In this picture taken August 26, 2020, a man walks in front of the entrance of an outlet of CoCo Ichibanya Japanese curry chain restaurant in Gurgaon on the outskirts of New Delhi. — AFP pic
But it remains to be seen whether its own signature curry dish — a distinctive, thick brown sauce and sticky white rice — can lure diners accustomed to local varieties honed over thousands of years. Beef and pork are absent from the tailor-made menu, in deference to religious requirements and local tastes.
Curry originated in India thousands of years ago but in the late 19th century British seafarers introduced it to Japan, where it evolved into a beloved national comfort food. “Initially there is going to be a lot of interest,” Kavita Devgan, an author and food columnist, told AFP.It has shrugged off the challenges of opening in India during the coronavirus pandemic, at a time when many restaurant-goers are tightening their purse strings and eating at home.