Even though I was born and raised in Honolulu, I really do enjoy cooler weather....of course this is SoCal, so take that "cooler" weather comment with a grain of salt. I enjoy the hearty soups and dishes that come with this season; though this year, with the fear that Covid-19 outbreaks will worsen (the current data since we got back from our road trip agrees with this theory), has really dampened my enthusiasm.
Still, I had been craving some Japanese Curry for lunch. Since Hinotez is only doing dinner these days and Coco Ichibanya's opening delayed until next year according to Eater and "FOY" Elle. I decided to check on Zen Curry, since it had had been a while since my last visit.
There was an item on the online menu that caught my eye; the "Ono Combo" ($15.50) which included a fried egg and the item I thought Zen did best; the Spam® Katsu. I ordered online and picked up my order; which was on a table inside the restaurant when I arrived....no human contact at all.
Things came packed quite neatly.
I also ordered a side of Rakkyo (50 cents), since I thought correctly, that it would help to cut the spice and richness.
It took me less than 15 minutes to get home; everything was still hot; but I decided to heat up the curry a bit more, before combining things.
Things were pretty much the same in terms of flavors and how the items were prepped and served. The texture of the curry on the pasty side; what I now called "roux-inned"....pun intended. I got it at heat level five and it delivered. The curry was ever so lightly beefy. If not for the texture; this would be a decent curry.
The egg was sadly overcooked.
As with my previous experience with the tonkatsu; it was tasteless and tough. The Spam Katsu seemed a bit over fried, the breading a bit too hard, edging on bitter. Still, it was the best thing on the plate.
It's too bad....I had thought that perhaps Zen was still going thru their soft/grand opening period when I visited; but it looks like what I'd had before is the status quo.
Kind of a bummer, because I really want to support these small businesses. I'm sure I'll return some time in the future....just not for a while.
Zen Curry
7309 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92111
Current Hours:
Sun - Wed 11am - 8pm
Thurs - Sat 11am - 9pm
disappointing:(
Posted by: kat | Monday, 23 November 2020 at 06:47 PM
It was Kat!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 24 November 2020 at 05:48 AM
Okan diner and Ichiro make a decent version. Still need to try Karami ramen's curry.
Posted by: Junichi | Tuesday, 24 November 2020 at 02:20 PM
Still haven't had the curry from Okan since they've kinda switched to an Okan Diner menu Junichi....and Ichiro; I really didn't care for the curry there, I thought it was really bland and thin.....though it's been a while.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 24 November 2020 at 05:20 PM