General-Secretary of the Curry Party of Kumamoto
From Curry to Community: A New Chapter for an Italian Chef in Kumamoto
BOND CURRY in Tsuboi, Central Kumamoto—A deliciously affordable curry shop with heart. Born from an Italian restaurant in Taragi, this new spot offers soul-warming dishes starting from just ¥500.
Calling all curry lovers—your patience has finally paid off! The 13th entry in the “Curry Paradise” series brings us to BOND CURRY, a distinctive new restaurant that opened in April 2023 in the quiet Tsuboi neighborhood of central Kumamoto City.
Charming Curry Spot in a Renovated Traditional Japanese House
Tucked behind Gyotoku Eye Clinic, this quaint little shop is hard to miss thanks to its charming signage. It occupies a lovingly renovated kominka (traditional Japanese house), creating a relaxed café-style space that blends nostalgia with purpose.
Note: There is no dedicated parking, so nearby coin-operated lots are your best bet.
The Vision Behind the Curry
We spoke with the owner, Mr. Endo, whose story adds rich depth to the restaurant’s flavor.
Prior to opening BOND CURRY, he ran an Italian restaurant in Taragi Town, located in the Kuma District of southern Kumamoto. There, he was also involved in a variety of community-focused activities, including running a free school and a children’s cafeteria.
Upon relocating to Kumamoto City, Endo envisioned a new kind of restaurant—one that not only served food but also helped people build futures. BOND CURRY now operates in collaboration with 100-Year Bond, a vocational training facility. The restaurant functions as a hands-on training site where staff on the path toward independence work alongside those in regular employment.
Why curry? It’s both affordable and easy to prepare in large batches—perfect for a setting that prioritizes both accessibility and teamwork.
Flavor Without the Price Tag
On our visit, we tried two of their standout offerings: the Karaage Curry and the deluxe Shifuku no Bond Curry (Bond’s Ultimate Curry).
Karaage Curry with a 3x portion of rice!! – ¥750
Comes with two pieces of crispy, marinated fried chicken on top of deeply simmered curry made with chicken breast, vegetables, and spices. Best part? Rice up to three times the regular size is free of charge.
The portion size is crazy. Does it come through in the photo?
The karaage are a popular offering and are also available for take-out.
Shifuku no Bond Curry – ¥1,560
A feast on a plate: beef steak, slow-cooked chicken drumsticks, melt-in-your-mouth braised pork, fried vegetables, a soft-boiled egg, and sides of salad and dessert. It’s practically an edible Instagram post.
A Curry That Connects People
Beyond its delicious menu, BOND CURRY is also launching “Zero Curry Day”, an event aimed at fostering connections between children and supporters in the community.
Here’s how it works: Donations of ¥500 (the price of one curry) fund free meals for children in need. The event is scheduled to take place in mid-September at BOND Farm, a community garden in Kumamoto’s Hanazono district.
Donors and children will come together over curry, creating moments of joy and solidarity around a shared table.
More details about the event and how to contribute are available through their GLOCAL crowdfunding page.
Stay tuned for the next destination on our curry journey!
The above was translated and adapted from an article on our Japanese-language sister website ALT Kumamoto. For the original content, see the article below!
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