Introducing the unique and exotic South Indian dosa you’ll want to try at “Sri Balaji Nakameguro”!
Sri Balaj Nakameguro is a South Indian restaurant located a 10-minute walk from Nakameguro Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. The striking pink interior is adorned with numerous god statues and Hindu ornaments.
The restaurant’s name, Sri Balaj, is a reference to South India’s most famous deity and is also the name of a Hindu temple dedicated to the god of money.
Entrance
Interior
At Sri Balaj, we strive to preserve the authentic flavors of South India, ensuring our customers can enjoy delicious and healthy South Indian cuisine. South Indian cuisine, which has recently become increasingly popular in Tokyo, is less oily than popular North Indian cuisine in Japan, and is characterized by a crisp, refreshing aftertaste. It uses unique fresh herbs and spices, such as shredded coconut and curry leaves.
Siribaraji Special Meals
Our restaurant offers a wide variety of South Indian dishes, from tiffin snacks to eight varieties of dosa, one of the most diverse in Tokyo. Made from rice flour and lentil paste, dosa is a signature South Indian dish. Grilled on a hot griddle, each dosa is thin and crispy, with a soft, fragrant lentil aroma. Each dosa is topped off with homemade chutney, further enhancing its flavor. Chutney, also known as chutney, is a paste-like condiment essential to Indian cuisine. Siribaraji’s dosa is incomplete without this chutney. The mint chutney, with its refreshing mint, spiciness from chili peppers, and the tart, salty flavor of yogurt, is the perfect complement to the dosa. Paired with coconut chutney, the mellow, rich flavor of coconut instantly enhances the tropical feel. Among the many dosas available, we recommend the masala dosa, filled with plenty of spiced potatoes! It’s shaped like an oval crepe rolled up into a tube, and is so huge it spills over the table.
Masala Dosa
This is the Patharathu (Angava Dosa), made with mung bean batter.
Angava Dosa
This dosa is folded into a triangle and filled with spices, onions, and more.
The plain dosa is cone-shaped and Instagram-worthy.
Plain Dosa
Every dosa is delicious and filling. Each one has a unique appearance and flavor, so we recommend sharing it with a group. All dosas come with chutney and sambar, a bean and vegetable curry. Enjoy the unique, spicy, and sour flavors of the tropics.
A purveyor to the Indian Embassy! A fascinating South Indian restaurant that uses coconut and curry leaves lavishly
Sirivaraj serves authentic South Indian cuisine, the birthplace of spices and Ayurveda. South India, known for the Kerala region facing the Arabian Sea, is a major producer of spices, including black pepper. All spices and herbs are imported directly from India. The chef is originally from Tamil Nadu, South India. Although not Muslim, he is committed to ensuring that all food on the menu is halal.
Fish curry
Mutton biryani
Siri Balaji offers a variety of healthy and unique dishes, including sambar, a signature South Indian vegetarian dish, and vada, a deep-fried bean paste. Since India has a large vegetarian population, restaurants always offer both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, and the vegetable dishes are delicious. Since many Indian vegetarian dishes are lacto-vegetarian, cheese and yogurt are used, resulting in a satisfying meal. The after-meal chai is poured from a high level, creating a truly authentic, fluffy frothy drink that’s a joy to watch.
Chai
We also offer a popular all-you-can-eat buffet during weekday lunch hours. Enjoy salad, three types of curry, rice, naan, chicken tikka, chai, dessert, and more for just ¥1,500 for 45 minutes.
Lunch Buffet
Siri Balaji’s cuisine, packed with the charms of South India that are as delicious as they are visually appealing, is sure to soothe your mind and body.
Supervisor / Recommender
- Halal Supervisor and Foreigner Food Coordinator (Cooking, Consulting, Public Relations)
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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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