We vibinnn' we curry vibin'!
Talking about curry, especially in Thailand, we would probably think of red curry, green curry or yellow curry. Those, of course, I likey like but it's totally different feel when I crave some Japanese curry. Thai or Indian curries most of the time are more watery (creamy too of course from the coconut milk) and Japanese curry are more like, thicker, gravy like kind of sauce.
When craving Japanese curry, number 1 place I would think of is Coco Ichibanya, a Japanese curry franchise restaurant located mostly in big malls in Thailand. I have eaten both here in Thailand and also in its origin country, Japan. Love it a lot! for the fact that the taste is great, unlimited pickled gingers and spiciness level could really kill you.
Curry Vibes, Pattaya
I love Coco Ichibanya as mentioned though where I live currently, in Pattaya or not that I know of, there's no Coco Ichibanya... I don't crave Japanese curry that often but when I do, it just a little difficult here in Pattaya.
Not anymore! The other day, we drove pass a place called 'Curry Vibes' and believe me, the look of the place really helps with how well the businesses do. I had never heard of the place, but because of the clean, minimal looking place, I look it up online just almost right away. They got great reviews and all the food photos I saw on the maps were just that tempting.
We stopped by Curry Vibes the other day on the way to a big damn, Mabphrachan, in Pattaya. Spoiler alert, Curry vibe did not disappoint.
Sour plum tea (Ume plum) It's hot out so we started with a sweet, sour and salty drink. Foreigner might find it a little weird but once you get used to it, this might become one of your favorite drink in the hot countries.
The place also serves other kinds of drink like coffee, tea, soft drinks.
Then to start the meal, my boyfriend was going to go with deep fried chicken but let's just go with some appetizer we're not so used to.. Deep fried mashed potatoes mixed with ground pork. Crispy outside, soft and fluffy from the inside. The seasoning also just the right amount so we don't even need to add anything more.
Visit a place called 'Curry vibes' would be such a joke if we didn't order any curry dishes. So many types of meat, chickens, shrimps, soft shell crab.. We went with the basic and ordered Japanese Curry with deep fried pork on rice, topped with an omelette.
We normally eat this kind of curry with pickled ginger (a must!).They give us such small amount of it and if we need more, just need to pay extra. Compared to Coco Ichibanya where they offer an unlimited amount of pickled ginger, this is just a little annoying part of the place.. their pickles taste great though!
I love all kinds of noodles.. noodle soup especially so, Udon curry soup it is! .. doesn't sound right, does it? b.. but frens, here's how they do it. Udon in a soup, then a scoop of curry on top just for you to get a hint of it then topped with some seaweed. Looks simple yet, super duper yummy!!! So umami and the udon texture is just really heaven in the mouth!
Mousse vibes
It just doesn't feel like to finish a meal without a dessert so, mousse vibe! 2 Choices: white choc or Matcha. Since we're in Japanese curry house, so matcha it is baby!
It's a really good looking cup of mousse. Looks fancy. There's even a small bit of gold on top of it. First bite was 'omg, this is rich matcha' then after a few bites, we really need some help. It taste great no doubt with real matcha as well but I think, a little less rich would make it easier to eat or at least have a few people to share that small cup would be perfect!
I will be back again, and again, and again...
I love everything here! From decorations, the food, all of them from the curry, the udon, the dessert.(a little too rich but still, yum!) The service also great since it's not that big of a place, 1 waitress take care us all!
Price wise, probably not a cheapest food you could find in the city but with this quality of food, I think it's so worth the bucks!
This is one of a few places in Pattaya that I feel like I can re-visit again and again! Surely visit if you're a fan of Japanese curry and ever make it to Pattaya!
... I can even go back there again tomorrow #lol