I clearly love Cocoichi Curry in Japan that I decided that it needed its own blog post!
The full name of the Japanese curry chain is Cocoichibanya which is a bit of a play on words as, in Japanese, that very phrase also sounds out “This place is number 1!”
Japanese curry, to me, is more like a stew or a casserole than a curry – and it is delicious in its own right. Especially when it has been made so well.
Why is Cocoichi Curry House so good for families in Japan?
I find Cocoichi to be a fabulous option when eating out with children as the menu is so flexible. Kids can decide on the curry, the amount of curry, the amount of rice in the curry, the spiciness of the curry, the sides such as chicken katsu, or scrambled eggs, sausages, fried chicken, hamburger patties, veggies… the list goes on and on.
It’s also great because the meals are made quickly, can be made to take out, the menu is affordable and also the restaurant is so casual that kids can be a bit noisy and be a bit more wriggly.
The little side salads are also tiny and simple so it’s a really easy way to give little kids a few pieces or corn or tomatoes etc with their meal too.
Does Cocoichi have a kids menu?
They do! It’s a little over 400 yen and comes with a hamburger patty or fried chicken as well as a toy or a sweet. The kids curry is also quite sweet and mild.
What’s with the spiciness level at Cocoichi Curry House?
Most Cocoichi restaurants will literally ask you to point at a spiciness on a scale of 1 to 10.
However, as someone who LOVES actual spicy food, I find that the higher up the spicy scale just means the more “full of spices” it goes so, for me, it is just a more concentrated version of a Japanese curry (not a chilli spicy.) I’m sure there are others who disagree but … for me.. the ideal “spice scale” at Cocoichi is a solid 6.
Is there a vegan curry at Cocoichi Curry House in Japan?
There is a veggie based curry sauce that you can choose. It is titled “vegetarian curry” but it is actually vegan (as I explain here, even if you ask the staff “is it vegan” they won’t necessarily know as vegan isn’t widely understood as a term in Japan.) You then get to choose your own toppings (I recommend getting the spinach and eggplant.)
Please note that there is not a vegan salad dressing (so best to plop the salad on top of your curry and rice towards the end of your meal instead.)
Unfortunately, it seems that the soup curry broth here is no longer vegan.
Do Cocoichi do takeout?
They sure do! This is our lush meal after the kids went to bed. Takeaway cocoichi curry rice plus a bottle of bubbles from Natural Lawson !
Where can you try Cocoichibanya in Japan?
Pretty much everywhere. They are all over Japan so – if you’re in Japan as you read this – I recommend opening up google maps and typing in “cocoichibanya near me” right now!
