Yamituki's original curries start with a coconut base that's loaded with ripe tomatoes, cheese and other umami-rich ingredients, along with plenty of fresh vegetables. They also have branches in Takadanobaba, Ikebukuro and Nakano (Yamiyami).

The deluxe Special French Curry features tender braised beef tendon in a meaty "European-style" roux along with delectable vegetables like stewed daikon, baby corn and bitter goya, served over brown rice. It's one of the fanciest and most original curries in town, especially when paired with the seasonal mini-appetizer plate.

The lamb-onion curry here is a masterpiece, with an almost creamy stew-like roux, assertively flavored hunks of lamb and plenty of onions. Zucchini, asparagus, maitake mushrooms and other vegetables are available as optional toppings.

With their exotic decor, endlessly customizable curries and offbeat ingredients like ratatouille, pig's foot, and leek, a visit to Moyan is a real experience. The "Zenbu" curry with beef, pork, chicken, shrimp and cheese in a sweetish roux is an especially satisfying experience, and is nicely paired with mini side dishes like Thai-style cucumbers with coriander.

The roux for the European-style curries at this very traditional curry shop is quite good, but what really sets this place apart is the quality of the meat - lean chunks of pork and very tasty and tender chicken. The perfect boiled potatoes add the finishing touch.