Go! Go! Curry (ION Orchard)

A little gem at Ion Orchard's Food Hall that you may like to know about, and also something that is of a personal favourite. Go! Go! CURRY! is one of Japan's popular curry-only eateries that first started in Tokyo in 2004 and it has since opened a branch in New York as well as two others right here in Singapore (the other outlet can be found at 313@ Somerset), bringing its total tally to thirty. If you like your sweet Japanese curry, this is something worth trying.

Chicken Katsu Curry: The dishes here come in four portions - healthy, economy, business and first - healthy being the smallest and first threatening a coronary attack. The economy portion filled me well enough, especially since it's thick curry mixed with deep-fried chicken katsu and moist, sticky rice. Did I like it? I certainly did, and it's comfort food at its best.

The Japanese curry here is thicker, sweeter, more stew-like and less spicy than most of the other Japanese curries that I've tried in Singapore. I still like Tampopo's Stone Grilled Beef Curry but this one from Go! Go! CURRY! is almost entirely of a different form and so shouldn't really be compared. The chicken katsu was crispily good and not too oily that it would spoil your appetite, and went well with the moist rice. My friend somehow ordered just the curry and rice but even he felt the curry was quite good. Not suitable for those on a strict diet, but otherwise it can be quite satisfying indeed.

For pictures, go on ahead to my blog post here.

As a huge fan of Go! Go! Curry in Japan, I was disappointed to see that our local outlet (managed by franchisee the En Dining group) hasn't gotten it quite right. The curry itself and the quality of ingredients aren't the problem, in fact they are very good. If I were to close my eyes and eat a forkful of rice and curry, telling myself I was in Japan (spoons aren't used in Japanese Go! Go! Curry outlets – try eating with just a fork some time, it's fun), it'd be easy to believe.

But as always, it's the little things.

First off is the lack of complimentary iced water. When the Ion Orchard branch opened, water was served. Go today, and you'll be paying for bottled water, soda, or tea. Staff will actually refuse to serve you any tap water. Complimentary iced water is central to the Go! Go! Curry experience in Japan, and even in the single New York outpost. It's a part of the down-home, value-for-money, good-eating ethic behind every streetside Japanese noodle shop, sushi bar, and izakaya. And with curry as rich and tasty as this, you'll want the comfort of having all the water you need.

Second is the fact that fukujinzuke (those red pickled vegetables you get with any other curry rice) isn't provided at all. Japanese outlets have huge boxes of the stuff in front of every diner; you just help yourself. This is such a major part of the meal that I don't understand how the head office allows them to get away with leaving it out.

I also miss the flat metal plates used. I understand the people at En may have wanted to class the place up a little, and so they've gone with heavy porcelain plates. My concern is that this doesn't allow staff to pour the curry the traditional way: over the top half of a tilted plate, so it flows down to cover the rice. It just seems to me that I'm not getting enough curry on my rice, but I admit I might be greedy. =P

But I do love this place, and they have me by the taste buds. I'm so hopelessly addicted to the curry that I catch myself daydreaming about it, and then I have to go down the next day for a fix. I'm impossibly happy that Go! Go! is here and in a convenient, central location. I just want to see the food served right so everyone gets the full experience. If this venture fails and the place has to close down (taking away free water sounds like a desperate move?), I don't know what I'd do with myself.

It stings that the people setting up the New York branch could take such care in replicating the ambience and spirit of the chain right down to the decor and details, and we Singaporeans can't.

(See this article for more info: http://www.wired.com/underwire/2008/04/go-go-curry-bri/)

Just for reference: the $18.50 Grand Slam plate is 1000 yen in Japan, or approx $15.60. Extra toppings like another piece of pork is 200 yen, or $3.10. Here they cost between $3 and $3.50. I'd say the price conversion is largely fair, but I've deducted value points for the lack of free water.

Having stayed a few years in Japan, I know what authentic Japanese curry tastes like- and Go! Go! Curry is simply delicious!

I had the chicken katsu curry in Economy size ($12.50) to take away as I can see that they have rather limited seats and I'd rather eat at the comforto of my own home.

The wait was rather long as they cook the portions as they are ordered and they seemed rather busy, but the service was impeccable as they noticed my slight frustration and immediately apologized.

What's extremely commendable is the way they packed the take-away meal. The sauce, vegetables and rice+chicken was seperated so the food wouldn't end up soggy. It was like a plastic bento seperated into different compartments. The packaging also kept my food warm for a good 40mins-1hr!

The food itself was fantastic! The chicken was tender and crisp on the outside, the curry was thick and flavorful and the rice was glistening japanese rice! I enjoyed every bite of it.

Prices are a tad pricey, but I would definitely return as it was fantastic value for money! Be sure to also try the grandslam!

THIS PLACE'S JAP CURRY IS DAMN GOOOOD TO ME! :D

i love it to the max pls omg.

apparently the first time i went there they were having some opening special, their curries were all half priced! WHAAAAA. my friend and i totally just queue outside and waited happily for the food.

waiting time is rather long but this cant be blamed cause they have very limited seats only! less than 20 definitely. so we waited quite long. but they actually offered green tea to those who are queueing and waiting, and the captain kept apologising for the fact that we had to wait for very long. & in the first place, they only serve plain waterr!!

and looks ARE deceiving. hah. cause the curry didnt look like those typical ones that you see outside saying its jap curry. well, there's a bit of black pepper flavour here but the taste is just right!

YOU SHOULD JUST GIVE IT A TRY MAN! :D