5Miyahara
Central Dist. · Desserts & shaved ice
Ogawa Japanese Curry
Worth the queueLocal favorite
VerdictA Japanese owner's homestyle curry: get the cheese beef balls and arrive early
A tiny Japanese curry shop by Zhongxiao Night Market. The Japanese owner serves just three dishes; the cheese beef-ball curry is crisp and stringy, and sets come with miso soup and crème brûlée. Few seats, so expect a line.
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Review
Ogawa Japanese Curry is run by Japanese owner Yukiko Ogawa. It began as a wooden Japanese-style stall under a carport on Zhongxiao Road, with no air conditioning and only counter seats plus five tables, and was already a queue-worthy name at Zhongxiao Night Market. After closing for several months, it reopened in 2023 at No. 50 Minyi Street nearby, close to the Zhongxiao Road corner, still opening at 5pm.
The menu has just three proteins: pork, chicken and beef. The signature cheese beef ball curry comes with three freshly fried handmade meatballs, crisp outside and tender inside, releasing long strands of cheese. The fried chicken curry layers a thin crisp cutlet over rice, and the Genki rice is teriyaki pork belly with fried onions, savory-sweet and less sugary than a typical pork bowl. The curry is cooked with several spices and onion into a rich, mildly sweet sauce with gentle heat, and chili powder is on the table. Sets include kelp miso soup and crème brûlée with a hard caramel top you crack with a spoon; diners joke that this is a dessert shop held back by its curry.
Prices have changed over time. A 2022 report from the old stall listed Genki rice at NT$120 and fried chicken curry at NT$140; a 2023 article after the move gave NT$130, NT$160, and NT$180 for the cheese beef balls, so go by the posted prices. Praise centers on authentic, homestyle flavor and honest portions, and the owner's occasional Japanese greeting adds charm. Complaints are about too few seats, waiting, and selling out for late arrivals.
The new shop has four two-seat tables, four counter seats and one two-seat table under the arcade, and fills soon after opening, so arrive before it opens; regulars often ask first whether anything is left. It is closed Thursdays and shuts early once sold out, and closing times vary slightly by source.
It suits anyone at Zhongxiao Night Market who wants a proper meal and likes homestyle Japanese curry. Order the cheese beef ball curry first time, choose Genki rice for something non-spicy, and do not skip the crème brûlée.
Why go
- Three freshly fried cheese beef balls that stretch when bitten
- 2023 prices were about NT$130–180
- Sets include miso soup and crème brûlée
- Only about a dozen seats, so queue before opening
- The non-spicy teriyaki pork Genki rice often sells out first
- Closed Thursdays and shuts early once sold out
What people say
Liked
- Authentic homestyle curry, and the crisp, stretchy cheese beef balls are a treat
- The included crème brûlée is so good people compare it to a dessert shop
- The Japanese owner is warm and the atmosphere feels homely
Complaints
- Too few seats; it fills right after opening and you wait
- Late arrivals often find items sold out, especially Genki rice
- Prices rose after the move, and old and new data differ
Summarized from the common views of bloggers, media and diners; not direct quotes.
Must-try
Location
台中市南區民意街50號Directions ↗
Sources
This page is compiled from the articles below and rewritten in our own words. Hours and prices change, so check before you go.
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