Sep 07, 2024 22:30:00

I tried the 'Bandai City Bus Center Curry,' a Niigata specialty that has become soul food for the locals.

One of the most famous 'specialty curries' found in various regions is the 'Bandai City Bus Center Curry' in Niigata City. I had the opportunity to go to Niigata and try this curry, which is called the 'soul food of Niigata citizens.'

Bandai City is a busy town. Speed is key for curry at the bus center! | Specialty Bandai Soba | Bandai City | Official website

https://bandaicity.com/friends/202002bandaisoba/

Once you try it, you'll be hooked! 'Bus Center Curry' - the same taste since its creation | Niigata City Official Tourism Information Site - Tabi no Shiori
https://www.nvcb.or.jp/topics/bandaisoba

'Bandai City Bus Center Curry' refers to the curry at Bandai Soba on the first floor of the bus center, which is located here. It's within a 10-minute walk from Niigata Station.


I arrived at the bus center.

The corner at the back of the building is a stand-up corner for Bandai Soba, open from 8:00 to 19:00.

It is touted as the epitome of Niigata's B-class gourmet food.

It is a meal ticket system, and the ticket vending machine can accept 10,000 yen tickets.

This time I ordered 'Regular Curry Rice' (550 yen including tax) and 'Curry Udon' (530 yen including tax). The curry is characterized by its yellow color.

The curry rice was served with plenty of fukujinzuke pickles.

At first glance, the curry looks like a thick lump, but it contains thinly sliced pork, onions, and carrots, making it a curry with plenty of ingredients. The spiciness is somewhere between mild and medium spicy, and although it's not spicy, the rich flavor fills your mouth. The regular-sized bowl of rice is also a generous amount, making it a very satisfying bowl.

This is what curry udon looks like. It's covered in so much curry you can't even see the udon.

This is what it looks like when you dig into the noodles. The thick curry clings to the smooth udon. The curry is made by simmering the ingredients in pork bone soup, so it goes perfectly with the dashi stock.

After I started eating, I thought, 'Isn't this a pretty large portion?' and put my Suica card down. It was a portion that filled me up just enough, but didn't take too long to serve and eat. I saw many people eating quickly, putting their plates away, and leaving.