The owner, Mr. Yamagata's passion for biryani, or Indian cooked rice, led him to open the biryani specialty restaurant, INDIA GATE. At this sister store, colorful spices are lined up in the space next to the door. This time, we wanted to focus on selling spices as well. I hope that curry will lead you to spices, or spices will lead you to curry," says Yamagata.

Yamagata, who runs two restaurants and is also a musician, says, "The process of perfecting a song and a curry recipe are similar. Music is a matter of ear copying, and cooking is a matter of tongue copying. It's the same sensation of using all five senses to satisfy oneself," he says.

The curry prepared by the talented Mr. Yamagata is indeed unique. The restaurant opens at 7:30 a.m., and its morning specialty is dashi (Japanese soup stock) curry, an expression of Japanese breakfast. The restaurant's quintessential basmati rice is light and perfect for breakfast, and is matched with a gentle seafood broth and Japanese-style side dishes. For lunch, the restaurant offers a rich curry topped with fresh venison, caught and carefully prepared by staff with hunting licenses. The power of gibier and spices will recharge your batteries for the afternoon.