Welcome all my curry lovers to my report on the Tsuchiura Curry Festival! Two weeks ago at Tsuchiura JCOM stadium, there were a bunch of different curries to sample. From places in Tsuchiura and Ibaraki, to places outside of Ibaraki prefecture. Japanese curry, Indian curry, and a bunch of different curries were available for everyone to try. It was quite an event.
Tsuchiura Curry Festival
The curry festival had been on hiatus for about three years, so I am really glad it came back. It was held on October 1st and 2nd, Saturday and Sunday. I was really busy that Saturday so I decided to check it out Sunday morning. Unfortunately, I was alone for this curry adventure. Walking into the event was the usual checking for fever and using hand sanitizer. Then I hit up some curry tents to get my curry on.
Long Lines
The weather was absolutely perfect that day. Not a cloud in the sky. After waiting in line for 20 minutes though, I wish there would have been a cloud or two. It was pretty damn hot. Most of the curry places had long lines. The tomato curry line was about a 30 minute wait. I decided to do one long line and two short lines. First, I went to try curry from the military.
Yokosuka Navy Curry
This curry is well known throughout Japan. The Yokosuka Kaigun (Navy) Curry. The staff were having a five hundred yen sale and so I decided to try this curry out. I bought one small plate of navy curry and took it home.
I should explain something. I didn't eat any of my curry at the event. It was way too hot outside and I live close by so I tried all my curry at home.
So how was the Navy Curry? Not great. Honestly, I am not buying this curry again. It was kind of bland with big chunks of tasteless beef in it. I have had instant curry that tastes better than kaigun curry. Sorry Yokosuka, but I give this curry a thumbs down.
Yakinikku Hidemon
This curry tent had a long line and I waited about 15 minutes to get my plate of curry. But when I first got in line, I was a little confused. The kanji said yakinikku, Japanese BBQ, on it. So I wondered if they even had curry. Turns out they did and it was delicious.
I haven't gone to Hidemon yet. It is a Tsuchiura yakinikku restaurant. So I can't really comment on their BBQ, but they do make a heck of a curry. The curry was really thick with small pieces and chunks of beef in it. They also topped it off with grilled vegetables which was nice. The thick curry with small pieces of beef was excellent. It was yakinikku but curry. I quite enjoyed Hidemon's curry and hopefully I can go to their restaurant soon.
Sakurabon Curry
Yeah, I was stunned too when I read the sign. Sakurabon, or Japanese cherry, curry. I had to try it and this place did not have a long line. I bought one plate and took it home.
I gave it a try and it was sweet but not too sweet. Very creamy, and it had chunks of cherry in it. It was pretty good. I enjoyed this curry even though it threw my whole concept of curry into a spin. I wouldn't mind getting this curry again next year.
Curry Bread
You can't leave the curry festival without getting some curry bread!
I first headed to my favorite curry bread tent. The staff told me they were sold out. The next curry bread tent was a shop I live close by to, I can get this curry bread anytime I want so I decided against buying one. I finally decided on the third curry bread tent. This place just had Curry Bread written on it, so I have no idea what the restaurant is called. I bought two curry breads and got in line for the BBQ curry.
While waiting in line, I chowed down on one of my curry breads. It wasn't too bad. Not the best curry bread I have ever had but not bad. The bread part was crispy on the inside and nice and soft on the inside, just like any curry bread should be. I do think it could have been better with a bit more curry in it. But otherwise, not too bad.
This year's Tsuchiura Curry Festival was a success. A lot of people showed up to try different kinds of curry and have a good time.
As for me though, I did have a good time but I was midly disappointed. For one, my favorite curry shops did not show up. I am sure that has to do with COVID, and hopefully they can come back next year. Also, a lot of curry places were not prepared for the amount of people that would be coming. There were a few places that sold out within the first hour of the event. Hopefully next time, they will address this issue.
For those of you wondering, don't worry, I did get some curry for my wife. She had a great curry feast for dinner that night.
I am sure the curry festival will be back next year and a lot more curry places will be in attendance. Hopefully, the curry festival will move to November or something so we are not under the blazing sun while waiting in line.
I hope to see you at the Tsuchiura Curry Festival next year!
Before you go! Event Announcement!
Tsukuba Bread Festival (Picture from the Bread Festival's Facebook page)
The Tsukuba Bread Festival is coming back to Tsukuba Center Square next week, October 22nd and 23rd. The festival will be going on from 11:00-4:00.
I went to this festival before corona closed everything down and I had a great time. I do recommend going early. I went in the afternoon and a lot of the bread was gone. Even though some of the bakeries sold out when I got there, I did get to try different bakeries from around Tsukuba and had a few burgers as well.
So if you want to try some amazing bread from different bakeries around Tsukuba, then don't miss the Tsukuba Bread Festival!
Hope I see you there!
For more information on the Tsukuba Bread Festival, check out their website:
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