When asked "Which curry restaurants are popular in Niigata?" VOVO" is one of the shops whose name often comes up when asked "Which curry shops are popular in Niigata?". It is located down Honmachi Dori, near Takizawa Garage.

One sunny weekday afternoon in May, I was walking around here with my work partner when we spotted the shop. 'So this is VOVO!' I was excited and my work colleague, who loves curry as much as Sentai Yellow, said, "You can't go wrong here, do you want to try some?" We decided to drop by.

The restaurant opened at 12:00 noon, so we often sat on a bench under a blue sky and waited. At the opening, there were several people waiting in front of the restaurant. I guess this is a popular restaurant.

店内に入ると、少し小さめのお店の中にカウンター席とテーブル席が。香辛料のいい香りがしてきます。

Immediately, the clerk asked, "Is this your first visit to our shop?" She asked. She then explained the menu.

VOVO offers four types of curry: butter chicken curry, beef curry, dry curry and vegetable curry. Only the beef curry is spicy, according to the restaurant. And the popular 'combination curry' menu offers a vegetable curry and a choice of one curry from the remaining three.

All those who came during lunch time ordered this combination curry that could be combined.

I love curry, but I don't like it too spicy. Because of my so-called 'spiciness', I ordered a mild-looking butter chicken curry (see photo at the back).

A friend ordered a dry curry (pictured back).

Combination curry with salad,

 2種類の薬味がついてきました。辛さが足りない人は写真左、の赤いやを加えましょう。

When I hear curry from a curry shop, I have an image of curry being quite spicy, but VOVO's curry is made mildly for the Japanese. I think it was more sweet than spicy. Even a 'spicy' person like me can enjoy it without worry.

Enjoy the two types of roux individually or mix them together. I could add condiments and enjoy many different flavours in one dish!

The counter is lined with condiments. The staff were cheerful and helpful, and the restaurant was comfortable.

VOVO opened its third shop, VOVO Niigata Kameda Store, at the end of April. The shop we visited this time on Honmachi Dori is the main shop, and the second shop is the Gakugei Daigaku Ekimae shop in Tokyo, to our surprise. This curry shop has expanded from Niigata to Tokyo. Curry lovers should definitely visit.

Shop information

Curry Specialty Store VOVO

• Blog: http://ameblo.jp/vovoblog/
• Address: 1F Mansion Onishi, 9-1344 Honmachidori, Chuo-ku, Niigata City.
• TEL 025-224-9249
• Opening hours: lunch 12pm-3pm (LO at 2.30pm), dinner 6pm-10pm LO.
• Closed Tuesdays