01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Set along a quiet residential street in Higashikojiya, Ota Ward, Yoichi appears at the end of a narrow alley within a gently restored wooden home. The cafe opens exclusively for lunchtime on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, drawing visitors seeking an unhurried weekend meal. Guests can sit in their shoes at tables set in the earthen doma entrance area, or remove their shoes to step up onto polished wooden floorboards featuring counter seats facing the kitchen and sofa seating, all steeped in a calm atmosphere.
The house specialty is handmade spice curry crafted without flour or chemical seasonings, relying instead on spices to draw out the natural flavors of the ingredients. Plates are ordered as single, double, or triple combinations (1-curry, 2-curry, or 3-curry), with several recipes prepared each day. Options may range from a sharp, spicy chicken curry brightened with lemongrass to sweet, spice-lingering sweet potato coconut milk curry or mild, comforting dal (lentil) curries, each offering a distinct flavor profile.
Each platter comes with an original rice blend, daily changing vegetable side dishes, and a cooling yogurt raita. After tasting each curry individually, diners can gradually mix in the sides and raita, relishing the deepening layers of flavor that evolve with every spoonful.
For dessert, pairing the meal with a spiced chai, craft ginger ale, or selections from the day's sweets—such as American-recipe carrot cake or roasted sweet potato pudding—is well worth the extra time. From custom curry plates to relaxed cafe drinks, Yoichi invites you to savor everything unhurriedly amid traditional wooden surroundings.
