. The melted cheese brings added richness to the broth.

Drinks and Desserts

The homemade lassi makes a great pairing with the soup curry. It's thick, creamy, refreshingly tart and cooling enough to balance the spices of the curry without washing them out entirely. The fruit-flavored options – strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, mango, or kiwi – are naturally sweet without being cloying.

The dessert menu is worth saving room for. 202 Curry Dou offers a small selection of dairy-based desserts made with milk and cheese from Hokkaido. Many are infused with matcha from Shimokita Chaen Oyama, a nearby tea shop run by certified tea masters. The matcha burnt Basque cheesecake is the most popular item on the menu, and it’s easy to see why.

The matcha’s fragrance comes through clearly, with its faint bitterness balancing the gentle sweetness of the Hokkaido cheese. If matcha isn't your thing, the creamy richness of the plain burnt Basque cheesecake is equally satisfying.

Visiting 202 Curry Dou – Practical Tips and Information

The restaurant doesn't take reservations. Weekends get busy, with long lines forming out the door around lunch and dinner. Arriving slightly early, around 11:45 a.m. for lunch or 5:45 p.m. for dinner, will help you avoid the wait. Weekdays are easier but the restaurant still fills up during peak lunch and dinner hours. However, weekday lines are shorter and you might not have to wait at all. Once you're seated, food comes out quickly, in about ten minutes.

Most items on the menu are gluten-free, which isn't always a given at other curry restaurants in Japan. The staff is knowledgeable about ingredients and allergens, so don’t hesitate to speak to them if you have any dietary restrictions.

Final Thoughts

For anyone curious about Japanese soup curry or just looking for a satisfying meal in Shimokitazawa, 202 Curry Dou is well worth the trip.

The food is excellent, the prices are fair, and the restaurant feels cozy and welcoming. Drop by after browsing the neighborhood's vintage shops, or make a dedicated visit just for the curry.

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