Address - 2-7-9 Yaesu, Chuo-ku Opening hours - 11:15 -15:0 & 17:00 - 23:00 (Saturday and Sunday 12:00 - 15:00 - 22) Map - Yes Telephone - 3272-7160 Menu - In English and Japanese

Some time ago a reader wrote me about Dhaba India and how good it was. Later, I saw that the Tokyo Food Page gives it two stars (a very high rating), while Robbie Swinnerton raves about it.
Since I am extremely fond of Indian food, and South Indian food is a rarity, I decided to go as soon as possible. Now that I have been there, I can say that I agree with all three. Dhaba India is indeed excellent, and a must if you like Indian food. Eating there feels like taking you sunglasses off to look again at a beautiful landscape you thought you knew well. All feels new, brightly colored and exciting. A day when you feel depressed, make yourself a present and go: it will make you feel better.

What a pleasant place like that is doing in the middle of a desert like Kyobashi I don't know, but there it is. It doesn't look like most other Indian restaurants (see photo), but it's definitely very pleasant.

The menu is as interesting as I hoped it would be. We had a biryani, a kheema dosa, lamb ribs, a southern Indian fish curry with coconut milk and more. All were excellent. Especially good were the numerous dips that accompanied most of the dishes. For example, the ribs came with the best Podina chutney I have ever tasted.

This is not, however, a place like A. Raj. Whereas A. Raj serves excellent, simple stuff prepared the way Mom used to make it, Dhaba India is polished and more sophisticated. Which of the two is better is a matter of taste. I like both.

Prices are reasonable, but not dirt-cheap. Expect to spend about 3000 apiece without drinks.

Getting there:
From Kyobashi station's exit number 5, turn right and then take the first street to the right again. You will see Dhaba India's sign.

May 2005

****

Letter from reader A.B. (December 2004):

Frank, sir,
I have just discovered your web site. You must be well rounded by now from all those reviews. A suggestion: Dhaba India, South Indian, very near the Yaesu Book Center, in 2-7-9 Yaesu Chuo-ku, phone is
03-3272-7160. It is not yet 2 years old, I believe.
Although I do not go out as much as I did in my first 2 decades here, I am familiar with a number of Indian restaurants and am quite confident that Dhaba India beats all of them hands down, eyes closed. Excellent Kerala fish curries, and even the thali is a delightful change, served on banana leaf. And they know how to make a salt lassi. Here's to bliss!