Soup Curry [Ponipirika] / スープカレー 「ポにピリカ」

Yesterday as my wife and I went for a walk, we decided to have lunch in Shimokitazawa at a place called "Ponipirika".  A few months ago we were having lunch at the Butcher's Bar located below and couldn't help noticing all these people going upstairs for curry.  My wife and I were not huge fans of soup curry as we prefer are curry roux thick but with so many people lining up for this restaurant, we decided we had to check it out at least once.

昨日、妻と散歩したら、行き先が下北沢に決定した。ランチを食べてそのあとは近くでブラブラ歩く。今日はスープカレーの店「ポにピリカ」に決定。以前は同じビルの１階にあるブッチャーズ・バーに行ったとき、上に行く人の数が多すぎて、なんだろうと思ったら、スープカレーの店。うちはいままでスープカレーとはあんまり興味になくけど、この店が行列出来るほどなら一回は行ってみるべきと思った。

Today was no different than others.  There was already a line formed and we had to wait a good thirty minutes before we were shown to our table.

今日も相変わらす混んでました。行列に並び、３０分後に席に案内された。

We were already checking out the menu while standing in line and have already decided what we are going to order.  The chicken and vegetable curry.  At this curry shop, you can choose from three different curry sauces - tomato, shrimp, or fish extract.  My wife chose the shrimp while I chose the tomato.  You can also choose the spicyness 0 to 7 (0 being the mildest).  However, spicyness above 2 costs a little extra so my wife and I decided that 2 would be fine.  We did not choose extra toppings which is also an option.  You can also choose the size portion of rice that comes with the curry. Small - 120g (4.2 oz), Medium - 180g (6.3 oz), and Large - 250g (8.8 oz) with free refills if you so desire.

並びながらメニューを見て、注文するカレーを検討。この店のスープカレーのスープは３種類から選べられる。 トマト、海老、か和風。妻は海老を選び、僕はトマト。選んだカレーはチキンと野菜。辛さも数字の０から７まで選べられる。でも２以上は有料となります。初めて来た店なので、僕と妻は２の辛さを選びました。メニューにトッピングもいろいろもありましたが、私たちはほかのトッピングは注文してません。ご飯の量も小（１２０ｇ）・中（１８０ｇ）・大（２５０ｇ）も選べるし、おかわり自由。

This shop's style for eating their curry.

1. First taste the soup with a spoon.

2. Scoop up a spoonful of rice.

3. Dip rice into the curry and eat.

4. Enjoy the taste of the ingredients in the curry.

Or you can just add all the rice into the curry.  It will be delicious that way as well.

テーブルの上でスープカレーのおいしい食べ方の可愛いサインが描いてます。

１．スープをひとくち味わう。

２．ライスを適量すくう

３．すくったライスをスープにひたして食べる。

４．具材を楽しむ。

最後にライスをスープに入れておじや風で食べてもおいしいよ。

Chicken & Vegetable Curry Set / チキンと野菜カレーセット

The chicken is simmered for a few hours so the meat slides right off the bones.

チキンは何時間も煮込んでるので、骨から簡単に落とせる。

And I believe they use organic rice at this shop which is topped with half of a boiled egg. 

ご飯も玄米と思います。ゆで卵乗せです。

It also looks like Shimo Kitazawa will be having their annual Curry Festival from Oct. 7th through Oct. 16th.  This festival which started only 4 years ago in 2012 with 43 shops has grown exponentially and this year will feature a total of 133 shops.  From standard curries to soup curries, Indian curries, bar curries, new wave curries and quite a few others.  Mini portions and takeout service will be available to get many people to try many different curries. We may have to check out a couple of new curry shops during the festival.

今年も下北沢カレーフェスティバルが開催される２０１６年１０月７日～１０月１６日、１０日間もつづきます。たったの四年前の２０１２年で４３店の祭りが今年はなんと１３３年も参加します。もしろんスープカレーを含む、バーカレー、インドカレーマトンカレー、ニューウェイヴ、等のカレーが味わえる。ミニカレーやテイクアウトも実施するのでいろんなカレーが食べられる。フェスティバル開催時にまた下北沢行ってみるしかいないね。

Bon Appetit!

いただきます！