Coco Ichibanya Curry House ranks among our favourite chain restaurants from Japan. They produce their plant-based roux at a facility in Saga Prefecture and distribute it to their stores globally. While Japanese patrons typically select from pork or beef-based curry roux, a branch known as Curry House CoCo Ichibanya World in Tōkyō, offers the plant-based variant intended for their international outlets. Having fallen ill early in our trip, we sought the comfort of these familiar flavors while delving into their distinctive menu options.
Hashed Beef (72 HKD/14.4 AUD, hot (lv 2); +23 HKD/4.6 AUD for set menu with 2 items (iced HK milk tea (standard sweetness, standard ice) and mini salad (sesame dressing)).
Surprisingly, the hashed beef, or hayashi, featured a curry element that allowed for heat level customization, similar to their regular curry dishes. D enjoyed the extra level of spiciness, while the ample beef pieces and sweet, textured onions complemented each other well. The salad provided a refreshing contrast to the richness of the dish, while the HK milk tea was an enjoyable finish to the meal with a rich and smooth tea flavour and balanced sweetness.
Hashed Beef w/ Creamed Croquette (93 HKD/18.6 AUD, mild; -5 HKD/-1 AUD for -100 g rice; +23 HKD/4.6 AUD for set menu with 2 items (iced lemon tea (standard sweetness, no ice) and mini salad (Japanese dressing)).
This order was similar to the previous, with the points of distinction being the mild level of heat in the curry being 3 levels below and the addition of the cream croquettes. The mild curry addition enhanced the usual savoury, tangy-sweet notes of the hayashi, providing an additional depth to its flavour, while the cream croquettes maintained their familiar creamy richness, akin to what we were accustomed to in Japan. The iced lemon tea featured a decent tea flavour with ample lemon.
Curry Croquette (20 HKD/4 AUD)
This side dish was a novel addition for us, and we enjoyed the crispy exterior, coupled with the curry-infused mashed potatoes and the hearty texture of potato cubes. The addition of onions and carrots contributed a delightful touch of sweetness.
Our experience at Coco Ichibanya Curry House in Hong Kong resembled the more refined ambience of their Curry House CoCo Ichibanya World store, a departure from the casual setting of their regular Japanese outlets. Although our inclination might lead us to explore a local eatery next time, we value the consistent flavors Coco Ichibanya offers when seeking something familiar and comforting.
Coco Ichibanya Curry House is located at Shop 302, Silvercord, 30 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.