Bangladesh restaurant located inside the exotic Daiichi ichiba in Koenji with unique alternative atomospehre
Torkari is a restaurant that opened in 2019 and specializes in Bangladesh home cooking. Although it can be a little tricky to find this restaurant in the back alley, it is located inside the Daiichi ichiba just outside the North exit of Koenji station, which is a very old indoor marketplace built more than 40 years ago. There used to be grocery and dried food stores back then, it is currently a home to around 10 unique exotic shops and restaurants offering a variety of food such as Vietnamese, Korean, curry and so on.
Daiichi market
Daiichi ichiba is well known among foodies as a hidden gem, recognized as a place with atmosphere of “lively Asian stalls” that you can enjoy a variety of world cuisine and Torkari is one of the popular restaurants.
Torkari Koenji
Must-try dishes are the signature bhorta which means “mashed” in Bengali and bhaji is a stir-fried dish. These dishes are stable diet in Bengal area. Torkari has a lunch special with these dishes.
【Bhorta bhaji set（lunch)】
Bhorta & Bhaji set ￥1,050
This signature Bangladesh homemade meal is served with mashed and stir-fried side dishes decorated around rice and a bean soup. It is the mustard oil that gives such a flagrant flavor, making this spicy and salty dish a perfect match with rice. Vegetarian side dishes such as potatos and eggplants are also tasty.
95% of the customers are Japanese! Beautiful halal homemade cooking made by Muslim chefs from Bengal area.
Torkari means “curry” in Bengali. The owner who loves curry started this restaurant with the feeling “I want to create a restaurant where Muslim people can feel comfortable” and “I want to provide authentic homemade meals made by my staff and chefs from Bangladesh and West Bengal province.” Chefs at Torkari are Muslims from Bangladesh and Bengal and all the dishes are halal-friendly, nut-free, and additive-free. We don’t serve alcohol at this stage. We offer a wide variety of fragrant dishes made with freshly grounded authentic spices. Here are some recommended items at Torkari Koenji.
【Chef’s special MOJA（lunch)】
Chef’s special MOJA ￥1,550
This satisfying meal set comes with biriyani (stir-fried rice), khichuri (beans and rice), bhorta (mashed), bhaji (stir-fried), salad, curry, soup, drink, and dessert. Moja means delicious in Bengali. It is literally a plate filled with best of Bengali delicious dishes, you can’t go wrong with this dish if you can’t decide what to order.
【Special of the day】
Special of the day set ￥900
This “special of the day” is recommend by the chefs. They had chiken curry and khichuri on the day I i was there for an interview. Khichuri is a rice dish with mild flavour cooked with beans and basmati rice from Bengal area. It is served with curry in a Bengali style.
【Biriyani meal set (lunch)】
Shrimp biriyani lunch set ￥1,350
Chicken and mutton are the popular choices for Biriyani meal set, and they also offer a “special of the day” dishes such as shrimp. This meal set comes with dessert and drink. Biriyani is a traditional dish prepared for celebrations such as weddings in Muslim culture, considered as a special auspicious dish. Torkari tries to provide dishes as authentic as possible, so it may be a little spicy for Japanese people but it can be very addictive!
【Tandoori dishes】
Tandoori kebab & chicken
Juicy tandoori chicken and kebab are available for dinner.
【Bento lunch box】
Bento lunch box
All items are available for take-out. There is a bento box with the combination of popular Biriyani, curry bhorta, and bhaji.
【Dessert】
Hand Made Payesh (Bengali Rice Pudding)
Bangladesh traditional milky dessert.
【Non-alcoholic beer】
Rare Dubai-made non-alcoholic beer “Barbican” is available.
Barbican Apple
Torkari is a hidden exotic restaurant well known for foodies. Although it is alcohol-free and halal-friendly restaurant, most customers are non-muslims and come through a word of mouth for highly reputable food. Please come by and try their authentic and delightful food.
Supervisor / Recommender
- Halal Supervisor and Foreigner Food Coordinator (Cooking, Consulting, Public Relations)
-
Click here for introduction
I currently work as an editor, but my previous job was as a chef, with many years of experience working in hospitals, restaurants, and the food service industry. Looking back, I think my connection to halal may have already been there.
Decades ago, I once worked in a cafeteria at an auction venue. Over 60% of the visitors were foreigners. Many Muslims were present, and the venue had a mosque-like prayer space. I remember being frequently asked questions about whether the meat was halal and what kind of meat it was. At certain times, the cafeteria would become as lively as a festival. The Indian restaurant next door would generously serve free biryani, curry, and sweet drinks to everyone who came. Over 100 people, including people wearing bright red turbans, galabeyas, and traditional attire, gathered in the cafeteria, all sitting around the same table and enjoying a truly enjoyable time. Looking back, it was iftar, the end of fasting, and I understand the significance of sharing, but at the time I was ignorant of halal and Islam, and didn't even consider how to respond. They only ate the curry made by the Indians in the restaurant. As I studied halal, I realized, "I wanted to eat Japanese food, but I couldn't." I regret not doing anything even though there was something I could have done.
If only it didn't contain pork! If only it didn't contain wheat or buckwheat! I could eat it... Food insecurity is different for each person.
That's why I think it's important to learn about the differences in culture, religion, and lifestyle that underlie it, and to create an environment where everyone can enjoy delicious meals in comfort.
The desire for delicious, safe, and secure food is universal. The times are calling for people to live in new ways that transcend borders and religions. I hope that halal can be a gateway to eliminating food insecurity, contributing even in some small way to a society where people can coexist and prosper with more liberal thinking, and to global harmony beyond.
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