Directly connected to Otemachi Station! Enjoy exquisite South Indian cuisine in a relaxing, forest-like setting surrounded by skyscrapers.
Dakshin Otemachi, a South Indian restaurant, is directly connected to Otemachi Station and conveniently located just a five-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station. Following the redevelopment of the Yaesu area around Tokyo Station, the Dakshin Yaesu branch, which closed its doors after 13 years in business last May, has relocated to Otemachi First Square and reopened on September 22, 2023. Dakshin is a long-established South Indian restaurant known only to those in the know, and its new opening has attracted much attention.
Dakshin Otemachi
What sets it apart from the traditional Dakshin is its modern design, which is hard to believe is an Indian curry restaurant, and its style of operating under different concepts at different times of the day. The first floor is a self-service cafeteria during the day. During lunchtime, it offers a food court-like atmosphere, perfect for those looking for a quick meal. Wi-Fi is available, and seats have power outlets, so you can conveniently charge your devices while you eat.
Dakshin, Otemachi Branch, First Floor
The second floor is a luxurious restaurant with a calming atmosphere. During the day, the floor-to-ceiling glass windows offer a beautiful, artistic view of the greenery. Despite being surrounded by skyscrapers, the restaurant feels as if it’s in a forest. Dakshin’s female owner, the building and interior, are meticulously designed, creating a modern and stylish atmosphere that’s hard to believe is typical of an Indian restaurant. The casual first floor and luxurious second floor offer a stylish setting for different occasions.
Dakshin, Otemachi Branch, Second Floor
Dakshin Otemachi Branch overturns the traditional image of Japanese curry restaurants with a bright and stylish white interior, making it a welcoming place for women to dine alone. With English menus, a vegetarian menu, Wi-Fi, and power outlets, it’s also ideal for business lunch meetings. The menu is the same as the regular Dakshin, offering a selection of South Indian dishes as well as North Indian favorites.
“South Indian Cuisine Dakshin Otemachi Branch” – A female owner’s unique approach that overturns the image of traditional Indian curry restaurants
This is a popular dosa set for lunch. The lunchtime set includes masala dosa, sambar (vegetable and lentil curry), coconut chutney, and vada, a lentil flour donut. Dakshin’s dosa, made from a blend of lentil and rice flour, has a beautiful cylindrical shape and a crispy texture. It’s topped with a separate serving of mashed potatoes seasoned with spices. Adding coconut chutney adds a mellow richness and instantly enhances the tropical flavor.
Dosa Lunch – ¥1,500
The photo shows the dosa lunch with the addition of rasam (spicy tomato soup) and fish curry as side dishes. The rasam packs a punch with red chili and garlic.
The vada is a savory lentil donut that’s somewhere between soy pulp and ganmodoki tofu, a cross between soy pulp and ganmodoki tofu. Freshly fried, they’re crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, and the aroma of the beans is sure to whet your appetite.
Vada
After your meal, a cup of lightly frothy, not-too-sweet chai is the perfect palate cleanser.
Chai
Our popular South Indian set meals offer a variety of dishes in small portions. During lunch, you can have unlimited refills of naan, rice, sambar, and rasam.
South Indian set meals
Highly rated on review sites! Ayurvedic-based South Indian cuisine that is great for beauty and health
“Dakshin” comes from the Sanskrit word for “south.” South Indian cuisine boasts a sour, refined, and sharp spiciness. Seafood curry is also a signature South Indian dish. Spicy shrimp stir-fry and crab and scallop curries are also popular.
Scallop curry
This is Dakshin’s most popular dish, Chettinad chicken curry. This curry uses a generous amount of spices inspired by Chettinad, an upscale area often referred to as the Beverly Hills of India. It’s a highly recommended dish that’s rapidly gaining popularity, surpassing the classic butter chicken curry in Japan.
Chettinad chicken curry
All of the chefs at Dakshin, a South Indian restaurant, are originally from India. As they are Hindus, there are no beef dishes on the menu. The menu focuses on fresh seafood, typical of South Indian cuisine, and all meats, including chicken and mutton, are halal. There is no pork on the menu.
Chef and staff
Cuisine based on traditional South Indian Ayurvedic medicine is said to promote health and beauty, revitalizing the body from the inside out. Enjoy the refreshing spiciness, fresh herbs, and luxurious flavors made with premium spices.
*Photos provided by Dakshin Otemachi branch.
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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